Written Answers Nos. 143-163
143. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health if persons with spinal cord injury will be included on the list of disabilities that qualify a person for amedical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24850/14]
View answer158. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if a medical card will be restored on medical grounds in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24919/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 143 and 158 together.
The Government has decided to develop a new policy framework for eligibility for the award of medical cards to take account of on-going medical conditions. The HSE has established an Expert Panel to examine the range of conditions that should be considered as a basis of eligibility and has been asked to make an early report to Government.
In this context, the HSE has decided to suspend reviews of medical cards where discretion had been exercised to take account of medical circumstances, pending the outcome of this process. This includes people who are currently in the appeals process. The HSE has extended eligibility of the individuals concerned, who are in the process of being advised in the normal way.
The Government is examining how best to address the situation of persons with serious medical conditions who had been issued with a medical card on a discretionary basis, but who have already completed the review process (and appeal process, as relevant) and who are not eligible to retain that card. The Government is examining the most effective and timely way of progressing such change.
144. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the membership of the Irish Expert Body on Fluorides and Health; the dates of its past five meetings; when it last provided advice to his office on the fluoridation of public water supplies; when the international group of consultants is to be appointed by the Government to examine the use of fluoride in the public water supply; the membership of the group; the timeline for producing its report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24856/14]
View answerA range of information, including details of its membership and minutes of its meetings, is available on the website of the Irish Expert Body on Fluorides and Health, www.fluoridesandhealth.ie. The last five plenary meetings of the Expert Body were held on 12th March 2014, 16th October 2013, 26th June 2013, 6th March 2013 and 14th March 2012. There have also been meetings of the Executive Committee, the Quality Assurance Sub-Committee and the New and Emerging Issues Sub-Committee. The Expert Body provides advice to the Department of Health on an ongoing basis.
The Department of Health keeps the policy of water fluoridation under constant review. As part of this ongoing work, a review of evidence on the impact of water fluoridation at its current level on the health of the population and on the environment is being conducted by the Health Research Board on behalf of the Department. The review will be completed by December 2014. There are no plans to establish a group as described by the Deputy.
145. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will receive an appointment date for a quadruple bypass; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24858/14]
View answerThe National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2014, 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 the particular query raised by the Deputy, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him on this matter.
146. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health when his Department and the Health Service Executive will allow reimbursement for fampyra now that the NPS programme has ceased and the drug is commercially available [24864/14]
View answerThe Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicinal products under the community drug schemes in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. The HSE received an application for the inclusion of Fampridine in the GMS and community drugs schemes. The application was considered in line with the procedures and timescales agreed by the Department of Health and the HSE with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA) for the assessment of new medicines. In accordance with these procedures, the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE) conducted a pharmacoeconomic evaluation of Fampridine and concluded that, as the manufacturer was unable to demonstrate the cost effectiveness of Fampridine in the Irish healthcare setting, it was unable to recommend the reimbursement of the product. The report is available on the NCPE's website (www.ncpe.ie). The HSE assessment process is intended to arrive at a decision on the funding of new medicines that is clinically appropriate, fair, consistent and sustainable. Due to the very difficult and challenging economic environment in which the Government targeted additional savings in health expenditure of €619 million in 2014, which must be achieved while protecting front line services to the most vulnerable to the greatest extent possible, the HSE decided it was not in a position to add the drug to the List of Reimbursable Items supplied under the GMS and other community drug schemes.
It is open to the supplier, at any time, to submit a new application to the HSE incorporating new evidence which demonstrates the cost effectiveness of Fampridine. The HSE will then re-consider the application to add this product to the List of Reimbursable Items, in line with the agreed procedures and timescales for the assessment of new medicines.
147. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a home care package in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24867/14]
View answerI understand the Deputy raised this issue previously on the 14th of May and the Health Service Executive replied to the Deputy on the 28th May. I have arranged for the Deputy's question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for further investigation and direct reply to the Deputy.
148. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding services for autism in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24868/14]
View answerAs the issue raised by the Deputy relates to an individual case, this is a service matter for the Health Service Executive. I have asked the HSE to look into the particular matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.
149. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health if there will be a review of the changes to the payment for fourth year nursing students; if a return of old rates is being considered in view of the valuable input made by trainee nurses in our hospital systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24869/14]
View answerFourth year undergraduate student nurses undertake a 36 week rostered placement as a key part of their degree programme. When doing so, they are not qualified nurses and require supervision. The following pay scales were sanctioned, with the agreement of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, with effect from 1 July 2013. Higher scales have been sanctioned for Mental Health Student Nurses undertaking the placement, maintaining previous relativities.
