Written Answers Nos. 421 - 436
421. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his views on the running of the accident and emergency departments and other departments at hospitals (details supplied); if there is any forthcoming developments at these hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40215/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
422. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision on their application for a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40220/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
423. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision on their application for a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40221/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
424. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision on their application for a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40225/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
425. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his views on the rollout of the free general practitioner in order that more patients will leave Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, for home or nursing homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40227/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government commits to reforming the current public health system by introducing Universal Health Insurance with equal access to care for all. As part of this, the Government is committed to introducing, on a phased basis, GP care without fees within its first term of office. Primary legislation is required to give effect to Government commitment to introduce a universal GP service without fees.
Legislation to allow the Minister for Health to make regulations to extend access to GP services without fees to persons with prescribed illnesses is currently being drafted by this Department and the Office of the Attorney General and will be published shortly. Implementation dates and application details will be announced in due course.
426. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his views on the provision of more step down beds and rehabilitation in order that more patients will leave Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, for home or nursing homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40228/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
427. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which a person (details supplied) in County Laois is making satisfactory progress and in accordance with their requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40232/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
428. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision on their applications for medical cards; the reasons for the withdrawal of their cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40239/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
429. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health the reason a pregnant person in Dublin is given an anomaly scan and a similar patient outside the city, and its hinterland, is not catered for in the public health system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40241/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
430. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health when an appointment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath will be confirmed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40297/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
431. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health when he will meet with public representatives in County Donegal, including Oireachtas members and the members of Letterkenny Town Council, to hear their concerns on the funding problems at Letterkenny General Hospital and to discuss solutions. [40304/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe normal process is that requests to meet with me are arranged through the Minister's Office, which deals with many such requests on a daily basis. In many cases, matters are more appropriately dealt with at local level.
432. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the provisions he has made in respect of individual medical card holders who can now only be seen by consultants in their own locality in view of the fact that many such medical card holders have long standing relationships with consultants in areas other than their locality and in particular the options available to a medical card holder in County Mayo (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40316/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
433. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the improvement in the condition of Cystic Fibrosis patients who are treated with a new drug Kalydeco. [40317/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra434. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health when he will license Kalydeco in order that Cystic Fibrosis sufferers may be treated with the drug. [40318/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 433 and 434 together.
The HSE has recently received an application for Kayldeco's inclusion under the Community Drugs Scheme. In accordance with normal procedures, The National Centre for Pharmoeconomics will be conducting a Health Technology Assessment on the product before any reimbursement decision is made by the HSE.
435. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health the progress being made in providing general practitioner visit cards to persons who are on the long term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40321/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra444. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health the up-to-date position in relation to the general practitioner only card being issued to those on long term illness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40359/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 435 and 444 together.
The Programme for Government commits to reforming the current public health system by introducing Universal Health Insurance with equal access to care for all. As part of this, the Government is committed to introducing, on a phased basis, GP care without fees within its first term of office. Primary legislation is required to give effect to Government commitment to introduce a universal GP service without fees.
Legislation to allow the Minister for Health to make regulations to extend access to GP services without fees to persons with prescribed illnesses is currently being drafted by this Department and the Office of the Attorney General and will be published shortly. Implementation dates and application details will be announced in due course.
436. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the reason there has been a withdrawal of coverage for gluten free products to coeliac patients under the medical card scheme and if he will reconsider this matter. [40325/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the current financial environment the Health Service Executive (HSE) is facing a challenge to deliver services in a way that will minimise any adverse impact on patients and continue to protect, as far as possible, the most vulnerable citizens. Unfortunately, it has become necessary for the HSE to suspend certain products from its list of reimbursable items. This includes gluten-free products.
Gluten-free products have become more widely available in supermarkets in recent years and tend to be significantly cheaper than products sold through community pharmacies. A Supplementary Welfare Allowance Adult Diet Supplement may be awarded by the Department of Social Protection to eligible persons. Persons wishing to apply for this allowance can do so by completing an application form which can be downloaded at the following link: http://www.welfare.ie/EN/Forms/Documents/swa9.pdf . Separate application forms are available for children.
For persons who are not awarded a Diet Supplement, monies spent on gluten-free foods can be taken into account for tax purposes.
