Written Answers Nos. 238-248
238. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of treatments that have been provided under the National Treatment Purchase Fund in respect of specialist ear, nose and throat procedures in each of the past five years and to date in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14367/13]
View answer241. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health his views on the reported over subscription of antibiotic medication which has occurred as a result of the delays being experienced by patients waiting to access specialist ear, nose and throat consultations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14388/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 238 and 241 together.
In relation to the Deputy’s question regarding the number of ear, nose and throat procedures provided under the National Treatment Purchase fund (NTPF), set out below are the figures supplied by the NTPF. No such treatments have been provided under the NTPF to date in 2013.
ENT Procedures
|
Jul 02 - Dec 03 |
1,995 |
|
2004 |
2,430 |
|
2005 |
2,536 |
|
2006 |
2,575 |
|
2007 |
2,786 |
|
2008 |
2,539 |
|
2009 |
2,428 |
|
2010 |
2,610 |
|
2011* |
2,026 |
|
2011** |
172 |
|
2012 |
1,674 |
|
Total |
23,771 |
*Based on NTPF referrals Jan - July 2011 (prior to the change in the role of the NTPF)
**Based on referrals made under NTPF/SDU Programme of support (Sept - Dec 2011)
In July 2011 I announced changes to the remit of the NTPF, namely that its role would be changed to support the mission of the Special Delivery Unit (SDU). In July 2011, the restriction that mandated 90% of the expenditure of the fund to the private sector was lifted and the referral process changed to enable the SDU and NTPF team to redirect its capability to supporting hospitals to reduce maximum waiting times. The NTPF is now fully aligned with the SDU and is targeting waiting lists strategically and assisting in the performance management of hospitals to reduce waiting times for patients. The NTPF capability is a core part of the SDU's performance improvement role in holding public hospitals to account. The overall performance of the acute hospital system in responding to the challenge of reducing maximum waiting times was impressive during 2012, particularly when the health service has been under considerable pressure. Whilst the most important contribution to this preliminary success has been the work of clinical and managerial leaders in individual hospitals, it must also be acknowledged that the NTPF capability in supporting the SDU has also been a contributing factor.
Statutory responsibility for the collection, collation and validation of data on waiting times and numbers of persons waiting for hospital treatment rests with the NTPF. The NTPF collects information on hospital in-patients and day case waiting times and has now taken over the reporting of outpatient waiting time data. Improving access to outpatient services, including specialist ear, nose and throat consultations, is a key priority for the Government. For the first time outpatient waiting list data is available on www.ntpf.ie. The collation and analysis of outpatient waiting time data in a standardised format will reveal the distribution of long waiters across all hospitals. In the first instance, this will allow resources to be targeted towards those patients who are waiting longest and ensure that they are seen and assessed. For 2013, a maximum waiting time target has now been set of 12 months for a first time outpatient appointment.
In relation to the Deputy's question regarding antibiotic medication, patients awaiting ENT consultations may require antibiotics depending on clinical indications. Antibiotics are specific medications used to treat bacterial infections and should only be used when clinically indicated. They do not treat viral infections. As part of its policy to ensure the appropriate use of antibiotics the Health Service Executive has developed primary care antibiotic guidelines. These guidelines clearly indicate when antibiotics should be prescribed and include a section on ENT indications. The guidelines have been widely distributed to General Practitioners and Primary Care Centres, are accessible using a smart phone and available on a website provided by the HSE and RCPI Clinical Programme, working with the ICGP. It is important that antibiotics are prescribed only when indicated, to prevent the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. The Health Protection Surveillance Centre monitors antibiotic use in hospitals and in the community on an on-going basis.
239. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health when the drug Mabcampath will be licensed for the treatment of multiple sclerosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14374/13]
View answerUnder European and Irish legislation, before a medicine can be placed on the Irish market the manufacturer has to seek an authorisation from the Irish Medicines Board (IMB) or in the case of certain medicinal products, the European Medicines Agency (EMA). A determination on an application for authorisation of a medicine is based on a rigorous scientific assessment of the application against legal and regulatory requirements.
