Written Answers Nos. 984-1010
984. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a discretionary medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33797/14]
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.
985. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon will be seen for their necessary hip operation; his views on whether this person's treatment to date has been sufficient; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33799/14]
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.
986. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Health if there is a list of agreed treatments available to Irish citizens as part of the treatment abroad scheme; if novel therapies and new cancer drugs trials, particularly in the National Health Service, are included as part of this scheme; and his plans to extend the scheme in the future [33801/14]
View answerThe HSE operates a Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS) for persons entitled to treatment in another EU/EEA member state or Switzerland under EU Regulation 1408/71, as per the procedures set out in EU Regulation 574/72, and in accordance with Department of Health Guidelines. Under this framework the TAS provides for the cost of approved treatments in another EU/EEA member state or Switzerland through the issue of form E112 (IE).
The TAS allows for an Irish based Consultant to refer a patient that is normally resident in Ireland for treatment in another EU member state or Switzerland, where the treatment in question meets the following criteria:
(a) The application to refer a patient abroad has been assessed and a determination given before that patient goes abroad.
(b) Following clinical assessment, the referring Consultant certifies the following:
- They recommend the patient be treated in another EU/EEA country or Switzerland;
- The treatment is medically necessary and will meet the patient’s needs;
- The treatment is a proven form of medical treatment and is not experimental or test treatment;
- The treatment is in a recognised hospital or other institution and is under the control of a registered medical practitioner;
- The hospital outside the state will accept EU/EEA form E112 (IE)
Patients in conjunction with their Irish based public referring hospital consultant have the ability to apply to the HSE TAS seeking access to a specific identified treatment in the public healthcare outside the state through model form E112. Applications to the TAS are processed and a determination given in accordance with the statutory framework prior to a patient travelling to avail of treatment. Approved applicants/patients’ hospital treatment costs are covered through the issue of form E112 (IE) for specific identified episode of care. Each individual application is reviewed on its own merits and a decision is given specific to each case and therefore there is no list of treatments that qualify/do not qualify under the scheme.
However, in relation to participation in clinical trials, the criteria for qualifying for funding under TAS is specifically for proven forms of treatment and do not provide for funding of patients participating in clinical trials. It is normal practise that the hospitals or pharmaceutical companies conducting the trial fund the participating patients in full. It is recommended that any patient seeking to participate in a trial discuss the matter of funding with the hospital/pharmaceutical company conducting the trial. The HSE cannot accept liability for any patient participating in a clinical trial abroad.
987. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive's treatment abroad scheme provides funding to citizens here to take part on new cancer drug trials in other jurisdictions; if the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia is currently covered as part of the treatment abroad scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33802/14]
View answerThe HSE funds treatment for patients in Ireland under the statutory framework and in the EU/EEA under the governing EU legislation (EU Regulations 1408/71 and 574/72) and in accordance with Department of Health Guidelines. These statutory frameworks do not provide for the HSE Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS) to fund patients participating in clinical trials. A requirement of the TAS is that the referring Consultant certifies the treatment is a proven form of medical treatment and is not experimental or test treatment.
Applications to TAS are based on the specific identified treatment to be provided outside the State that is not available in Ireland. No decision is given on an application prior to its submission and processing. It is therefore not possible for the HSE to confirm, prior to the submission of an application and appropriate documentation, whether the unidentified treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia will be authorised. Each individual application is reviewed on its own merits and a decision is given specific to each case.
988. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Health if he will indicate which Minister or Minister of State has responsibility for the national drugs strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33803/14]
View answerMy responsibilities as Minister for Health include overseeing the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016.
989. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of medical cards as of 1 August 2014; the number of GP cards on the same date and the number for each type of card issued on a discretionary basis on 1 August 2014. [33812/14]
View answerThe medical card figures at 1 August 2014, as requested by the Deputy, are set out in the following table.
|
Card Type |
Number of cards |
|
Medical cards |
1,804,376 |
|
Of which granted on the basis of discretion |
65,993 |
|
GP visit cards |
142,668 |
|
Of which granted on the basis of discretion |
28,423 |
990. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33814/14]
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.
991. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Health his views on implementing best practices regarding hereditary angioedema (HAE) which have been outlined in a report (details supplied), and adopted in most European Union countries, specifically to make home infusions of C1-INH protein standard practice; his views on the report's positive cost-benefit analysis of said practice and to educate medical professionals of the symptoms of HAE. [33815/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
992. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on the decision of the Health Service Executive to outsource assisted admission within the Kerry mental health services to a private company (details supplied). [33824/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
993. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an application for the Health Service Executive for an oncology nurse in respect of a centre (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33826/14]
View answerThe Deputy's question relates to service delivery matters and accordingly I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him.
994. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on the Health Service Executive spending €250 million on agency staff to work in hospitals here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33838/14]
View answerThe health sector has been set challenging targets in regard to the achievement of savings under the Haddington Road Agreement. The total amount of savings to be achieved using the Haddington Road enablers in 2014 is €290 million. Reducing agency costs is a particular area of focus of HRA implementation planning across the health services at the present time.
The Haddington Road Agreement made a number of measures available to the HSE in 2014 to reduce agency costs within the HSE while maintaining existing service levels. These include the Graduate Nurse initiative, the Support Staff Intern Scheme and the 5.2 million additional employee hours made available to the HSE due to increased working hours for certain categories of staff.
995. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33840/14]
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.
996. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health the position regarding funding for a service (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33843/14]
View answerMy Department has received an application for funding from the 2014 National Lottery allocation from the organisation in question. This is one of a large number of applications currently being assessed by my Department. The organisation will be informed of the outcome of the application as soon as a decision has been made.
997. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health when a decision on a medical card application in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Mayo will be made in view of the fact that it has been the subject of discretionary consideration for some time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33849/14]
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.
998. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding medical claims in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33853/14]
View answerUnder the arrangements effected by the Health Act 2008, a much simplified system of assessment for eligibility was introduced in respect of persons aged 70 or over, based on the significantly higher gross income limits rather than the standard net income thresholds. Gross income, in respect of the over 70's medical card scheme refers to total basic income prior to any or all deductions being made. The system of assessment for those 70 years of age and over is based on significantly higher gross income limits of €500 per week for a single person and €900 per week for a couple from 1 January 2014, as set out in legislation, compared to the standard net income thresholds of €184 for a single person or €266.50 for a couple. This advantageous arrangement for persons aged over 70 years has facilitated a much greater share of this cohort qualifying for a medical card compared to the general population as a whole.
If a person aged 70 or over does not qualify for a medical card under the over 70's assessment, by virtue of their gross income being over the income limits, the person may apply for a medical card under the standard means test, where they face particularly high expenses and which allows for medical, nursing and other relevant expenses to be taken into account. This assessment is based on net income and assessable outgoing expenses and the qualifying income thresholds under this scheme are lower than over 70's gross income limits.
Under the standard means tested medical card scheme, allowance may be made for rent/mortgage, travel to work and child care costs while in the main, persons in the over 70's age cohort do not have the same outlays and expenses as those under 70 years of age who are assessed on a means basis.
Furthermore, persons aged over 70 years may still be eligible for a medical card on a discretionary basis where they face undue hardship in arranging medical services as a result of medical or social circumstances.
Persons aged 70 or over, who have lost eligibility for a medical card due to the 2014 budgetary change will continue to have access to free GP services. In addition, as you will be aware, the Government committed to introducing, on a phased basis, a universal GP service for the entire population and the aim is to have the over 70's phase implemented this year or early next year. Furthermore, any person over 70 that does not qualify for a medical card is able to use the DPS (Drugs Payment Scheme) which caps spending on prescription drugs.
The HSE local health offices can offer assistance to those completing their Medical Card/GP Visit Card application form or seek clarification on any aspect regarding the process of assessing eligibility for a Medical Card/GP Visit Card. In addition, in this regard, a help and information Callsave phone line 1890 252 919 is available to the public. The HSE will give every assistance to persons that contact their offices, in advising and facilitating them in meeting the requirements to have their eligibility for a Medical Card/GP Visit Card fully assessed.
999. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health the reason a medical card application which was lodged on 12 September 2013 in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare has not been processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33865/14]
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.
1000. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Health the number of applications under the treatment abroad scheme refused by the Health Service Executive in each of the years 2009 to 2013, inclusive; and if he will provide a breakdown of these figures in accordance with the type of treatment that was sought. [33873/14]
View answerThe HSE Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS) was centralised into a single office in 2012. Prior to this it was administered at various local offices. Comprehensive figures for the TAS prior to the centralisation of the Scheme are not available. The figures available identify that the numbers of declined applications were 41 in 2012 and 23 in 2013.
