Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:316. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a cataract operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40363/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraHospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (316)
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 Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (317)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:317. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a cataract operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40364/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí 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 Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (318)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:318. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a cataract operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40365/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí 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 Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (319)
Mary Butler
Ceist:319. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details supplied) at University Hospital Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40366/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí 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.
Autism Support Services
Ceisteanna (320)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:320. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if an appointment with a charity can be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40390/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí 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.
Home Help Service Provision
Ceisteanna (321)
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:321. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for home help services in Dublin north CHO aea 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40391/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Primary Medical Certificates Data
Ceisteanna (322, 323)
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:322. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the number of primary health certificates that have been issued to persons suffering from Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and POTS syndrome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40392/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThomas P. Broughan
Ceist:323. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the number of primary health certificates that have been refused to persons suffering from Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and POTS syndrome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40393/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 322 and 323 together.
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 Deputy will be aware that I have no role to play in the issuing of Primary Medical Certificates. This is a service matter for the Health Service Executive and accordingly I have arranged for the questions to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
Crisis Pregnancy Services
Ceisteanna (324)
Ruth Coppinger
Ceist:324. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health the progress of his review of the Regulation of Information (Services Outside the State for Termination of Pregnancies) Act 1995 in order that the law related to giving false information on terminations of pregnancy is strengthened (details supplied). [40394/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In relation to crisis pregnancy counselling, a primary concern of Government is the protection of the public when availing of health or social care services. A crisis pregnancy is perhaps one of the most stressful events in a woman’s life and therefore places her in a very vulnerable position. Positive Options, a crisis pregnancy service which is funded and overseen by the Health Service Executive, provides counselling in 50 locations nationwide and provides women with free, non-judgemental counselling. I am aware, however, that some other bodies providing counselling may not adhere to the same standards. The Regulation of Information (Services Outside the State for Termination of Pregnancies) Act, 1995 defines the conditions under which information relating to abortion services lawfully available in another state might be made available in Ireland. That Act provides that where information is provided that would assist a woman in obtaining a termination abroad, that information must be truthful and objective and that a breach of this provision is an offence. If an individual considers that information provided under the Act is not truthful and objective the matter may be referred to the Garda Síochána for investigation. As the Deputy will be aware, work is ongoing on regulating counsellors generally under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005. Pregnancy counselling (other than that provided by doctors, nurses or social workers) will be taken into account in this context. The Department of Health is preparing the necessary regulations to designate the professions of counsellor and of psychotherapist, which it is hoped will be ready for submission to both Houses of the Oireachtas for approval during this Dáil session.
As well as regulating counsellors under the 2005 Act, consideration will be given as to whether there is a requirement to strengthen the Regulation of Information (Services Outside the State for Termination of Pregnancies) Act 1995 to prevent professionals who are not regulated by the State from providing crisis pregnancy counselling services.
Cross-Border Health Services Provision
Ceisteanna (325)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:325. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if persons entitled to public patient healthcare here will receive correspondence from the HSE with information regarding the cross-border healthcare directive upon joining a hospital waiting list [40397/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under the terms of the European Union (Application of Patients' Rights in Cross Border Healthcare) Regulations 2014, the Health Service Executive has responsibility for providing information to enable patients resident in the State to exercise their rights in relation to access to healthcare in other Member States. I have asked the HSE to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Hospital Accommodation Provision
Ceisteanna (326, 327, 328)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:326. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health his plans to develop the capacity of Ramelton nursing unit, County Donegal, St. Joseph's Hospital, Stranorlar, County Donegal, and Lifford hospital, County Donegal. [40398/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraLouise O'Reilly
Ceist:327. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the completion date for refurbishment works at Buncrana nursing unit, County Donegal; and the number of additional beds and staff which will result from these works. [40399/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraLouise O'Reilly
Ceist:328. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the completion date for refurbishment works at Carndonagh community hospital, County Donegal; and the number of additional beds and staff which will result from these works. [40400/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 326 to 328, inclusive, together.
As these are service matters I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Ambulance Service Provision
Ceisteanna (329)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:329. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health when a base for the ambulance service in Buncrana, County Donegal will be operational. [40401/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you.
Ambulance Service Provision
Ceisteanna (330)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:330. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the status of the review of ambulance coverage for the Inishowen area of County Donegal, by the National Ambulance Service. [40402/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (331)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:331. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of persons awaiting cataract operations at the Mater hospital, Dublin 7; the waiting times for cataract patients that have not yet been given an admission date for cataract assessment and cataract operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40420/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In relation to the queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service issues, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
Hospital Consultant Recruitment
Ceisteanna (332)
Charlie McConalogue
Ceist:332. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health when a consultant endocrinologist specialising in diabetes for adults will be appointed to Letterkenny university hospital; the reason this has not happened to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40428/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Saolta University Healthcare Group has advised that there is currently one consultant Endocrinologist at Letterkenny University Hospital providing the adult Diabetes service and is receiving support from a locum Consultant General Physician who has a diabetic interest.
Additional clinics are being run on monthly basis (1 - 2 extra clinics per month), in order to address waiting lists for the service.
In terms of the future of diabetes services in the North-West, the Saolta Group advises that, in line with consultant Recruitment protocols, an application to recruit a second Consultant Endocrinologist has been submitted to the Consultant Application Advisory Committee (CAAC) where it is under consideration.
Prescriptions Data
Ceisteanna (333)
Mick Wallace
Ceist:333. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the figures for spending on prescriptions of specific serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors over the past 15 years; the number of persons who are prescribed SSRIs and SNRIs for the same period; the total for each drug listed for each year in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40436/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.