Written Answers Nos. 638-669
638. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card application in respect of a person (detail supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32064/14]
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.
639. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32065/14]
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.
640. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an application 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. [32066/14]
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.
641. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if local meals on wheels service will be provided in the Branganstown area in Kilcock, County Kildare; his plans to implement such a service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32067/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
642. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an application 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. [32068/14]
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.
643. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who suffer from multiple sclerosis who were prescribed the drug, Fampyra, in the Biogen Idec Fampyra NPS programme here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32085/14]
View answer645. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his views on the exclusion of the multiple sclerosis drug, Fampyra, from the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32112/14]
View answer646. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will include the multiple sclerosis drug, Fampyra, in the drugs payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32113/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 643, 645 and 646 together.
The Biogen Idec Fampridine (Fampyra®) NPS programme was not instituted by the Health Service Executive (HSE). The HSE has no access to data held by Biogen Idec in relation to this programme.
The 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.
Fampridine was never available to multiple sclerosis patients under the Long Term Illness (LTI) Scheme, however, 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 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 NCPE report is an important input to assist the HSE in its decision making process and informs further discussions between the HSE and the manufacturer of the drug. 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. In these circumstances, the HSE has not approved the reimbursement of Fampridine under the GMS or other community drug schemes.
However, I am aware that studies are ongoing to assess the wider impact of Fampridine on both walking and quality of life for persons diagnosed with MS. The results of these studies will contribute to the evidence base demonstrating the clinical effectiveness of the product which can be used to support future applications for its inclusion on the lists of reimbursable items supplied under the GMS and other community drugs scheme.
The HSE met with Biogen Idec recently to discuss a potential revised application. The HSE expects that Biogen Idec will submit a revised application. The HSE will then re-consider the application in as timely a fashion as possible in line with the agreed procedures and timescales for the assessment of new medicines.
644. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health if persons who were on the long-term illness scheme and transferred to medical cards will be reimbursed from the period of 1 July 2011 to 31 May 2014; and if so, the procedure for applying for the reimbursement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32111/14]
View answerThe Health Service Executive (HSE) is responsible for the administration of the primary care schemes, therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
647. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card application in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Carlow. [32114/14]
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.
648. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Carlow will have a decision on the review of their medical card. [32115/14]
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.
649. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Carlow will have a decision on their medical card application. [32116/14]
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.
650. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Carlow will have a decision on their medical card application. [32117/14]
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.
651. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1104 of 25 March 2014, if he will provide an update on the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32118/14]
View answerIn relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
652. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health if he will approve the development of a sound proof audiology room for Roscommon town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32119/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
653. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1031 of 25 March 2014 if he will provide an update on the value of outstanding health insurance claims in each acute hospital; the steps which have been taken to address this problem in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32126/14]
View answerThis question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
654. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 210 of 12 February 2014 if he will provide a breakdown for each hospital in the Galway-Roscommon hospital group of unpaid patient bills to date in 2014; the amount that has been written off by each hospital for the same period; the amount which is being sought by debt recovery agencies; the reason no debt has been referred to debt recovery agencies if that is the case; the amount currently awaiting sign-off by a consultant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32127/14]
View answerIn relation to the detailed queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service issues they have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
655. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a trade drug for gastric reflex being charged €20 extra on the drug payment scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32131/14]
View answerThe Health Service Executive (HSE) is responsible for the administration of the primary care schemes, therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
656. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No.1093 of 25 March 2014, if he will provide an update; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32134/14]
View answerIn relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
657. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a discretionary medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32140/14]
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.
658. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 205 of 10 July 2014, the location of the 37 new clinical nurse specialists; his views that this number is sufficient to cater for the number of accident and emergency hospitals throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32141/14]
View answerThe purpose of the Deliberate Self Harm clinical programme is primarily to provide a proactive response to people presenting to the Emergency Departments (EDs) of acute hospitals in Ireland. The programme will be delivered by senior psychiatric nurses at Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) grade working as part of consultant psychiatrist led Liaison Psychiatry Teams in acute hospitals. The role will include the assessment and most importantly the follow up of people seen in EDs. This might include phone contact, outpatient review by the nurse and/or linking in with other appropriate services with active follow up to try to ensure the person avails of the help being offered. The overall aim is to reduce the likelihood of a repeat deliberate self harm attempt as it is well recognised that completed suicide is more likely to occur in those who repeat.
An additional 37 WTE CNS posts were approved in 2013 for Emergency Departments with the highest number of presentations of self harm and these posts will support the roll-out of the Self-Harm Clinical Programme. This is a new clinical development and it is necessary to build up a level of expertise in this area. A decision on whether further posts are needed will be made when the programme is fully implemented.
