Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 April 2014
632. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on correspondence regarding the case of a person (details supplied) with motor neurone disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16426/14]
View answer644. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will be provided with a home ventilation system in order for them to live at home with motor neurone disease. [16501/14]
View answer652. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if he will give urgent attention to the issues raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding the case of a person with motor neurone disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16544/14]
View answer655. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Health if he will intervene to ensure invasive ventilation is made available to a motor neurone sufferer (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16559/14]
View answer656. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in County Wexford who is suffering from aggressive motor neurone disease is being denied the home ventilation they desperately need to keep them alive due to the cost of this option; the cost of such an option; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16560/14]
View answer664. Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide funds in respect of home ventilation for motor neurone sufferers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16647/14]
View answer668. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the cost of providing home ventilation for a person with motor neurone disease per month; the number of persons currently in receipt of this treatment; the number of applications made for this treatment during each of the past four years; the number of applications granted; the number turned down during each of these years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16664/14]
View answer681. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if provision will be made for a home invasive ventilation for a person who has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease (details supplied). [16711/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 632, 644, 652, 655, 656, 664, 668 and 681 together.
The issue of home ventilation whether invasive or non-invasive cannot be considered in isolation and whether the patient has access to such treatment is not purely a financial consideration. A proper discharge care plan which is discussed between the hospital consultant team and primary care needs to be agreed and activated. Home ventilation needs appropriate equipment, trained staff and both patient and family education as well as arrangement for upkeep and maintenance of such ventilation equipment. Nurses supervising such patients at home need to be appropriately qualified and competent to supervise the patient clinically.
The HSE is responsible for the administration of the primary care schemes, therefore, the request for specific statistics concerning the provision of home ventilation services has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy. In relation to the individual case cited, I have asked the HSE to investigate the circumstances surrounding this case and respond directly to the Deputies as a matter of urgency.
