Written Answers Nos 153-164
153. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will be considered for radiotherapy treatment at Altnagelvin area hospital, County Derry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47379/17]
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 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.
154. 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. [47381/17]
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 you directly.
155. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if counselling services are provided for persons that suffer a stroke, family members and carers in rehabilitation units which provide particular support for such persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47384/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
156. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health if the provision of home help hours will be reviewed for a person (details supplied); if the hours currently provided will be increased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47392/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
157. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the correct procedure to be followed with regard to patient files; the category of person that can put information into such a file; the appropriate information to be placed in such files; his views on whether information with regard to an allegation of inappropriate behaviour of a staff member to the patient is included in appropriate information for a patient's file; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47393/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
158. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the closure of Passage West health centre, County Cork [47403/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra159. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the type of services which were available in Passage West health centre [47404/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra160. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the number of persons that used the services at Passage West health centre [47405/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra200. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the reason for the planned closure of the health centre in Passage West, County Cork; and the measures in place to ensure public health services remain in the community [47534/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 158 to 160, inclusive, and 200 together.
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.
161. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health if medical card holders are liable for charges for blood tests at their general practitioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47409/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is no provision under the GMS GP 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 am aware that in recent times some GPs have begun to charge GMS patients for phlebotomy services in some circumstances.
This is a matter of concern for me as it has long been the position, under successive Governments, that no user charges should apply to GP services provided to GMS and GP visit card patients. 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 process, which is currently underway. The aim is to develop a contract which has a population health focus, providing in particular for health promotion and disease prevention and for the structured ongoing care of chronic conditions. I look forward to constructive and positive engagements with a view to achieving a satisfactory outcome.
162. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health if his Department has received information regarding the case of a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim; if his attention has been drawn to the urgency of this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47410/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
163. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase the number of beds in the stroke unit in Beaumont Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47420/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
164. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the physiotherapy deficit for stroke patients in Beaumont Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47421/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
