Written Answers Nos. 698-710
698. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health his views on whether the introduction of a prospective case-based payment system for hospital services using the existing diagnostic related grouping system would result in savings arising from increased efficiency-productivity of 5%; if he will provide details of the pilot project carried out in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36423/13]
View answerThe Money Follows the Patient Policy Paper, which I published for consultation on 15 February last, outlines the Government’s plans for the introduction of a prospective case based payment system for hospital services using Diagnosis Related Groups (DRGs). This new funding model will mean that hospitals will be funded on the basis of the quantity and quality of the services they deliver to patients and not the size of last year’s budget. Encouraging hospitals to use the resources at their disposal more efficiently is one of the central objectives of the MFTP system.
A pilot prospective funding programme has been in place for certain elective orthopaedic work (four DRGs covering primary hip and knee replacements) since July 2011. Seven hospitals initially participated with a further five hospitals joining from January 2012. The pilot operates by reducing current budgets by an amount of money that relates to the four DRGs. This portion of the budget is then “earned” back based on work carried out in the hospital. There is no change to any other portion of the hospital budget.
The project has been reviewed twice, with the most recent report completed in December 2012. This report highlighted a number of efficiency related benefits including significantly reduced average lengths of stay, increased numbers of day of surgery admissions, and an increase in the number of discharges at the weekend. While the level of improvement varied across the different hospitals and the different DRGs, all showed significant improvements in these key determinants of hospital efficiency and productivity.
This pilot is the first example of Money Follows the Patient in operation in Irish hospitals and is a useful exercise in highlighting the benefits that can accrue as a result of these types of funding arrangements. It also provides useful lessons in terms of systems and process requirements as well as the need for stakeholder buy-in ahead of roll-out to the wider hospital system. It is intended that the orthopaedic project will continue until the end of the year at which time the aim is to commence full phased implementation of MFTP.
While it is not possible to specify a percentage increase in efficiency that will result when MFTP is rolled out across all public hospitals, I am confident that its introduction will drive efficiencies in similar areas to those evident in the orthopaedic project. This will help to deliver a more efficient and productive hospital system.
699. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the savings realised from the administration of vaccines by pharmacists as opposed to general practitioners; if other potential opportunities for transfer of duties have been explored; the potential savings identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36424/13]
View answer732. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the savings that would be achieved from transferring responsibility for administration of the seasonal flu vaccine to community pharmacists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36614/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 699 and 732 together.
Regulations were introduced in October 2011 to provide a legal basis for community pharmacists to supply and administer seasonal influenza vaccine. The fee for pharmacists of €15 was set in accordance with the provisions of the Community Pharmacy Contractor (CPC) Agreement. This provides a choice for those to whom this vaccination is recommended either to have the vaccine administered by their GP or by a participating pharmacist. Based on HSE vaccine delivery statistics, thus far, the majority of those vaccinated have opted to have their seasonal influenza vaccination administered by their GP.
Under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009, I am preparing legislation to bring the fees for GP administration of seasonal influenza in line with those set for pharmacists. This will result in further savings expected to be in the region of €5m in a full year.
There are no plans to transfer responsibility for administration of seasonal flu vaccine to community pharmacists. Seasonal Flu vaccination forms part of the Adult Immunisation Programme operated by the HSE. Seasonal Flu vaccination is available every year as the vaccine changes every year to suit the strain of the circulating virus. The vaccine is free to those in at risk groups.
700. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will respond to the troika's observations on the delay in introducing eHealth technologies here; if he will provide an update on developments regarding same; the potential savings expected to be realised from same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36425/13]
View answerOfficials from my Department recently met with the Troika who were briefed on the eHealth strategy currently being developed by my Department and the HSE. The strategy is at an advanced stage of development and is currently being evaluated by a wide range of interested stakeholders. It is anticipated that this process will be completed over the next few weeks after which the strategy will be submitted to me for approval.
The eHealth strategy is a high level document setting out the opportunities for the health system and also the wider opportunities for the Irish economy given the strong base that Ireland enjoys in the ICT, Pharma and medical devices industries. The document will set out what eHealth can deliver in a number of areas and also the actions required in realising the eHealth strategy objectives.
There is international evidence to suggest that eHealth deployments within the wider health system can provide significant returns on the initial investment. Additional benefits will accrue in terms of patient safety and administrative efficiencies.
701. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of amendments to legislation he proposed during Committee and Report Stages in Seanad Éireann in 2012; if he will provide in tabular form the number of his amendments accepted; and if he will indicate in tabular form the number of amendments accepted from Members of the Seanad, broken down by Senator. [36438/13]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy is set out in the table below.
|
Title of Bill |
No. of amendments proposed by Minister for Health |
No. of Ministerial amendments agreed |
No. of amendments proposed by Senators which were agreed |
|
Health Service Executive (Governance) Act 2013 |
Committee Stage - 8 Report Stage - 3 |
11 |
Nil* |
*Note: Minister moved amendment in Dáil as a result of Seanad debate.
702. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when the independent report produced by Professor Oonagh Walsh on symphysiotomy will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36445/13]
View answerMy Department received the independent Report into Symphysiotomy in Ireland at the end of May and it was submitted to me shortly after that. Both myself and my Department's officials have been studying its conclusions.
The Report is the result of considerable work by the author and includes both academic research and consultation on this research involving patient groups, health professionals and in particular, women who had undergone symphysiotomy. I am anxious to ensure appropriate treatment for these women. The finalised report will inform the Government’s overall consideration of this matter including any actions that may be required in response to its recommendations, or any legal implications.
I will brief Government on the report shortly, so that it may decide on the next steps, with the aim of bringing closure to the issue for the women involved.
I have also made a commitment to meet representatives of the symphysiotomy support groups once the Government has made a decision on the matter and prior to the publication of the report.
703. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the staffing levels of the private offices and constituency offices of Ministers and Ministers of State in his Department; the salary of each; the same figures for this time in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36502/13]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is currently being collated and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
704. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the saving to the Exchequer if all his special advisers and those of his Ministers of State were capped at the first point on the Principal Officer pay scale. [36517/13]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the attached tabular statements:
Special Advisers Salaries
|
Minister Reilly: |
- |
Pre Haddington Road Agreement |
Post Haddington Road Agreement |
|
Maureen Windle |
Special Adviser - 67% work sharer |
€61,784.42 |
€58,174.91 |
|
Mark Costigan |
Press Adviser |
€92,672 |
€87,258 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Minister White: |
- |
- |
- |
|
Madeline Mulrennan |
Special Adviser |
€61,966 |
€61,966 |
Savings to the Exchequer if Special Advisers capped at 1st point on Principal Officer Scale
|
Minister Reilly: |
- |
Post Haddington Road Agreement |
1st point PO Modified Scale |
Savings |
|
Maureen Windle |
Special Adviser - 67% work sharer |
€58,174.91 |
€50,433.85 |
€7,741.06 |
|
Mark Costigan |
Press Adviser |
€87,258 |
€75,647 |
€11,611 |
|
Minister White: |
1st point AP Modified Scale |
|||
|
Madeline Mulrennan |
Special Adviser |
€61,966 |
€61,966 |
€0 |
705. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied). [36525/13]
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 issued to Oireachtas members.
706. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied). [36526/13]
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 issued to Oireachtas members.
707. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied). [36527/13]
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 issued to Oireachtas members.
708. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied). [36528/13]
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 issued to Oireachtas members.
709. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied). [36529/13]
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 issued to Oireachtas members.
710. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) [36530/13]
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 issued to Oireachtas members.
