Written Answers Nos. 140-47
140. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health his plans, or the considerations that have been taken, to make more defibrillators available on public streets and at outdoor locations, especially in busy pedestrian and transport locations; his views on providing greater access to defibrillators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15030/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Information & Quality Authority conducted an economic evaluation of various Automated External Defibrillators (AED) national deployment programmes in designated places, such as hospitals, places of worship, hospitality and entertainment venues, sports clubs, transport stations, retail premises and public buildings. It reported that none of the Public Access Defibrillation programmes evaluated would be considered cost-effective using conventional willingness to pay thresholds.
One of the means to help improve health outcomes in this area is through the expansion of the National First Response Network. Community first responder groups comprise this national network. These are people from local communities who are trained in basic life support and the use of defibrillators that attend a potentially life threatening emergency in their area. They are then able to provide an early intervention in situations such as heart attack or cardiac arrest by providing, among other things, resuscitation and defibrillation.
Cardiac First Responders (CFR) Ireland, which I recently launched, is the national umbrella organisation for Community First Responders Groups. CFR Ireland is supported by the National Ambulance Service, Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council and the Centre for Emergency Medical Science UCD. Each group is linked to the National Ambulance Service control and despatch system, and so if there is a cardiac 999 call in an area, the on-duty CFR member gets a text from the National Ambulance Service at the same time that an ambulance is despatched with location, call details. The First Responder then goes straight to the site and administers initial care (defibrillation if required) until the National Ambulance Service and Rapid Response vehicles arrives.
This national initiative provides an opportunity to extend care for cardiac events. The prospect for a pilot on defibrillator availability in a small local area will also be explored.
141. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the Health Information and Quality Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15047/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Information and Quality Authority is the independent authority established under the Health Act 2007 to drive continuous improvement and to monitor safety and quality in Ireland’s health and personal social care services. Since 2009 all nursing homes - public, voluntary and private have been registered and inspected by HIQA.
Under Section 8 of the Act HIQA has statutory responsibility for setting standards on safety and quality, which are subject to approval by the Minister for Health under Section 10(2) of the Act. The Board of HIQA has submitted revised standards for Ministerial approval as required. These are currently under consideration by the Department.
142. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15048/15]
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.
If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.
143. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health in view of his Department’s statement last week that in a full year, the additional cost of the universal under-six service, including the preventative wellness checks and arrangements for management of asthma in general practice, would be approximately €67 million, the additional funding that will be provided in 2015, in view of the fact that €25 million was allocated in budget 2015 and the subsequent Health Service Executive Service plan. [15052/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe additional cost of an enhanced GP service for all 436,000 children aged under 6 is €67 million approximately in a full year. This includes the cost of providing services to approximately 270,000 children who currently must pay to see a GP. €25 million had already been set aside in the HSE National Service Plan, based on the new arrangement starting early in Quarter 2. As the service will now commence somewhat later, any additional costs in 2015 are expected to be relatively modest.
144. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health in view of the revised costs for free general practitioner care for under sixes, his Department's current estimate of the full year cost of providing free general practitioner care to the population as a whole. [15053/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to introducing a universal GP service without fees on a phased basis. The first phase will be for all children aged under 6 years. This service will commence during the summer. In parallel with this, the second phase will extend universal GP care without fees to all persons aged 70 years and over, subject to the passing of the necessary legislation. These measures represent a major step on the way to universal health care. By this summer, approximately 800,000 people in Ireland will benefit from universal access to GP services.
The introduction of a universal GP service constitutes a fundamental element in the Government's health reform programme. The current Government is the first in the history of the State to have committed itself to implementing a universal GP service for the entire population. The principles of universality and equity of access mean that all residents in Ireland should be entitled to access a GP service.
As the Deputy has indicated, children under 6 will benefit from a new enhanced service under the proposed GP contract. This will involve age-based preventive checks focused on health and wellbeing and the prevention of disease. The contract will also cover an agreed cycle of care for children diagnosed with asthma. The costs of the enhanced GP service for all children under 6 years of age will be approximately €67 million.
The additional cost of providing a universal GP service to the entire population was previously estimated on the basis of the existing scope of the service, rates of payments to GPs and eligibility. In the absence of specific changes to the scope and content of the GP service, the relevant fee structure or the eligibility rates, it would not be possible for an additional exercise to yield a more valid estimate in respect of the remainder of the population at this point in time.
145. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when payments will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Galway, approved under the nursing home support scheme; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15067/15]
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.
146. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding operations in the Mater hospital in Dublin 7, in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15068/15]
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 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, as this is a service matter, 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.
147. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding medical cards for those over 70 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15072/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere has been no change made or proposed to the eligibility requirements for medical cards for persons aged 70 years and older. Persons over 70 can be assessed under the over-70s gross income arrangements. In addition, persons aged over 70 years can be assessed under the standard medical card means test which is open to persons irrespective of their age. Furthermore, persons, including those aged over 70 years, may be eligible for a medical card where discretion is exercised where they face undue hardship in arranging medical services as a result of medical or social circumstances.
However, in parallel with the introduction of the under-6 GP service without fees which will commence during the summer, a GP service without fees will be provided for all persons aged 70 years and over. The Health (General Practitioner Service) Bill 2015, which was published on 25 March 2015, will provide the statutory basis for the over-70s universal GP service. The new over-70s GP service will benefit approximately 36,000 people who currently pay to attend a GP as they are not covered by a medical card or a GP visit card.
