Written Answers Nos. 128-133
128. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an application for a medical card in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22518/15]
View answerThe 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.
129. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding nurses' registration fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22519/15]
View answerI wish to thank the Deputy for the matter raised.
Given that this is an operational matter, it is appropriate that it should be dealt with by the NMBI. Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NMBI for attention and direct reply.
If you have not received a reply from the NMBI within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
130. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will provide support in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry, who has been left disabled and paralysed after a serious accident; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22522/15]
View answerAs 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.
131. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 630 of 26 May 2015, the measures that are in place to ensure that patients presenting at Wexford General Hospital with mental health issues and who have also misused substances do not get discharged before they have been assessed, in view of the standard practice of postponing assessment until the patient is no longer intoxicated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22524/15]
View answerIn line with the previous answer which issued to the Deputy from the HSE, the standard practice for patients presenting with mental health issues who have also misused substances is that the assessment would be postponed until the individual is no longer intoxicated and is medically fit to engage in the assessment process. In the interim, the patient remains under the care of the Hospital Emergency Department Team.
I understand that the HSE is conducting a Systems Analysis investigation regarding the case referred to by the Deputy. I will ask the HSE to consider the point made by the Deputy in the context of the ongoing monitoring of their procedures and practices and having regard to the particular circumstances in this case.
132. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm reports that in 2009 plans for an acute ward in Wexford General Hospital were in the Health Service Executive south's capital plan, as mentioned by the executive's then manager of mental health and elderly services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22525/15]
View answerAs this is a service issue your question 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 who will follow up.
133. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health her views on whether it is appropriate that a person presenting with suicidal tendencies at Wexford General Hospital and in need of consultation with a psychiatrist would have to go through two accident and emergency departments, in Wexford and in Waterford, in order to see a psychiatrist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22526/15]
View answerSince coming into office, this Government has prioritised the reform of our mental health services in line with the recommendations in A Vision for Change. We are committed to reducing the stigma of mental illness, ensuring early and appropriate intervention and improving access to modern mental health services in the community. Additional funding totalling €125 million and some 1,150 new posts have been provided for mental health services since 2012.
This funding has enabled the HSE to develop a number of services and programmes for people who are in suicidal crisis, including the self-harm Clinical Programme which provides for assessment and management of patients presenting with self-harm to Emergency Departments, the development of the Liaison Psychiatry Service and the roll out of the Suicide Crisis Assessment Nurse (SCAN) service.
In relation to the specific issue raised by the Deputy as this is a service matter, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If you have not received a reply within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
