Written Answers Nos. 837-852
837. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when the Murphy and Walsh reports on symphisotomy will be published; the reason that neither report has been published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22786/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince coming into office, I have endeavoured to satisfactorily facilitate closure for around 250-350 women affected by symphysiotomy.
On 26 November 2013, Government approved the appointment of retired Circuit Court Judge Yvonne Murphy to assist in setting out a possible course of action in relation to women who have undergone symphysiotomies. Judge Murphy commenced her review of issues relating to Symphysiotomy in December and submitted her report to me in mid-March. I am closely examining the report and its recommendations. I will bring a Memorandum to Government in the coming weeks, so that a decision can be taken as early as possible regarding next steps.
Any proposals brought to Government will also take into account of the findings of the independent research report on Symphysiotomy in Ireland 1944-1984, which was commissioned by my Department (the Walsh Report), along with any other relevant information. It is intended that the Walsh Report will be published once the Government has decided on its response to this complex and sensitive issue.
838. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the total number of medical cards as of 1 May 2014; the total number of general practitioners cards on the same date; the total number for each type of card issued on a discretionary basis on that date. [22797/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe following table shows the card types and numbers at 1 May 2014, as requested by the Deputy.
|
Card Type |
No of Cards |
|
Medical Cards |
1,800,182 |
|
of which granted on the basis of discretion |
50,375 |
|
GP Visit cards |
125,166 |
|
of which granted on the basis of discretion |
29,481 |
839. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will supply in tabular form the number of medical cards issued on a discretionary basis in each of the 32 local health areas on the following dates; 1 January 2011; 1 January 2012; 1 January 2013; 1 January 2014; and 1 May 2014. [22798/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
840. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if social workers are allocated to all children who have special needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22804/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe particular issue raised by the Deputy is a service matter for the Health Service Executive. Accordingly I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
841. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on physiotherapy services in County Mayo. [22812/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
842. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health if it would be feasible for hospitals to use Saorview for their television signal rather than subscribing to cable; and whether this would be a cost-saving measure. [22822/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
843. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of patients in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, County Louth, that are availing of insulin pump therapy; the number of staff trained to use the insulin pumps in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital; his plans to increase the number of staff to carry out this treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22826/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the detailed queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to him directly.
844. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry. [22830/14]
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.
845. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the funding supplied for a school (details supplied) in 2012, 2013 and 2014; if he will provide a breakdown of the moneys that are directed towards physiotherapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy in the school in 2012, 2013 and 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22835/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe particular issue raised by the Deputy is a service matter for the Health Service Executive. Accordingly I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
846. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an electric wheelchair in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [22837/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy's question relates to service matters I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
847. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health the reason a phototherapy machine, paid for by voluntary fundraising efforts, in Bantry hospital, has not been used to treat psoriasis since last August; the reason patients have had to travel long distances two or three times a week for brief treatment sessions when the service could be provided locally; the way and when this service will be reinstated and this machine brought back into use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22838/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the detailed query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to him directly.
848. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a sandbed in respect of a person (details supplied); and the reason for the delay in signing off for same. [22842/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE is responsible for the administration of the primary care schemes, therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
849. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to his additional response to Parliamentary Question No. 679 of 25 February 2014, under Standing Order 40A, if he has had an opportunity to consider the policy issue further; and if he will provide an update on the matter. [22863/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, Section 1 of the Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 2010, provides that a person with full eligibility supplied with prescribed drugs, medicines and medical and surgical appliances by a community pharmacy contractor, shall be charged a prescription charge per item to that person.
When a medicine is required to be dispensed in different strengths / different containers, each strength / container is regarded as a separate item and each attracts a separate prescription charge.
This raises policy issues surrounding the implementation of prescription charges which I am currently considering.
850. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the reason for the decision to use a 22-bed section of Dingle community hospital for the purpose of the Health Service Executive offices. [22864/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
851. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the support available to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22869/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra854. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a long-term care plan in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22878/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 851 and 854 together.
As the Deputy's questions relates to service matters, I have arranged for the questions to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
852. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding prescriptions in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22875/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Medical Council’s Guide to Professional Conduct and Ethics states that “it is in the best interests of the patient that a general practitioner supervises and guides the overall management of their health”.
Medical card holders who are given a prescription by a hospital or clinic must request their GP to transcribe the details onto a GMS prescription form in order for them to receive their medication free of charge, subject to any applicable prescription charges.
There is an arrangement under the GMS Scheme for the emergency supply of medicines for medical card holders on discharge from hospital. Community pharmacists are authorised to dispense a maximum of seven days supply of medicines prescribed for persons who have been in-patients in a hospital or who have attended an Emergency Department and because of the circumstances of their discharge and/or the urgency of the prescribed medication it would not be possible to attend their GP to have the hospital prescription transcribed to a GMS prescription form. This arrangement relieves any difficulties that patients might encounter due to being discharged from hospital late in the evening or at weekends.
I wish to assure the Deputy that it is best clinical practice that a person in need of treatment should regularly attend their GP and that the GP is fully aware of the medications that any patient may be being prescribed. This is entirely consistent with the gatekeeper role played by the GP in the delivery of primary care. As GPs receive an annual capitation fee per GMS patient there are no extra costs incurred by such patients.
