Tuesday, 30 Sep 2014

Written Answers Nos. 388-405

Health Services Provision

Questions (388)

Liam Twomey

Question:

388. Deputy Liam Twomey asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to provide a routine dermatology service in the south east; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36813/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Health Services Expenditure

Questions (389)

Denis Naughten

Question:

389. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in full the amount spent by the State on medicines in the years 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013 and the estimated expenditure for 2014; if he will provide a detailed breakdown of this figure in respect of expenditure on each of the community drugs scheme, professional fees and expenditure on medicines in the hospital sector in each of these years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36820/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The information requested by the Deputy is not routinely available in the Department, therefore I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply directly to the Deputy.

Health Services

Questions (390)

Pat Deering

Question:

390. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health his priorities over the next 18 months. [36823/14]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As I said on my appointment, for the remainder of this Government’s term of office I will concentrate on achieving a small number of realistic goals while laying the ground work for further Health reform.

Firstly, I want to achieve a realistic budget for the Department. That will allow for the maintenance of the existing level of services and for some improvements.

After securing a budget, I will focus on introducing universal GP care without fees. The legislation to extend it to under 6s is in place and the legislation to extend it to the over 70s should be in place by the end of the year. I also want to continue the work of my predecessor Minister Reilly in further developing and building the Hospital Groups by putting in place Boards, CEOs and Senior Management Teams and the developments of strategic plans. I also want to take an active role in promoting healthy living. Changes in lifestyle can prevent many diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and lung disease.

Other priorities for the remainder of the Government term include the following:

1. Stabilise cost of health insurance

2. Reduce cost of medicines

3. Retaining doctors and nurses

4. Five Major Capital Projects

5. Delayed Discharges

6. Universal Patient Registration

Medical Card Eligibility

Questions (391)

Pat Deering

Question:

391. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when the expert medical review group will report on the medical conditions that should be included for discretionary medical card applications. [36824/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Government decided that, in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General and the Department of Public Expenditure, the Minister for Health would revert to Government with options for providing eligibility for a range of health services on the basis of specific and defined medical conditions. The Government has not specified that a person with a particular medical condition would qualify for a medical card per se. Instead, it will take into consideration the recommendations of specific medical conditions by an expert panel examining the issue.

In support of this work, the Director-General of the Health Service Executive established an Expert Panel to examine and recommend the range of medical conditions that should be considered as a basis of eligibility. The Expert Panel is chaired by Professor Frank Keane, past-president of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and clinical lead of the National Clinical Programme for Surgery. The panel includes a range of 23 clinical experts from primary care, specialist services and therapies. The panel also includes a patient representative to ensure that the views of patients are central to the process. The Expert Panel is to report to the Director General of the HSE, who will then advise the Minister of the outcome of the deliberations of the Expert Panel. The completion of the report is a matter for the Expert Panel and the HSE and I await their report on its completion.

Home Help Service Provision

Questions (392)

Robert Troy

Question:

392. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will allocate adequate home help hours in respect of persons (details supplied) in counties Longford and Westmeath. [36832/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As these are service matters they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Question No. 393 answered with Question No. 346.

Patient Safety Agency Establishment

Questions (394)

Regina Doherty

Question:

394. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Health the status of the patient safety authority; the planned remit of same; when it will be put on a statutory basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36842/14]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The establishment of a Patient Safety Agency is under review in the context of the strategic reform of the health services and the measures that are being taken to strengthen patient safety, including advocacy and related services, within the Health Service Executive.

General Practitioner Services

Questions (395)

Regina Doherty

Question:

395. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the negotiations with the Irish Medical Organisation regarding delivery of free general practitioner care to children aged under six years; and when he expects delivery of same. [36843/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

On 4 June 2014, a Framework Agreement was concluded between the Department of Health, the HSE and the IMO in relation to the draft contract for the provision of services to children under 6 years of age. The Framework Agreement sets out a process for engagement concerning the GMS/GP contract and other publicly funded contracts involving GPs. A number of meetings have already taken place between the parties. The objective is to have universal GP care without fees for children under 6 years in place in the coming months, subject to the conclusion of the present discussions and the completion of a fee-setting process.

Symphysiotomy Reports

Questions (396)

Regina Doherty

Question:

396. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the redress scheme recently announced for survivors of symphysiotomy; the timeframe for its establishment; the process of applications; the anticipated results; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36844/14]

Written answers

Minister for Health

In July this year the Government announced a comprehensive response to the long standing and sensitive issue for around 350 women who have undergone surgical symphysiotomy. The key response is the establishment of an ex gratia payment scheme, which will cost around €34 million. In addition, there is a commitment to the continued provision of medical services, including medical cards for the women. This followed Government’s examination of a report carried out by Professor Oonagh Walsh, on Practice of Symphysiotomy in Ireland, between 1944 and 1984 and an Independent Review of Issues relating to Symphysiotomy by Judge Yvonne Murphy which advised Government, inter alia, on the relative liabilities of insurers, indemnifiers and/or other parties in relation to symphysiotomy and on the merits and costs of proceeding with an ex gratia scheme relative to allowing the court process to proceed.

Judge Murphy outlined the case for a scheme in her report and her recommendations on levels of awards were accepted by Government. Subsequently, I asked Judge Murphy to draw up a detailed draft scheme. I have consulted through the summer with the Judge and have also been speaking to relevant parties about the proposed scheme. Judge Murphy submitted her more detailed proposal to me on 11 September, setting out how the scheme should operate. In this context I met the support groups representing women who have undergone symphysiotomy on 19 September. I wanted to hear from the support groups how they hope the scheme will operate, and to confirm to them that the scheme will be established as quickly as possible.

