Thomas Byrne
Question:211. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Health to expedite an application by a person (details supplied) under the medical card scheme. [9149/16]
View answerMedical Card Applications
Questions (211)
Written answers
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 recently 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.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (212, 213)
Denis Naughten
Question:212. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the number of persons awaiting orthopaedic appointments at each relevant hospital; the waiting times in each hospital for those graded as routine and those graded as urgent and who are already on the waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9150/16]
View answerDenis Naughten
Question:213. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the average waiting time for an orthopaedic appointment at each relevant hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9151/16]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 212 and 213 together.
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 Waiting Lists
Questions (214)
Denis Naughten
Question:214. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to address waiting times for orthopaedic appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9152/16]
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.
In 2016, the HSE is focusing on a number of key activities to manage waiting lists more effectively, thereby improving patient waiting times. These include:
- ensuring that chronological scheduling is adhered to;
- putting in place administrative and clinical validation procedures to ensure that patients are available for treatment;
- relocating high-volume low complexity surgeries to smaller hospitals; and
- designating an improvement lead for each hospital group, to provide support in meeting national targets for appointments and treatment
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.
Hospital Accommodation Provision
Questions (215, 216)
Eugene Murphy
Question:215. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health to provide a timeline on the promised refurbishment of St. Patrick's Hospital in Carrick-On-Shannon, County Leitrim. [9154/16]
View answerEugene Murphy
Question:216. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health to provide a timeline on the promised refurbishment of the Sacred Heart Home in County Roscommon. [9155/16]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 215 and 216 together.
As these are service matters they have 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.
Cancer Services Provision
Questions (217)
Regina Doherty
Question:217. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Health the number of persons undergoing treatment for cancer at all public hospitals in each month of 2015, in tabular form. [9159/16]
View answerWritten answers
The Deputy's question relates to service delivery matters and accordingly I have asked the HSE to respond directly to her.
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 with them.
Cancer Services Provision
Questions (218)
Regina Doherty
Question:218. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Health the number of persons undergoing chemotherapy treatment for cancer at all public hospitals in each month of 2015, in tabular form. [9160/16]
View answerWritten answers
The Deputy's question relates to service delivery matters and accordingly I have asked the HSE to respond directly to her.
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 with them.
Hospital Services
Questions (219)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:219. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health why a person (details supplied) has not been issued with a date for an operation, given that numerous letters have been sent to the hospital by the person's general practitioner confirming the urgency of this operation. [9162/16]
View answerWritten answers
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 my officials will follow up the matter with them.
Hospital Services
Questions (220, 221)
Pearse Doherty
Question:220. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a review into ante-natal and gynaecology services at Dungloe Community Hospital, County Donegal, will be carried out; the reason such a review has not yet taken place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9163/16]
View answerPearse Doherty
Question:221. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when he will reinstate ante-natal and gynaecology services at Dungloe Community Hospital in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9164/16]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 220 and 221 together.
With 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.