Written Answers Nos. 380-397
380. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if the dispensary located at (details supplied) in County Kilkenny will be made available to the local community for community use as the building has not been used for some years. [35696/14]
View answerThe Health Service Executive is required to obtain value for money when disposing of surplus property assets. As management of the healthcare property estate is a service matter your question has been referred to the Executive for direct reply.
381. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the assistance his Department or the Health Service Executive will give to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny to travel to regular hospital appointments in Dublin given that they are wheelchair bound, have cancer and their only long-term option is public transport; if he will put in place a permanent travel arrangement for this person [35700/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
382. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the outpatient waiting list for the West North-West Hospitals Group at present; and if he will provide a breakdown of this figure according to the specialties for which these patients are awaiting an appointment. [35716/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
383. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Health the number of children on waiting lists for access to mental health services at present; the number of these who have been waiting for more than 12 months. [35717/14]
View answerAs this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
384. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health when a decision will be made on an application for an over 70s medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim; and the reason for the delay in same. [35720/14]
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.
385. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the way the proposal to have free general practitioner care for over 70s can be made available to all if only those whose doctor is a public sector GP can avail of the scheme; and the reason he is reluctant to have a system akin to the drug payment scheme, which covers people for any GP. [35754/14]
View answerThe Government is committed to the introduction of a universal GP service for the entire population in line with the Programme for Government. The Health (General Practitioner Service) Act 2014, which provides an entitlement for all children aged under 6 to a GP service without fees, was passed by the Oireachtas in July 2014.
The Government will prioritise the over 70’s in the next phase of the roll-out of free access to GP care. The Government has approved the drafting of a Bill to provide a GP service without fees for all persons aged 70 years and over. Drafting of the Bill has commenced and is the subject on ongoing interaction between the Department and the Attorney-General’s Office. The expectation is that the Health (General Practitioner Service) (No. 2) Bill 2014 will be published shortly. The aim is to have the over 70’s phase implemented this year or early next year, subject to the conclusion of discussions between the Department of Health, the HSE and the IMO. The estimated cost is €18 million for 2015.
Under the existing medical card and GP visit card contracts, it is open to GPs to choose to participate or not in those schemes. The position in respect of choice of GP for the free GP care for over 70's scheme will be clarified when the requisite legislation and contractual arrangements are in place. Currently, if a GP does not hold the appropriate GMS contract, a patient may obtain a list of contract holders from their local HSE office. If the patient has had three unsuccessful attempts to secure a GMS doctor who will register them on his/her panel, the patient should contact the HSE, providing details of the doctors they have contacted, and the HSE will assign them to a GMS doctor within the locality.
386. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to any technical difficulties with the blood testing laboratory at Cork University Hospital; and if he will confirm that the laboratory is in full functioning order. [35779/14]
View answerI am aware that technical difficulties have been experienced in the laboratory in Cork University Hospital; however, the HSE has advised me that the system is currently operating.
I understand that CUH is actively engaging with the HSE Corporate ICT with a view to replacing the system and in the interim, is liaising with ICT supports and its supplier to identify the root cause of the problems.
387. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health when the planning application for the children's hospital will be lodged; the estimated completion date; the estimated cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35780/14]
View answerThe National Paediatric Hospital Development Board is the body responsible for building the new children’s hospital. Following a rigorous procurement process, the Board has now appointed the design team for the project and design development has begun. As part of its brief, the design team has reviewed and validated the programme. The validated programme sets a target for completion of design development in June of next year, at which time a planning application will be submitted. This will include both the main hospital at the St James's campus and the satellite centres, which are considered to be an integral part of the overall project.
Allowing an appropriate period of time for a planning decision to be made, it is expected that subject to permission being granted, the project will be on site at all three locations – the main hospital on the St James’s campus and the satellite centres at Tallaght and Connolly Hospitals - in January 2016. Commissioning for the main hospital is targeted to begin at the end of 2018 and transition of services in Spring 2019, with construction to be fully complete at the end of that year. It is estimated that the satellite centres on the campuses of Tallaght and Connolly Hospital will be complete and in service in mid-2017, well in advance of the main hospital.
Minister Howlin has already committed to making €200m available from the sale of the National Lottery for the new children's hospital, adding to the existing €450m Exchequer funding and underlining the Government's commitment to the project. Current estimates are that the core hospital, including both satellite centres, will be delivered within this envelope. This includes provision for inflation, VAT and contingencies, it does not include equipment or ICT which can be purchased, licensed or leased separately. Philanthropic and commercial funding streams will be targeted as appropriate for supporting elements of the project to include car parking, academic and research facilities, and estimates will be reviewed and refined at each stage of the project.
388. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an application for a discretionary medical card in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35783/14]
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.
389. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an application for a discretionary medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35784/14]
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.
390. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health if he will re-examine the case of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath in respect of the decision by the Health Service Executive to discontinue the person's discretionary medical card. [35786/14]
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.
391. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an application for a discretionary medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35787/14]
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.
392. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health the reason a premises (details supplied) in County Kildare has not yet been returned to the use of a committee; the reason a draft lease in respect of the property, previously provided by the health board-Health Service Executive to this group, has not issued, as promised; if the matter will be investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35788/14]
View answerManagement of the healthcare property estate is a service matter. Therefore your question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
393. 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. [35790/14]
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.
394. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding a new product. [35792/14]
View answer400. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a cult know as Genesis II Church and its targeting of parents of autistic children on the basis that it has a cure for autism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35822/14]
View answer416. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health his views on the suitability of allowing new products to be distributed here. [35903/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 394, 400 and 416 together.
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are defined as a neurodevelopmental disorder that impacts on language, social interaction and communication and behaviour. ASD is classified in the international classification system as a ‘mental and behavioural disorder’.
ASDs are viewed as lifelong conditions. The HSE advises that there are no therapies or drug treatments for ASD that are curative.
This Government is committed to providing specialist supports to enable each individual with a disability, including those with ASD, to achieve his or her full potential and maximise independence, including living as independently as possible. Services are provided in a variety of community and residential settings in partnership with service users, their families and carers and a range of statutory, non-statutory and community groups.
Services provided by ASD service providers include assessment, diagnosis and ongoing treatment and intervention supports. Ongoing interventions and supports may include home support services, respite services and multi-disciplinary team supports to assess the individual needs of each person with ASD and provide for the appropriate interventions.
Products that claim to treat medical conditions such as autism are considered to be medicines and require an authorisation prior to being placed on the market in Ireland. The product referred to as Miracle Mineral Solution is not authorised as a medicine for sale or supply in Ireland. This product is considered to be a medicine and therefore cannot be supplied in Ireland without a marketing authorisation.
The supply of unauthorised products in Ireland is a very serious matter. The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) has confirmed that it is actively following up on this issue as a matter of urgency. The HPRA continues to advise consumers not to take this product as its safety and efficacy have not been independently verified by a competent authority for medicines, such as the HPRA.
395. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a surgical procedure in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [35807/14]
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.
396. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his views on the cost of medication in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35815/14]
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.
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.
397. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will sanction funding for Arc House, Cork Cancer Support (details supplied), as allowed under section 39 of the Health Act 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35817/14]
View answerThe Deputy's question relates to service delivery matters and accordingly I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him.
