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Thursday, 5 Mar 2020

Written Answers Nos. 764-775

General Medical Services Scheme Administration

Ceisteanna (764)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

764. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the reason a drug (details supplied) is not available under the GMS; the estimated number of patients who would potentially benefit from the drug; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3479/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Health Service Executive has operational responsibility for medicines expenditure, thus the matter has been referred to the HSE for their attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Services for People with Disabilities

Ceisteanna (765)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

765. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health the progress made to date in the reopening of a facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3483/20]

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.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (766)

Darren O'Rourke

Ceist:

766. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Meath will receive a hospital appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3504/20]

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, since 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 the Deputy directly.

Services for People with Disabilities

Ceisteanna (767)

Darren O'Rourke

Ceist:

767. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Meath will receive appropriate long-term care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3505/20]

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.

General Practitioner Services

Ceisteanna (768)

Darren O'Rourke

Ceist:

768. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the details of general practice services in Kells, County Meath; the number of general practitioners providing care to persons with medical cards; the details of proposals to address the shortage of general practitioners in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3506/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Government is aware of the workforce issues facing general practice in Kells and other parts of the country, and has implemented a range of measures in recent years to improve recruitment and retention in general practice. 

The Agreement reached in 2019 on GP contractual reforms and service developments will see an increase in expenditure on GP services of €210 million annually by 2023, providing significant increases in capitation fees for participating GPs, and increases in supports for rural practices and practices in urban areas of deprivation.  

Improved family friendly arrangements are an important feature of the revised contractual arrangements, with an increase in the locum rate for maternity and paternity cover, and an increase in the paternity leave allowance from 3 days to 2 weeks. This is in recognition of the need to ensure that general practice is compatible with doctors’ family commitments.

In addition, the number of medical graduates undertaking GP training has increased from 120 in 2009 to 192 filled places in 2019. 217 training places are available for 2020, and the number of doctors applying to the training scheme commencing in 2020 is the highest on record at 461. 

I am confident that these measures will help make general practice more sustainable and a more attractive career option for doctors, to the benefit of doctors and patients across the country.

Regarding the number of GPs providing care to medical card and GP visit card holders, the number of GPs contracted by the HSE under the GMS scheme has risen from 2,098 in 2008 to 2,509 at the end of 2019.

Finally, in relation to the details of general practice services available in Kells, as this is an operational issue I have asked the HSE to reply to the directly to the Deputy in relation to this issue.

Questions Nos. 769 to 775 answered with Question No. 727.
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