Wednesday, 18 Dec 2013

Written Answers Nos. 234-241

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Data

Ceisteanna (234)

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

234. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in Cork City and County currently awaiting a decision from the Health Service Executive on their application under the nursing home support scheme; if he will provide separately the number of people in Cork City and County who have had their application under the nursing home support scheme approved and are currently awaiting funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54563/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Health Services

Ceisteanna (235)

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

235. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the compensation payments made by the Health Service Executive in Cork City and County for 2011 and 2012 and to date in 2013 in respect of all claims against the health service in that area; the steps the HSE is taking to address the level of claims; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54565/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The query raised by the Deputy is a matter for the HSE. Accordingly, I have asked the HSE to collate this information and respond directly to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

Orthodontic Service Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (236)

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

236. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of children currently on a waiting list for orthodontic assessment and for orthodontic treatment in Cork City and County; the steps being taken by the Health Service executive to reduce these waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54566/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The HSE provides orthodontic treatment to those who have been assessed and referred for treatment before their 16th birthday. Orthodontic referrals are generally received via the Public Dental Service school screening programme. An individual's access to orthodontic treatment is determined against a set of clinical guidelines called the Modified Index of Treatment Need. At the time of assessment those with urgent clinical need are prioritised for treatment. It should be noted that the nature of orthodontic care means that immediate treatment is not always desirable as it is sometimes necessary to wait for further growth to take place before treatment commences. Patients with the greatest level of need, i.e. Grade 5 or Grade 4 are provided with treatment by the HSE. The most recent information regarding assessment and treatment waiting lists relates to the third quarter of 2013.

Waiting time from referral to assessment

HSE South	1 - 6 months	7 - 12 months	13 - 24 months	>2 years	Total
-	No. of Patients waiting	No. of Patients waiting	No. of Patients waiting	No. of Patients waiting	No. of Patients waiting
-	639	933	160	89	1,821

Waiting time from assessment to commencement of treatment Grade 4

HSE South	Number of Patients waiting	Number of Patients waiting	Number of Patients waiting	Number of Patients waiting	Number of Patients waiting	Number of Patients waiting
-	1 - 6 months	7 - 12 months	13 - 24 months	2 - 3 years	Over 4 years	TOTAL
-	91	133	152	933	237	1,546

Waiting time from assessment to commencement of treatment – Grade 5

HSE South	Number of Patients waiting	Number of Patients waiting	Number of Patients waiting	Number of Patients waiting	Number of Patients waiting	Number of Patients waiting
-	1 - 6 months	7 - 12 months	13 - 24 months	2 - 3 years	Over 4 years	TOTAL
-	536	333	392	307	-	1,568

Figures for HSE South above includes Cork City and County. I have asked the HSE to provide the figures for Cork City and County directly to the Deputy.

The HSE has commissioned an independent review of orthodontic services. The outcome of this review, which is near completion, will give guidance as to what changes will be desirable to provide the best possible model of care delivery, given the current resources available and future demand for services.

Medical Card Eligibility

Ceisteanna (237)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

237. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if a full medical card will be restored to a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54575/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (238)

Dan Neville

Ceist:

238. Deputy Dan Neville 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. [54582/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The 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 Health Service Executive, 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 HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.

Health Services Staff

Ceisteanna (239)

Tony McLoughlin

Ceist:

239. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) from County Donegal has been waiting for some months for a transfer to County Donegal from Dublin despite a placement readily available for them in Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54599/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Mental Health Services Provision

Ceisteanna (240)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Ceist:

240. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health when psychiatric services, including residential accommodation will be made available to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54607/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Medical Card Delays

Ceisteanna (241)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

241. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in processing a medical card in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Donegal who are on limited income and the cost of medication is causing substantial hardship; if he will provide a timeframe for when this claim will be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54618/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.