Written Answers Nos. 1036 - 1049
1036. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the details of all bodies in receipt of public funds that have refused to provide treatments, conduct medical procedures, supply medical or other items or conduct research on the grounds of running contrary to the religious ethos of the patronage or management organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20226/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraHealth and personal social care services are provided on behalf of the Health Service Executive (HSE) by 39 Service Providers which are funded under section 38 of the Health Act 2004 and around 1900 other Service Providers funded under section 39 of the Health Act. Service Providers include registered charities, religious bodies, voluntary agencies and non-statutory agencies. These services would include a number which are provided by religious congregations.
The HSE has a Governance Framework in place which incorporates national standardised documentation, and guidance documents, that enables the HSE to contractually underpin the grant-funding provided to all Non-Statutory Service Providers. This Framework seeks to ensure the standard and consistent application of good governance principles, which are robust and effective, to ensure that both the HSE and the Providers meet their respective obligations. It is reviewed and updated as required. The HSE aims to ensure that appropriate systems are in place to effectively manage the services and funding, and the Governance Framework provides for national standard governance documentation and administrative processes, which seek, in turn, to ensure both the HSE and the recipient organisations comply with their respective obligations, and that the services delivered provide best outcomes for the service user and represent effective use of public Exchequer funding. The specific detail requested by the Deputy is not routinely available.
1037. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if clerical employees recruited to direct entry positions within the HSE are paid an allowance for holding a degree within the terms of the National Framework of Qualifications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20227/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
1038. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if it is the practice of the HSE to insist on the property being sold rendering the persons living in the house homeless as in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20239/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have again asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly
1039. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health his or the HSE's plans for the provision of a day hospital in Swords; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20250/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
1040. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health the methods used by his Department to identify communities in need of primary care centres; the selection criteria for such communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20255/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the HSE has responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres and other Primary Care facilities, the Executive has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.
1041. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if a general practitioner can charge a medical card holder a cost for blood tests when those blood tests are required to monitor an ongoing medical condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20259/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is no provision under the GP GMS contract for persons who hold a medical card or GP visit card to be charged for routine phlebotomy services provided by their GP, or the Practice Nurse on behalf of the GP, which are required to either assist in the diagnosis of illness or the treatment of a condition. The HSE has advised GPs that where a blood test forms part of the investigation or necessary treatment of a patient’s symptoms or conditions, this should be free of charge for patients who hold a medical card or GP visit card. Notwithstanding this, I understand that in recent times, some GPs are charging GMS patients for these services.
If a patient who holds a medical card or GP visit card believes he or she has been incorrectly charged for routine phlebotomy services by his or her GP, then that patient may make a complaint to the HSE Local Health Office, who will deal with the matter in accordance with the HSE's Complaints Policy.
In order to achieve clarity on this issue, I have asked that any difference of perspective in relation to the provision of phlebotomy services be addressed in the GP contractual review. I am pleased that engagement with GP representative bodies to progress this process has commenced and I look forward to constructive and positive further engagements.
1042. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health the way the €16.2 million emergency funding in budget 2017, that was to assist providing home supports and personal assistant hours for new cases for persons with intellectual and physical disabilities, was spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20264/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1043. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health if there has been a provision for extra home help hours or personal assistance hours for persons with physical or intellectual disability in 2017; if his Department has been in discussions regarding outstanding requests or needs in respect of demands for these services in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20265/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1042 and 1043 together.
In 2017, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is committed to maximising the provision of health and personal social services, including home support services, within available resources. In its National Service Plan for 2017, the HSE is providing an additional €5.5 million towards Home Support/Personal Assistant Hours, which will enable the Executive to deliver:
- 2.75 million Home Support hours, an increase of 150,000 hours over the last year's target of 2.6 million hours; and
- 1.4 million Personal Assistance hours, an increase of 100,000 hours over the 2016 target of 1.3 million hours.
In addition, €16.2 million is being provided for new emergency cases in 2017, including a new initiative for Home Support/In-Home respite for emergency cases.
As the allocation of this funding is an operational issue I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
1044. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20268/17]
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 the Deputy directly.
1045. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20269/17]
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 the Deputy directly.
1046. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a bed for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20270/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
1047. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20271/17]
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 the Deputy directly.
1048. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20272/17]
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 the Deputy directly.
1049. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20273/17]
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.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
