Ruth Coppinger
Ceist:487. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health if he will remove charges for those with haemochromatosis attending venesection clinics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28169/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 2 July 2019
Ceisteanna (487, 488)
Ruth Coppinger
Ceist:488. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health the amount raised in payments by those with haemochromatosis attending venesection clinics in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28170/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 487 and 488 together.
Where venesection is classed as a day case procedure and is not carried out in an out-patient setting, the public in-patient charge applies.
The issue of the provision of therapeutic phlebotomy services for hereditary haemochromatosis patients, including the issue of charges, is under consideration by my Department and the HSE.
It is agreed that such services should be provided at the lowest level of complexity that is clinically and operationally feasible. In time it is envisaged that the majority of this work will be done in a primary care setting.
Meanwhile, the Irish Blood Transfusion Service is now accepting hereditary haemochromatosis patients who are eligible to donate blood at their fixed and mobile donation clinics nationwide.
Patients can attend a maximum of four times a year with a minimum of ninety days between phlebotomies. The patient's hereditary haemochromatosis will continue to be managed by their physician, including the monitoring of ferritin levels.
In respect of the question concerning the amount raised in payments by those with haemochromatosis attending venesection clinics in 2018. This is a service matter for the Health Service Executive and I have asked them to respond directly to the Deputy.