Written Answers Nos. 558-576
558. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a hospital appointment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42063/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2013, 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 this particular query raised by the Deputy, I have asked the Health Service Executive to investigate the situation and respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.
559. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health the number of children who attended the orthopaedic section in Tallaght Hospital, as an inpatient or outpatient, in 2012 and to date in 2013. [42064/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
560. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health the number of children awaiting an audiology appointment in the three children's hospitals in Dublin; and the number of audiologists employed in the three hospitals. [42065/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
561. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the increased numbers of women discovering breast cancer and other cancers in their later years; and if he has proposals to extend BreastCheck particularly to older women. [42066/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra562. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health in view of the growth of cancers in the general population, if he has proposals to extend BreastCheck or a similar programme to men who are susceptible to cancer. [42067/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra564. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health in view of the fact that a second peak in incidence of breast cancer is seen in the over 70s, the reason the BreastCheck screening programme stops at 64 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42118/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra599. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the roll-out of BreastCheck; the yet to be established elements of the infrastructure of this service; his plans to extend access to a younger age group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42431/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 561, 562, 564 and 599 together.
I advise the Deputies that the Cancer Registry projects that cancer incidence will grow by nearly 50% over the 10 years from 2010 to 2020.
The BreastCheck Programme currently provides free mammograms to all women aged 50-64. The Programme for Government includes provision for the extension of BreastCheck to women in the 65-69 age group, in keeping with EU Guidelines on effective screening for breast cancer. A business case from the HSE National Cancer Screening Service for the age extension of BreastCheck has recently been submitted to my Department and is currently being examined. In all, the National Cancer Screening Service delivers three population based cancer screening programmes: BreastCheck, CervicalCheck and BowelScreen. BowelScreen is the first cancer screening programme for both men and women.
In relation to prostate cancer, the Board of the National Cancer Screening Service undertook a review of available evidence in relation to the potential effectiveness of introducing a national population-based prostate cancer screening programme. It found that current evidence is insufficient to recommend a population based screening programme as such screening may not improve survival or people's quality of life.
However, the National Cancer Control Programme has established rapid access prostate cancer clinics in the eight designated cancer centres to ensure that men who have urological symptoms and/or abnormal PSA test results are seen in a timely way by urologists, and that appropriate diagnostic tests are carried out and multi-disciplinary treatment is planned as necessary.
563. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health the steps families may take and the supports available in relation to difficulties they are experiencing with the costs of keeping a loved one in a private nursing homes, who in some cases are being charged extraordinary weekly top ups and prices for basic supports like a pressure relieving mattress; if there is monitoring by the Health Service Executive or his Department of these type of extra charges; and if there are guidelines for families available in relation to excessive charges that sometime arise in the private nursing home sector. [42069/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Nursing Homes Support Scheme provides financial support towards the cost of long-term residential care services in nursing homes. The cost of care in each nursing home that is participating in the Scheme is available on the HSE website at http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/Find_a_Service/Older_People_Services/nhss/costs.html.
The services which fall within the scope of long-term residential care are:
- nursing and personal care appropriate to the level of care needs of the person;
- bed and board;
- basic aids and appliances necessary to assist a person with the activities of daily living and,
- laundry service.
A person’s eligibility for other schemes, such as the Medical Card Scheme or the Drugs Payment Scheme, is unaffected by the Nursing Homes Support Scheme. In other words, a person can continue to receive goods and services in accordance with the terms of these other schemes regardless of whether they are in a private nursing home or elsewhere.
Individuals availing of the Scheme should not be charged any additional fee over and above the contribution which has been calculated by the HSE, except where he or she chooses to obtain additional services over and above long-term residential care services.
Under the Health Act 2007, (Care and Welfare of Residents in designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2009, the Registered Provider must agree a contract with each resident within one month of their admission. This contract must include details of the services to be provided to that resident and the fees to be charged. Residents should not be charged fees which are not set out in the contract and agreed with the resident.
565. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that ADHD patients in the Health Service Executive western region are being denied long-term illness books despite the medications associated with the conditions being available on the long-term illness book scheme in other HSE areas; if he will admit that ADHD is classed as mental illness and as such should be covered under the heading of mental illness in children under 16 years in the long-term illness book; if he will admit that this situation represents discrimination against ADHD patients in the western region; the measures being taken to rectify this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42155/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe classification of ADHD as a mental illness or not has led to issues of inconsistency in the application of eligibility in the Long Term Illness scheme. The HSE has undertaken a review of the matter and is implementing new guidelines which address the issues for ADHD patients fairly and consistently for new and recent applicants.
566. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if he has any concerns whatsoever regarding the growing number of wind farms, existing and proposed, to be built across the country; if it is considered that these developments pose any threat to public health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42168/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have no specific concerns regarding this issue. I understand that the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government in conjunction with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and other stakeholders is undertaking a targeted review of certain aspects of the Wind Energy Guidelines 2006. My Department will cooperate, where necessary, with this Review in relation to any public health matters which may arise.
568. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will review a decision to award only a general practitioner visit card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42218/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has issued to Oireachtas members.
569. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if the policy document, Towards a Restraint Free Environment, is being implemented at the Yeats ward in the Fairview community unit, Dublin 3. [42220/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
570. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to progress the health situation of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; the number of other persons on the list for a gastric bypass; the length of time they will be expected to wait for this procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42221/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2013, 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 this particular query raised by the Deputy, I have asked the Health Service Executive to investigate the situation and respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.
572. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health if he will commission a study to look into the effect of smells in Shannon; if he or his officials can provide assurances to Shannon residents that the smells there do not pose a threat to public health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42265/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI do not propose to commission a study to look at the effect of smells in Shannon as a investigation into the matter is already underway. I am advised by the HSE that the investigation of recent odours in Shannon is being undertaken by the EPA and Clare County Council. This investigation is being assisted by the Public Health and Environmental Health Departments of the HSE. The investigation comprises of :
- surveillance of health effects requiring medical attention;
- monitoring of reported effects in a selection of local schools; and
- advice on toxicological levels of the presumed source of the "rotten egg" odour Hydrogen Sulphide which the investigating agencies believe is linked to the waste water system.
I am further advised that to date no serious health effects have been reported which is consistent with the profile of Hydrogen Sulphide, a gas with an odour threshold well below the level which causes health effects. Confirmation of the presence of Hydrogen Sulphide, if identified through the results of a planned testing programme, will allow the use of the toxicological advice provided to inform and reassure residents in relation to potential health effects.
574. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if he will review an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42279/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has issued to Oireachtas members.
575. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Health his plans to ensure sustainable funding for palliative care nursing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42284/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
576. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card application in respect of a person (detail supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42289/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has issued to Oireachtas members.
