Tuesday, 5 Nov 2013

Written Answers Nos. 1199-1219

Prescription Charges

Questions (1199, 1245)

Kevin Humphreys

Question:

1199. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the anomaly whereby a person who qualifies for the long-term illness scheme, such as a diabetic, receives medication without a prescription charge and if that person then qualifies for a medical card, he or she must start paying the prescription charge while a wealthier person on the long-term illness scheme would not be obliged to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46779/13]

Kevin Humphreys

Question:

1245. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health if he will allow those with a medical card who also qualify under the long term illness scheme to be exempt from the prescription charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47046/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1199 and 1245 together.

Persons suffering from prescribed conditions, who are not already medical card holders, can get free drugs, medicines and medical and surgical appliances for the treatment of that condition under the Long Term Illness Scheme. Medical card holders are required to pay prescription charges. Prescription charges are not payable in respect of items supplied under the Long Term Illness Scheme.

In the case of persons who had both the medical card and LTI, the HSE policy was that they should use their medical card to access medicines. The main reason for this was that the supply of medicines under the LTI cost the HSE considerably more than under the GMS Scheme. A retail mark-up of 20% was payable to pharmacists for items supplied under the LTI Scheme. However, following a review of the rates of fees payable to health professionals (under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act, 2009) my colleague, Minister Reilly, announced (on the 2nd of July) the elimination of the retail mark-up. There is no retail mark-up for items supplied under the GMS Scheme.

In light of the elimination of the retail mark-up, the HSE was asked by my Department to review its policy. Following this review, the HSE recently instructed all Local Health Offices that they should no longer refuse to process a Long Term Illness Book application where the patient holds a medical card. A circular advising of this change in policy is to issue to pharmacists today.

Hospitals Building Programme

Questions (1200)

Seán Crowe

Question:

1200. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health if a decision has been made regarding the proposed move of the Coombe Hospital to Tallaght in view of the fact that a new maternity unit is now likely to be located on the site of the new children's hospital on the campus at St. James's Hospital. [46780/13]

Written answers

Minister for Health

A comprehensive review of maternity and gynaecology services in the greater Dublin area was completed in 2008. The KPMG Independent Review of Maternity and Gynaecology Services in the Greater Dublin Area Report was informed by an international analysis of maternity and gynaecology service configurations and best practice models of care. The report noted that Dublin’s model of stand-alone maternity hospitals is not the norm internationally. It recommended that the Dublin maternity hospitals should be located alongside adult acute services and that one of the three new Dublin maternity facilities should be built on the site of the new children’s hospital (tri-location of paediatric, maternity and adult services). In this context the proposal was that the National Maternity Hospital was to be relocated to St Vincent's, the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital to Tallaght and the Rotunda to the Mater. In May this year, I announced the relocation of the National Maternity Hospital to the St Vincent’s campus.

Recognising the need to plan for the provision of tri-located maternity, paediatric and adult services, and in view of the Government decision to locate the new children’s hospital on the St James’s campus, it will be necessary to review the other maternity-adult co-location plans. This review will take place in the context of the development of a National Maternity Stategy. I confirmed on 10 October last that my Department will lead the development of this Strategy in collaboration with the HSE and its National Clinical Programme in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. The Strategy will provide the blueprint for the safe, effective delivery of maternity services nationally. The development of the Strategy will build on the work already undertaken as part of the KPMG Independent Review, and on the work underway by the Clinical Programme.

Hospital Complaints Procedures

Questions (1201)

Finian McGrath

Question:

1201. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding a situation at Beaumont Hospital. [46783/13]

Written answers

Minister for Health

With regard to specific complaints in relation to experiences of individuals in our hospitals, there is a formal complaints policy, entitled “Your Service Your Say”, details of which are on the HSE website, at http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/yourhealthservice/feedback/complaints/

In accordance with this procedure, a complaint must be made in the first instance to the hospital in which the incident causing the complaint occurred. If an individual is not satisfied with the response from the hospital, a review can be sought from the HSE Director of Advocacy and the Ombudsman, whose details are set out as follows:

HSE Director of Advocacy

Oak House

Millennium Park

Naas

Co Kildare

Tel [phone]

Office of the Ombudsman

18, Lower Leeson Street

Dublin 2

Tel [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

I have asked the HSE to answer the specific queries the Deputy has raised and to reply to him directly.

Medical Card Eligibility

Questions (1202)

Finian McGrath

Question:

1202. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of a child (details supplied). [46784/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Alex White)

The 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.

Hospital Closures

Questions (1203)

Brian Stanley

Question:

1203. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if the file relating to the consultation process for Shaen and Abbeyleix hospitals has been sent back from the Health Service Executive to the Department of Health; and when he will announce his decision regarding the future of both units. [46786/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

No, my Department awaits the Health Service Executive’s response to a request for clarification.

Hospitals Building Programme

Questions (1204)

Brian Stanley

Question:

1204. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the stage the plan is at for the construction of a new maternity unit at Portlaoise Regional Hospital; and if funding is provided. [46787/13]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Delivery of health care infrastructure is a service matter. Therefore, the Deputy's question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Ambulance Service Provision

Questions (1205)

Brian Stanley

Question:

1205. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the ambulance cover, number of vehicles and personnel on duty in County Laois from 8 p.m. on 7 October to 8 a.m. on 8 October. [46788/13]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service issue, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.

