Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Health his view on whether the Health Service Executive complaints procedure is significantly robust, and if it has been evaluated [11853/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Part 9 of the Health Act 2004 provides for the making of complaints. The Health Service Executive (HSE) has published a "National Healthcare Charter, You and Your Health Service" which outlines what service users can expect and what their responsibilities are whenever and wherever they use health services and the mediation and facilitation provided for the handling of complaints. As the question raised by the Deputy relates to a service matter, the question has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Health if there has been a review or audit of the patients complaints within the addiction service to see if there are common issues arising which need to be addressed [11854/13]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I understand from the HSE that a number of complaints were received from patients in relation to addiction services over the past year. The complaints were followed up in each case on an individual basis. Waiting lists were among the areas of complaint and considerable progress has been made in this regard. Also, the HSE envisages that the forthcoming Clinical Guidelines for Opioid Substitution Treatment will address many of the issues that are raised by service users and their families. The views of service users were sought and taken on board when a review of the methadone protocol which was carried out in 2010. Work on the implementation of the recommendations of that report is now progressing. Meanwhile, the Methadone Protocol Prescribing Implementation Committee and the National Drug Rehabilitation Implementation Committee include service user representation.