Thursday, 26 Jan 2017

Written Answers Nos. 155-164

Orthodontic Services Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (155)

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

155. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the extent of the waiting list for orthodontic assessment in each region in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3618/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.

HSE Funding

Ceisteanna (156)

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

156. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the capital funding that will be provided to the north east region for 2017; the projects to be funded under this expenditure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3620/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The HSE has submitted its draft Capital Plan for 2017. This is being reviewed. It requires my approval together with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. When the approval process is completed the HSE will publish a schedule of projects.

Health Services Provision

Ceisteanna (157)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

157. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an application for reading glasses for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3623/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.

Emergency Departments

Ceisteanna (158, 159, 160)

Lisa Chambers

Ceist:

158. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the status of the proposed extension to the emergency department at Mayo University Hospital; the plans for the extension; the areas of the emergency department that will be extended; the expected date for completion of the project; and his plans to hire additional staff to cover the additional area. [3655/17]

Lisa Chambers

Ceist:

159. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the funding that has been allocated in 2017 for the proposed extension of the emergency department at Mayo University Hospital; and the expected overall cost of the extension project. [3656/17]

Lisa Chambers

Ceist:

160. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the current capacity of the emergency department at Mayo University Hospital; and the capacity of the emergency department once the proposed extension is completed. [3657/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 158 to 160, inclusive, together.

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Hospital Services

Ceisteanna (161)

Bobby Aylward

Ceist:

161. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health if the mobile catheterisation laboratory announced for Waterford University Hospital will be made available exclusively for the use of this hospital; if it will be primarily utilised for reducing waiting lists or conducting emergency procedures; if it will be available to the communities of the south east on a 24-7 basis; the number of persons for whom it is estimated a mobile catheterisation laboratory can cater on an annual basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3665/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Budget 2017 makes specific provision for those patients waiting longest for treatment within the health service. In this context, I am considering a national cardiology waiting list initiative which will address waiting times for cardiology treatments in a number of hospitals, including University Hospital Waterford (UHW). A range of measures are envisaged including sharing of facilities and resources within and between Hospital Groups, use of private facilities and the deployment of a mobile cath lab. I have written to the Director General of the HSE about the proposed initiative and I expect that further details will be made available in the coming weeks.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (162)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

162. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his Department's definition of "urgent" in view of the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3668/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Under 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.

Hospital Appointments Delays

Ceisteanna (163)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

163. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) whose case has been marked as urgent would be put on a waiting list of 48 plus months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3669/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Under 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.

Drugs Payment Scheme

Ceisteanna (164)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

164. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding pharmaceutical drug distributors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3671/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The reimbursement price paid to pharmacy contractors for items supplied under the State's drugs schemes is set out in regulation. Commercial arrangements between wholesalers and retailers are not a matter for my Department or the HSE.

In relation to the reimbursement issue raised by the Deputy, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.