As the active substance in the product Mabcampath is a genetically modified monoclonal antibody, an authorisation must be granted by the European Medicines Agency, and cannot be granted by a Member State medicines agency such as the Irish Medicines Board. I understand that Mabcampath was authorised by the European Medicines Agency for the treatment of certain forms of leukemia but the authorisation was withdrawn by the manufacturer in August 2012. Mabcampath is not authorised for the use in the treatment of multiple sclerosis.
240. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he intends to compensate those women who were excluded on age grounds alone from the Lourdes Hospital redress scheme. [14377/13]
View answerA commitment was made in the Programme for Government to seek a mechanism to compensate those women who were excluded on age grounds alone from the Lourdes Hospital Redress Scheme. The Scheme of Redress approved by Government in 2007 was a non-statutory, ex-gratia scheme. Awards were determined by an independent Redress Board in 2007 and 2008.
My Department has been engaged in a review to identify the most appropriate mechanism to compensate these women. This review has included taking instructions and legal advice, including advice from the Office of the Attorney General, with a view to bringing proposals to Government for a decision. This process is ongoing, and it is my intention that it will be brought to a satisfactory, legally sound conclusion as quickly as possible.
242. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the recent drive to recruit graduate nurses; when those that have applied to the scheme will receive further updates on their applications; the timeline for processing and recruiting from applications received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14391/13]
View answerApplications from graduate nurses under this scheme will continue to be accepted by the HSE. In line with normal practice, the HSE will aim to facilitate applicants with offers of appointment to posts in the part of the country for which they have expressed a preference.
The HSE has decided that applications for Phase 1, covering registered general nurses for the Acute Hospital setting and the Community, will be accepted on a rolling basis for 2012 graduates, and also those who graduated in 2010 and 2011. Phase 2, which covers General, Mental Health, Intellectual Disability and Midwifery Mental Health, Intellectual Disability, Midwifery launched in mid-February.
Recruitment will continue during 2013. Paediatrics will launch at a later stage and there will also be opportunities for those who graduate in 2013 to participate. The scheme was introduced on the assumption that intake would be spread over a period, especially since the scheme was being introduced some months after most 2012 graduates completed their training.
I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to when those that have applied to the scheme will receive further updates on their applications and the time-line for processing and recruiting following receipt of applications.
243. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will support the programme for advancing the health and well-being of men's health called The Men's Shed Movement (details supplied) which has been very successful in Australia. [14418/13]
View answerOver the past two years I have awarded National Lottery Funding to several organisations who wished to establish "Men's Sheds." Should an organisation wish to make an application for National Lottery Funding they should submit a formal application to my Department. Detailed procedures, along with the necessary application form are set out on my Department's website: www.doh.ie
I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy in the matter of HSE funding for "Men's Sheds."
244. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the provision of long-term care and accommodation in the case of a person (details supplied). [14419/13]
View answerAs this is a service matter this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
245. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the provision of long-term care and accommodation in the case of a person (details supplied) [14420/13]
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.
246. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a replacement doctor for a practice (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if the Health Service Executive will commit to put in place appropriate arrangements in advance of this doctor's departure to ensure that minimal inconvenience is caused to patients during this transition period. [14425/13]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
247. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the addresses of the properties in the Dublin region on which Health Service Executive pays rent; the length of time each lease is outstanding; the services that are provided in each building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14431/13]
View answerManagement of healthcare property is a service issue. Therefore, your question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
248. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the reason there are no community-based adult speech and language therapists in Kildare and west Wicklow in view of the surplus of graduates from SLT courses here; the measures he will put in place to address the imbalance in the way speech and language therapists are deployed around the country using the surplus SLT graduates who are looking for work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14434/13]
View answerThis Government is committed to reforming our model of delivering healthcare so we can reduce the cost of achieving the best health outcomes for our citizens.
