Seán Crowe
Ceist:210. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of in-patient and out-patient waiting times across all specialties at Tallaght hospital, Dublin 24. [3034/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraHospitals Data
Ceisteanna (210)
Freagraí scríofa
In relation to the detailed information requested by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to him directly.
Medical Card Data
Ceisteanna (211)
Micheál Martin
Ceist:211. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 342 of 19 December 2013, if 20,000 medical cards were issued on a discretionary basis in 2013 to cardholders who did not hold a medical card on a discretionary basis in 2012. [3037/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The HSE has confirmed that, with reference to the reply of 19 December 2013, some 23,000 new medical cards have been issued on a discretionary basis.
Medical Aids and Appliances Provision
Ceisteanna (212, 213, 214)
Gerry Adams
Ceist:212. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health his Department and the Health Service Executive's policy in respect of the provision of epi-pens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3040/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraGerry Adams
Ceist:213. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he will order a review of the circumstances and conditions under which epi-pens can be made available by pharmacy without prescription; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3043/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraGerry Adams
Ceist:214. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he will introduce legislation, similar to recent legislation enacted in the United States, that allows epi-pens to be stored in schools and other public places in the event of an emergency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3044/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 212 to 214, inclusive, together.
Adrenaline pens, as injectable medicines, are prescription only under EU law and may only be supplied on foot of a valid prescription. However, there is provision in the current Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) Regulations 2003 (as amended) which permits pharmacists, in emergency circumstances, to supply certain prescription only medicines without a prescription. My Department is considering a review of the Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) Regulations 2003 (as amended) in light of a request to pilot a study regarding the administration of adrenaline in the treatment of anaphylaxis by trained anaphylaxis first responders. My Department is currently examining the legal basis upon which adrenaline can be administered to a patient where the adrenaline has not been prescribed for the patient by a medical practitioner or other prescriber.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (215, 216)
Gerry Adams
Ceist:215. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of citizens that are diagnosed with life threatening allergies and-or anaphylaxis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3045/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraGerry Adams
Ceist:216. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of children who are diagnosed with life threatening allergies and-or anaphylaxis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3046/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 215 and 216 together.
Data of the nature requested by the Deputy are not maintained by my Department or by the HSE but on an individual basis by each patient's GP. Data in respect of in-patient and day case discharges from publicly funded acute hospitals with a principal or additional diagnosis of anaphylaxis or allergic reaction is maintained and the figures for 2012 are as per the following table. This data is based on specific diagnosis codes only and other discharges that may be related to allergies e.g. certain respiratory or skin conditions are not included.
|
Diagnosis Code & Description |
0-17 Years |
18+ |
|
Anaphylactic shock due to adverse food reaction |
30 |
36 |
|
Other adverse food reactions, not elsewhere classified |
268 |
43 |
|
Anaphylactic shock, unspecified |
11 |
60 |
|
Allergy, unspecified |
35 |
80 |
|
Anaphylactic shock due to adverse effect of correct drug or medicament properly administered |
5 |
68 |
|
Unspecified adverse effect of drug or medicament |
8 |
45 |
|
Total |
357 |
332 |
It is important to note that this data is based on hospital discharges only and does not include patients with anaphylaxis or allergies who are not admitted to hospital. Further, the data on hospitalisations may include multiple admissions for the same patient. Therefore the data presented here cannot be construed as an estimate of the prevalence of anaphylaxis or allergies in either age group.
Medical Aids and Appliances
Ceisteanna (217, 218, 219, 220)
Gerry Adams
Ceist:217. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of children who are in receipt of epi-pens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3047/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraGerry Adams
Ceist:218. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of children in receipt of a prescription in case of anaphylactic shock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3048/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraGerry Adams
Ceist:219. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of adults who are in receipt of epi-pens in case of anaphylactic shock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3049/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraGerry Adams
Ceist:220. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of adults in receipt of a prescription in case of anaphylactic shock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3050/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 217 to 220, inclusive, together.
The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available in my Department. However I have asked the Health Service Executive to investigate the matter and I will reply to the Deputy when I have any available information.