Written Answers Nos. 691-714
691. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will request the medical assessment unit to re-examine a medical card appeal in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7579/14]
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.
692. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if he has received the report on women who have undergone surgical symphysiotomies; if he will outline its content; the action he will take on foot of this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7580/14]
View answerOn 26 November Government approved the appointment of retired Circuit Court Judge Yvonne Murphy to assist in setting out a possible course of action in relation to women who have undergone surgical symphysiotomies. Judge Murphy has been asked to meet a number of key interested parties, particularly the support groups for the women, and also the State Claims Agency, and the insurers. Together with the Judge, I met the three support groups - Survivors of Symphysiotomy, Patient Focus and Survivors of Symphysiotomy Limited - after the Government meeting on 26 November, to outline this plan to them.
Judge Murphy has estimated that her work will take around eight working weeks to complete, at which time (around early March) she will provide me with a report with recommendations on the next steps. I hope then to be in a position to revert to Government with detailed proposals, so that a decision can be taken as early as possible regarding a way forward that will facilitate closure for the women concerned. Any proposals brought to Government will also take into account the findings of the independent research report in relation to the practice of symphysiotomy in Ireland that was commissioned by my Department, along with any other relevant information.
693. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health if he will reiterate his previous commitment that no plans will be put in place to charge for emergency services in James Connolly Memorial Hospital in view of recent funding cuts announced in the acute services divisional plans, or through any reorganisation of services in the new Dublin North East Hospital Group area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7597/14]
View answerI assume the Deputy is referring to the standard Accident and Emergency charge of €100, which is payable across all hospitals. The Health (Out-Patient Charges) Regulations 2013 provides for a €100 charge for out-patient services provided at an emergency department, an accident and emergency department, a casualty department, a minor injury unit, an urgent care centre, a local injury unit or any other facility providing similar services, subject to the exemptions under Article 3.
There are currently no plans to amend or revoke this regulation.
694. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the reason a three and a half year old child (details supplied) is still awaiting assessment; the reason for the delay; if he will ensure that further early intervention is not missed out on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7606/14]
View answerAs the particular issue raised by the Deputy relates to an individual case, this is a service matter for the Health Service Executive. Accordingly, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
695. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form the number of staff in his Department currently on a sabbatical or career break broken down into categories of zero to six months, six to 12 months, one year to two years, two to three years, four to five years and five years plus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7630/14]
View answerThere are currently three people in my Department on Career Break. Of these, two are mid-way through the one year Career Break that they initially applied for and a third is in year four.
696. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form, the total number of uncertified sick days taken by employees in his Department and the average uncertified sick days per employee taken; the total certified sick days taken by employees; the average certified sick days per employee; the total sick days taken by employees; the average total sick days and median overall sick days per employee in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. [7646/14]
View answerThe statistical information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table. The average overall sick days per employee over the four year period was 10.42 and relates to employees of the Department of Health and Children up to 1st June 2011 and Department of Health thereafter.
|
- |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
|
Total uncertified sick days |
520.09 |
437.93 |
436.26 |
261.70 |
|
Average uncertified sick days per employee* |
0.98 |
0.84 |
1.01 |
0.70 |
|
Total certified sick days |
5284.44 |
4345.13 |
4344.76 |
3670.89 |
|
Average certified sick days per employee* |
9.93 |
8.37 |
10.10 |
9.76 |
|
Total sick days taken by employees |
5778.53 |
4783.06 |
4781.02 |
3932.59 |
|
Average total sick days per employee* |
10.86 |
9.22 |
11.12 |
10.46 |
*Averages given are calculated by reference to average of monthly headcount statistics in Departmental returns.
697. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Health if he will have information corrected on a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7685/14]
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.
698. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in County Meath has been waiting four years for orthodontic treatment in Navan Hospital, County Meath; when the person will receive the treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7686/14]
View answerThe HSE provides orthodontic treatment to patients based on their level of clinical need. An individual's access to orthodontic treatment is determined against a set of clinical guidelines and priority is given to patients with greatest needs. The HSE has been asked to examine the specific query raised by the Deputy and to reply to him as soon as possible.
699. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health with regard to the ambulance service in Kerry and north Cork, if the Health Service Executive will revert to the original level of cover until such time as the proposed GPS system is up and running and proven to work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7687/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
700. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when the new psychiatric admissions unit in Beaumont Hospital will be opened and fully commissioned; the number of staff who will be available there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7690/14]
View answerAs this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
701. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health his plans to include ulcerative colitis, which is a chronic incurable condition, on the list of qualifying ailments for a long-term illness medical card; and if not, the reason in view of the circumstances of the condition and the potential medical costs involved. [7696/14]
View answerThere are no plans to extend the list of conditions covered by the Long Term Illness scheme.
