Martin Ferris
Ceist:698. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health if he will consider returning a discretionary medical card on medical not financial grounds, to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry. [25852/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMedical Card Applications
Ceisteanna (698)
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.
Health Services Data
Ceisteanna (699)
Dan Neville
Ceist:699. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health the number of persons suffering from the inherited metabolic disorder, cystinosis. [25856/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I regret to inform the deputy that data on the prevalence of the inherited metabolic disorder cystinosis are not routinely available. In addition, it is not possible to identify the hospitalisation rates as the condition is part of a group of related diagnoses that are collected at group level only.
Primary Care Services Provision
Ceisteanna (700)
Michael Creed
Ceist:700. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the questran drug has been taken off the market and replaced with questran light but that the latter is not covered by the medical card; if his attention has been drawn to the financial consequences of this for transplant patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25860/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Health Service Executive 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.
Hospital Services
Ceisteanna (701)
Gerald Nash
Ceist:701. Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Health the plans his Department or the Health Service Executive have to improve conditions for young persons with inflammatory bowel disease, IBD, who depend on the services at Our Lady's Hospital, Crumlin; if he is concerned that there are no dedicated wards with adequate facilities to cater for the needs of young inpatients with IBD; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25867/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The new children’s hospital to be developed on the St James's campus will provide all tertiary or more complex care for children from all over the country, and all secondary or less complex care for children from the Greater Dublin Area. This is the largest and most complex capital project ever undertaken in health in Ireland, and the three existing paediatric hospitals in Dublin, including Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin, will come together in this modern, state of the art facility when built. Clinical areas will be designed to the highest international health standards and guidelines, and all in-patient beds will be in single, en-suite rooms.
In relation to the specific queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to him directly.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (702)
Pat Deering
Ceist:702. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a hip operation in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25868/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The National Waiting List Management Policy, a standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2014, 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 the particular query raised by the Deputy, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him on this matter.
Mental Health Services Provision
Ceisteanna (703)
Niall Collins
Ceist:703. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the provision of a support or educational service for persons suffering from depression and mental health issues in Mitchelstown, County Cork. [25871/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (704)
Niall Collins
Ceist:704. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health when funding will be provided to clear the backlog on the waiting list for bariatric surgery; and when will the waiting list for bariatric surgery be reduced to one year. [25872/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
Medical Card Applications
Ceisteanna (705)
Terence Flanagan
Ceist:705. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25874/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí 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.
Medical Card Applications
Ceisteanna (706)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:706. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if additional documentation has been received in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25875/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí 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.
Maternity Services
Ceisteanna (707, 708)
Michael P. Kitt
Ceist:707. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Health the position regarding maternity services at Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe, County Galway; if the closure of the service is part of the West North West Hospital Group maternity services review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25877/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMichael P. Kitt
Ceist:708. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Health in view of the document, High Level Review of Maternity Services in the West North West Hospital Group, what is the anticipated timescale for the implementation of the maternity services review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25878/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 707 and 708 together.
The position is that in the context of the implementation of the recommendations of a number of reports into the death of Savita Halappanavar at University Hospital Galway, and the Report on the establishment of Hospital Groups, the West/North West Hospital Group undertook a review of maternity services within the Group. The review included the maternity units at Portiuncula Hospital Ballinasloe, Mayo General Hospital, University Hospital Galway, Sligo Regional Hospital and Letterkenny General Hospital. It is understood that the draft report explores a number of options for reconfiguration, but no particular option is recommended.
My Department is currently developing a new National Strategy for Maternity Services which will determine the optimal configuration of maternity services to ensure that women in Ireland have access to safe, high quality maternity care in a setting most appropriate to their needs. As part of the development of the Strategy, all maternity services in the country will be reviewed and evaluated. Any decision on maternity service reconfiguration will be considered in the wider context of the National Strategy, and therefore on a national rather than on a local basis. In these circumstances, I can assure the Deputy that while the draft report on maternity services in the West/North West Hospital Group may help inform the new National Strategy, no decisions on service reconfiguration will be implemented without my agreement or in advance of the publication of the Strategy. It is intended to publish the Strategy later this year.
