Written Answers Nos. 132-139
132. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon will be called for an outpatient appointment; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14985/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
The scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she should take the matter up with the consultant and the hospital involved.
In relation to the specific case raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
133. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a situation (details supplied) in County Meath; his plans to ensure no level of service is lost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14999/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
134. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the Health Research Board's review of the international evidence on fluoridation of water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15002/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Health keeps water fluoridation policy under constant review. As part of this ongoing work, a review of evidence on the impact of water fluoridation at its current level on the health of the population is being conducted by the Health Research Board on behalf of the Department. The review is currently being finalised.
135. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Laois will be issued with an appointment for the pain clinic in Saint James's Hospital in Dublin 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15014/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
The scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she should take the matter up with the consultant and the hospital involved. In relation to the specific case raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
136. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will receive an appointment for a procedure at Tallaght hospital in Dublin 24; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15024/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
The scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she should take the matter up with the consultant and the hospital involved. In relation to the specific case raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
137. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health the waiting period for a person who has been removed from a general practitioner's general medical services list at the request of the general practitioner to be put on a new list list with an alternative general practitioner. [15026/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
138. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the official status of the fair deal scheme and the sustainability of the model for those considering entering the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15027/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS) provides financial support towards the cost of long-term residential care services in nursing homes. Under the Scheme, nursing home residents contribute towards the cost of their nursing home care based on their means, and the HSE pays the balance.
In Budget 2015 €948.8m was provided for the NHSS which included an additional €10m which formed part of the Delayed Discharges Initiative. However, throughout this year hospitals have experienced increased overcrowding in Emergency Departments and increased numbers of patients whose discharge from hospital has been delayed. At the beginning of April 2015 it was announced that an additional €74m has been allocated to address the issue that has arisen. The €74m now provided will consolidate and build on what has already been achieved. €44m of this €74m was provided to the NHSS to fund 1,600 more places under the Scheme. This brings the total budget for the NHSS for 2015 to €993m.
The additional €44m has helped to reduce the number of people on the national placement list awaiting funding from 1,426 at the end of March 2015 to 503 people as of the 9 of April 2015 (latest figures available). The length of time spent on the national placement list has also reduced significantly from 11 weeks to 4 weeks currently. At the end of February 2015 (latest figures available), 22,231 people were supported under the Scheme.
When the NHSS commenced a commitment was made that it would be reviewed after three years. This exercise is broader than was first envisaged but work on the Review is in its final stages and is expected to be completed shortly. No decisions have been taken nor plans in places regarding changes to the contributions required from residents.
139. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Health if a successful application for State support under the nursing homes support scheme will carry over if the applicant (details supplied) decides to defer the support for up to two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15029/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
