Results 3,761-3,780 of 9,393 for speaker:Alex White

Health Services: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (29 Jan 2014)

Alex White: We all spoke up.

Health Services: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (29 Jan 2014)

Alex White: That was the subject of a report by the Commission on Taxation.

Health Services: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (29 Jan 2014)

Alex White: We are not hiding.

Health Services: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (29 Jan 2014)

Alex White: Does the Deputy have any proposals?

Health Services: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (29 Jan 2014)

Alex White: I thank the Deputies for a lively and engaging debate on our health service in the context of the 2014 national service plan. It is an issue of vital importance to us all. Throughout the deliberations, there has been, understandably, considerable focus on the financial constraints within which the HSE has been required to deliver its service plan commitments over recent years. These...

Health Services: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (29 Jan 2014)

Alex White: It never is when I am here.

Health Services: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (29 Jan 2014)

Alex White: The Deputy should speak for himself.

Topical Issue Debate: Medical Card Reviews (29 Jan 2014)

Alex White: As I indicated to the Deputy earlier, I will certainly discuss the issues he raised with the PCRS. One of the drawbacks I foresee, and to which the Deputy alluded, to be fair to him, is the question of which pharmacist to use. The Deputy helpfully suggests it would perhaps be the most recent pharmacist, but it is not necessarily always the case that the most recent pharmacist a person has...

Topical Issue Debate: Medical Card Reviews (29 Jan 2014)

Alex White: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I am somewhat unclear as to the specific procedure the Deputy refers to and I certainly was not aware of the proposal that he was going to make before I approached my response to his contribution to which I have listened very carefully. For the benefit of the House I will outline the procedure that is in place. The HSE, has a very structured...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Dental Services Waiting Lists (29 Jan 2014)

Alex White: The HSE has commissioned an independent national review of orthodontic services, which will give guidance as to what changes will be desirable to provide the best possible model of care delivery. I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy regarding the provision of orthodontic services in the Mid West Region.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Dental Services Provision (29 Jan 2014)

Alex White: I have asked the HSE to investigate this case and respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Primary Care Centres Provision (29 Jan 2014)

Alex White: I propose to take Questions Nos. 184 and 185 together. The development of primary care is central to the Government's objective to deliver a high quality, integrated and cost effective health care system. Supporting infrastructure, procured through a combination of public and private investment, will facilitate the delivery of multi-disciplinary primary health care. The location...

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Medical Services Scheme Payments (29 Jan 2014)

Alex White: Under the General Medical Services contract, GPs receive a range of fees and allowances in respect of each medical card and GP visit card patient on their GMS list. The current annual capitation payments in respect of persons 70 years or more are as follows: - €434.15 - Patient aged 70 years or more residing in a private nursing home (approved by the HSE) for continuous periods in...

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Medical Services Scheme Administration (29 Jan 2014)

Alex White: The Medical Council's Guide to Professional Conduct and Ethics states that "it is in the best interests of the patient that a general practitioner supervises and guides the overall management of their health". Medical card holders who are given a prescription by a hospital or clinic must request their GP to transcribe the details onto a GMS prescription form in order for them to receive...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Public Health Policy (29 Jan 2014)

Alex White: I propose to take Questions Nos. 188 and 189 together. Anaphylaxis may arise from a wide variety of causes, including insect stings, food allergies and reaction to certain medications. It affects individuals in many different ways. General practitioners are in the best position to offer advice to sufferers and, where necessary, to refer them to hospital consultants. While it is not...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Appeals (29 Jan 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: Medicinal Products Availability (29 Jan 2014)

Alex White: The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicinal products under the community drug schemes in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. The HSE received an application for the inclusion of Eculizumab (Brand: Soliris) in the community drugs schemes. The application was considered in line with the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Long-Term Illness Scheme Coverage (29 Jan 2014)

Alex White: There are no plans to extend the list of conditions covered by the Long Term Illness scheme. Under the Drug Payment Scheme, no individual or family pays more than €144 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals incurring ongoing expenditure on medicines. In addition, people who...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Reviews (28 Jan 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 Centres Provision (28 Jan 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 system and is a key element of the overall Health Reform Programme. This includes the development of Primary Care Teams (PCTs) and Primary Care Centres (PCCs). The core objective is to achieve a more balanced health service by ensuring that the vast...