The implementation of the Primary Care Strategy continues to be a priority for this Government. The objective is to develop services in the community which will give people direct access to integrated multi-disciplinary teams of general practitioners (GPs), nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists and others.
An allocation of €20 million has been ring-fenced in the 2013 National Service Plan to enable recruitment of 250 posts to strengthen primary care services. The posts will be filled using the Resource Allocation model, based on deprivation and need, which was developed by the HSE's National Primary Care Office and Health Intelligence Unit. Using this model, the HSE completed a detailed analysis of the numbers and distribution of Public Health Nurses (PHNs), Registered General Nurses (RGNs), Occupational Therapists (OTs), Physiotherapists (Physios) and Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs). The analysis revealed considerable variation across the 17 Integrated Service Areas in ratios of health care professionals to population, and to population numbers in areas of high deprivation.
Based on this analysis, it proposed that in addition to PHNs, RGNs, OTs and Physios, the following Speech and Language Therapist posts would be recruited to Primary Care Teams across the four HSE regions as follows:
- Dublin Mid Leinster to get 22 Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs);
- Dublin North East to get 13 SLTs;
- The South to get 4 SLTs; and
- The West to get 7 SLTs.
It is my firm intention, along with the Minister for Health, to have these posts filled as soon as possible in 2013.
As the specific issue raised by the Deputy regarding Kildare and West Wicklow is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
249. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form a breakdown of home help hours per health board region and per individual county, outlining the population over 65 years. [14468/13]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
250. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the progress made within his Department on phasing out the use of LoCall 1890 numbers that can be extremely expensive when dialled from mobile phones and introducing 076 number, which generally included in tariff bundles provided by most mobile network operators and are charged at the same rate as national calls, in view of the fact that the number of mobile phones exceed the number of landlines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14486/13]
View answerMy Department is not in a position at present to introduce the 076 number. However, the Department has recently gone to tender for a Fixed Voice Framework Agreement. Dependant on the outcome of this tender the Department will then be in a better position to examine the possibility of the introduction of the 076 number.
251. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he has considered the use of, or implemented, integrated voice response systems in his Department's phone systems or in the phone systems of agencies within his remit; if the staff and salary cost savings which might arise have been assessed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14502/13]
View answerMy Department deals with a wide variety of requests/queries from the general public. It would not be feasible to categorise the areas into a small number of options for ease of use. To introduce auto attendant facility into our current PBX system would require the purchase of additional software. The current yearly cost to my Department for the provision of telephonists is €159,440. Because of the high volume of calls coming into my Department a dedicated member of staffwould be required in each area to filter and redirect the calls where necessary. The cost of additional staff would far exceed the current cost of telephonists. In relation to the Non Commercial State Agencies under my Department's remit, responsibility for the day to day administration of these bodies lies with their governing Boards. The Boards and management team are fully aware of the necessity to protect public funds and there are ongoing efforts to achieve savings and increase efficiencies through mechanisms such as the Public Service Agreement and through the use of new technology. The position regarding the Health Service Executive (HSE) is a matter for themselves. I have requested the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy in this regard.
252. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if a plan for regular periods of respite will be put in place in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11; and if he will outline the supports available to assist this person. [14522/13]
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.
253. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Health if he received a copy of the Being Young and Irish – Take Charge of Change report from the Office of the President, Áras an Uachtaráin as part of President Higgins series of seminars with young persons here which took place in Dublin, Galway, Monaghan and Cork in 2012; if he has noted the Take Charge of Change declaration made by the participants; the steps he has taken arising out of the report’s findings in order to achieve young person’s vision for Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14532/13]
View answerI share the concerns raised in relation to the health related issues in the report "Being Young and Irish - Take Charge of Change." A number of initiatives are currently being progressed by my Department in relation to these issues and these are outlined as follows.
