Finian McGrath
Question:375. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health to support a matter (details supplied) regarding the provision of a wheelchair; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4310/16]
View answerServices for People with Disabilities
Questions (375)
Written answers
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.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (376)
Finian McGrath
Question:376. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health to support this matter (details supplied) regarding the case of a person. [4311/16]
View answerWritten answers
Long waiting times for scoliosis surgery are unacceptable. I have been clear in my determination that these waiting times are to be addressed as a priority, through additional resources and capacity.
Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin is the largest provider of scoliosis surgery for children and young people. Funding was allocated in 2015 for additional consultant posts including two consultant orthopaedic surgeons, anaesthetist and support staff including at Crumlin while capital funding was also provided for a new theatre on site to expand theatre capacity further. The 2016 Service Plan specifically provides for support for the new theatre capacity and the continued development of paediatric scoliosis services to address ongoing capacity deficits.
In order to address waiting times in the interim, patients from Crumlin have been transferred to other hospitals where capacity is available and where that is clinically appropriate. These include Temple Street, Cappagh, Tallaght and the Blackrock Clinic. External capacity has also been identified at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital at Stanmore in the UK. As a result of this initiative, 94 scoliosis surgeries were carried out in 2015, 42% more than in 2014. The Department of Health is continuing to work with the HSE, the Children’s Hospital Group and the hospitals themselves to ensure that we continue to make strong progress in addressing this issue and to identify all options to increase capacity to further improve access times for surgery.
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.
General Medical Services Scheme
Questions (377)
Finian McGrath
Question:377. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health to support a matter (details supplied) regarding the high cost of gluten free produce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4312/16]
View answerWritten answers
The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicinal products under the community drug schemes in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
The HSE faces a continuing challenge to deliver services in a way that will minimise any adverse impact on patients and continue to protect, as far as possible, the most vulnerable citizens. Unfortunately, as a result it has become necessary for the HSE to suspend certain products from its list of items reimbursable under the GMS and other community drug schemes. This includes gluten-free products.
Gluten-free products have become more widely available in supermarkets in recent years and tend to be significantly cheaper than products sold through community pharmacies. Coeliac patients can also claim medical expenses tax relief on expenditure incurred on gluten-free products manufactured specifically for coeliacs. There are no plans to reinstate these products on the list of reimbursable items under the GMS and other community drug schemes.
General Practitioner Services Provision
Questions (378)
Finian McGrath
Question:378. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health to support a matter (details supplied) regarding the D Doc service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4313/16]
View answerWritten answers
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 the Executive.
Health Services Provision
Questions (379)
Finian McGrath
Question:379. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health to support a matter (details supplied) regarding an individualised plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4316/16]
View answerWritten answers
The particular issue raised by the Deputy is a service matter for the Health Service Executive. Accordingly I have arranged for the question to be 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.
Health Services Staff Recruitment
Questions (380)
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:380. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he has appointed a clinical lead to the national endoscope working group which was established by the Health Service Executive; if he will name the appointee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4328/16]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Hospital Procedures
Questions (381)
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:381. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health why the target for processing routine colonoscopy patients within 13 weeks, has been revised from 100% to 70%, given the publication of the HSE service plan for 2016,; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4329/16]
View answerWritten answers
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.
National Treatment Purchase Fund
Questions (382)
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:382. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the cost of outsourcing colonoscopy patients who are waiting longer than 12 months for an appointment through the National Treatment Purchase Fund, in each of the years 2011 to 2015, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4330/16]
View answerWritten answers
With regard to the detailed 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.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (383)
Pearse Doherty
Question:383. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive an appointment for an operation at Letterkenny University Hospital, County Donegal; if this person is on an urgent or routine waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4332/16]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (384)
Pearse Doherty
Question:384. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive an appointment in the Mater Private Hospital, Dublin 1.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4333/16]
View answerWritten answers
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.
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.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (385)
Pearse Doherty
Question:385. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive an appointment in Galway University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4335/16]
View answerWritten answers
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.
General Medical Services Scheme
Questions (386, 387)
Gerry Adams
Question:386. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if the drug Flexique is included in the Health Service Executive list of reimbursable items under the general medical services scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4338/16]
View answerGerry Adams
Question:387. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health why a person (details supplied) in County Meath is unable to access the drug Flexique, under the general medical services scheme; if an alternative drug will be provided under this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4339/16]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 386 and 387 together.
Officials in my Department have been in contact with the Deputy's offices to request clarification of the medicinal product referred to in these questions. Once clarification is received, officials will provide a reply directly to the Deputy within 15 working days.
Nursing Homes Support Scheme Applications
Questions (388)
Michelle Mulherin
Question:388. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Health why an application by a person (details supplied) in County Mayo under the fair deal scheme was refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4345/16]
View answerWritten answers
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.
General Practitioner Services Provision
Questions (389)
Arthur Spring
Question:389. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health the status of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry who was removed from a general practitioners' list and who has unsuccessfully applied to at least three general practitioners in the area who are contracted to provide services under the general medical services. [4346/16]
View answerWritten answers
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 the Executive.