Written Answers Nos. 1104-1110
1104. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health when an appointment for a MRI scan will be rescheduled in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48086/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
1105. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; if he will expedite same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48091/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
1106. Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Health if an application for a medical card will be expedited in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48099/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
1107. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health his views on the difficulty of retaining Irish-trained doctors and attracting doctors who have gone abroad to return to Ireland; his plans to improve this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48100/12]
View answerThe HSE is committed to providing high quality, internationally recognised education and training in order to attract and retain Irish–trained doctors. It must be recognised that Irish-trained doctors choose to go abroad for a variety of reasons, including further training. Many return having gained further skills and expertise.
The number of Consultant posts in the public health service has increased by 31% since 2005, from 1,947 in 2005 to 2,580 in September 2012, reflecting the policy of moving to a consultant provided-service.
The NCHD workforce currently stands at 4,889 WTE – its highest number in some years. This reflects intensive efforts by the HSE in recent years to maximise recruitment and retention and measures to make posts more attractive for candidates. Since 11th July 2012, 81% of NCHD posts are part of structured training schemes run by the postgraduate training bodies and funded by the HSE. Nineteen percent are service posts wherein doctors are required to participate in professional development programmes run by the postgraduate training bodies and funded by the HSE.
Recent developments include a 30% increase in GP training places available, from 120 to 157 per year; the introduction of 40 additional intern posts in specialty areas including anaestheisa, general practice, emergency medicine and paediatrics; the development and implementation of a three-year Basic Specialist Training programme in emergency medicine, with 78 places available on the programme, and expansion in the number of Higher Specialist Training places in radiation, oncology and anaesthesia and intensive care medicine.
1108. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health his views on the recent accusations that the Health Service Executive does not understand or care about education and research in the medical field; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48101/12]
View answerI am not aware of the recent accusations referred to by Deputy Spring, however I would certainly strongly refute the suggestion that the HSE does not understand or care about education and research in the medical field.
Medical education and training is a priority for the HSE and the delivery of high quality, internationally recognised training represents a strategic resource for the HSE and the wider public health system.
In this context, health service employers have repeatedly emphasised the central role played by NCHDs in the provision of on-site 24/7 medical care; and reiterated that NCHD access to high quality postgraduate medical education and training is essential to patient safety and progress towards a Consultant-provided service.
Health service employers are very committed to ensuring that: a) New working arrangements improve the flexible delivery of patient care while supporting NCHD participation in appropriate education and training. The key objective is to ensure safe service delivery to patients based on safe work patterns for doctors; b) Rostering arrangements provide for a safe level of medical cover, allow for sufficient handover time, ensure that training can be delivered satisfactorily, and meet service needs and EWTD requirements while allowing NCHDs a satisfactory quality of life; c) Medical education and training should receive due priority in rostering arrangements; d) Training principles agreed by the employers, the IMO and the training bodies in 2004 are incorporated in to rosters; e) A Consultant-provided service is introduced with increased promotional opportunities for NCHDs currently in training.
The Medical Practitioners Act 2007 has resulted in meaningful and very positive changes in the way doctors are registered and the regulation of medical education and training.
In relation to undergraduate training, the HSE has a statutory responsibility to facilitate the training of medical students - which it supports via a concord agreed with the University Medical Schools, a liaison group to coordinate all clinical placements and the establishment of 24 senior Academic Clinician posts in Medical Schools, jointly funded by the HSE and the Higher Education Authority.
Regarding postgraduate training, the HSE also plays a very significant role in postgraduate medical education and training in conjunction with the Medical Council and 13 postgraduate training bodies.
Since taking office, I have spoken many times on health research. I passionately believe in the value of health research leading to informed action, be that for the individual patient or the service more generally. Knowledge derived from research is paramount in providing the evidence base for better health policies and systems; systems that underpin effective and efficient health service provision. Such evidence will be a key input to the creation of the fairer, more efficient health system that the Irish Government is seeking to create in this country for all of our citizens.
1109. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the recent report by a person (details supplied) regarding breast health and the need for further promotion and breast awareness; his plans to continue raising awareness on this important issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48103/12]
View answerThe Report to which the Deputy refers, found that among the cohort of 449 women surveyed at two breast care clinics in Ireland, more than 50% were unaware of less common breast cancer symptoms and over 30% waited over a month to report their symptoms to their GP.
Early diagnosis of breast cancer is linked to more favourable outcomes and longer survival and the study highlights the need for continued promotion of breast awareness and prompt help-seeking by women with symptoms.
The National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) has developed and implemented a training programme for nurses who work in primary care, with a particular focus on practice nurses. This course covers cancer prevention, referral and patient assessment, treatment and post-acute care. The NCCP has also developed national GP referral guidelines and a standard referral form for breast cancer making the referral process more seamless and efficient. Voluntary agencies working in the area of cancer prevention also promote the need to be aware of the signs of breast cancer, so that early intervention can be offered.
I would encourage any woman irrespective of her age who has immediate concerns or symptoms to contact her GP who, where appropriate, will refer her to the symptomatic breast cancer services in her area.
1110. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question 245 on the 12 of July 2012, if his support of international developments in relation to plain or standardised packaging for tobacco products is conditional on Irish Customs or Revenue assessments on the negative impact the introduction of such a measure could have on the illicit cigarette trade here; if he will confirm whether the high level of illicit cigarette trade here is negatively impacting on the effectiveness of anti-tobacco public health policies currently in place such as high taxation, the point of sale display ban and age verification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48111/12]
View answerAs stated previously, I am supportive of any international developments in relation to plain or standardised packaging for tobacco products. Plain packaging is one of the issues being considered in the context of the Tobacco Products Directive by the European Commission. It is hoped that the Commission will publish this legislative proposal in the near future. Recent international developments together with the forthcoming revision of the EU Tobacco Products Directive will inform policy direction in this area.
I understand that the Revenue Commissioners will also examine the matter in light of any specific proposals that may be brought forward in the context of the revision of the EU Tobacco Products Directive. Included in this examination is the requirement that packs of cigarettes must carry a tax stamp issued by Revenue. I am advised that whether a pack of cigarettes carries a genuine tax stamp is a key means for distinguishing between legal and illegal products, irrespective of the way in which the cigarettes are packaged. All tobacco products, whether legally produced, illicit or counterfeit are injurious to health and are therefore a threat to public health. I am concerned about the level of smoking in this country and it remains my objective that Ireland becomes a tobacco free society. The Report of the Tobacco Policy Review Group will identify further policy and legislative measures to be taken in order to reduce smoking prevalence in this country. The Report is due to be published in the coming months.
There is no doubt that the illicit trade in tobacco products poses a problem in this country. Combating this illegal trade is, therefore, a top priority for the Revenue Commissioners, who undertake a comprehensive programme of activity against it, aimed in particular at preventing importation of illicit product and prosecuting those involved in bringing it into the country or selling it here. Considerable success is being achieved in combating this illegal activity. In the period from January to October this year, for example, the Revenue Commissioners seized some 91 million smuggled cigarettes, along with almost 4 tonnes of tobacco. During that period there were over 100 convictions for smuggling or selling of illegal tobacco products.
