Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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100. To ask the Minister for Health if there has been progress in respect of services for venesection patients with haemochromatosis; if the issue of the €80 fee that these persons must pay when they have to attend outpatient departments is being considered in the context of the overall general practitioner contract review process (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43276/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The issue of the provision of therapeutic phlebotomy services for hereditary haemochromatosis patients, including the issue of charges, is currently under consideration by my Department and the HSE. 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.

Also, my Department and the HSE recently re-engaged with the Irish Medical Organisation to set out the State's position in relation to reform of the GMS contract. The provision of therapeutic venesection services for medical and GP visit card holders is being considered as part of the consultations.