Ruairí Quinn
Ceist:8 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Health if he has any plans to allow more than one episode of treatment for verruca under the General Medical Service scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers - Verruca Treatment.
Under the terms of the General Medical Services Scheme an eligible person has entitlement to a comprehensive general practitioner service and this includes any episode of treatment necessary in respect of the condition referred to.
Is the Minister indicating that any number of subsequent treatments are available to those suffering from verruca? If this is the case will the Minister indicate that to general practitioners, many of whom are referring people to hospitals for treatment, causing extra burdens on hospitals that are already stretched, particularly in the outpatients departments, and a very serious financial drain on the State, instead of treating them under the GMS scheme?
I do not understand the Deputy's question, because not alone is the patient entitled to a number of visits if he is suffering from verruca or anything else but he is entitled to a full comprehensive range of treatments. Aside from that the general practitioner is entitled to a special fee for the removal of a verruca. I understand that all GPs are aware of that entitlement.
Have the Department a public health programme on the care of the feet, especially in relation to the prevention of verruca, athlete's foot and other foot ailments? This would eliminate a lot of foot ailments and visits to hospital.
I will permit it, but it is an extension of the question.
Through the health promotion unit, information on the care of the feet is available. As the Deputy is aware, since I came to office I arranged for information to be circulated to all the pharmacist shops throughout the country.
The Minister abolished the health education bureau.
There are a range of leaflets and I will ensure that there is a leaflet dealing specifically with verruca and the care of the feet.
Question No. 9, please.
(Interruptions.)