Written Answers Nos. 189-198
189. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the number of meetings that have taken place of the islands health care committee of the Health Service Executive; the number of meetings the committee has had with Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25250/15]
View answerAs 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.
190. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin den Aire Sláinte cad é an líon uaireanta de chúram cúntóirí baile a cuireadh ar fáil ón mbliain 2010 go dtí 2015; an gcuirfidh sé an plean atá ann do chúram na bliana 2016 ar fáil i bhfoirm tábla; an gcinnteoidh sé go mbeidh cúram leordhóthanach ar fáil dóibh sin atá ina ghátar; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [25310/15]
View answerIarradh ar Fheidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte (HSE) an t-ábhar seo a scrúdú agus freagra a sholáthar don Teachta a luaithe is féidir. Muna bhfuil freagra ón HSE faighte ag an Teachta laistigh de 15 lá oibre déan teagmháil le do thoil le m'Oifig Phríobháideach agus déanfaidh siadsan fiosrúcháin leo faoin scéal.
191. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure a child (details supplied) in County Dublin, who was born prematurely and is still in Crumlin hospital in Dublin 12, will receive adequate home help care. [25316/15]
View answerAs 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.
192. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health with regard to recent figures released by the State Claims Agency, regarding 67 extreme incidents in our 19 maternity units last year, the number of these incidents currently under external review; if these reviews are in addition to those otherwise announced for Portiuncula Hospital in County Galway, and for Cavan General Hospital; the total costs of these reviews; and the way external reviewers have been selected. [25322/15]
View answerWith regard to the specific queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service matters, 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.
193. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) commenced employment in University Hospital Galway and/or Merlin Park University Hospital Galway; if that person's employment has ended in both or either, and, if so, on what date; if any investigation or inquiry, formal or informal, has been initiated into the standard of care or medical practice provided by that person; the status of that investigation or inquiry; if he is aware of the serious concerns being expressed by many former patients concerning that person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25332/15]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on the matter. 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.
194. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health his plans to build a primary care centre in Navan, County Meath. [25335/15]
View answerThe HSE has responsibility for the provision, maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres. Therefore, this matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and 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.
195. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the specific criteria for a general practitioner to partake in the free general practitioner scheme for those under six years of age; and the qualifications or education a doctor must have completed. [25336/15]
View answerAny suitably qualified GP can enter into a contract with the HSE for the provision of services to children aged under 6. The contract is available to those doctors (a) whose name is included in the Specialist Division of the register of medical practitioners established under section 43(2)(b) of the Medical Practitioners Act 2007; and (b) who hold a current certificate of registration within the meaning of section 2 of that Act in respect of the medical specialty "General Practice" recognised under section 89(1) of that Act - the Health (General Practitioner Service) Act 2014 refers.
Under the Health (General Practitioner Service) Act 2014, there is a six months "grace period" following commencement of the legislation, whereby doctors holding GMS or GP Visit card contracts can enter into the new under 6 contract where they are not on the specialist register.
196. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if a general practitioner refers patients to a casualty unit or hospital for diagnostic tests whether patients have to pay again on arriving for these tests even though they have paid the initial doctor a consultation fee. [25337/15]
View answerUnder the Health (Out-Patient Charges) Regulations 2013, S.I. No. 45/2013, the €100 charge made for out-patient services provided at an emergency department or similar location shall not be payable by a person who has a letter of referral from a registered medical practitioner. A person who has been referred to a hospital for an in-patient service, including that provided on a day case basis, will have to pay the statutory daily charge of €75 as provided for by the Health (In-Patient Charges) (Amendment) Regulations 2008.
197. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath is provided with an appointment with the eye and ear hospital in Dublin 2, without further delay. [25364/15]
View answerUnder 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.
198. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 204 of 18 June 2015, if it is the case that the reconfiguration of the 33 acute surgical beds in Beaumont Hospital in Dublin 9 will result in an immediate loss of ten high-observation beds that the Hardwicke ward currently provides, as well as five single rooms that are used to nurse surgical patients who may require isolation for specific reasons, and that the three other surgical wards that Beaumont has stated will be ring-fenced for surgical patients will not be in any position to increase their high-observation bed capacity at the present time due to the current staffing levels. [25398/15]
View answerWith regard to the specific queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service matters, 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.
