Results 5,621-5,640 of 9,393 for speaker:Alex White

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

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: Dental Services Provision (14 May 2013)

Alex White: The Dental Treatment Service Scheme (DTSS) provides access to dental treatment for adult medical card holders. All medical card holders are entitled to specific dental treatments e.g., an annual dental examination, two fillings in each calendar year, extractions as necessary. Additional treatments are available to persons with specific medical conditions including persons in receipt of...

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

Alex White: The HSE provides orthodontic treatment to patients based on their level of clinical need. An individual's access to orthodontic treatment is determined against a set of clinical guidelines and priority is given to patients with greatest needs. The HSE has been asked to examine the specific query raised by the Deputy and to reply to him as soon as possible.

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

Alex White: I propose to take Questions Nos. 634 to 636, inclusive, 641 and 642 together. The National Asthma Programme, which commenced in 2011, is one of a number of chronic disease programmes established in the HSE's Clinical Care Directorate aimed at bringing a systematic approach to changes in how services for patients are delivered. The overarching aim of the Programme is to reduce the morbidity...

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....

Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical goods) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (9 May 2013)

Alex White: An interesting issue has been raised by Deputy Billy Kelleher on which we also had some discussion on Committee Stage. In so far as there is a rationale for the restriction, which presumably there is historically, that is the status quo. If we want to find the rationale, it is in the existing legislation that has been there for whatever number of years with regard to regulated professions....

Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical goods) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (9 May 2013)

Alex White: I thank my colleagues on both sides of the House for their attention to the detail of the legislation and their support for the generality of what it proposes to introduce for the first time in the history of the State. It is long-awaited legislation, which will serve us well. It represents a genuine sea change on pricing and generic substitution of medicines in this jurisdiction. I thank...

Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical goods) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (9 May 2013)

Alex White: Part 4 of the Bill sets out statutory procedures for the supply and reimbursement of medicines and other items to patients under the GMS and community drug scheme. Section 19 sets out the action to be taken by the HSE where it makes a relevant decision under section 18 to add or refuse to add an item to the reimbursement list, to remove an item from the list or to retain an item on it. This...

Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical goods) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (9 May 2013)

Alex White: The proposed amendment would require that the clinical indications be included in both the prescription by the prescriber and the medicine label by the pharmacist. Two mandatory requirements are suggested in the amendment. It is important to note that many medicines have multiple clinical indications. I fully appreciate the importance of patients having full information on the correct use...

Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical goods) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (9 May 2013)

Alex White: It is simply one line. Of course, the patient would be taking the substituted generic medicine for the same reason they would have previously taken the branded one. The reason they are taking it does not change.

Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical goods) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (9 May 2013)

Alex White: There is no new information provided.

Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical goods) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (9 May 2013)

Alex White: I am listening and I disagree with the Deputy.