Written Answers Nos. 814-833
814. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be offered a long-term bed in a residential facility in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35462/17]
View answer815. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the current place on the waiting list of a person (details supplied) awaiting a long-term bed in a residential facility in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35463/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 814 and 815 together.
As these are service matters I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
816. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health when it is open to a person to consider treatment in another jurisdiction and be reimbursed by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35464/17]
View answerThe Directive on Patients' Rights in Cross-Border Healthcare provides rules for the reimbursements to patients of the cost of receiving treatment abroad, where the patient would be entitled to such treatment in their home Member State, and supplements the rights that patients already have at EU level. Public patients may access the health care they require in either the public or private healthcare system of another Member State under the Cross-Border Directive (CBD). Access to health care abroad is based on patients following public patient pathways, i.e. they must demonstrate they have followed the equivalent public patient pathways that a patient would follow if accessing public health care in Ireland. It is important to note that reimbursement is confined to the costs of the care itself and that the rates of reimbursement cannot exceed the cost of provision of the care if it were provided in the Irish public health service. Referral for care under the CBD may be made by a GP, a hospital consultant and certain other HSE clinicians. The CBD excludes certain health services, e.g. services of public health, long term care, organ transplantation, etc. All persons on public waiting lists, other than for such exempt health services, are eligible for the Scheme.
Full details of the scheme is available on the HSE website: www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/1/schemes/cbd/.
817. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if HIQA has established and published procedures for the making of protected disclosures and the investigation of same as mandated to under section 21(1) of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014. [35466/17]
View answerSection 21 (1) of the Protected Disclosures Act, 2014 requires that "every public body shall establish and maintain procedures for the making of protected disclosures by workers who are or were employed by the public body and for dealing with such disclosures."
The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has a protected disclosures policy in place for its workers, which outlines the procedure to be followed for reporting, investigating and addressing a protected disclosure in accordance with the Protected Disclosures Act. I have been informed by HIQA that it encourages and supports its employees/workers to report any issue that may impact adversely on the organisation’s ability to deliver its functions and meet its legal obligations.
The number of protected disclosures made in a calendar year, and details of the response taken, are published in HIQA’s annual report for the preceding year.
818. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health if his Department has produced a debt and mental health evidence form as recommended by the Mental Health Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35467/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
819. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the stage the free GP card for under sixes expires; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35468/17]
View answerThe first two phases of universal GP care without fees were successfully introduced in 2015, firstly for all children under the age of 6 years and secondly for all people aged 70 years and older. This has resulted in approximately 800,000 people now being eligible for GP care without fees without having to undergo a means test.
The introduction of GP care without fees to children under 6 represents a major step forward in improving access, quality and affordability of health care in Ireland. The under 6s service contract, which includes age-based preventive checks focused on health and well-being and a dedicated cycle of care for children with asthma, underlines the Government's commitment to enhancing primary care and keeping people well in their community. To date, just over 364,700 children have access to GP care without fees through a medical card or GP visit card and approximately 95% of GMS GPs have entered into agreements with the HSE for the provision of services to children under 6. Children are included in this scheme until the end of the month of the child's 6th birthday.
The Programme for Government commits to extend in phases, and subject to negotiation with GPs, free GP care to all children under 18 years of age. Legislative changes will be required for any such extension of free GP care to further cohorts of the population. The timetable will be subject to the outcome of discussions with GP representatives on this and other contractual matters currently being discussed.
820. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the way in which an Irish citizen who lives in the UK can gain access to haemodialysis while returning here for holidays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35470/17]
View answerUnder EU Regulations, all persons ordinarily resident in the EU are entitled to apply for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The EHIC certifies that the holder has the right to receive emergency healthcare during a temporary stay in any EU country as well as Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Iceland. This right is guaranteed to all persons who are covered by the public healthcare system of these countries. The European Health Insurance Card holder has the right to receive necessary treatment in the host Member State's public healthcare system on the same terms and at the same cost as nationals of the State concerned. Renal units in this State normally accommodate dialysis for those presenting a EHIC once contact has been made with them in advance of the patient travelling here and the patient's clinicians provide all relevant patient information to the consultants in the receiving renal unit here.
Under bilateral arrangements, patients from the UK can bring evidence of UK residence instead of an EHIC.
For further information on accessing treatments under the EHIC in Ireland a person can contact the Health Service Executive EU Regulations Office. Their contact details are:
EU Regulations Office,
St. Joseph's Hospital,
Mulgrave Street,
Limerick.
Telephone: 061 461 105.
Email: euregulations@hse.ie.
821. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to changes to the first aid certification process overseen by his Department and the HSE, including cost increases to employers, which apparently come into effect from September 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35478/17]
View answerThe Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) is the statutory body responsible for standards, education and training in the area of pre-hospital emergency care. In 2014, PHECC developed the First Aid Response (FAR) education and training standard, building on its foundational Cardiac First Response course.
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) is responsible for the enforcement of occupational first aid (OFA) provisions of Part 7 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007. I understand that the HSA have proposed to change over from the OFA to the FAR standard, and on 1 September next, FAR will become the recognised standard to meet occupational first aid needs in the workplace. The HSA, PHECC and other stakeholders have been working together on the transition and I have been advised that due consideration has been given to concerns raised in relation to the variances between both standards.
To address concerns, the PHECC Education and Standards Committee has prioritised the review of the FAR Standard, including its content and course duration. This work is currently in progress, and it is anticipated that it will be completed by the end of the year. In addition, a FAR project team is working to streamline the PHECC administrative processes for application and review for Recognised Institution status and associated FAR course approvals. It is expected that these actions will help reduce the time needed by PHECC to review and quality assure applications from prospective organisations including current OFA training providers. However, it will be necessary for PHECC to make certain that the high level of quality standards expected of PHECC's Recognised Institutions, and the instructors authorised to deliver the FAR education and training standard, is maintained.
822. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35480/17]
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 the Deputy directly.
823. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the amount spent by his Department on taxi and-or limousine fares in the past two years to date by year and amount; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35490/17]
View answerThe information requested is being collated and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
824. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35497/17]
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 the Deputy directly.
825. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health if an appointment can be expedited for a person (details supplied) at University Hospital Waterford, UHW; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35498/17]
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 the Deputy directly.
826. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35510/17]
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 the Deputy directly.
827. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35512/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
828. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hip operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35514/17]
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 the Deputy directly.
829. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35515/17]
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 the Deputy directly.
830. 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. [35516/17]
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 the Deputy directly.
831. 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. [35517/17]
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 the Deputy directly.
832. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hip operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35518/17]
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 the Deputy directly.
833. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a knee operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35520/17]
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 the Deputy directly.