Under the Drug Payment Scheme, no individual or family pays more than €144 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals incurring ongoing expenditure on medicines.
In addition, people who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be entitled to a medical card. In the assessment process, the Health Service Executive can take into account medical costs incurred by an individual or a family. Those who are not eligible for a medical card may still be able to avail of a GP visit card, which covers the cost of GP consultations.
702. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health the specific reasons for the variation in medication costs between Ireland and neighbouring European countries; his views on the discrepancy in the price of a product (details supplied); the way he intends to address this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7697/14]
View answerThe prices of drugs vary between countries for a number of reasons, including different prices set by manufacturers, different wholesale and pharmacy mark-ups, different dispensing fees and different rates of VAT. The size of the market can also be a factor in the prices set by manufacturers.
My Department and the HSE have implemented a medicines pricing policy which aims to reduce the prices for medicines/improve value for money whilst also maintaining continuity of supply and availability of essential medicines. These aims are balanced in an attempt to maximise public health gain from available resources. As part of the pricing policies there has been a price freeze (i.e. no price increases allowed except in exceptional circumstances) for a number of years.
Over the last few years thousands of price reductions on medicines have occurred. For example, the price of over 500 different presentations of various medicines reduced by between 5% and 29% on the 1st November 2013 as a consequence of agreements reached with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA) and the Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers of Ireland (APMI). In overall terms, price reductions of the order of 30% per item reimbursed have been achieved between 2009 and 2013; the average cost per item reimbursed is now running at 2001/2002 levels.
Occasionally, price increases are required to maintain supplies of specific essential medicines. However, the HSE each year refuses a significant number of requests for price increases. Less than 50 price increases were allowed in the 8 years between 2006 and 2013.
In October 2012, Aspen Pharma Trading Ltd informed the HSE that, following an examination of the viability of a number of product lines, it had decided to increase the price of Purinethol in Ireland and a number of other EU countries (including Germany, UK, Denmark and Finland).
The HSE engaged with the company in an attempt to negotiate a lower price, however, it was unwilling to do so. The HSE was faced with the choice of allowing increased pricing (in line with other international markets) or running the risk that the product would be withdrawn. Having regard to the importance of the product and the fact that Aspen Pharma Trading Ltd is the sole supplier to the Irish market, the HSE considered that a price increase was necessary to maintain supply and agreed to grant a price increase from 1 March 2013. Despite the price increase, no other supplier has chosen to enter the Irish market. Reversal of the price increase in the absence of an alternative supplier could result in the sole supplier exiting the market and patients being left without access to this medicine.
In relation to price variations in Irish pharmacies, I would encourage patients to engage with their pharmacists to ensure they are getting best value for money when purchasing medicines. In this context, my Department has asked the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland to consider how to provide for greater price transparency in pharmacies.
703. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he will deal with a matter regarding rents in St. Michael's House (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7699/14]
View answerUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services, including disability services. The HSE either directly provides or contracts disability agencies such as St Michael House to provide a range of disability services through service level arrangements.
The HSE and St Michael's House work in close collaboration with regard to the funding and delivery of services to people with an intellectual disability. As a voluntary agency, St Michael’s house are obliged to work within the resources available to them and in that regard have introduced significant efficiencies over recent years to remain within budget. The HSE has advised that these changes to date have not resulted in service contraction.
In relation to the specific queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service issues they have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
704. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if the payments regarding the Health Service Executive initiative for the outsourcing of the adult hearing aid services were front-loaded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7701/14]
View answer705. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health in relation to the initiative for the outsourcing of the adult hearing aid services, if the contract was completed within the agreed timeframe for the testing and fitting of a hearing aid and the follow-up assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7702/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 704 and 705 together.
Funding was made available in Q4 of 2013 for an initiative to reduce adult waiting lists for hearing assessment. This initiative was scheduled to run until 31 December 2013. However, some of the outstanding tests and aftercare/follow-up appointments continued into this year and are nearing completion. Payments are made to contractors only after the work is complete. The HSE sees this as a positive initiative that will greatly reduce the adult waiting lists for hearing assessment.
706. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the trial of a drug (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7703/14]
View answerAs this is a service related matter, the HSE has been asked to examine the specific query raised by the Deputy and to reply to him as soon as possible.
707. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be considered for a job in the ambulance service as the person has already done the training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7706/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
708. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his view on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7734/14]
View answerIn relation to the number of detailed queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to him directly.
709. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health following the announcement that a county nursing home (details supplied) will not meet the Health Information and Quality Authority physical environment standards by the authority's deadline of July 2015, if the facility will have to get a dispensation from the national quality standards or if it is planned to revise the HIQA physical environment standards; if he considers this the best use of taxpayers' money in view of the fact that the €11 million plus for refurbishment to provide 80 to 85 single rooms would instead build a 120-bed new private nursing home according to Nursing Homes Ireland; if he will publish the schedule of other refurbishment works that are planned for 2015-16; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7740/14]
View answerThis Government is committed to the provision of a quality public nursing home service underpinned by a regulatory system of registration and inspection.
National Quality Standards for Residential Care Settings for Older People in Ireland provides the framework for Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) to assess whether residential services are providing high quality, safe and effective services and supports to residents. There are 32 Standards. Each one is supported by a number of criteria. These criteria are indicative rather than prescriptive, setting out how a service can be measured as to whether the standard is being met or not.
Standard 25 addresses the physical environment for all types of nursing homes. When the Standards were introduced a distinction was made between new and existing facilities, indicating that, except in limited circumstances, existing facilities should have no more than two residents per room by 2015. The Chief Inspector of Social Services (HIQA) has discretion to extend this timeframe. In contrast the criteria for all new builds, new extensions or first time registrations indicate that a minimum of 80% of residents should be accommodated in single rooms and that all bedrooms should have en suite facilities.
In 2013 HIQA issued a regulatory notice advising the sector that “where particular criteria regarding premises are not met in the Centre, the provider must provide clear evidence of the other ways by which they are reaching the Standard and must demonstrate to the Chief Inspector that these alternative arrangements are delivering on the Standard for each individual resident. In the case of Standard 25, the Chief Inspector will require substantial and exceptional justification for any premises which purports to meet Standard 25 without implementation of the individual criteria.”
In this context the HSE is concentrating on applying the limited funding available for capital works in the most effective way possible to meet residential need now and in the future.
710. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the quality of service likely to become available to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 10; when a full assessment and diagnosis will be completed; if this will be done before they are discharged from hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7746/14]
View answerIn relation to the particular patient query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to him directly.
711. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the increased demand for STI services at Kerry General Hospital; if his attention has been drawn to the six-week wait for an appointment; if he will investigate establishing a full-time service there, thereby reducing pressure on the Cork team that visits every fortnight; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7753/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
712. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his plans to deal with below cost selling of alcohol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7763/14]
View answerAddressing the price of alcohol is an important component of any long-term strategic approach to tackling alcohol abuse. There is a link between consumption and harm and evidence that affordability is one of the drivers of increased consumption. The Government has approved an extensive package of measures to deal with alcohol misuse, to be incorporated in a Public Health (Alcohol) Bill. These measures are based on the recommendations contained in the Steering Group Report on a National Substance Misuse Strategy.
The Government has decided that minimum unit pricing is the most effective policy measure to deal with the sale of alcohol at cheap prices. Minimum unit pricing is a mechanism of imposing a statutory floor in price levels per gram of alcohol that must be legally observed by retailers in both the on and off trade sector. This is a targeted measure, designed to prevent the sale of alcohol at very cheap prices. It is mainly aimed at those who are higher risk, such as adolescents and people who have a harmful and hazardous alcohol consumption pattern. It should therefore only have a marginal effect on moderate drinkers. It is not expected that minimum unit pricing will affect the price of alcohol in the on-trade sector or the majority of alcohol products sold in the off-trade sector.
A health impact assessment, in conjunction with Northern Ireland, has been commissioned as part of the process of developing a legislative basis for minimum unit pricing. The assessment will study the impact of different minimum prices on a range of areas such as health, crime and likely economic impact. The study should be finalised by the end of Quarter 2 this year.
713. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if he will arrange for an urgent surgical procedure in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7775/14]
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 been adopted by the Health Service Executive, 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 HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.
714. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his plans to prohibit smoking in cars where children are passengers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7811/14]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Government has approved the drafting of amendments to a Private Member's Bill entitled "Protection of Children's Health from Tobacco Smoke Bill 2012". The purpose of the Bill is to prohibit smoking in cars where children are present. A number of amendments are required to ensure that the Bill operates as an effective piece of legislation. My Department is working in consultation with the Attorney General’s Office to draft the necessary amendments to the Bill to provide for the enactment of this legislation.
