Tuesday, 21 Apr 2015

Written Answers Nos. 443 - 462

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (444)

Robert Troy

Question:

444. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that a person (details supplied) is provided an ear, nose and throat appointment without further delay. [15298/15]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.

The scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she should take the matter up with the consultant and the hospital involved. In relation to the specific case raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.

Health Services

Questions (445)

John McGuinness

Question:

445. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the occupational therapist cover for mid-Kildare; the number of therapists working in the area; the waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15304/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Applications

Questions (446)

Dan Neville

Question:

446. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a fair deal scheme application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15306/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

Hospital Beds Data

Questions (447)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

447. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if additional beds will be opened in a facility (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15309/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

Medical Card Eligibility

Questions (448)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

448. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the number of children with illnesses who are awaiting a medical card; the number who were refused medical cards in 2012 to 2014 and in 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15312/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has issued to Oireachtas members. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.

Orthodontic Services Waiting Lists

Questions (449)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

449. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary who has been on the waiting list since 2011 will be provided an orthodontic appointment. [15331/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.

Cancer Screening Programmes

Questions (450)

Shane Ross

Question:

450. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 16, who was previously diagnosed and treated for breast cancer, has now been removed from the BreastCheck register, resulting in that person having to pay €200 per mammogram; if this is a policy decision to de-list all cancer survivors; if so, the reason for this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15336/15]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Deputy's question relates to service delivery matters and accordingly I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him.

If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

Medical Aids and Appliances Applications

Questions (451)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

451. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a hearing aid in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15340/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.

Hospitals Data

Questions (452, 459)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

452. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the reason the Health Service Executive has entirely removed the previous breakdown on the private-public mix by hospital from its monthly data report, in view of the fact that providing a generic percentage for all acute hospitals is entirely meaningless, and that this means that a significant number of public hospitals could be breaching their 20-80 mix, and this information would no longer be publicly available. [15344/15]

Billy Kelleher

Question:

459. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, the inpatient profiles, that is, public and private, and the elective emergency mix for January 2015, in the manner provided on the December 2014 Management Data Report (details supplied). [15375/15]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 452 and 459 together.

The patient information requested by the Deputy and comprising of the private/public mix and elective/emergency mix by hospital will be published with HSE's February Performance Report at the end of April. Thereafter, this data will continue to be published on a monthly basis with the HSE's monthly Performance Reports throughout 2015.

Services for People with Disabilities

Questions (453)

Finian McGrath

Question:

453. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will support a matter regarding the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15355/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Each Local Health Office area in the Health Service Executive (HSE) has a dedicated Disability Manager to coordinate the delivery of services to people with disabilities. It is open to the individual and their family to pursue this matter with the Disability Manager for their area who can be contacted at Ballymun Health Care Facility, Main Street, Ballymun, Dublin 9, telephone [phone].

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, he can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.

Medical Internships

Questions (454)

Finian McGrath

Question:

454. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason 88% of final year medical students have no intention of working here when they qualify; the serious implications this has for the health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15356/15]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The recruitment and retention of doctors at all levels – from medical graduate to specialist – is a priority for me as Minister for Health. In this context, I am committed to the implementation of the recommendations of the Strategic Review of Medical Training and Career Structure.

In July 2013, a Working Group, chaired by Prof. Brian MacCraith, President, Dublin City University, was established to carry out the Strategic Review. The Working Group was tasked with examining and making high-level recommendations relating to training and career pathways for doctors with a view to:

- Improving graduate retention in the public health system;

- Planning for future service needs;

- Realising maximum benefit from investment in medical education and training.

The Working Group completed its work in mid-2014 and, in all, submitted three reports and made 25 recommendations. The reports address a range of barriers and issues relating to the recruitment and retention of doctors in the Irish public health system.

The Strategic Review recommendations are being implemented through a range of structures and processes across the health system. Each recommendation has an identified business owner and progress updates are sought by my Department on a regular basis. To support implementation of the recommendations, my Department has also established an Implementation Monitoring Group, comprising key stakeholders including trainee doctors. This approach will help drive implementation across the system and embed the recommendations in the day-to-day business practice of the health system.

