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Thursday, 16 Feb 2017

Written Answers Nos. 221-240

Health Services Staff

Ceisteanna (221)

Peter Burke

Ceist:

221. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health whether maternity cover for a psychologist located in County Longford will be provided (details supplied). [7846/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.

As 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.

Health Services Staff Recruitment

Ceisteanna (222)

Peter Burke

Ceist:

222. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an appointment for a person (details supplied). [7848/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.

As the Deputy's question relates to an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (223)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

223. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive an outpatient ENT appointment at Letterkenny University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7850/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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 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 HSE, 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.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (224)

Aindrias Moynihan

Ceist:

224. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health to set out details of the waiting lists a person (details supplied) has been on since initial referral for cataract treatment in 2014. [7858/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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 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 HSE, 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.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (225)

Aindrias Moynihan

Ceist:

225. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health to outline the reason a person (details supplied) who has been on the urgent inpatient waiting list for hip replacement surgery since December 2015 has not yet received an appointment for the procedure; when the person will be treated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7859/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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 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 HSE, 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.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (226)

Aindrias Moynihan

Ceist:

226. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health to outline the reason a person (details supplied) who has been on the routine outpatient waiting list for appointment since June 2016 has not received an appointment for a hip replacement procedure. [7860/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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 Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (227)

Fiona O'Loughlin

Ceist:

227. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health if he will review the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7861/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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.

Medical Card Applications

Ceisteanna (228)

Maurice Quinlivan

Ceist:

228. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health if he will re-examine an application relating to a review of a medical card for a person (details supplied); the reason the initial application was closed and the person was awarded a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7867/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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 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 was issued to Oireachtas members.

Hospital Services

Ceisteanna (229)

Jack Chambers

Ceist:

229. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health to set down in tabular form the number of public elective surgeries performed, by specialty, hospital and month, over the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7871/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.

Hospital Services

Ceisteanna (230)

Jack Chambers

Ceist:

230. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health to set down in tabular form the number of elective surgeries performed on persons who hold private health insurance in public hospitals under the Health (Amendment) Act 2013 by specialty, hospital and month, over the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7872/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.

Question No. 231 withdrawn.

General Practitioner Services

Ceisteanna (232)

Pat Deering

Ceist:

232. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health whether a general practitioner in Carlow town is available to take on new private patients in view of the fact a person (details supplied) new to the area has been refused by a number of doctors in Carlow town. [7881/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Persons who do not hold a medical card or GP visit card access GP services on a private basis. Details of the numbers of private patients attending particular GPs are not collected by the Department of Health or the HSE.

GPs are private contractors and issues relating to the acceptance of private patients or payment of fees outside the terms of the GMS contract are a matter of private contract between the clinician and their patients. While I have no role in relation to such matters, I would expect clinicians to consider the importance of patients having access to a GP service close to home when deciding whether or not to accept private patients.

Hospital Services

Ceisteanna (233)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

233. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to an issue with regard to the community hospital in Tralee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7882/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (234)

Brian Stanley

Ceist:

234. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health whether a person (details supplied) has been placed on a waiting list for an MRI scan at Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore; and if so, the expected time the person will be waiting. [7883/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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.

Health Services Provision

Ceisteanna (235)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

235. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when he will be issuing a physiotherapy appointment for a person (details supplied) in County Galway; if the HSE will inform the person as to the position on the waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7910/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.

Respite Care Services Provision

Ceisteanna (236)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

236. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a request for respite care by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7911/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.

The Programme for Partnership Government states that the Government wishes to provide more accessible respite care to facilitate full support for people with a disability.

As the Deputy's question relates to an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

Medical Card Eligibility

Ceisteanna (237)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

237. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health to explain the reason the HSE cancelled a medical card, as happened in a case (details supplied); his plans to open the application, taking into consideration the exceptional circumstances that have arisen in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7917/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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 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 was issued to Oireachtas members.

Medical Card Eligibility

Ceisteanna (238)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

238. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health to explain the reason the HSE is withdrawing medical cards, as happened in a case (details supplied), based on notices of assessments; his plans to instruct the HSE to inform the relevant staff of this matter to avoid causing unnecessary stress to elderly persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7918/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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 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 was issued to Oireachtas members.

Dental Services Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (239)

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

239. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health to set out the current waiting times being experienced for orthodontist appointments in the HSE west area; if consideration has been given to the appointment of additional orthodontists to alleviate the backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7920/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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

Housing Adaptation Grant Applications

Ceisteanna (240)

Timmy Dooley

Ceist:

240. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health when a housing adaptation application for people with a disability submitted by persons (details supplied) will be assessed by the primary care department of the HSE in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7923/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí 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 a direct reply to the Deputy.

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