Written Answers Nos. 465 - 478
465. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if he will review the criteria in which certain persons (details supplied) awaiting cataract procedures with an ophthalmologist can avail of the National Treatment Purchase Fund at an earlier stage. [34527/16]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
The following revised reply was received on 30 November 2016
Introducing measures that will have an impact on waiting lists remains a priority for this Government. At my request in August 2016, the HSE provided an Action Plan which focuses on reducing the numbers of patients waiting the longest, through adherence to chronological scheduling, clinical validation and performance improvement.
Budget 2017 provides for the treatment of our longest-waiting patients. €20 million is being allocated to the NTPF rising to €55 million in 2018. Planning of this initiative is at an advanced stage by the NTPF, my Department and the HSE.
In addition to this, the HSE published the Winter Initiative Plan 2016-17 in September. The HSE has committed to use plart of the Winter Initiative Contingency Fund to further progress treatment of patients waiting the longest, in support of the Action Plan, including patients waiting for cataract procedures.
With regard to the particular query in relation to the issuing of driving licences, road safety policy and legislation is the responsibility of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport.
466. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive hours for the home care package in view of the fact that it has been sanctioned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34529/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
467. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive required medical items; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34530/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
468. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an application for HSE equipment in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34531/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
469. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a transfer within Kerry Intervention and Disability Services, KIDS, in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34535/16]
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.
470. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will consider issuing medical cards to persons who have been diagnosed with cancer for the period they have cancer until they receive the all clear; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34539/16]
View answerIn accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE. The Act obliges the HSE to assess whether a person is unable, without due hardship, to arrange general practitioner services for himself or herself and his or her family, having regard to his or her overall financial position and reasonable expenditure and every application must be assessed on that basis. Under the legislation, having a particular illness, in itself, does not establish eligibility for a medical card and therefore, the medical conditions of applicants for this scheme are not monitored on that basis. Where the applicant's income is within the income guidelines, a medical card or GP visit card will be awarded.
Every effort is made by the HSE, within the framework of the legislation, to support applicants in applying for a medical card and, in particular, to take full account of the difficult circumstances in the case of applicants who may be in excess of the income guidelines.
In certain circumstances, the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds his or her income threshold, where he or she faces difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from an illness. Social and medical issues are considered when determining whether undue hardship exists for an individual accessing general practitioner or other medical services. The HSE affords applicants the opportunity to furnish supporting information and documentation to fully take account of all the relevant circumstances that may benefit them in the assessment, including medical evidence of cost and necessary expenses.
The HSE has a system in place for the provision of medical cards in response to an emergency situation for persons with a serious medical condition in need of urgent or on-going medical care that they cannot afford and persons in palliative care, who are terminally ill. With the exception of terminally ill patients, all medical cards, granted on an emergency basis, are issued on the basis that the patient is eligible for a medical card on the basis of means or undue hardship, and will follow up with a full application within a number of weeks of receiving the medical card eligibility. These cards are issued within 24 hours of receipt of the required patient details and a letter which confirms the medical condition from a doctor or consultant.
471. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for inpatient and outpatient neurology appointments at each hospital across the seven hospital groups, in tabular form; if he will provide this information specifically regarding those waiting for three months, six months, nine months, 12 months or more than 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34540/16]
View answerThe NTPF publishes the updated public waiting list figures each month on its website (www.NTPF.ie) and the most recent figures as of 27th October were published on 4th November. The figures relating to Neurology inpatient and day case and outpatient waiting lists can be viewed in tabular form by the Deputy on this website. In the 2016 National Service Plan, the HSE has set out the following targets for inpatient day case and outpatient targets; 95% of patients should wait less that 15 months for an inpatient or day case procedure and 85% of patients should wait less than 52 weeks for their first appointment.
There are currently 271 patients waiting for an inpatient or day case neurology appointment across all of the Hospital Groups. 72% of these patients have been waiting less than 6 months and 84% are waiting less than 15 months for their inpatient or day case appointment.
A total of 16,470 people are waiting for an outpatient neurology appointment. 78% of these people are waiting less than 12 months for their appointment.
At my request, in August, the HSE developed an Action Plan to reduce, by year end, the number of patients currently waiting 18 months or more for an inpatient/daycase procedure. The action plan also involves putting in place systematic process improvements in respect of waiting list management, which will be supported and monitored by SDU performance improvement 'Leads' in each Hospital Group.
In addition to this Budget 2017 provides for the treatment of our longest-waiting patients. €20m is being allocated to the NTPF, rising to €55m in 2018. Planning of this initiative is at an advanced stage by the NTPF, my Department and the HSE.
472. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the number of neurologists employed at each hospital across the seven hospital groups, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34541/16]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
473. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 405 of 25 October 2016, the discussions that are taking place to extend antenatal services to the new primary care centre in Balbriggan; the persons or bodies the discussions are with; the services that are being considered to be extended; the additional staffing requirements that would be required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34544/16]
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.
474. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health the status of the recruitment of a second permanent consultant neurologist for the north west region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34545/16]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
475. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health if he has met with representatives of the medical nutrition industry to secure a cost saving framework for medical nutrition products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34546/16]
View answerThe 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. Accordingly, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
I have not held any formal meetings with representatives of the medical nutrition industry.
476. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the steps taken to ensure HSE draft guidelines for clinical nutritional products, as proposed by the primary care reimbursement service, do not negatively impact the availability of product or patient services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34547/16]
View answerThe 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; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
477. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment at University Hospital Kerry for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34549/16]
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.
478. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address an issue (details supplied) regarding the MRI scanner in University Hospital Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34552/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
