Written Answers Nos. 208-215
208. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health to explain the reason patients who have had total hip replacements performed are transferred to another hospital in a taxi rather than an ambulance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7040/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy.
209. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health his plans to change the way claims for private patients are processed by hospitals in view of the recent audit at the Galway-Roscommon university hospitals group; the steps he is taking to address other deficiencies uncovered by the audit relating to credit cards, failure to record staff leave and giving doctors allowances they were not entitled to and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7051/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the detailed information requested by the Deputy, as these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to him directly.
210. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown for each hospital in the Galway-Roscommon university hospitals group of unpaid patient bills from 2010 to date in 2014; the amount that has been written off by each hospital for the same period; the amount which is being sought by debt recovery agencies; the amount currently awaiting sign-off by a consultant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7052/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the detailed information requested by the Deputy, as these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to him directly.
211. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) in County Kildare will receive speech and language therapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7061/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the particular issue raised by the Deputy relates to an individual case, this is a service matter for the Health Service Executive. Accordingly, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
212. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if there has been a policy change in terms of the ability of Health Service Executive early intervention teams to recommend a school for special needs children as part of their assessment; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that one intervention team (details supplied) no longer provides this one-line recommendation and this is affecting children's entitlement to school transportation in line with Department of Education and Skills requirements; if he will rectify this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7062/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe policy issue raised by the Deputy is the subject of discussions involving the Department of Education and Skills, the National Educational Psychological Service, the National Council for Special Education, the Health Service Executive and the Department of Health. My Department has asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy in relation to the particular local issue that he has raised.
213. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health in reference to his reply on 23 January 2014 on children and adults with narcolepsy, where he referred to his discussion with the Chief Medical Officer about a no-fault compensation scheme, if he will explain the stage these discussions are at; what the proposal contains; the way he proposes to compensate children and adults with narcolepsy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7069/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra214. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health in reference to his reply on 23 January 2014 in respect of children and adults with narcolepsy, the basis on which the prognosis is better than previously indicated; the timeframe for this improved prognosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7070/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra215. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health in reference to his reply on 23 January 2014 in respect of children and adults with narcolepsy, if he will accept an invitation from Sufferers of Unique Narcolepsy Disorder to meet affected families and not just the committee members of that organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7071/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 213 to 215, inclusive, together.
My Department is currently examining the recommendations of the Vaccine Damage Steering Group. However, this issue is complex and needs to be considered in the wider context of how best to address the long term health and social needs of people who may have experienced adverse outcomes from other health services.
With regard to the prognosis for individuals with narcolepsy, experts agree that progress has been made in the treatment of narcolepsy. In the majority of cases functioning can be restored to approximately 80% of normal with appropriate medication and lifestyle modifications. Recent research is indicating that narcolepsy is an autoimmune disorder, and it is now possible to explore new therapies which may have more beneficial effects. Further information regarding progress in treatment can be found at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3480574/.
I have met with affected families on two occasions in the past (September 2011 and July 2012). I have given a commitment that affected individuals will continue to receive individualised medical supports on an ex-gratia basis.
