Written Answers Nos. 452 - 464
452. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health when outstanding moneys will be paid to persons with contractual agreements to a charity (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34472/16]
View answerAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
453. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the facilities here that deliver rehabilitation to recovering addicts on prescriptive medicine who have schizophrenia or other mental health issues (details supplied). [34475/16]
View answerAs the specific issue raised by the Deputy is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to him.
454. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will be provided an appointment at Waterford Regional Hospital and if the matter will be expedited. [34477/16]
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 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.
455. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if he will investigate the way a person (details supplied) was treated at Waterford Regional Hospital in June 2016; if the tests which were to be carried out will be arranged as the person was discharged before the tests were arranged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34478/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
456. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if a new wheelchair will be provided for a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay in providing the wheelchair; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34479/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
457. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if he will support the west Clare community request that all the recently cut Shannondoc primary care medical services be restored to Kilrush, Ennistymon and Killaloe and that the 24-hour emergency department in Ennis General Hospital will be reopened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34481/16]
View answerGeneral Practitioners contracted under the General Medical Services Scheme must make suitable arrangements to enable contact to be made with them, or a locum/deputy, for emergencies outside normal practice hours. While there is no obligation on GPs to participate in GP out-of-hours cooperatives as a means of meeting the contractual requirement, such services have been developed and expanded over time and are now an essential part of our primary care services helping to ensure that, to the greatest extent possible, urgent care needs are met in the primary care setting. Where GPs decide not to become members of out-of-hours co-ops they must still discharge their contractual obligation in terms of out-of-hours provision in accordance with their GP contract.
In the Mid West region, the out-of-hours arrangements for participating GPs are discharged through Shannondoc, a not-for-profit GP cooperative, which is funded by the HSE. Shannondoc has recently indicated that due to a difficulty in attracting GPs, and in particular locum cover, it is no longer able to maintain its existing service across all its centres.
Following discussions with Shannondoc, the HSE, in order to ensure the sustainability of the service, accepted a proposal from the cooperative to changes in the provision of the service. The most significant changes relate to parts of East and West Clare, essentially affecting Ennistymon, Kilrush, and Killaloe with minor changes in terms of operating hours in two locations in North Tipperary.
The recent changes to the Shannondoc out-of-hours services will be subject to a three-monthly review and their impact will be closely monitored and evaluated by the HSE.
In relation to the Deputy's query on the emergency department at Ennis General Hospital, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
458. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding a residential centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34485/16]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
459. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the action that can be taken to facilitate a person (details supplied); if the person can access the required services at another hospital in view of the existence of a hospital bug in Tallaght and the urgent need to access surgery at an early date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34486/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
460. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a petition (details supplied); if he will maintain this vital service at its current level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34492/16]
View answerGeneral Practitioners contracted under the General Medical Services Scheme must make suitable arrangements to enable contact to be made with them, or a locum/deputy, for emergencies outside normal practice hours. While there is no obligation on GPs to participate in GP out-of-hours cooperatives as a means of meeting the contractual requirement, such services have been developed and expanded over time and are now an essential part of our primary care services helping to ensure that, to the greatest extent possible, urgent care needs are met in the primary care setting. Where GPs decide not to become members of out-of-hours co-ops they must still discharge their contractual obligation in terms of out-of-hours provision in accordance with their GP contract.
In the Mid West region, the out-of-hours arrangements for participating GPs are discharged through Shannondoc, a not-for-profit GP cooperative, which is funded by the HSE. Shannondoc has recently indicated that due to a difficulty in attracting GPs, and in particular locum cover, it is no longer able to maintain its existing service across all its centres.
Following discussions with Shannondoc, the HSE, in order to ensure the sustainability of the service, accepted a proposal from the cooperative to changes in the provision of the service. The most significant changes relate to parts of East and West Clare, essentially affecting Ennistymon, Kilrush, and Killaloe with minor changes in terms of operating hours in two locations in North Tipperary,
The recent changes to the Shannondoc out-of-hours services will be subject to a three-monthly review and their impact will be closely monitored and evaluated by the HSE.
461. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if attention has been drawn to the fact there is no chiropody or podiatry service in health centres in County Kildare despite the building of a primary care centre which is due to open early 2017; the action that will be taken to ensure public provision of these services in view of the fact that currently vouchers are provided towards the cost of private providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34499/16]
View answerAs this 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.
462. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34516/16]
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 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.
463. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if the HSE is currently assessing an application for a residential placement for a person (details supplied) in County Louth; the timeframe for the conclusion of this assessment process; and if a residential placement in an area (details supplied) would be appropriate for this person. [34518/16]
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 an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
464. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when persons (details supplied) can expect to receive an appointment for an EEG scan in Temple Street Children's Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34519/16]
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 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.