Mental Health: Government policy on mental health is guided by A Vision for Change, the 2006 Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy which proposes a holistic view of mental illness and recommends an integrated multidisciplinary approach to addressing the biological, psychological and social factors that contribute to mental health problems. The report recommends a person centred treatment approach which addresses each of these elements through an integrated care plan, reflecting best practice, and most importantly evolved and agreed with both service users and their carers. Reach Out, our National Strategy for Action on Suicide Prevention (2005 – 2014) makes a number of recommendations in relation to fast-track referrals to community-based mental health services, effective response to deliberate self-harm, training, stigma reduction, etc. This Government has prioritised the reform of our mental health services and is committed in particular to the delivery of more and better quality care in the community. In this regard substantial additional funding has been provided in 2012 and 2013 primarily to further strengthen Community Mental Health Teams in both children’s and adult’s mental health services, to advance activities in the area of suicide prevention, to initiate the provision of psychological and counselling services in primary care, specifically for people with mental health problems and to facilitate the re-location of mental health service users from institutional care to more independent living arrangements in their communities. Key initiatives progressed by the National Office for Suicide Prevention in 2012 include the provision of a wide range of awareness and training programmes including safeTALK and ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Training) which trains participants to become more alert to the possibility of suicide in their community, the continuation of the National Awareness Campaigns which, last year, specifically targeted men and young men, the funding of partner agencies and projects and the development of the recently launched Guidance for Post-Primary Schools on Mental Health and Suicide Prevention developed with the Department of Education and Skills.
National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016: The National Drugs Strategy sets out drugs policy in Ireland for the period up to 2016. Drugs policy encompasses five pillars - supply reduction, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and research and clear actions are in place for implementation. Good progress is being made across the actions of the Strategy, with the involvement of the statutory, voluntary and community sectors. Progress continues to be reviewed through the Oversight Forum on Drugs which is chaired by the Minister of State, Deputy Alex White.
Suggestion to Legalise Cannabis: International research shows that significant physical and mental health risks are associated with long-term cannabis use. These include increased risks of developing lung and throat cancer (smoke from cannabis contains more carcinogenic tars than does tobacco smoke) and risks associated with the development of mental illness, such as schizophrenia and depression. The potency of cannabis products can also vary greatly. The 2011 NACD study The potency of THC in cannabis products reported the growing concern about the significant rise in the potency levels in some cannabis products over the last number of years, particularly in herbal cannabis. Concerns have also been raised that cannabis produced in Ireland, and used relatively quickly, has a higher potency than imported varieties. There is also evidence that cannabis plants generally are being genetically engineered to ensure they produce high levels of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). Legalisation would be likely to lead to greatly increased levels of experimentation, leading to significantly increased levels of sustained long term use causing increased health problems in our society. Indeed, the situation that pertained only a few years ago in Ireland in regard to the volume of new psychoactive substances sold in headshops illustrates this point. People were prepared to experiment with readily available legal products, despite the publicity regarding the consequences. Legalisation would be unlikely to significantly reduce the level of criminality surrounding the broader market in illicit drugs. Also, if cannabis was legalised, it would most likely be strongly regulated and probably heavily priced to influence demand (as in the case of tobacco). This in turn could lead to the continuation of an illicit market on similar lines to the black market of cigarettes. Overall, the amount of money likely to be raised in tax would be small in relation to the health and other implications arising. Cannabis was re-classified from a Class C drug to a Class B drug in the UK in 2009. This decision was taken in the light of the "real public concern about the potential mental health affects of cannabis use, in particular the use of stronger forms of the drug".
Finally, any possibility of legalising cannabis has to be looked at in a European and global context. A unilateral decision to legalise its use here would most likely lead to Ireland becoming a destination for those from other countries who wish to use cannabis. In view of the evidence available I am not in favour of legalising the use of cannabis at this time.
