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Wednesday, 27 Nov 2013

Written Answers Nos. 188-194

Orthodontic Service Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (188)

Gerald Nash

Ceist:

188. Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Health when an appointment will be made in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Louth for orthodontic service; if an exact date cannot be provided the length of time this person may expect to wait for an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50902/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The HSE provides orthodontic treatment to patients based on their level of clinical need. An individual's access to orthodontic treatment is determined against a set of clinical guidelines and priority is given to patients with greatest needs. The HSE has been asked to examine the specific query raised by the Deputy and to reply to him as soon as possible.

Disease Awareness

Ceisteanna (189)

Seán Kenny

Ceist:

189. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Health if he will set up a Lyme disease task force as requested by a group of Lyme disease suffers who made a presentation to the Joint Committee on Health and Children on 21 November 2013. [50904/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Lyme disease is an uncommon disease in Ireland. However, there is a need to increase awareness of the condition among clinicians and the general public. To this end, the Scientific Advisory Committee of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre of the HSE intends to establish a group to review awareness of Lyme disease. It is intended that this group would be established in the New Year.

Medical Card Data

Ceisteanna (190)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

190. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the number of medical cards that have been taken from persons in County Kerry from January 2013 to November 2013 to include full medical cards and general practitioner visit cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50913/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The information sought by the Deputy is not readily available. However, I have asked the Health Service Executive to supply this information to me and I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as possible.

EU Directives

Ceisteanna (191)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

191. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health in view of the fact that Ireland has been referred to the European Court of Justice for breaching the working time directive (details supplied) his response to this new development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50914/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The achievement of compliance with the European Working Time Directive for non-consultant hospital doctors has been and will continue to be a priority of the Government, in order to improve patient safety as well as the working conditions of doctors. At my request, the HSE has established a senior-level team which, in the course of 2013, has been working intensively with every acute hospital to ensure implementation of the measures necessary to achieve EWTD compliance.

Under a set of proposals agreed under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission in October 2013, the Irish Medical Organisation is now jointly involved with health service national management in an ongoing process to assess the position in each hospital site and agree focused and timebound requirements to resolve outstanding issues. Data for the third quarter of 2013 indicates that 97% of NCHDs now work fewer than 68 hours per week and that 53% are working shifts not exceeding 24 hours. These figures represent a significant improvement on the position at the beginning of the year. I am determined to continue the steady progress being made in addressing this long standing problem. The establishment of Hospital Groups over the coming months will also assist in this regard.

Medical Card Appeals

Ceisteanna (192)

Tom Fleming

Ceist:

192. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a medical card appeal in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50940/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The 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.

Cancer Screening Programmes

Ceisteanna (193)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

193. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if patients within the cervical check system are covered for all appointments and procedures at a colposcopy clinic; if he will confirm that there are no grounds for patients being requested to provide details of private health insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50942/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

CervicalCheck, the National Cervical Screening Programme, is a Government funded screening programme which is provided free of charge to recipients. CervicalCheck is available to over 1.1 million eligible women aged from 25 to 60 years and it aims to reduce the incidence of, and mortality from, cervical cancer by detecting changes in the cells of the cervix before they become cancerous.

Approximately 5% - 6% of women who attend for a smear test will be called to a colposcopy service for follow-on observation and treatment. No fees are payable by women in relation to screening programme colposcopy clinics. However, some women may opt to pursue treatment privately for these services.

Medical Card Reviews

Ceisteanna (194)

Tom Fleming

Ceist:

194. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a medical card review application and award full medical cards in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50943/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The 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.

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