Written Answers Nos. 328-350
328. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health his views on correspondence concerning capital investment for disability services such as Prosper Fingal and Meath (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4889/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE has been requested to reply directly to you on this matter as it is responsible for the delivery of health care infrastructure projects. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office who will follow up.
329. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the steps University Hospital Waterford is taking to fill vacancies in the radiology department; if he is aware that routine X-rays at the hospital have been suspended and that written notification of same has been given to all local general practitioners; the action being taken to remedy this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4890/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
330. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans to improve cardiology services at University Hospital Waterford; if these plans include moving to 24-7 cardiology care at the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4891/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the specific query raised by the Deputy, 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.
331. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he will increase bed capacity at University Hospital Waterford; if he is aware that the number of patients on trolleys at the hospital during the first six weeks of 2016 at 706 is up significantly on the number, 282, during the first six weeks in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4892/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the specific query raised by the Deputy, 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.
332. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the increases in hospital capacity including in capital funding, bed numbers, staffing and theatre space planned for University Hospital Waterford for 2016 and 2017 in tabular form. [4893/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the detailed queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service matters, 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.
333. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the plans to provide a palliative care unit on the grounds of University Hospital Waterford including when this unit will be operational. [4894/16]
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.
334. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on outpatient waiting lists at University Hospital Waterford from 2011 to 2016 broken down by speciality for up to three months, three months to six months, six months to nine months, nine months to 12 months, 12 months to 15 months, 15 months to 18 months, 18 months to 24 months and over 24 months in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4895/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy may wish to know that the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) is responsible for the collection, collation and publication of Inpatient, Day Case and Outpatient waiting lists. Waiting list information is published on the NTPF website (www.ntpf.ie) at the end of each month. The information is presented in different report formats, i.e. by National/Trend, by Hospital/Group, and by Specialty.
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.
335. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health to examine the case of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4896/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the issue raised by the Deputy relates to an individual case, this is a service matter for the Health Service Executive. I have asked the HSE to look into the particular matter raised and to reply directly 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.
336. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if a medical device will be provided to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny as a matter of urgency. [4898/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the particular issue raised relates to an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to you. 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.
337. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health when he will implement the national clinical programme for asthma, as recommended by the Health Service Executive in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4920/16]
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. 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.
338. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his plans to include coeliac products under the medical card scheme for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4929/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicinal products under the community drug schemes in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
The HSE faces a continuing challenge to deliver services in a way that will minimise any adverse impact on patients and continue to protect, as far as possible, the most vulnerable citizens. Unfortunately, as a result it has become necessary for the HSE to suspend certain products from its list of items reimbursable under the GMS and other community drug schemes. This includes gluten-free products.
Gluten-free products have become more widely available in supermarkets in recent years and tend to be significantly cheaper than products sold through community pharmacies. Coeliac patients can also claim medical expenses tax relief on expenditure incurred on gluten-free products manufactured specifically for coeliacs. There are no plans to reinstate these products on the list of reimbursable items under the GMS and other community drug schemes.
339. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a medical appointment for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4930/16]
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 (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, he can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
340. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4946/16]
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.
341. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4960/16]
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.
342. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of treatment for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4961/16]
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 (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, he can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
344. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry who was due to receive a medical device that the person was fitted for in October 2015. [4977/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the issue raised by the Deputy relates to an individual case, this is a service matter for the Health Service Executive. I have asked the HSE to look into the particular matter raised and to reply directly 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.
345. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry who is waiting for therapy in Tralee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4978/16]
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 (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, he can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
346. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the status of a replacement scheme for the motorised transport grant and mobility allowance; if he is aware of the distress caused to those with a physical disability since its abolishment in February 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4989/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraConscious of the reports of the Ombudsman regarding the legal status of both the Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Grant Schemes in the context of the Equal Status Acts, the Government decided to close both schemes. Both schemes remain closed.
However, the Government also decided that monthly payments will continue to be made by the Health Service Executive to 4,700 people who were in receipt of the Mobility Allowance at the time that the scheme closed, on the basis that this would prevent hardship and, on an interim basis, alleviate stress, anxiety and uncertainty among a vulnerable group in society.
The Government decided that the detailed preparatory work required for a new Transport Support Scheme and associated statutory provisions should be progressed by the Minister for Health. The Department is seeking a solution which would best meet the aim of supporting people with severe disabilities who require additional income to contribute towards the cost of their mobility needs, while remaining within the available budget and satisfying all legal and equality concerns.
Work is ongoing on the policy proposals to be brought to Government for the drafting of primary legislation for a new Scheme. The proposals seek to ensure that:
- There is a firm statutory basis to the Scheme's operation;
- There is transparency and equity in the eligibility criteria attaching to the Scheme;
- Resources are targeted at those with the greatest needs; and
- The Scheme is capable of being costed and it is affordable on its introduction and on an ongoing basis.
347. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health his plans for a solution for a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary on dialysis seeking financial assistance, with regards to transport costs incurred in attending treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4990/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
349. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the status of funding for improvement works at University Hospital Kerry (details supplied). [5015/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraBetween 2007 and 2015, nearly €15m capital has been invested in University Hospital Kerry. This includes projects which delivered a new emergency department, new endoscopy department and operating theatre air handling and chiller replacement, enhancement to the operating theatre electrical back-up power supplies, operating theatre changing rooms, and minor environmental upgrades to operating theatre corridor and theatre suites. The HSE, in its 2016 National Service Plan (at Appendix 4 Page 135), states that the blood sciences project which involves the extension and refurbishment of pathology laboratory will be completed and operational by end 2016. The estimated cost is €0.7m An agreed rolling plan is being put in place to address further infrastructure needs including the project referred to and associated costs.
There will always be more projects than can be funded by the Exchequer. As with all capital projects, the further development of the health care infrastructure, including University Hospital Kerry, must be considered within the context of the overall capital envelope available to the health service. Any future investment must also be considered within the overall acute hospital infrastructure programme and establishment of hospital groups. Each hospital group will be required to develop a strategic plan to describe how it will provide more efficient and effective patient services and reorganise its services to provide optimal care to the populations it serves. The HSE will continue to apply the available funding for infrastructure development in the most effective way possible to meet current and future needs.
350. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the details of the way in which home help carers are allocated hours and clients to care for and are remunerated; the reason home help providers could end up owing refunds to the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5045/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter. 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.
