James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the Minister for Health, I again thank Deputy Burke for raising this very important matter. Aids and appliances provided by the HSE under the community funding scheme support individuals to continue living within their communities. They are prescribed on the basis of an identified clinical need and are provided in line with established criteria. The purpose of the service improvement programme established by the HSE has the aim of improving the quality of services provided, improving access and eliminating historical inequities in the provision of these services in different parts of the country.

Recently, the HSE implemented a national standard procedure in respect of post-mastectomy products as, previously, no clinical procedures were in existence for these products. While this procedure does not include products for sporting activities, for example, swimming and running, and other leisure activities, it does ensure there is equal access to appropriate post-mastectomy products for all women who need them, irrespective of medical card status.

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