Written Answers Nos. 605-619
605. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health why a person's (details supplied) referral from a general practitioner for an appointment in a hospital was rejected; and if the person can be granted an appointment at the hospital as soon as possible. [21225/16]
View answerThe Dublin Dental Hospital is governed by a Board, established by Statutory Instrument (S.I. No. 129 of 1963) under the Health (Corporate Bodies) Act 1961. The Minister has no role in the setting of appointments by Dublin Dental Hospital. I understand that the Hospital has contacted the patient on this matter.
606. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when the clinical advisory group on medical cards will report its final recommendations to him; when the interim report which was given to the Minster for Health last summer will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21239/16]
View answer607. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if, in line with the commitment in the programme for Government, he has requested the clinical advisory group on medical cards to examine the guidelines for awarding discretionary medical cards for persons undergoing treatment for cancer; and when he expects this review to be complete. [21240/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 606 and 607 together.
On foot of the report by the Expert Panel on Medical Need for Medical Card Eligibility, the HSE established the Clinical Advisory Group and requested that it develop clinical oversight and guidance for the operation of a more compassionate and trusted medical card system. The Director General of the HSE, on accepting an interim recommendation of the Group, made a decision to award medical card eligibility to all children under 18 years of age with a diagnosis of cancer from 1 July 2015, with the card to be held for a period of five years.
The Clinical Advisory Group is continuing its work on the development of guidance on assessing medical card applications involving significant medical conditions. It is envisaged that the final report will be submitted to the Director General of the HSE shortly. It will be a matter for the HSE to consider, when the CAG completes its work, the publication of its conclusions.
608. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health to outline the primary care reimbursement service’s guidelines for awarding discretionary medical cards to cancer patients; and if cancer patients applying for a discretionary card are given an additional weekly means allowance. [21241/16]
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 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.
609. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the primary care reimbursement service’s guidelines for awarding discretionary medical cards to motor neurone disease patients; and if motor neurone disease patients applying for a discretionary card are given an additional weekly means allowance. [21242/16]
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 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.
610. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when an operation will be provided for a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay in issuing a date for this procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21245/16]
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 National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.
In relation to the particular query raised, 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.
611. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Health the reason a person's (details supplied) home support hours have been cut. [21251/16]
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 they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
612. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health if and when St. John of God Hospital informed him or the Health Service Executive of plans to redeploy health-funded resources away from a school (details supplied). [21255/16]
View answer615. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health his views on the assertion of St. John of God Hospital that its redeployment of health-funded resources away from a school (details supplied) is in line with the value-for-money report on disability services. [21258/16]
View answer616. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health his views on the assertion of St. John of God Hospital that its redeployment of health-funded resources and the transfer of the clinical team away from a school (details supplied) to being part of the local Health Service Executive network disability team is best practice and the best model for development. [21259/16]
View answer617. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health his views on the assertion of St. John of God Hospital that its redeployment of health-funded resources away from a school (details supplied) is appropriate and that the alternative provision of services by the Department of Education and Skills will be of the same level in terms of service and care for children with disabilities. [21260/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 612, 615 to 617, inclusive, together.
The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.
As 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 they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
613. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health the action he has taken following top-ups being provided to employees of St. John of God Hospital; if he proposes to revise arrangements for section 38 agencies following this; if he will change audit procedures for such agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21256/16]
View answerThe HSE has written to the St John of God Hospitaller Order to inform it that the HSE’s Internal Audit has been requested to undertake a review of the payment of additional remuneration to its senior managers and to request the organisation's full co-operation throughout the process. I intend to await the outcome of this process before deciding what action is required.
Separately, the HSE has arranged for external reviews to take place which involves an examination by external consultants of the governance at Board and Executive level in the Section 38 service providers so as to establish the level and standard of governance in place in these organisations and to independently confirm that the governance practices and procedures accord with those set out in their respective Annual Compliance Statements.
614. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health the funding the Health Service Executive provided to St. John of God Hospital under section 38 provisions for each of the years 2011 to 2016 to date, in tabular form. [21257/16]
View answerThe Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.
As 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 they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
618. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 829 of 17 May 2016, the approximate total number of new beds that could be brought on stream without requiring additional capital investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21268/16]
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.
