Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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647. To ask the Minister for Health the reason an arbitrary decision was made in 2007 by the Health Service Executive to stop all new medical stoma appliances supplied through the GMS, the reason this embargo continues to date; if there was a review process in the interim and if patient Representative Associations have been consulted in keeping with the HSE partnership approach; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31583/13]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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A range of stoma products is on the List of Reimbursable Items under the GMS Scheme. Furthermore, where a product that is not on the List is required, application can be made by a medical card holder for the product to be made available through discretionary hardship arrangements.

The HSE is reviewing on a sequential basis, all non drug items on the List. Clinical nutritional products have been completed, significant work on dressings has been conducted and the HSE hopes to proceed to the Ostomy/Colostomy area later this year, as resources allow.