In relation to the location of these posts, as this is a service matter I have referred the question to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
659. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health the reason there is not a 24 hour on call service seven days a week for the MRI scanner in Cork University Maternity Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32146/14]
View answerIn relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
660. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a medical card approval in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cavan as all the medical data has been provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32153/14]
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.
661. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the care of a mental health patient (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32168/14]
View answerAs this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
662. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the rate of asthma deaths over the past ten years and that this rate could be significantly reduced if a Government commitment to the implementation of a National Clinical Programme for asthma is met; and the actions he will take to ensure that this programme is implemented in the coming months or to otherwise meet the Government target of reducing asthma deaths by 90%. [32174/14]
View answerThe HSE, through its Clinical Strategy and Programmes Division, established the National Clinic Programme for Asthma (NCPA), which is one of a number of chronic disease programmes aimed at bringing a systematic approach to changes in how services for patients are delivered.
The overarching aim of the Programme is to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with asthma in Ireland and to improve clinical outcomes and the quality of life of all patients with asthma. A key component is the improved management of people with asthma in primary care, thereby avoiding emergency attendance at General Practitioner (GP) out-of-hours services, emergency departments and in-patient services. Implementation of the programme is ongoing and will continue in 2015.
The National Model of Care for Asthma in general practice has been agreed by the HSE's Clinical Programmes, the Asthma Society and the ICGP. As the Deputy will be aware, implementation of this model in general practice involves consultation on the GP contract with representative bodies.
A Framework Agreement with the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) has recently been signed, which allows progress on these issues, initially in the context of the provision of GP care free at the point of access for children under 6 years. It has been agreed that the discussions with the IMO which are now underway should also work towards agreement on a new GMS GP contractual framework.
The following revised reply was received on 23 October 2014.
The HSE, through its Clinical Strategy and Programmes Division, established the National Clinic Programme for Asthma (NCP A), which is one of a number of chronic disease programmes aimed at bringing a systematic approach to changes in how services for patients are delivered.
The overarching aim of the Programme is to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with asthma in Ireland and to improve clinical outcomes and the quality of life of all patients with asthma. A key component is the improved management of people with asthma in primary care, thereby avoiding emergency attendance at General Practitioner (GP) out-of-hours services, emergency departments and in-patient services. Implementation of the programme is ongoing and will continue in 2015.
The National Clinical Programme for Asthma Model of Care has been approved by the HSE and the Asthma Society and planning is underway for implementation. Implementation of this model in general practice will require consultation with the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO).
A Framework Agreement with the IMO has recently been signed, which allows progress on these issues, initially in the context of the provision of GP care free at the point of access for children under 6 years. It has been agreed that the discussions with the IMO which are now underway should also work towards agreement on a new GMS GP contractual framework.
663. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when the fair deal will be approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32178/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
664. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when a medical appointment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Laois will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32180/14]
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 the Deputy on this matter.
665. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health further to a parliamentary question reply, if he will confirm details in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32181/14]
View answerAs 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
666. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health further to a parliamentary question reply, if a medical card application which was refused in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow will be reconsidered as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32182/14]
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.
667. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if any hospitals are currently employing or seeking to employ agency staff to do the same jobs as contracted staff but at higher rates of remuneration; if he will verify and respond to the specific example provided (details supplied); if he considers this discriminatory practice and if so, his plans to prohibit it to a reasonable extent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32193/14]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the HSE for a direct reply.
668. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his plans to reduce prescription charges (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32202/14]
View answer691. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the amount collected in prescription charges for medical card prescriptions in 2011, 2012, 2013; and the projected amount to be collected in 2014. [32555/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 668 and 691 together.
As announced in Budget 2014, it was necessary to increase the prescription charge due to the very difficult and challenging economic environment which requires the Government to achieve additional savings in health expenditure with €619 million of savings targeted in 2014. The increase in prescription charges will account for €43 million of this target. The Government is committed to achieving these savings while protecting front line services to the most vulnerable to the greatest extent possible.
Prescription charges do not apply to children in the care of the Health Service Executive or to methadone supplied to patients participating in the Methadone Treatment Scheme. There are no plans to amend the prescription charge.
The revenue raised from the prescription charge is as follows:
2011 - €27.604 million
2012 - €29.70 million
2013 - €85.60 million
2014 - €120 million (projected)
669. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health the general practitioners panels in County Carlow that are still able to accept new medical card patients onto their panel (details supplied). [32208/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
