asked the Minister for Health if he will make available to parents of children suffering from the diseases of spina bifida and hydrocephalus all the necessary home equipment and drugs as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Treatment of Long-Term Diseases.
10.
At present, health authorities are empowered to assist persons outside the lower income group in providing medical services where hardship would be involved for the persons if such assistance were not given. In order to ensure that, in particular, persons suffering from long-term diseases and disabilities would be catered for under this arrangement, a circular was issued by my Department on 12th June, 1969, urging health authorities to be especially sympathetic in such cases.
Specific provision is being made in section 57 (3) of the Health Bill, 1969, to enable health boards to supply, without charge, drugs, medicines and appliances to all persons suffering from prescribed diseases or disabilities of a long-term nature. These will be set out in regulations which I will make, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, when the Bill is enacted. I am not, therefore, in a position to be more explicit at this stage but the Deputy can be assured that very sympathetic consideration will be given to such cases including spina bifida and hydrocephalus, in the regulations.
I accept what the Minister has said in good faith but does he not agree that there are delays in the supply of drugs and special equipment such as spinal supports for the spina bifida cases and other cases of long-term illnesses?
If the delays could be overcome in any way I would be very glad.