Results 3,801-3,820 of 9,393 for speaker:Alex White

Written Answers — Department of Health: Asthma Incidence (14 May 2013)

Alex White: The HSE Primary Care Reimbursement Service has advised that it does not currently collect information regarding an applicant's illness. Therefore, it is not possible to provide the Deputy with the information requested.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Appeals (14 May 2013)

Alex White: Any medical card holder undergoing a review to renew a medical card, who genuinely engages with the HSE in that review, will not have entitlement withdrawn before the review is complete, regardless of the expiry date shown on the medical card. In cases where a decision is made not to grant a medical card, the applicant is informed of the decision and is notified of his/her right to appeal...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Contracts (14 May 2013)

Alex White: The legal advice on the proposed phased extension of free general practitioner care was provided to the Department by the Attorney General's Office and not through an external legal advice source.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Products (14 May 2013)

Alex White: Cochlear implants and replacements are funded by the Health Service Executive and provided by Beaumont Hospital, therefore the issue of inclusion of replacement parts associated with cochlear implants on the medical card scheme, does not arise.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Prescription Charges (14 May 2013)

Alex White: Medical card holders are required to pay a €1.50 charge per item for medicines and other prescription items supplied to them by community pharmacists, subject to a cap of €19.50 per month for each person or family. Prescription charges do not apply to children in the care of the HSE or to methadone supplied to patients participating in the Methadone Treatment Scheme.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Generic Drugs Substitution (14 May 2013)

Alex White: The Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Bill 2012 provides for the introduction of a system of generic substitution and reference pricing. These reforms will promote price competition among suppliers and ensure that lower prices are paid for medicines resulting in savings for taxpayers and patients. The Bill passed Report Stage on the 9th of May and will return to the Seanad on the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services, Cost of Medicines (14 May 2013)

Alex White: I propose to take Questions Nos. 697 and 698 together. The costs of drugs and medicines for the last 5 years are set out in the table below (corresponding figures for 2012 are not yet available). - 2011(000s) 2010(000s) 2009(000s) 2008(000s) 2007(000s) Cost of Drugs and Medicines €1,467,575 €1,533,619 €1,659,931 €1,595,089 €1,480,201...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Orthodontic Services Provision (14 May 2013)

Alex White: The HSE provides orthodontic treatment to those who have been assessed and referred for treatment before their 16th birthday. Orthodontic referrals are generally received via the Public Dental Service school screening programme. An individual's access to orthodontic treatment is determined against a set of clinical guidelines called the Modified Index of Treatment Need. Patients with the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Primary Care Services Provision (14 May 2013)

Alex White: I propose to take Questions Nos. 705 and 706 together. The Government is committed to moving the focus of health care from secondary care to primary care, key aspects of which include the continued development of Primary Care Teams and Primary Care Centres. The HSE has responsibility for the provision of Primary Care Centres and the operation and maintenance of existing health centres....

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Eligibility (15 May 2013)

Alex White: I have asked the Health Service Executive for a report on the issue raised by the Deputy. I will revert to the Deputy on the matter as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Aids and Appliances Provision (15 May 2013)

Alex White: The Health Service Executive Community Audiology service administers and monitors hearing tests for adults who are at risk for hearing loss and prescribes hearing aids as required. Appointments for the audiology service are sent in a strict chronology according to clinical priorities and date of receipt of referral. The HSE has been asked to examine the specific query raised by the Deputy...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Availability (15 May 2013)

Alex White: I propose to take Questions Nos. 253 and 258 together. The HSE has received an application for the inclusion of pirfenidone in the GMS and community drugs schemes. The application is being considered in line with the procedures and timescales agreed last year by the Department of Health and the HSE with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA) for the assessment of new...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Prices (15 May 2013)

Alex White: The drug mentioned by the Deputy is extremely expensive, costing over €350,000 per patient per year. Treatment is lifelong. In 2010, in the absence of sufficient information to make a decision regarding long term funding, the HSE entered into an agreement with the manufacturer and St James’ Hospital, Dublin, whereby it provided a fund of almost €10m (inclusive of VAT)...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Availability (15 May 2013)

Alex White: Over the last number of months hospitals have been experiencing a shortage of Augmentin intravenous products (Augmentin IV). This shortage is due to manufacturing capacity issues which the manufacturer, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is experiencing at its manufacturing site in the United Kingdom. A number of measures are in place to deal with this shortage and minimise its impact on the delivery...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Alcohol Pricing (15 May 2013)

Alex White: I anticipate that the assessment in question will be available in the first quarter of next year.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Water Fluoridation (15 May 2013)

Alex White: Capital costs for fluoridation plants and equipment depend on a range of factors, including the size, volume and population served by the plant and whether the claimed capital costs relate to a new build, upgrade or retrofit. Consequently, there is no standard cost of installing fluoridation systems in water treatment plants. The most recent capital reimbursments made by the HSE to local...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Universal GP Care (15 May 2013)

Alex White: The Government is committed to introducing, on a phased basis, a universal GP service without fees within its first term of office, as set out in the Programme for Government and the Future Health strategy framework. This policy constitutes a fundamental element in the Government’s health reform programme. There has been no change to the Government’s over-arching commitment to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Application Numbers (15 May 2013)

Alex White: The information sought by the Deputy is not readily available. However, I have asked the Health Service Executive to supply this information to me and I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Primary Care Services Provision (15 May 2013)

Alex White: I thank Senator Byrne for raising this issue. It gives me the opportunity to address the plans for the provision of primary care services in Ashbourne, County Meath, and the wider context. The development of primary care teams and primary care centres is a priority under the programme for Government and an extremely important element in the health reform process. The provision of primary...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Primary Care Services Provision (15 May 2013)

Alex White: I acknowledge and agree with what the Senator said. I thank him for his support on this important new facility which will open in Ashbourne in the very near future. I am glad to able to give more detail about the current state of play. If the Senator or any other Member of the House wishes to obtain information on any additional aspects or raise questions by way of contact with me, I will...