Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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544. To ask the Minister for Health the cost of venesections for persons with haemochromatosis; his views on newly diagnosed persons cancelling their appointments due to the prohibitive costs of requiring this treatment a number of times per month; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37610/18]

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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545. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding charges for venesections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37611/18]

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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560. To ask the Minister for Health if he will review calls from an organisation (details supplied) to eliminate or substantially reduce a charge of €80 which certain hospital groups have imposed on haemochromatosis patients requiring venesection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37690/18]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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576. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 157 of 13 December 2017, 121 of 24 January 2018 and 242 of 5 July 2018, if a report in respect of removing the venesection inpatient day case charge for hereditary haemochromatosis patients has been received following his recent meeting with the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37800/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 544, 545, 560 and 576 together.

Officials from the HSE and my Department held two meetings in recent months to discuss the provision of therapeutic phlebotomy services for hereditary haemochromatosis patients. It is agreed that such services should be provided at the lowest level of complexity that is clinically and operationally feasible. In time it is envisaged that the majority of this work will be done in a primary care setting.

Meanwhile, proposals in regard to the issue of charging hereditary haemochromatosis patients for venesections in acute hospitals are being considered.