In the interest of patient confidentiality and data protection, the HSE has supplied guidance on patient confidentiality and data protection to its various offices, which provides that the release of statistical information is based on a volume of cases of five or greater. I regret that I am informed by the HSE that on this basis it is not be in a position to identify the treatments sought for the cases that were declined.
1001. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his plans to deal with the paediatric rheumatology outpatient waiting list (details supplied) at Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33880/14]
View answerRheumatology services for children commenced in Crumlin in 2006 when one consultant and the necessary multi-disciplinary team were in place. At that time some 300 children per annum were attending the hospital for rheumatology services. In 2012 a second consultant paediatrician with a special interest in rheumatology was funded by the HSE to support the growing demand for this service and an additional Clinical Nurse Specialist post and additional physiotherapy provision were put in place by the hospital to enhance the service. Temple Street Children's University Hospital works with Crumlin and each hospital supports the other with regards to rheumatology services across the two sites.
Demand for this service has grown since its establishment in Crumlin Hospital with over 1,100 children seen at outpatient clinics at the end of 2013. The HSE has advised the Department of Health that there are over 700 children attending Crumlin who require ongoing treatment and follow up, many of whom require day case admission for drug therapy. There were 800 day case attendances in 2013. As children reach the age of 16 years of age they are transitioned to adult services, which allow younger children to attend the service. Paediatric Consultants with a special interest in a subspecialty are required to support the general paediatric workload in the hospital. In October of this year, the hospital put in place a full time general paediatrician and a half time general paediatrician and other supports which will enable the paediatric consultants with a special interest in rheumatology to concentrate on their subspecialty which the hospital anticipates will increase capacity to deal with the waiting lists.
The HSE has advised the Department that the Hospital is currently in the process of developing a business case to identify the further resources required to deal with the increase in demand. This will then be considered in the context of competing demands for the overall resources available in 2015 and beyond.
1003. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the difference between the reimbursable price of a medicine and the actual over-the-counter cost; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is often a very significant difference in the prices and that this has an impact to those people eligible for drugs payment scheme refunds; if he will address this anomaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33882/14]
View answerDrugs and medicines which are paid for by the Health Service Executive (HSE), have prices set in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013 or the terms of the agreements between the Department of Health and the HSE and the respective bodies for pharmaceutical manufacturers in Ireland. However, neither the Minister for Health or the HSE has the power to set the prices of drugs and medicines purchased by private patients.
The Drugs Payment Scheme significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals incurring ongoing expenditure on medicines. Under the scheme, no individual or family pays more than €144 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines.
The Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013 introduced a system of generic substitution and reference pricing. Reference pricing involves the setting of a common reimbursement price, or reference price, for a group of interchangeable products. It means that one reference price is set for each group or list of interchangeable medicines, and this is the price the Health Service Executive (HSE) will reimburse to pharmacists for all medicines in the group, regardless of the individual medicine's prices.
Eligible patients using State drug schemes like the Medical Card or Drugs Payment Scheme will not face any additional costs for products priced at or below the reference price. If a patient would like to receive a particular brand that costs more than the reference price then the patient will have to pay the additional cost of that product. In cases where substitution is prohibited for clinical reasons, patients will not face any additional costs if the prescribed product costs more than the reference price.
The HSE advises the public that if they are being charged prices which exceed the reimbursement price listed on the HSE website (http://www.pcrs.ie/), plus a dispensing fee of between €3.50 and €5, then they should discuss the differential with their pharmacist to ensure they get the best possible price for the medicine concerned.
In addition, measures have been taken to increase price transparency among retail pharmacies. In March of this year the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland issued guidelines to pharmacists on procedures and minimum standards of information to be provided to customers, including a requirement to provide an itemised receipt of purchase of medicines.
1004. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Health if a statement of pension benefit or preserved pension entitlements in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway will be provided by the Health Service Executive; and if this statement will cover all periods of employment with the HSE and former health boards. [33886/14]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the HSE for direct reply.
1005. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in determination of an application for medical card in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33895/14]
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.
1006. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Health his plans to refurbish a health centre (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33897/14]
View answerDelivery of infrastructure to accommodate primary care services is a service matter. Therefore your question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
1007. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the reason work conditions were changed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry. [33908/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
1008. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a hospital appointment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33910/14]
View answerThe Deputy's question relates to service delivery matters and accordingly I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him.
1009. 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 [33911/14]
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.
1010. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a surgical procedure to be carried out in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33913/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