Disability Services: The report, "Being Young and Irish 2012 – Take Charge of Change" from the Office of the President highlights similar issues considered by the Department's recent Value for Money and Policy Review of the Disability Services Programme which was published in July 2012. Minister Kathleen Lynch recently approved the National Implementation Framework of the Value for Money (VFM) and Policy Review of the Disability Services Programme which was published on the Department's website (www.doh.ie) on 28 February last. The development of the Framework is one of the key actions identified in Future Health, the recently published Strategic Framework for Reform of the Health Service 2012 – 2015. It supports the message coming through from Future Health regarding the need to restructure service delivery, and improve organisational, financial, governance and accountability systems with the aim of providing a more effective and more accountable service. The vision of the Disability Services Programme as set out in the VFM Review is "to contribute to the realisation of a society where people with disabilities are supported, as far as possible, to participate to their full potential in economic and social life, and have access to a range of quality personal social supports and services to enhance their quality of life and well-being". The recommendations in the Review describe how this vision is to be given tangible effect. The National Implementation Framework determines how the recommendations from the VFM Review are translated into concrete actions. It assigns responsibilities for those actions, and specifies time-lines for their completion. It also identifies priorities and key performance indicators. The Framework describes the project management and monitoring processes which are needed to make sure that the reform of the Disability Services Programme is achieved in a planned, timely and cost effective manner.
The implementation of the recommendations in the manner set out in the National Implementation Framework will ultimately improve the lives of people with disabilities in the following ways: people with disabilities and their families will have more choice and flexibility in the services they receive and will have more control over how they access these services; services and supports will be tailored to meet individual need and will support greater independence and social inclusion; the move to individualised budgeting will be underpinned by a standardised needs assessment to ensure fairness and transparency in the way in which funding is allocated; supports and services will be delivered with greater equity, transparency and accountability and will be more cost effective.
Alcohol: The report of the Steering Group on a National Substance Misuse Strategy 2012 contains a number of recommendations to, inter alia, reduce the consumption of alcohol in general and are grouped under the five pillars of Supply Reduction, Prevention, Treatment, Rehabilitation and Research. Real and tangible proposals are currently being finalised on foot of the recommendations in the report, primarily in the areas of legislation on minimum unit pricing; access and availability of alcohol; advertising and sponsorship. The Cabinet Committee on Social Policy has also considered the matter and it is intended to bring forward specific proposals for consideration by Government as soon as possible. In the meantime, work on developing a framework for the necessary Department of Health legislation is continuing.
Tobacco: My Department is currently developing a new tobacco policy with the aim of de-normalising tobacco smoking that will lead to a tobacco free society. There is a particular emphasis on children. It is envisaged that this will be completed by the middle of this year.
254. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the reason a child (details supplied) in Dublin 8 has been denied by the Health Service Executive, Enable Ireland and the National Rehabilitation Hospital a splint which is required as they grow to prevent cramping of their hand-arm muscles; and when the splint will be ordered from the USA [14539/13]
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.
255. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health the total amount paid out by his Department and the Health Service Executive on foot of negligence claims in each of the past three years; the associated legal fees incurred; if the Health Service Executive avails of an insurance policy to assist in meeting both claims and legal fees; the steps being taken to reduce these amounts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14543/13]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy concerning negligence claims is not readily available. Accordingly, I have asked the State Claims Agency to collate the information and respond directly to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
256. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide clarification on future plans for a community hospital (details supplied) in County Cork; if he will address recent concerns that the hospital may be taken over by a private operator in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14546/13]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
257. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the procedures involved in the operation of the HealthStats national database system; the way work done by various health professionals is routinely recorded through the system; if the information gleaned is used to help plan future policy decisions in relation to the deployment of health professionals around the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14552/13]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for investigation and direct reply.
258. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health if he will re-instate a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; his views on whether it is acceptable not to inform a person that their card is no longer valid even though it was not due to expire until June 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14562/13]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
259. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health If he will expedite a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14567/13]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
