Results 6,161-6,180 of 9,393 for speaker:Alex White

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: General Practitioner Services (2 Apr 2014)

Alex White: I cannot say that. I wrote these letters to the IMO. It is not for me to speculate as to why-----

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: General Practitioner Services (2 Apr 2014)

Alex White: These are the letters.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: General Practitioner Services (2 Apr 2014)

Alex White: I was asked to deal with the issue of the preparedness for negotiations and I think I have dealt with it.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Primary Care Centres Provision (3 Apr 2014)

Alex White: The development of primary care is central to the Government's objective to deliver a high quality, integrated and cost effective health care system. In 2012 the HSE completed a prioritisation exercise for all primary care centre locations. In addition to the locations' ranks as a result of the prioritisation exercise, the mechanism and timescale for delivery of primary care...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Applications (3 Apr 2014)

Alex White: The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Primary Care Reimbursement Service Payments (3 Apr 2014)

Alex White: I propose to take Questions Nos. 244 and 256 together. It is assumed the Deputy is referring to Telaprevir (Incivo) and Victrelis (Boceprevir). These drugs are currently available via the Primary Care Reimbursement Service Hepatitis C Reimbursement System, when prescribed via the eight National designated Hepatitis C centres.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Appeals (3 Apr 2014)

Alex White: The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Applications (3 Apr 2014)

Alex White: The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Eligibility (3 Apr 2014)

Alex White: Persons who lose full eligibility under the gross income limits for an over -70s medical card will continue to be able to access GP services without charges, once all applicable criteria are met. A single person over 70 years old with a gross income of up to €700 per week will continue to qualify for free access to a GP. A couple over 70 years old with a gross income of up to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Administration (3 Apr 2014)

Alex White: I am informed that the Health Service Executive is compiling the statistical data requested and I will revert to the Deputy on the matter as soon as it becomes available. I note the Deputy's comments that "Pharmacists have confirmed that the vast majority of patients do not change pharmacist frequently and that it is rare for someone to change during the normal three monthly prescription...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Reviews (3 Apr 2014)

Alex White: The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Minister for Health (3 Apr 2014)

Alex White: Deputy Kelleher made some observations and asked some questions about primary care. I am aware of the issues that have been raised at various meetings organised by general practitioners around the country. I am fully aware of the concerns people have raised and I am in regular contact with general practitioners as a Deputy as well as a Minister of State. I have visited general...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Minister for Health (3 Apr 2014)

Alex White: It was not a concession. The Deputy should give it a fair chance. How else will we address the two-tier system? If Deputy Kelleher says it should not be through insurance, what is the alternative for addressing the two-tier system we undoubtedly have? Let us have that debate. I mentioned the wider context and the reduction in pay in the public service. The clear stated position of the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Minister for Health (3 Apr 2014)

Alex White: There are people whose medical cards have been removed across the board, including those who do not have illnesses or conditions.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Minister for Health (3 Apr 2014)

Alex White: It always sounds a bit harsh to make the point this way but I will state the reality. We do not have an illness-based scheme.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Minister for Health (3 Apr 2014)

Alex White: We do not have a medical condition-based scheme. We have a means-based scheme. If the Oireachtas was to decide to change that, so be it but the fact is that the HSE must administer the scheme the Oireachtas puts in place, which is a means-based scheme. There is no way that the HSE has the power to act in a way that is outside the law. As the committee is aware, the medical condition...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Minister for Health (3 Apr 2014)

Alex White: As the Minister and I have both said repeatedly, there is, and could be, no question of a gagging order being imposed on general practitioners. There is no intention to interfere with the professional independence and integrity of general practitioners. As to whether the particular clause in the draft contract can be interpreted as a gagging clause, that is open to argument.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Minister for Health (3 Apr 2014)

Alex White: Exactly. Could I just conclude because I am trying to get to the table where we can get this thing resolved? We are having great difficulty in doing that. I will not extract one-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Minister for Health (3 Apr 2014)

Alex White: I have.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Minister for Health (3 Apr 2014)

Alex White: I have. I will mention that when I come to the conclusion of my remarks. In the course of the engagement that we have to have on the draft contract, this particular clause, which has been described as a gagging clause, is one that we will clearly have to address. I think we may well be persuaded that it should be reworded. Conceivably, we may well be persuaded that it should be removed....