Question No. 1206 answered with Question No. 1008.

Hospital Staff Recruitment

Questions (1207)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

1207. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that an orthopaedic surgeon is appointed to a hospital (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46798/13]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Government has decided that the numbers employed across the public service must be reduced in order to meet its fiscal and budgetary targets. The Health Sector must make its contribution to that reduction. However, the HSE can make staff appointments once it remains within its overall employment ceiling and has the financial resources to do so. As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.

Respite Care Services

Questions (1208)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

1208. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive will make available an appropriate respite place in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46803/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As 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.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (1209)

Michael McCarthy

Question:

1209. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health the number of children on the waiting list for orthopaedic surgeries at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46808/13]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The 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 been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists. In relation to this particular query raised by the Deputy, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.

Hospital Staff Issues

Questions (1210)

Michael McCarthy

Question:

1210. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health if there is currently a full-time paediatric orthopaedic surgeon employed at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46809/13]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.

Question No. 1211 answered with Question No. 1135.

Health Services Staff Recruitment

Questions (1212)

John Paul Phelan

Question:

1212. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive will extend the deadline for recruitment of senior psychologists from 25 October 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46821/13]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Commencement of Legislation

Questions (1213)

Ciara Conway

Question:

1213. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Health when the commencement order for the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act will be signed; the reason for the delay in same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46823/13]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill was signed into law by the President on 30 July 2013. There are operational issues which need to be addressed before it can be commenced and the Department is liaising with the HSE in this regard. These include the establishment of a panel of medical practitioners for the purpose of the formal medical review provisions and administrative facilities to enable the review committee, drawn from the review panel, to perform its functions. The Act will be commenced as soon as is practicable.

Commencement of Legislation

Questions (1214)

Ciara Conway

Question:

1214. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a list for legislation for which a commencement order has yet to be signed; the reason for the delay; if he will provide a timeline for when commencement orders will be signed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46824/13]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I understand the Deputy's question relates to legislation enacted since March 2011. The information sought is set out in the table.

Name of Act	Provisions of Act not yet commenced	Status
Nurses and Midwives Act 2011	Sections 4(2), 9(2)(g)(ii), 17(3), 37(2)(a), 39-45, 59(1) (b) (so far as it relates to a professional competence scheme), 59(2)(d), 64(5) and (6), 65(1)(b) , 84, Part 11, Sections 102(2), (3) and (5), 103	This is a comprehensive piece of legislation which is being commenced on a gradual basis.
Health (Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Act 2013	Section 4	The Department is in on-going consultations with the Attorney General’s Office re commencement.
Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013	Section 36	It is intended to commence this section in Quarter 2, 2014.
Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Act 2013	Full Act	The Commencement order for this Act and relevant regulations are currently being drafted with a view to commencing the Act in the very near future.
Health (Amendment ) Act 2013	Section 4 and 11(a) Sections 7(e)(ii), 8, 9 10,11(b), 12, 18 and 19	To be commenced but no plan at present. Regulations and Guidelines are in preparation. It is intended to commence by late 2013/early 2014.
Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act 2013	Full Act	The intended commencement date is by end of 2013. There are operational issues which need to be addressed before it can be commenced and the Department is liaising with the HSE in this regard.

Medical Card Reviews

Questions (1215)

Tom Fleming

Question:

1215. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a medical card review in respect of persons (detail supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46836/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The 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.

Medicinal Products Availability

Questions (1216, 1217)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

1216. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm if the drug nadolol, which is used to treat long OT syndrome, has been taken off the drugs payment scheme. [46838/13]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

1217. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health his position regarding the shortage of the drug nadolol, which is used to treat long OT syndrome, as there is only one wholesaler that imports the drug from the USA and the wholesaler in question has no stock of the drug left. [46837/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1216 and 1217 together.

Nadolol is provided to patients under the Unlicensed Medicines Protocol when clinically necessary. The HSE had agreed an administrative price of approximately €80 but earlier this year was informed that the price would increase significantly. Where the product is prescribed by or on the recommendation of a consultant, arrangements are made for patients to access it at an increased price which is currently in the order of €300. There is more than one wholesaler involved in sourcing unlicenced products for the Irish market. The HSE is not aware of any cases, at the moment, where patients cannot access this drug.

HSE Correspondence

Questions (1218)

John O'Mahony

Question:

1218. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the reason a representation sent to the parliamentary division via the e-mail address given to Oireachtas Members on 27 September 2013 and follow-up e-mails sent on 30 September, 18 October and 23 October have not been answered [46844/13]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I am advised that an answer has now issued to the Deputy from the HSE in relation to this matter.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (1219)

Robert Troy

Question:

1219. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a hospital appointment in respect of a person ( details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will expedite same. [46860/13]

Written answers

Minister for Health

For 2013, a maximum waiting time target of 12 months has been set for a first time consultant-led outpatient appointment and this is reflected in the HSE Service Plan. The SDU and the NTPF are working closely with hospitals towards achievement of the maximum waiting time. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she would be in the best position to take the matter up with the consultant and hospital involved. In relation to the specific hospital appointment query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.