Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2013
1118. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the reason for the lack of follow through on his commitment to SOUND that a report would be put to Government proposing a range of supports for sufferers of narcolepsy as a result of vaccination with Pandemrix prior to Summer recess 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16024/13]
View answer1119. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that he still intends to progress the report to Government proposing a range of supports for sufferers of narcolepsy as a result of vaccination with Pandemrix, if he will provide a definite time frame for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16025/13]
View answer1120. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the reason that he has yet to meet with SOUND sufferers of unique narcolepsy disorder in view of (details supplied) [16026/13]
View answer1121. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a comprehensive response to the HSPC report investigation of an increase in the incidence of narcolepsy in children and adolescents in 2009 and 2010; if he will list the full package of life long supports that the victims may expect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16027/13]
View answer1122. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he understands the suffering the victims of Pandemrix and their families have been through for the past three years and that the families need an urgent detailed update as to where the report to Government detailing supports to be put in place is; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16028/13]
View answer1123. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health in the event that the progress of the report proposing supports to sufferers of narcolepsy as a result of vaccination with Pandemrix has stalled, if he will disclose the roadblocks he has encountered; the way he intends to deal with them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16029/13]
View answer1151. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Health if a package of supports has been drawn up by his Department or the Health Service Executive for families affected by unique narcolepsy disorder as a result of receiving a vaccination and on the back of a report published on 19 April 2012 acknowledging the casual links between the vaccination and narcolepsy; the reason for the delay in providing this package of supports when families had originally been told that they would be in place by July 2012, and then October 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16272/13]
View answer1173. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made to date on the matter of supports for those children and adolescents suffering with narcolepsy and additional medical complications following vaccination with Pandemrix which was to be submitted prior to the summer recess of Dáil Éireann and again in September and October; if, as outlined in his response of that date, this matter has been given priority by his Department and the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16399/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1118 to 1123, inclusive, 1151 and 1173 together.
My priority is to ensure that children/adolescents affected by narcolepsy, with symptom onset post pandemic vaccination are provided with a range of services and supports to meet their health needs. The Health Service Executive has responsibility for health service delivery and at my request the HSE developed a range of appropriate services and supports to address the needs of this group. Together, the HSE and the Department of Education and Skills provide a very comprehensive range of services and supports to those affected.
These supports and services include access to rapid diagnosis, clear treatment pathways, temporary medical cards and reimbursement of expenses incurred. This includes expenses for counselling services for individuals and also for families of children affected by narcolepsy following pandemic vaccination, in cases where such services are not already available through the HSE. Multi-disciplinary assessments which allow for the appropriate individualised health and educational supports to be put in place are ongoing. The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) is also engaging with the HSE and with the individual schools and parents of children concerned to identify and provide educational supports for the children and adolescents affected.
The HSE's advocacy unit is in regular contact with the support group SOUND and last met representatives of the group on 28 February 2013. Through regional co-ordinators the HSE also has frequent contact with individual members of SOUND and recently held an information day to ensure those affected were fully aware of all of the services available. My Department is considering all possible supports which may need to be put in place for those affected by Narcolepsy following pandemic vaccination. I would like to assure the Deputy that this matter continues to be a priority for my Department. A further meeting with representatives from the support group will be arranged when the matter has been concluded.
