Written Answers Nos 677-696
677. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will issue an emergency discretionary medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24312/13]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has recently reissued to Oireachtas members.
678. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Health the status of an application to the Health Service Executive for home help in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; when a decision will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24314/13]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
679. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if he has considered the recent U.K report by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges on tackling obesity; his plans to adopt any of its ten recommendations for healthcare professionals, local and national government, industry and schools which it believes will help tackle the nation’s obesity crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24332/13]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that I established a Special Action Group on Obesity (SAGO) to take forward priority actions to tackle obesity. I have considered the recent U.K report by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges on tackling obesity and have referred the ten recommendations for health-care professionals, local and national government, industry and schools to SAGO to discuss at their June meeting and report back to me with their recommendations for action.
SAGO is already concentrating on a range of measures including Calorie posting in restaurants; Healthy Eating Guidelines, including the Food Pyramid; Sugar Sweetened Drinks Tax; Marketing of Food and Drink to Children; Treatment Algorithms; Opportunistic Screening and Monitoring; Vending Machines in Schools and a Physical Activity Plan. SAGO is also currently looking at ways of reducing food consumption from the top shelf of the food pyramid, in accordance with this Department's Healthy Eating Guidelines.
Healthy Ireland, a Framework for Improved Health and Well-being, forms the basis of how a whole-of-government and whole of society approach to health and well-being will be delivered. It sets out 64 actions under a number of thematic areas which provide for the development of inter-sectoral and cross government plans to address risk factors and social determinants of health. It provides a structured mechanism to engage all different sectors of society to channel measures and actions around individual health and lifestyle issues, and to measure, monitor and evaluate implementation.
Healthy Ireland describes supportive mechanisms to ensure effective co-operation between the health sector and other areas of Government and public services concerned with social protection, children, industry, food safety, education, transport, housing, agriculture and the environment. The implementation of Healthy Ireland is now focused on the development of an outcomes framework and a physical activity plan. In this regard the Health and Well-being Programme in the Department of Health will work closely with relevant policy divisions in the Department of Health and with existing cross-government and cross-sectoral groups, such as SAGO.
680. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if his Department has considered the merit of appointing one person in Government to drive a coordinated obesity strategy between and across central Government Departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24333/13]
View answer682. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Health his views on whether obesity and nutrition are inadequately represented in the current medical undergraduate curriculum; his plans to take action to resolve this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24335/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 680 and 682 together.
Overweight and obesity are a public health priority for me, as Minister for Health. I established a Special Action Group on Obesity (SAGO) with whom I meet regularly to progress the obesity prevention agenda. The Special Action Group on Obesity comprises key stakeholders from a wide range of Departments, the HSE and other interested parties and is chaired by the Department of Health. SAGO is already concentrating on a range of measures including Calorie posting in restaurants; Healthy Eating Guidelines, including the Food Pyramid; Sugar Sweetened Drinks Tax; Marketing of Food and Drink to Children; Treatment Algorithms; Opportunistic Screening and Monitoring; Vending Machines in Schools and a Physical Activity Plan. SAGO is also currently looking at ways of reducing food consumption from the top shelf of the food pyramid, in accordance with this Department's Healthy Eating Guidelines.
I am aware that obesity and nutrition are represented in the current medical undergraduate curriculum and the level of representation varies, a matter which is within the remit of the different universities. However, in establishing the Special Action Group on Obesity, a key action was to guide and standardise treatment practices throughout the country. SAGO works closely with the Health Service Executive, the Irish College of General Practitioners and in conjunction with other professional bodies, and, as mentioned previously, has developed treatment algorithms for both adults and children. These algorithm obesity tools are being used nationally in the treatment of adult and childhood obesity.
Healthy Ireland, a Framework for Improved Health and Well-being, forms the basis of how a whole-of-government and whole of society approach to health and well-being will be delivered. It sets out 64 actions under a number of thematic areas which provide for the development of inter-sectoral and cross government plans to address risk factors and social determinants of health. It provides a structured mechanism to engage all different sectors of society to channel measures and actions around individual health and lifestyle issues, and to measure, monitor and evaluate implementation.
Healthy Ireland describes supportive mechanisms to ensure effective co-operation between the health sector and other areas of Government and public services concerned with social protection, children, industry, food safety, education, transport, housing, agriculture and the environment. The implementation of Healthy Ireland is now focused on the development of an outcomes framework and a physical activity plan. In this regard the Health and Well-being Programme in the Department of Health will work closely with relevant policy divisions in the Department of Health and with existing cross-government and cross-sectoral groups, such as SAGO.
681. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if his Department has considered providing for improved weight management resources for healthcare workers who have an obesity problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24334/13]
View answerAs this is a Service Matter it has been transferred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
683. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if he considers it best practice that in all specialist postgraduate exams, obesity and relevant training in behavioural change therapy become essential components, thus enhancing the knowledge and skills of physicians and other professions related to medicine in this important area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24336/13]
View answerI agree that not only post graduate but also undergraduate programmes would include health and wellbeing components, in keeping with the recommendations in Healthy Ireland a Framework for Improved Health and Wellbeing,which I recently launched.
