Seán Sherlock
Question:218. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the status of a speciality consultant (details supplied) in County Cork. [22358/19]
View answerHospital Staff
Questions (218)
Written answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
Mental Health Services Provision
Questions (219)
James Browne
Question:219. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the reason the primary care mental health service in an area (details supplied) has been suspended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22360/19]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (220)
Kevin O'Keeffe
Question:220. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will be called for an outpatient appointment as a matter of urgency. [22377/19]
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 National Waiting List Management Policy, a standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, since 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 the Deputy directly.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (221)
Robert Troy
Question:221. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if hip replacement surgery will be expedited for a person (details supplied). [22380/19]
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 National Waiting List Management Policy, a standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, since 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 the Deputy directly.
Medical Aids and Appliances Provision
Questions (222)
Clare Daly
Question:222. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health his views on the fact that CHO area 8 has run out of funding for 2019 for prosthetics and bras for women in recovery from surgery following breast cancer; his plans in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22389/19]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
Mental Health Services Provision
Questions (223)
Clare Daly
Question:223. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health his views on the announcement that due to the high number of referrals to the primary care mental health service, it is closed for new referrals from the Raheny, Donaghmede, Edenmore and Kilbarrack area for the remainder of 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22397/19]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Medicinal Products
Questions (224)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:224. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding FreeStyle Libre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22400/19]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Question No. 225 answered with Question No. 217.
Respite Care Services
Questions (226)
Brendan Griffin
Question:226. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his views in regard to respite care (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22407/19]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Disability Definitions
Questions (227, 232)
Jack Chambers
Question:227. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the status of plans to recognise a condition (details supplied) as a disability; if his attention has been drawn to the distress and suffering caused as a result of the condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22410/19]
View answer
Willie Penrose
Question:232. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to recognise the fact that persons who suffer from fibromyalgia have a disability; if appropriate treatment will be provided for persons who are suffering from it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22431/19]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 227 and 232 together.
Fibromyalgia is a syndrome associated with wide-spread pain and fatigue. It is labelled a syndrome as fibromyalgia is a collection of signs, symptoms and medical problems that tend to occur together but are not related to a specific, identifiable cause. Fibromyalgia is not classified as a disability and there are currently no plans for the reclassification of fibromyalgia.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (228)
John McGuinness
Question:228. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an early assessment for a hip operation will be arranged for a person (details supplied); the reason the person has been waiting three years to date for the assessment; the number on the list waiting at University Hospital Waterford; and the waiting time for the operation. [22412/19]
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 National Waiting List Management Policy, a standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, since 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 the Deputy directly.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (229)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:229. 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. [22413/19]
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 National Waiting List Management Policy, a standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, since 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 the Deputy directly.
Cancer Screening Programmes
Questions (230)
Clare Daly
Question:230. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the removal of the BreastCheck unit from a location (details supplied) and the consequence that the nearest alternative location is Eccles Street; when a more suitable location will be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22414/19]
View answerWritten answers
A BreastCheck mobile unit was located at the Pavilions Shopping Centre, Swords, between February and October 2018. All eligible women in the area were invited for a free mammogram at that time.
The BreastCheck programme aims to offer screening services to women in locations that are as convenient as possible for them. The National Screening Service are in discussions with the Pavilions Shopping Centre, and with other sites in Swords, with a view to returning to provide further screening.
In the meantime, women in Swords are invited to avail of the service at Eccles Street and they may arrange an appointment with BreastCheck by calling (01) 882 6900.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (231)
Willie Penrose
Question:231. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) who is on a waiting list since October 2013 and is awaiting ENT treatment has not been called to date to have the procedure carried out; if this will now be addressed without delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22430/19]
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 National Waiting List Management Policy, a standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, since 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 the Deputy directly.
Question No. 232 answered with Question No. 227.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (233)
Peter Burke
Question:233. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied). [22433/19]
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 National Waiting List Management Policy, a standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, since 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 the Deputy directly.
Medical Card Eligibility
Questions (234)
Seán Barrett
Question:234. Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to providing credits in respect of lifetime community rating for medical card holders over 34 years of age who now find themselves in the higher income bracket and are no longer eligible for a medical card and require private health insurance (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22463/19]
View answerWritten answers
Lifetime Community Rating (LCR) was introduced in 2015 as a way to strengthen Ireland’s community rated-health insurance market, where people who are old or sick do not have to pay more than the young and healthy when taking out a health insurance policy. The aim behind LCR was to encourage more young people to take out health insurance - to avoid late entry loadings of 2% per annum which may apply at age 35 and older - in order to ensure sufficient balance in the market overall between younger and older people, and between those who tend to claim more and those who tend to claim less.
Following a comprehensive review of the LCR regime in 2017 by the independent regulator, the Health Insurance Authority, the loadings regime was refined in several ways and credits made available in certain further circumstances. For example, a three-year exemption from 2008 for those made redundant was broadened this year to cover LCR loadings. As of 1 February 2019, persons who have cancelled their insurance for 6 months or more, having previously been insured for at least 3 years, will be credited for any periods of non-cover (the period of 3 years' cover does not need to be consecutive). The credited period is limited to 3 years and is available regardless of why the insured person cancelled their insurance.
More detailed information is available on the website of the HIA at https://www.hia.ie/consumer-information/lifetime-community-rating-explained.
Everyone – with or without insurance - is entitled to access healthcare via the public health system, and the purchase of private health insurance by citizens is optional. The regulatory framework governing health insurance, such as late entry loadings under LCR and the application of waiting periods for new health insurance customers, applies to all persons choosing to purchase health insurance and is not related to a person's eligibility, or previous eligibility, for public health services.
Respite Care Services Provision
Questions (235)
Eamon Scanlon
Question:235. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the provision of respite services in Tullaghan, County Leitrim; if the unit has been approved by HIQA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22465/19]
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.
The Programme for Partnership Government states that the Government wishes to provide more accessible respite care to facilitate full support for people with a disability.
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.