Maternity Services
Ceisteanna (709)
Michael P. Kitt
Ceist:709. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the lack of qualified personnel at Portiuncula Hospital, County Galway, or at risk births under the estates and capital programme, which are currently sent to Galway by ambulance accompanied by a midwife. [25879/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
Maternity Services
Ceisteanna (710)
Michael P. Kitt
Ceist:710. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Health in view of approximately 40% of the births at Portiuncula Hospital by mothers from the Midlands Health Service Executive area, and in view of the motorway access to Ballinasloe for the surrounding large catchment area, if the development of Portiuncula Hospital as a centre of maternity excellence will be given consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25880/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy may be aware, my Department is currently developing a new National Strategy for Maternity Services which will determine the optimal configuration of maternity services to ensure that women in Ireland have access to safe, high quality maternity care in a setting most appropriate to their needs. As part of the development of the Strategy, all maternity services in the country will be reviewed and evaluated. In that context, the role of individual maternity hospitals around the country, including Portiuncula, will be considered.
Medical Card Applications
Ceisteanna (711)
Jack Wall
Ceist:711. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an application for review of a medical card decision in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25882/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí 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.
Primary Care Services Provision
Ceisteanna (712)
Colm Keaveney
Ceist:712. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a person (details supplied) in County Galway can no longer access prostigmin using his or her r medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25883/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Health Service Executive 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.
Question No. 713 answered with Question No. 689.
Medical Card Reviews
Ceisteanna (714, 719)
Kevin Humphreys
Ceist:714. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health if a medical card will be reinstated in respect of a child (details supplied) in Dublin 6. [25901/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraKevin Humphreys
Ceist:719. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health if the medical card will be reinstated in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 4. [25934/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 714 and 719 together.
The Government has decided to develop a new policy framework for eligibility for the award of medical cards to take account of on-going medical conditions. The HSE has established an expert panel to examine the range of conditions that should be considered as part of this process and has been asked to make an early report to Government.
In this context, the HSE has suspended reviews of medical cards where discretion had been exercised to take account of medical circumstances, pending the outcome of this process. This includes people who are currently in the appeals process. The HSE has extended eligibility of the individuals concerned, who are in the process of being advised in the normal way.
The Government is examining how best to address the situation of persons with serious medical conditions who had been issued with a medical card on a discretionary basis, but who have already completed the review process (and appeal process, as relevant) and who are not eligible to retain that card. The Government is examining the most effective and timely way of progressing such change.
Hospital Appointment Status
Ceisteanna (715)
Tom Fleming
Ceist:715. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a CT angiogram appointment at Cork University Hospital in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25905/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In relation to the particular patient query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to him directly.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (716)
Paul Connaughton
Ceist:716. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Galway will receive an appointment for physiotherapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25924/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Hospital Accommodation Provision
Ceisteanna (717)
Derek Keating
Ceist:717. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a transfer to the National Rehabilitation Centre in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin. [25926/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As 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.
Health Services Reports
Ceisteanna (718)
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Ceist:718. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the report prepared by a team from the National Maternity Hospital into an obstetric clinical incident in Cavan General Hospital in November 2012 that resulted in the loss of a newborn child; with whom the report is currently; when will the parents be made aware of its content and recommendations; if the report will be published and, if so, the date of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25933/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Following an obstetric clinical incident in Cavan General Hospital in November 2012, an external review was undertaken by a team from the National Maternity Hospital. The external review team examined the clinical management and care given to an obstetric patient and her baby, (in line with HSE Incident Management Investigation policy). My Department understands that the external review team has submitted a draft report to the HSE. This report is now subject to due and fair process so as to ensure the matter is addressed appropriately.
The HSE remains fully committed to bringing a satisfactory conclusion to this matter as soon as possible. When the final report is complete it will be given to the family involved. It is expected that this process should be completed by the end of July 2014.
Question No. 719 answered with Question No. 714.
Question No. 720 answered with Question No. 670.
Orthodontic Service Provision
Ceisteanna (721)
Seán Fleming
Ceist:721. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when orthodontic treatment will be approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25939/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí 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.
Question No. 722 answered with Question No. 689.