The implementation of Healthy Ireland will include the prioritisation of a range of areas across the 64 actions highlighted in the report. The promotion of a skilled, diverse, cross-trained prevention work force through training and continual professional development is an action that will require a partnership approach between the relevant bodies and organisations. This will ensure that the many determinants of chronic disease and lifestyle risk factors are addressed in a way that reflects best practice and will harness the energy, creativity and expertise of everyone whose work promotes health and wellbeing.
684. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if his Department has any statistics on the volume of banned slimming pills that are being imported; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24337/13]
View answerIn 2010 all medicines containing sibutramine, a prescription medicine used to assist weight loss, were withdrawn in Ireland and across the EU due to an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes. The active substance sibutramine is however currently to be found in unauthorised brands of slimming products sold illegally on the internet either directly from abroad or imported into Ireland and sold by mail order and by person to person contact sales.
At present, internet / mail order supply of prescription medicines is prohibited in Ireland. The Irish Medicines Board (IMB) works closely with Revenue’s Customs Service to prevent the illegal supply of mail order medicines into Ireland. This co-operation has led to the seizure of many individual packets of medicines and has resulted in a number of prosecutions and other enforcement actions involving website operators.
During the period 2010 - 2012 the following quantities of illegal slimming medicinal products containing sibutramine were detained by Revenue’s Customs Service;
|
Year |
Quantity |
|
2010 |
290,240 tablets/capsules; |
|
2011 |
251,883 tablets/capsules; |
|
2012 |
153,042 tablets/capsules |
The IMB has consistently stressed the dangers of buying medicines online and urges consumers not to risk their health by using these illegal medicines. In 2012 the IMB issued a precautionary message to consumers on the health dangers of taking any sibutramine containing slimming product. The precautionary message listed the names of 38 illegal products known to contain sibutramine, over 20 of which had been detained, from time to time, by Revenue’s Customs Service at the point of entry to the State.
In cooperation with the Customs Service, the IMB follows up with the intended recipient of each of these attempted supplies and explains that the product is illegal and the health risks associated with seeking to source and use such products. The IMB has also detained sibutramine containing products illegally on sale in Ireland.
685. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 637 of 14 May, 2013, if he will provide his Department's estimate of the number of persons who suffer from asthma here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24343/13]
View answer699. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if the National Asthma Programme will be included in the 2014 Health Service Executive service plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24481/13]
View answer700. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of asthma patients that have been enrolled in the National Asthma Programme. [24482/13]
View answer702. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the most recent figure of the number of asthma patients who are included in the general medical services scheme [24484/13]
View answer703. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the most recent figure of the number of asthma patients eligible for the drugs payment scheme [24485/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 685, 699, 700, 702 and 703 together.
The National Clinical Programme for Asthma, which commenced in 2011, is one of a number of chronic disease programmes established in the HSE’s Clinical Care Directorate aimed at bringing a systematic approach to changes in how services for patients are delivered.
The HSE’s 2013 National Service Plan is a high level document which is underpinned by a detailed operational plan and four regional plans. Whereas the National Clinical Programme for Asthma is not mentioned in the National Service Plan, it is included in the Operational Plan. Implementation of the programme is ongoing and will continue in 2014. To date, different work streams of the National Clinical Programme for Asthma have resulted in the following initiatives:
- The preparation of a Model of Care – this is currently in development.
- The establishment of Asthma Check (Chronic Disease Watch Asthma – structured review) – this has been submitted to the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) for review.
- The preparation of Acute Emergency Asthma Guidelines for Adults - this has been submitted to the National Clinical Effectiveness Committee (NCEC) for review and feedback.
- The preparation of Acute Emergency Asthma Guidelines for Paediatrics – these have been completed.
- Asthma Control in General Practice – these guidelines have been signed off by ICGP and are being implemented.
- Asthma Educational Programme – this is available online at www. hseland.ie.
- Practical workshops have been delivered locally by Clinical Nurse Specialists to nurses in Primary and Secondary Care.
Nurses and other health professionals have been enrolled in an asthma education module. This education module is based on the National Asthma guidelines. This supports healthcare staff in the delivery of evidenced based care and education for patients. In partnership with the Asthma Society, patient information documents have been developed to support this initiative.
Patients are not enrolled in the National Clinical Programme for Asthma. Furthermore, at present, a register on asthma prevalence does not exist. Therefore, data on the numbers of persons currently suffering from asthma is not available. However, survey-based data is available from the Central Statistics Office's (CSO’s) Quarterly National Household Survey 2010 Health Module. According to this survey, 7% of adults indicated that at some point in their lives they had been diagnosed with asthma.
It is not possible to provide the Deputies with information on the number of asthma patients who are included in the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme or the Drug Payments Scheme (DPS). The HSE Primary Care Reimbursement Service does not collect information regarding an applicant's illness.
686. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Health the numbers of patients waiting for knee and hip replacements at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin: and the length of time they have been on the waiting list. [24345/13]
View answerThe National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2013, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has recently been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.
In relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
687. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Health if there are any staff that need to be recruited for the south Meath community health team; the make up of the south Meath community health team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24355/13]
View answerThe HSE has responsibility for the provision and staffing of community health teams. Therefore, this matter has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
688. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite the approval of Sativex medication for the treatment of persons with multiple sclerosis; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the European mutual recognition procedure has been ratified in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24360/13]
View answerMy Department has been informed by the Irish Medicines Board (IMB) that it is in receipt of a market authorisation request from a manufacturer under the EU Mutual Recognition Procedure for a medicinal product containing cannabis extract. This product is indicated for the relief of symptoms of spasticity for people with multiple sclerosis.
Under the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1977, the manufacture, production, preparation, sale, supply, distribution and possession of cannabis or cannabis-based medicinal products are unlawful except for the purposes of research.
Department officials have been engaging with experts to identify how best to legally describe authorised cannabis-based medicinal products while maintaining existing controls on cannabis and cannabis substances. The matter is being progressed as quickly as possible in my Department and it is hoped to bring forward legislative proposals in mid-2013.
689. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he has decided to abandon Phase Two of the long promised roll-out of free general practitioner care, that is, those covered by the high tech drug scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24371/13]
View answerThe Government is committed to introducing, on a phased basis, a universal GP service without fees within its first term of office, as set out in the Programme for Government and the Future Health strategy framework. This policy constitutes a fundamental element in the Government’s health reform programme. There has been no change to the Government’s over-arching commitment to this goal. This Government is the first in the history of this State to have committed itself to implementing a universal GP service for the entire population.
Having examined the progress made in the universal GP care plan, it became clear that the legal and administrative framework required to provide a robust basis for eligibility for a GP service based on having a particular medical condition is likely to be overly complex and bureaucratic for a short-term arrangement. Relatively complex primary legislation would be required in order to provide a GP service to a person on the basis of their having a particular illness. The assessment system for such an approach would have to be robust, objective and auditable in order to have the confidence of this House as well as the general public. This legislation would have to address how a person could be certified as having such an illness, and who could do this, and how to select the diagnostic basis for medical conditions. As well as primary legislation, there would be a need for secondary legislation to give full effect to this approach for each condition. While it would not be impossible to achieve this, it would take several months more to finalise the primary legislation, followed then by the preparation of statutory instruments. In my view, this would entail putting in place a cumbersome legal and administrative infrastructure to deal with what is only a temporary first phase on the way to universal GP service to the entire population.
The Cabinet Committee on Health has discussed the issues relating to the delay in the initial step of the roll-out of the universal GP service. In doing so, it has considered the importance of weighing the balance between, on the one hand, resolving the legal issues but with a further delay and, on the other hand, with the need to bring forward an important Programme for Government commitment with the minimum of further delay.
No decision has been taken by the Cabinet Committee or by Government on changing the first step of the plan to extend GP care without fees to persons with chronic illnesses. Instead, it has been agreed that we should prepare and set out a number of alternative options with regard to the phased implementation of a universal GP service without fees. Minister Reilly and I expect to report back to the Cabinet Committee in the near future. As part of this work, consideration will be given to the approaches, timing and financial implications of the phased implementation this universal health service.
The Government has already made clear its commitment to delivering on the implementation of a GP service for the entire population by providing additional financial resources in the two most recent Budgets. The HSE Vote now contains funding of €30 million for this year for an initial phase of the provision of GP services as part of this Programme for Government commitment.
To conclude, far from abandoning its commitment to universal GP care, this Government is determined to expedite the implementation of a national GP service for the entire population, something to which no previous Government has ever aspired.
690. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the acute medicine programme defined model applicable to Monaghan Hospital; the additional services that he anticipates will be located at the Monaghan hospital site under the terms of the now published framework for the development of small hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24372/13]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.
691. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health if there is a consultant paediatric urologist for children with spina bifida in Temple Street Hospital, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24470/13]
View answer692. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive will consider giving priority to the appointment of a research nurse for spina bifida at Temple Street Hospital, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24471/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 691 and 692 together.
The Children's University Hospital, Temple Street is the national tertiary care centre for spina bifida and hydrocephalus. All infants born in Ireland with spina bifida are transferred to Temple Street after birth for ongoing neonatal management by a multidisciplinary team which includes a consultant paediatrician with a special interest in spina bifida, a spina bifida nurse specialist and neurosurgery input.
In relation to the Deputy’s query regarding the consultant paediatric urologist and research nurse posts, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
693. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health if the Health service Executive will consider giving priority to the provision of a defined clinic for adults for spina bifida; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24472/13]
View answer694. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular format if possible, the supports the Health Service Executive provide at regional level, for persons with spina bifida; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24473/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 693 and 694 together.
As the Deputy's questions relate to service matters, I have arranged for the questions to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
695. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny will be expedited and approved. [24475/13]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has recently reissued to Oireachtas members.
696. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a positive response to an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [24476/13]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has recently reissued to Oireachtas members.