Salary Scales for Student Nurses* undertaking 36 week 4th Year Clinical Placement
First one-third (12 weeks) - €6.49 per hour
Second one-third (12 weeks) - €6.92 per hour
Final one-third (12 weeks) - €7.79 per hour
*Including Midwifery, Children’s and Intellectual Disability.
Salary Scales for Mental Health Student Nurses undertaking 36 week 4th Year Clinical Placement
First one-third (12 weeks) - €6.64 per hour
Second one-third (12 weeks) - €7.08 per hour
Final one-third (12 weeks) - €7.97 per hour.
The level of pay for this undergraduate placement, split into 3 twelve week periods, is in accordance with the relevant provisions of the National Minimum Wage Act. It also reflects, to a significant degree, the 2:1 replacement ratio of permanent staff when placements occur. There are no plans to revise these scales at present.
150. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health his policy regarding the provision of temporary cover for home help workers while they are absent due to annual leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24875/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
151. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will consider offering grant assistance for nurses to specialise in certain areas in view of the fact that we have a shortage of specialised nurses thus his Department is recruiting persons from abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24881/14]
View answerThough the HSE has the capacity to recruit where it is necessary to do so in order to ensure patient safety and to support service delivery, there are difficulties in recruiting certain front-line staff including specialist nurses, consultants and NCHDs at present. I am currently progressing measures to ensure that we will have an adequate supply of highly skilled nurses, consultants and NCHDs into the future.
The HSE supports nurse specialisation in a number of ways, including sponsored training and certain categories qualify for specialist qualification allowances and location allowances. Additional nursing support is being made available throughout the system. Measures include the increase in nursing hours available under the HRA and the appointment of nearly 500 nurses and midwives under the graduate scheme. I have recently approved the establishment of a taskforce to develop a framework that will determine the staffing and skill mix requirements for the nursing workforce in a range of major specialties. The focus will be on the development of staffing and skill mix ranges which take account of a number of influencing factors. The taskforce is being chaired by the Chief Nursing Officer.
Where front-line staffing shortages exist, the HSE makes alternative arrangements to ensure service provision, including recourse to agency and locum cover. However, it is preferable that sufficient numbers of key staff are recruited to permanent posts to support the most efficient and effective delivery of services.
152. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health the records he has with respect to the recently discovered mass grave at Tuam, County Galway; the details contained in these; if similar sites exist here; if so, the locations of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24894/14]
View answerMy Department is actively reviewing its records as part of the work of an inter-departmental group which is gathering information and is to report to Cabinet on the means by which this complex situation in relation to Mother and Baby Homes, can be best addressed. Government yesterday agreed to establish a Commission of Investigation to investigate mother and baby homes. The work of the interdepartmental group will continue and its completed work will inform the Government’s decisions on the Terms of Reference and composition of the Commission of Investigation.
153. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24897/14]
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.
154. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a hip operation in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24901/14]
View answerThe National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2014, 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 the particular query raised by the Deputy, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him on this matter.
155. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if the illness sarcoidosis will be added to the list of long-term illnesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24902/14]
View answerThe Long Term Illness (LTI) Scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act, 1970 (as amended). Regulations were made in 1971, 1973 and 1975 specifying the conditions covered by the LTI Scheme. There are no plans to extend the list of conditions covered by the LTI 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.
Under the provisions of the Health Acts, medical cards are provided to persons who are, in the opinion of the Health Service Executive (HSE), unable without undue hardship to arrange GP services for themselves and their dependants. In the assessment process, the HSE 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.
156. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health his plans for the staffing and ongoing funding of the new special assessment and epileptic unit at Cork University Hospital; the number of patients on the waiting list to be seen at the unit on a day care basis; the number of patients waiting to be admitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24907/14]
View answerIn relation to the detailed queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to him directly.
157. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in respect of an appeal for a medical card in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24918/14]
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.
159. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the annual cost to his Department of the operation of the air ambulance service at Custume Barracks, Athlone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24940/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
160. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the annual cost of the operation of the Westdoc base and staffing in Roscommon town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24942/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
161. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the annual cost of operating a 24-7 ambulance and crew; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24943/14]
View answer162. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the annual cost of operating a 24-7 rapid response vehicle and crew; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24944/14]
View answer163. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the annual cost of operating an intermediate care vehicle and crew; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24945/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 161 to 163, inclusive, together.
In relation to the detailed queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to him directly.
