Joe Carey
Question:666. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health when the new accident and emergency facility at University Hospital Limerick will be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26943/16]
View answerEmergency Departments Services
Questions (666)
Written answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (667)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:667. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26951/16]
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.
Autism Support Services
Questions (668)
David Cullinane
Question:668. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the amount which was spent between University Hospital Waterford and Wexford General Hospital on the outsourcing of autism spectrum disorder, ASD, assessments in 2016; the number of assessments which were completed and the cost; if there are plans to tender for this service again, and if so, when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26956/16]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Maternity Services Provision
Questions (669)
Pearse Doherty
Question:669. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the most recent progress made concerning the planned reinstatement of gynaecology and antenatal services at Dungloe Community Hospital, County Donegal; when it is anticipated that clinics will reopen for new referrals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26957/16]
View answerWritten answers
My Department has made enquiries with the HSE and Saolta University Healthcare Group. We are advised that the newly appointed Director of Midwifery in Letterkenny will, in their new role, develop the ante-natal clinics in Dungloe, Co. Donegal as a midwifery led service.
The provision of such a clinic is in keeping with the objectives of the Maternity Strategy, which identifies the need for community maternity services to be developed. Similar clinics are already running well in Co. Galway (Gort, Athenry and Oughterard). Guidelines and policies currently in place in Galway will be shared with Letterkenny to progress this initiative.
It is envisaged that this new service will meet the care needs of the population in the Dungloe area. In relation to the particular queries raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
Hospital Appointments Administration
Questions (670)
Mary Butler
Question:670. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26960/16]
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.
Hospital Services
Questions (671)
Pearse Doherty
Question:671. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if he has become aware of radiography and X-ray facilities being interrupted due to equipment failure at a community hospital (details supplied); if he will provide details of when this equipment failure first occurred and the length of time for which these facilities have been inoperative; the action being taken to return these services at the aforementioned facility; when it is expected that services will be restored; the measures currently in place to ensure that patients have access to suitable alternative X-ray facilities locally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26965/16]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Disability Support Services Provision
Questions (672)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:672. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision of physiotherapy and speech therapy for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26969/16]
View answerWritten answers
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 an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
Disability Support Services Funding
Questions (673)
John McGuinness
Question:673. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if the HSE will confirm the level of funding being provided to an organisation (details supplied) relative to the care of a person; if the level of funding will cover the cost of a full-time placement. [26976/16]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Medical Card Applications
Questions (674)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:674. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) on farm assist who commenced farming 5 ha of poor Connemara land three months ago is being asked to provide full farming accounts for this period before they can be approved for a medical card, given the fact that farm assist is means-assessed; his views on the fact that the cost of such a set of accounts would be totally disproportionate to the size of the farm, which is 5 ha; if the accounts previously sent to his Department on 15 September 2016 will be accepted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26982/16]
View answerWritten 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 was issued to Oireachtas members.
Patient Transport Provision
Questions (675)
Bernard Durkan
Question:675. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the reason transport assistance to and from outpatient appointments has been refused in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26987/16]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
Medical Card Drugs Availability
Questions (676)
Bríd Smith
Question:676. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the names of all drugs which have been removed from or had any restrictions placed upon their use under the general medical services, GMS, medical card scheme since 2014; the numbers of new patients affected by their removal or restriction; the number of patients affected by the newly introduced standard operating for discretionary hardship arrangements, STOP, that is, the number of patients who are prescribed particular drugs but now find these drugs not covered by the GMS medical card scheme. [26988/16]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility 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.
Generic Drugs Substitution
Questions (677)
Billy Kelleher
Question:677. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if price reductions have been agreed with producers for generic drugs; if he has legislative powers to impose reductions on the price paid for generic medicines; and if so, his plans to exercise same. [27006/16]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Health, I do not have legislative power to impose reductions on the price of any medicine. However, the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013 conferred powers on the HSE to set maximum reimbursement prices for medicines.
The 2013 Act also provided for the introduction of a system of generic substitution and reference pricing for generic and branded medicines that are deemed interchangeable. Under the Act the HSE may set a reference or maximum price for the reimbursement of each group of interchangeable products. 50 substances were identified for inclusion in the interchangeable lists and 47 have been included to date. I have recently requested that the Health Products Regulatory Authority review an additional 15 substances for inclusion on the lists.
The reference pricing project delivered €47m in savings in 2014 and €94m in savings in 2015 and continues as an ongoing essential programme of work that will deliver further savings in the years ahead. The pricing of generic drugs will continue to be reviewed and progressed under this process.
Medicinal Products Prices
Questions (678)
Billy Kelleher
Question:678. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if the recent deal on drug costs relates to Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association, IPHA, member companies only; if non-IPHA producers of branded and patented medicines are reducing prices or offering any savings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27007/16]
View answerWritten answers
The new four-year Framework Agreement on the Supply and Pricing of Medicines, signed in July 2016, is an agreement between the State and the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA), and is expected to deliver approximately €600 million in savings over the lifetime of the Agreement.
The principles captured in the Agreement will also be extended to non-IPHA suppliers of branded medicines, leading to additional expected savings in the region of €150 million.
Medicinal Products Expenditure
Questions (679)
Billy Kelleher
Question:679. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the amount of public expenditure on medicines for each of the years 2011 and 2012, in tabular form; the expenditure incurred for each year on branded and patented products produced by IPHA members and non-IPHA members, respectively; and the expenditure incurred on generic medicines. [27008/16]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the primary care schemes, including the community drugs schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Hospital Procedures
Questions (680)
Clare Daly
Question:680. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will examine the case of a person (details supplied) and determine if a procedure can be carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27009/16]
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.
Hospitals Funding
Questions (681)
Clare Daly
Question:681. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health his plans to reverse budget cuts to the chronic pain management clinic at St. Vincent's Hospital, Dublin. [27010/16]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (682)
Dessie Ellis
Question:682. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health if he will review the situation in the case of a person (details supplied). [27022/16]
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.