Written Answers Nos. 756-775
756. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health his views regarding a situation whereby privately insured persons attend public hospitals for treatment and are charged privately through their health insurance, and where the State also pays the hospitals for the same treatment carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37864/15]
View answerThe Health Act 1970 (as amended) provides that all persons ordinarily resident in the country are entitled, subject to certain charges, to public in-patient hospital services and to public out-patient hospital services. For persons availing of public in-patient services, the current public hospital statutory in-patient charge is €75 per night, subject to a maximum of €750 in any twelve consecutive months.
Section 55 provides that the HSE may provide private in-patient services to persons who are not entitled to, or who do not have or have waived eligibility to public in-patient services. An essential element of the eligibility arrangements is that the public or private status of a patient must be specified on admission to hospital. Section 55 also provides for the charging of private in-patients. Where a patient elects to be treated privately by a consultant the hospital must treat that patient as a private patient. Persons who opt to be private on admission to hospital are liable for the fees of all consultants involved in his or her care and for hospital charges under Section 55 for that episode of care. The hospital charge applicable depend on the hospital treating the patient and on whether a person is accommodated in a single or multiple occupancy room or on a day case basis. The application of a charge by a hospital for in-patient services is obligatory under the legislation, irrespective of whether the patient occupies a public designated bed or private designated bed, as it relates to the private service provided.
Should a patient consider that a charge by a hospital for in-patient services has been inappropriately applied, the patient should in the first instance address those concerns to the private health insurer who will address the matter with the hospital concerned.
757. Deputy John Perry asked the Minister for Health the current status of an application for a medical card by a person (details supplied) in County Sligo; if he will issue a discretionary medical card to the person, given that person's serious illness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37868/15]
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 which will follow up the matter with the HSE.
758. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of an incident which occurred on 20 October 2015 at a school (details supplied) in County Louth in which an ambulance called to the scene of an accidental fall took 57 minutes to arrive; that when queried, the ambulance staff cited a service outage as the reason for this; his views on the impact of a service outage on the ambulance service; the back-up systems that exist to mitigate this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37871/15]
View answerI understand that the National Ambulance Service is undertaking an internal review of this particular incident. I have therefore 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.
759. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health when the proposed new model of care for adolescents with type 1 diabetes, outlined in the strategy document of the paediatric diabetes working group, which was set up by the Health Service Executive in 2011, will be launched, given the importance of this model to the quality of life of the children involved, and the fact that the launch date has already been pushed back; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37884/15]
View answerI am launching the model of care on the 14 of December next.
760. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Health if he has concerns regarding the methodology undertaken by the Health Research Board earlier in 2015, when reviewing the effects of the fluoridation of water, particularly the board's failure to assess the cumulative exposure for the population to fluoride consumption from not only water fluoridation, but also from the consumption of food, beverage, and medicines, or from occupational exposure to fluoride; his plans to review this policy again, given our unique position in Europe as the only State with nationwide mandatory water fluoridation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37889/15]
View answerA review of evidence on the impact of community water fluoridation at its current level on the health of the population was conducted by the Health Research Board (HRB) on behalf of the Department of Health and published in June 2015. In line with best practice on research, each study included in the report had a quality review completed and the complete review was peer reviewed prior to its publication. The Department of Health keeps water fluoridation policy under constant review.
761. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health when home help supports and a home care package will be provided to assist with the care of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; if he will confirm how long the person has been on the waiting list; if the Health Service Executive has adequate funding to provide these vital supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37898/15]
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 it will follow up the matter with the HSE.
762. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of claims of medical negligence that have been received against publicly-funded health professionals in the past three years; of these, the number that were settled, prior to proceedings being issued; after a defence of denying liability was entered; the number that ended with a payment to the claimants; the number that involved an offer by the State Claims Agency to submit to formal mediation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37929/15]
View answerThe management of clinical negligence claims taken against publicly funded health professionals is delegated to the State Claims Agency which has a mandate to investigate and manage these cases to completion. The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available. Accordingly I have asked the State Claims Agency to collate the information and it will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available. The State Claims Agency has indicated that it will have this information available within 15 working days.
763. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 60 of 14 October 2015, his views on a response issued by University Hospital Galway on 22 October 2015 stating the orthodontic treatment waiting list is currently running at approximately three years, and that, therefore, it is anticipated that a person (details supplied) should be seen in July 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37951/15]
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.
In relation to your further query in this issue, 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 up the matter.
764. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide permanent employment for health care attendants and multi-task attendants on internships in a hospital (details supplied); if urgent consideration will be given to regularising the employment status of these employees, as many of these short-term contracts end within the next few months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37956/15]
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 it will follow up the matter with the HSE.
765. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the current status in determining eligibility for a medical card of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; the documentation still outstanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37962/15]
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 which will follow up the matter with it.
766. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry who has been referred to the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dún Laoghaire; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37970/15]
View answerAs 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 it will follow the matter up with the HSE.
767. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health if it is possible to reimburse a multiple sclerosis patient for the drug Fampyra, which he has paid for on the drugs refund scheme, prior to its going onto the list of medication covered by the medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37977/15]
View answerThe Health Service Executive (HSE) has confirmed that Fampridine (brand name Fampyra®) is being reimbursed under the Long Term Illness Scheme from 1st October 2015. It is not possible to reimburse patients retrospectively for any medicine purchased before that medicine is added to the HSE's List of Reimbursable Items.
768. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an appointment at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin 9 for a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath. [37985/15]
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.
769. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for Health Service Executive aids and appliances in north Dublin, for less than three months; three months plus to six months; six months plus to nine months; nine months plus to 12 months; 12 months plus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37999/15]
View answerThe Health Service Executive (HSE) is responsible for the administration of the primary care schemes, therefore, the 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 it will follow up the matter with the HSE.
770. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for Health Service Executive services in north Dublin, who are being monitored by the resource allocation group; who are on a waiting list for up to three months; three months plus to six months; six months plus to nine months; nine months plus to 12 months; 12 months plus; the services with the greatest demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38000/15]
View answerAs this is a service issue, 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 it will follow up the matter with the Executive.
771. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding extra recruiting of nurses for Beaumont Hospital in Dublin 9; the number of nursing posts that will be filled before Christmas 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38001/15]
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.
772. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the number of agency nursing staff currently in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9; the number who have been contracted to this hospital for less than three months; three months plus to six months, six months plus to nine months; nine months plus to 12 months; 12 months plus; if this number will be increased over the winter period; the cost associated with hiring agency staff, compared to hiring full-time or part-time permanent nursing staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38002/15]
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 it will follow up the matter with the HSE.
773. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if all wards and beds will be opened in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, for the winter period; the number of beds this would bring on board for this period; the way these extra beds will be manned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38003/15]
View answerAs 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 up the matter.
774. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on waiting lists for procedures in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9 for up to three months; from three months plus to six months; six months plus to nine months; nine months plus to 12 months; 12 months plus to 18 months; 18 months plus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38004/15]
View answerAs 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.
775. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the capital projects that will commence at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38005/15]
View answerThe HSE is concentrating on applying the funding available for infrastructure development in the most effective way possible to meet current and future needs. Any future investment at Beaumont must be considered within the overall acute hospital sector infrastructure programme, and also within the overall capital envelope available to the health service. It must also be considered in the context of the establishment of hospital groups. Each hospital group will be required to develop a strategic plan to describe how it will provide more efficient and effective patient services and reorganise its services to provide optimal care to the populations it serves.
As part of its 2015 - 2016 winter capacity planning, Beaumont is extending the Day Hospital at St. Joseph's, Raheny from a 2 day to a 5 day service. The Day Hospital provides a multi-disciplinary team for frail older people, thus providing an alternative care pathway for these patients, helping them to avoid ED admission. Rehabilitation and transitional care services are also provided in St. Joseph's, which facilitates earlier discharge from Beaumont and assists in avoiding re-admissions.
Following the announcement last month of the health capital envelope of €3,061 million for the multi-annual period 2016-2021, the HSE has undertaken preliminary work on the Capital Plan. This Plan, which requires my approval together with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, will include a schedule of projects to be delivered. This recently announced capital envelope has increased funding available in the later years of the period and therefore potential scope for additional investment concentrated towards the end of the period.