As the Deputy may be aware, the first six-monthly progress report on the implementation of the recommendations was published on 5th March last on my Department’s website. The next report will be finalised and published this summer so that all stakeholders, in particular trainee doctors, can assess the progress being made across the range of Strategic Review recommendations.

Hospital Services

Questions (455)

Finian McGrath

Question:

455. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason the Pancreatic Transplant Unit at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9 was closed down in January 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15357/15]

Written answers

Minister for Health

At the end of 2014, two consultant transplant surgeons left the renal and pancreas transplant programme at Beaumont Hospital, one on retirement and the second on leave of absence for professional development purposes. Given the limited number of surgeons who specialise in transplantation, any vacancies pose a challenge. While every effort is being made to fill the vacancies, remaining surgeons are available to provide transplant services.

Beaumont Hospital is also collaborating with other transplant services in relation to a combined approach to kidney/pancreas transplants, as well as the development of an intra-abdominal organ retrieval service. Pancreatic transplants, of which 6 were performed in 2014, are expected to continue this year.

Officials from the HSE and my Department are actively working with senior management and the transplant surgeons at Beaumont Hospital on the development of renal transplant services.

Services for People with Disabilities

Questions (456)

Finian McGrath

Question:

456. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will support a matter (details supplied) regarding adult services for persons with physical and intellectual disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15359/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Each Local Health Office area in the Health Service Executive (HSE) has a dedicated Disability Manager to coordinate the delivery of services to people with disabilities. It is open to the individual and their family to pursue this matter with the Disability Manager for their area who can be contacted at Ballymun Health Care Facility, Main Street, Ballymun, Dublin 9, telephone [phone].

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, he can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.

Health Promotion

Questions (457)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

457. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health his views on the Fit for Work Ireland Initiative; his Department's response to the initiative; the steps taken to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15364/15]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I recently met with Arthritis Ireland and was updated on the Fit for Work programme, which Arthritis Ireland promote and which aims to better align the work and health agendas in Ireland and I assume this is programme referred to by the Deputy.

I, along with Minister Lynch, recently published the priorities for the Department of Health for 2015. One of the priorities identified under Healthy Ireland - the Framework for Improved Health and Well-being 2013-2025 is to commence the development of a national 'Healthy Workplace' framework across both the public and private sector. This framework will aim to assist employers to support employees to follow a healthy lifestyle. My Department will work closely with relevant stakeholders in the development of the Healthy Workplace Framework.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (458)

Barry Cowen

Question:

458. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the case of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and when the person will receive an appointment in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9. [15366/15]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.

The scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she should take the matter up with the consultant and the hospital involved. In relation to the specific case raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.

Question No. 459 answered with Question No. 452.

Dental Services Provision

Questions (460)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

460. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the position regarding dental treatment in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13. [15377/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.

Dental Services

Questions (461)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

461. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that the dental scheme for medical card holders entitles them to two fillings per year, regardless of whether the tooth or teeth requiring fillings were previously filled, in view of the fact that patients have been informed by some dentists that fillings for teeth previously filled are not covered under the scheme. [15378/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Dental Treatment Services Scheme provides access to dental treatment for adult medical card holders. The service is provided by contracted dentists. The HSE prioritises for treatment patients with special needs, high risk patients and those who have greater clinical needs. A free oral examination every calendar year and free emergency dental treatment with a focus on relief of pain and sepsis are available to all eligible patients, regardless of their medical condition. This includes 2 fillings per year, all extractions, including surgical extractions, and a number of complex treatments. A subsequent filling on the same tooth can be approved by the HSE where such treatment is clinically necessary.

General Practitioner Services Provision

Questions (462)

John McGuinness

Question:

462. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the progress in relation to the recruitment of a general practitioner to service the general medical services scheme for Gortnahoe, County Tipperary, arising from the retirement of a doctor (details supplied); the number of applications received from medical card holders requesting to transfer to another general practitioner; the number of applications approved; if clients requesting a transfer, arising from the Health Service Executive letter of the 29 September 2014, and for reason of an urgent nature, will be given priority consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15379/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.