asked the Minister for Health if he will include scoliosis on the list of prescribed illnesses for the purpose of the issue of medical cards and if he will arrange that health boards accept liability for the travel costs involved for parents in visiting children undergoing long-term treatment for this illness at St. Mary's Orthopaedic Hospital, Cappagh, County Dublin.
Written Answers. - Scoliosis Treatment.
325.
The prescribed list of illnesses to which the question refers relates to the long-term illness scheme, not to the provision of medical cards. Under the scheme a person suffering from any of the prescribed diseases or disabilities is entitled to free drugs, medicines and medical and surgical appliances and, in some cases, in-patient and out-patient hospital services.
I have no proposals at present to extend the prescribed list but the position regarding scoliosis will be kept under review. Meanwhile, children requiring hospitalisation are now entitled to free hospital services and out-patient specialist services but where the parent's income exceeds £7,000 they are liable for the consultants' fees.
There is already provision for health boards to assist parents visiting children in hospital, where the parents have full eligibility or, if not, where the chief executive officer of a health board assesses that there would be undue hardship if the parents had to meet the travelling costs. Up to six visits a year for two persons—both parents or one parent and a brother or sister—or up to 12 for one parent are allowed.