Written Answers Nos. 565-585
565. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if a decision has been made on an appeal for a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42604/12]
View answer566. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a full list of medicines that have been removed from the medical card in recent weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42611/12]
View answer567. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the savings to be made following the latest list of medicines to be removed from the medical card; the amount of those savings that will go towards this years deficit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42612/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 566 and 567 together. As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
568. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Cork is not reduced [42618/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
569. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the options available to a family (details supplied) [42623/12]
View answer570. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if there is a grant available for a person who is in urgent need for a knee replacement operation as there is a long waiting list in Cappagh Hospital, Dublin for this operation. [42624/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 569 and 570 together. As these are service matters, they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
571. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if he has considered the findings of the latest National Advisory Council on Drugs report; if new policies to tackle alcohol abuse are being developed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42627/12]
View answerI have noted the findings of Bulletin 7 of the Drug Prevalence Survey 2010/2011, covering Alcohol Consumption and Alcohol-Related Harm in Ireland. The results of this survey back up the considerable bank of evidence already available on alcohol consumption, and the implications of that consumption, in Ireland.
The Steering Group Report on a National Substance Misuse Strategy, launched earlier this year, made a range of recommendations focusing on issues such as the supply, pricing, availability and marketing of alcohol; as well as on strategies in relation to prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and research.
Arising from that report, my Department, in consultation with other key Departments, is finalising a set of proposals to deal with the use and misuse of alcohol with the intention of submitting proposals to Government as soon as possible.
572. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will sanction the bilateral programme for cochlear implant at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, and if so, the date of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42630/12]
View answerThe HSE have informed my Department that Beaumont Hospital has been engaging with it over the introduction of cochlear implants. The HSE have requested the hospital to submit a business case for consideration for the 2013 service plan.
573. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health his views on the progress of the national colorectal screening programme; and if he will list the sites of such screening centres currently running [42634/12]
View answerColorectal cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer among both men and women in Ireland. Approximately 2,200 new cases are diagnosed each year, and it is cause of death in around 950 people each year. Colorectal screening works on two fronts: it provides early detection and therefore earlier and more effective treatment, and it helps to prevent cancer in the first place by detecting pre-cancerous growths such as polyps. It is therefore imperative that the programme commences and continues on a sustainable basis.
Plans for the implementation of a national colorectal screening programme are at an advanced stage within the HSE-National Cancer Screening Service (NCSS) and the programme will be introduced on a phased basis in quarter four 2012, as stated in the HSE Service Plan 2012. When fully implemented the programme will offer free screening to men and women aged 55-74 every two years. As 50% of cancers within this age group are found in people aged 60-69 the programme will begin with this age cohort (a population of approximately 500,000).
The screening programme is the first call/ recall screening programme in Ireland to be offered to men as well as women. Organised population-based call, re-call screening for colorectal cancer is complex and to ensure quality and safety it is imperative that it is introduced in a carefully managed and monitored way to ensure that risks to patients are minimised and best clinical outcomes are maximised. Over time the phasing of the programme will allow development of colonoscopy capacity to cater for the full 55-74 year old population.
The HSE-NCSS and the Special Delivery Unit in my Department have been working together to develop the appropriate capacity in colonoscopy services nationwide to support the introduction, sustainability and growth of the screening programme, while maintaining and enhancing the capability of the symptomatic endoscopy service. The focus is on improving quality and access at all publicly-funded screening colonoscopy units, not just for those referred for colonoscopy as part of the screening programme, but for all men and women who require a colonoscopy or any other diagnostic endoscopic procedure. This will be achieved by building sufficient capacity in endoscopy services nationwide to sustain the implementation of the national screening programme, while maintaining and enhancing the symptomatic service.
Fifteen candidate colonoscopy units have been identified around the country to support the screening programme and these must achieve accreditation in order to provide colonoscopy services on behalf of the programme.
574. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if a direction has issued from the Health Service Executive to cut the weekend service for those in receipt of homecare packages or home help hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42637/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
575. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health the position regarding speech and language therapy in respect of a child (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42676/12]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
576. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Health when he expects to appoint a permanent director to the national Office for Suicide Prevention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42694/12]
View answerAs the National Office for Suicide Prevention was established by the HSE in 2005 and is part of the internal organisation of that body the issue raised is a matter for the HSE. On that basis the question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
577. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the public dental services available for children; the public dental services available to children in County Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42715/12]
View answerDental services for children up to 16 years are provided by the Public Dental Service of the HSE. The service is targeted at children at key stages in their development. Children are given dental examinations and any follow-up treatment required at these stages. When required, emergency dental treatment is available to all children up to 16 years. In addition, the HSE provides orthodontic treatment based on clinical need to those who have been assessed and referred for treatment before their 16th birthday.
With regard to dental services in County Cavan, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
578. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health the reason responsibility for funding the Irish Society for Quality and Safety in Health Care was transferred from his Department to the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42726/12]
View answerAll matters relating to funding for the ISQSH were transferred from the Department to the HSE in order to further strengthen and streamline the corporate and financial governance principles under which the Society receives funding. The Department has agreed with the HSE that the Executive should assume responsibility for the direct allocation of ISQSH's funding from 2012, as appropriate, having regard to the above. The HSE is in ongoing discussions with the Society in relation to funding matters.
579. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health the reasons funding provided to the Irish Society for Quality and Safety in Health Care will cease in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42727/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
580. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a progress report on the implementation on the national deployment model for advanced paramedics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42744/12]
View answer581. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the reason despite 40,000 call outs per year with no cost implications, that his deployment policy for advanced paramedics and with six advanced paramedics based in the station, that the roll out has not taken place in Limerick City and County; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42745/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 580 and 581 together.
The HSE National Ambulance Service (NAS) provides pre-hospital emergency care and emergency and some non-emergency patient transport. Supported by my Department and by HIQA, the NAS is working to improve the management and integration of its services. This includes a reduction to two ambulance control centres nationally, with appropriate technology, a clinical lead for pre-hospital care and development of new performance indicators for pre-hospital care. In addition, a number of new service types are being introduced , such as the use of advanced paramedics and rapid response vehicles where required, as well as intermediate care services, for dedicated stretcher-based transport which doesn't use emergency resources.
The NAS operates under the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) EMS Priority Dispatch Standard, which identifies the appropriate resource to be dispatched to emergency calls. This standard is in line with the recently published HIQA National Standards for Safer Better Healthcare, which set out the principles for timely and clinically appropriate responses.
The NAS and the Irish Ambulance Representative Council (IARC) are currently engaged in discussions, under the Croke Park Agreement, to develop a national agreement on practitioner deployment.The aim is that the right skill mix is available to the right patient in the right place at the right time. The NAS and IARC have agreed a number of measures to date on changes to service delivery. In this context, the NAS has developed a performance improvement plan to provide for a consistent approach to implementation, so that the maximum number of patients will benefit.
The Performance Improvement Implementation Plan is progressing across the NAS, against a backdrop of available resources, leading to real improvements in patient care. In relation to advanced paramedics, it identifies the requirements to: re-arrange rosters so that advanced paramedics are not rostered together; ensure that advanced paramedics are not routinely dispatched to lower acuity calls; ensure, where possible, that available advanced paramedic capacity is spread across the roster to provide the maximum cover possible.
Advanced paramedic capacity in Limerick City and County is being deployed in accordance with these developments. The HSE recognises the requirement to continue the development of advanced paramedic capacity and, on the basis of current numbers in training, will increase the numbers of advanced paramedics within the NAS by 30% over the next year.
The NAS has undergone significant change in order to ensure quality, safety and value for money. In line with other clinical areas, this process is ongoing as clinical needs and standards develop. I believe that these developments are in the best interests of patients, and that they are a key part of the Government's work to ensure high quality emergency care.
582. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Sláinte cén fáth go bhfuil an tIonad Cúraim Lae in Áras Mhic Dara dúnta faoi láthair; cén fáth go bhfuil athbhreithniú á dhéanamh ar an Ionad Cúraim Lae; cén uair a osclófar an tIonad Cúraim Lae arís; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [42746/12]
View answerÓ tharla gur ábhar é seo a bhaineann le seirbhísí, cuireadh é faoi bhráid Feidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte le haghaidh freagra díreach.
583. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the delegated functions in the area of primary care that will be granted to the newly appointed Minister of State with responsibility for primary care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42770/12]
View answerAn order to delegate appropriate functions to Minister of State Alex White is being prepared. Subject to Government approval, I envisage that Minister of State White will be given responsibilities across a range of statutory functions, similar to those delegated to his predecessor including: controlled drugs, pharmacy and medicines.
Many of the matters that arise for ministerial decision in the Primary Care area do not have a specific statutory basis. I intend to delegate responsibility to the Minister of State, Deputy Alex White, on a non-statutory basis in relation to the following areas of Primary Care: Development of Primary Care; Medical Card and GP Visit Card Schemes; Community Drug Schemes; Issues relating to GPs, Dentists, Pharmacists, and Opticians; Dental, Audiology, Optical and Chiropody services; and National Drugs Strategy. He will also have delegated responsibility for alcohol-related health issues.
584. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide some detail on the type of model of universal health insurance that he is proposing for the health system here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42773/12]
View answer585. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he intends to introduce the Dutch model of universal health insurance here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42774/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 584 and 585 together.
The Government is committed to fundamental reform of healthcare in Ireland that will deliver a single tier health system, supported by universal health insurance (UHI), where access is based on need, not income. Every individual will have a choice of health insurer and will have equal access to a comprehensive range of curative services.
In February, I established an Implementation Group on Universal Health Insurance which will assist in developing detailed implementation plans for universal health insurance and driving implementation of various elements of the health reform programme.
In designing the model of care on which universal health insurance will be based, we must ensure that it meets the needs of Irish citizens and that it achieves the best outcomes for patients. This requires that we carefully plan and sequence the reform programme and that we give detailed consideration to the most appropriate structures for delivery of different services. Ultimately, this Government is committed to introducing an Irish model of universal health insurance that best fits the Irish system.
It is also important that we look to other countries that have developed health insurance-based funding models and that we build on best international experience. This is reflected in the membership of the UHI Implementation Group. The UHI Implementation Group comprises a mix of those with executive responsibilities within our health services and external expertise, including international experts working with the World Health Organisation and the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies. In addition, officials in my Department have been examining the experience of health reforms in a range of countries, including the Netherlands and Germany. This analysis is vital to enhancing our knowledge and informing policy.
The reform programme is a complex and major undertaking that requires careful sequencing over a number of years. The Implementation Group will continue in existence throughout the health reform process and will oversee different elements of the reforms as they are being put in place. It is also intended that it will consult widely as part of the reform implementation process.
