Results 3,221-3,240 of 9,393 for speaker:Alex White

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: 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...

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...

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

Alex White: I thank Senator Healy Eames for raising this issue. The Government's vision for primary care is the development of a single-tier system where access is based on medical need and not on ability to pay. The Government, therefore, committed to introducing a universal GP service without fees, on a phased basis, within its term of office. The orientation of health systems towards primary health...

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

Alex White: For the information of the House it is important for me to emphasise again that on three occasions in recent weeks I have extended an invitation to the IMO and to the doctors' representatives to meet me in this regard. On 27 February 2014, I wrote to the IMO and I wish to put details of that letter on the record of the House: The Department and the HSE are fully prepared to engage...

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.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Vaccination Programme (2 Apr 2014)

Alex White: With respect, I do not believe it is open to the Minister to give a direction to NIAC in that regard although I understand what the Senator is driving at. NIAC, as I pointed out, is a committee of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland. It is a committee that advises the Minister. I do not believe there would or could be any inordinate delay on the part of the committee with regard to...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Vaccination Programme (2 Apr 2014)

Alex White: I thank the Senator for raising this matter as it provides me with an opportunity to update the House on it. Neisseria meningitidis is a major cause of invasive meningococcal disease, commonly known as meningitis. In 2013, 81 cases of invasive meningococcal disease were notified in Ireland, with serogroup B, commonly referred to as meningitis B, accounting for 68 of these cases. This...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Applications (2 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: Drug Treatment Programmes Availability (2 Apr 2014)

Alex White: The HSE provides opioid substitution (mainly methadone) in a number of treatment settings to meet the needs of individual drug users. These settings include: - primary care through GPs and community pharmacies; - satellite clinics that facilitate opioid substitution provision through community pharmacies; - treatment centres where opioid substitution treatment is dispensed on site; and -...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Delays (2 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...