Key aspects of the proposed scheme include:

- Women who had a surgical symphysiotomy in the State between the years 1940 and 1990 may apply in accordance with, and subject to the terms of the scheme.

- The scheme will be run by an independent Assessor. If women have questions on any aspect of the scheme, the Assessor or secretariat, will be available to assist.

- The scheme will be simple, straightforward and non-adversarial. It will allow women to have legal and other advice available to them in preparing to submit an application. It will result in awards of between €50,000 and €150,000 for the women.

- Women who have had a surgical symphysiotomy and have medical evidence to prove it may accept an award of €50,000 without further assessment. If no medical records are available a medical assessment will be carried out.

- For those who wish to apply for higher awards (€100,000 or €150,000) a medical assessment may be necessary if up to date medical records are not available, or if the Assessor decides this is needed for final determination of the award.

- Women will not waive their rights to take their cases to court as a pre-condition to participating in the scheme. Women may opt out at any stage in application and assessment process, up to the time of accepting their awards. However, on accepting the offer of the award under the Scheme, women will have to agree to discontinue their legal proceedings against any party arising out of their symphysiotomy.

I intend to finalise the details of the scheme shortly and will bring a Memorandum to Government requesting approval to appoint an Assessor for the scheme instead of it being administered by the State Claims Agency and to a small number of other amendments to the Government decision of last July. The details concerning the scheme and its commencement date will be advertised in national and other media, as decided by the Assessor. I hope that when the women see the details of the scheme and the efforts made to ensure it is person-centred, simple and non-adversarial many of them will opt to join the scheme. In agreeing to the ex gratia scheme, the Government has demonstrated its commitment to trying to bring a resolution for the women concerned. The Government has acknowledged the pain and suffering which the procedure caused to many of the women and is aware also of the uphill battle many of them will face in the courts with uncertainty about the outcome of that process.

Hospital Appointment Status

Questions (397)

Robert Troy

Question:

397. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a hospital appointment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford. [36847/14]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The 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.

Medical Aids and Appliances Applications

Questions (398)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

398. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an electric wheelchair in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36850/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As 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.

Medical Card Eligibility

Questions (399)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

399. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the treatment of prize bonds in the over 70s medical card assessment; if they are considered savings in view of the fact they generate no interest; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36851/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The 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.

Primary Care Reimbursement Service Payments

Questions (400)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

400. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the reason the Health Service Executive has not provided a direct reply to Parliamentary Question No. 633 of 24 June 2014; and if he will ensure that the requested information is provided as a matter of urgency. [36852/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As previously advised, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is responsible for the administration of the primary care schemes, therefore, the HSE has been asked to examine the issue raised by the Deputy and to reply to her as a matter of urgency.

Patient Files

Questions (401)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

401. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the reason the Health Service Executive has not provided a direct reply to Parliamentary Question No. 570 of 10 June 2014; and if he will ensure that the requested information is provided. [36853/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

A response to the question raised by Deputy Shortall on 10 June 2014 was issued from Minister White's office on 8 July 2014. The content is copied as follows.

The Data Protection Act 1988 and (Amendment) Act 2003 was passed to deal with privacy issues arising from the increasing amounts of information being kept about individuals by organisations. The 1988 Act was only concerned about the protection of personal data in electronic format. Since the introduction of the (Amendment) Act on the 1 July 2003, Data Protection is now concerned with the protection of personal data of living individuals held in both electronic and manual form.

All information provided to the HSE in support of an application and/or a review of eligibility for a medical card or GP visit card is securely maintained in accordance with Data Protection legislation. Staff have been trained regarding Data Protection legislation and the HSE Data Protection policies, procedures and guidelines, in order to increase staff awareness of the importance of data protection and to provide clear standards for all staff to ensure that the personal information of clients is used appropriately. On each log on to the HSE computer system, a detailed personal declaration is presented to each user setting out the importance of data security. This declaration must be acknowledged and accepted, before the user can progress to use the medical card database.

Access to the all of the components which comprise the medical card system is strictly controlled and monitored at all times. These components include the premises, specific offices, data centre, computer systems and library systems. Processing of phone calls, application cases and other aspects are subject to quality assurance monitoring including data protection concerns. Access to systems are subject to periodic review and auditing procedures. This ensures there is high visibility of the controls which are in place. The systems involved are subject to security review from a data protection perspective on a periodic basis. The key measures outlined above are a part of the set of measures and controls which give assurance from a data protection point of view.

Motorised Transport Grant Eligibility

Questions (402, 403)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

402. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if persons who previously qualified for the motor transport grant prior to its discontinuation will be considered retrospectively for vehicles purchased during the time between its discontinuation and the announcement of the replacement scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36864/14]

Pearse Doherty

Question:

403. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if a replacement for the motorised transport grant has reached finalisation; when it is expected to be open to applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36865/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 402 and 403 together.

Conscious of the reports of the Ombudsman regarding the legal status of the Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Grant Schemes in the context of the Equal Status Acts, the Government decided to close both schemes on 26 February 2013. The Government subsequently decided that the preparatory work required for a new travel subsidy scheme and associated statutory provisions should be progressed by the Minister for Health. Work is ongoing on the policy proposals to be brought to Government for the drafting of primary legislation for a new scheme. Decisions in relation to eligibility criteria have yet to be made in relation to any potential new scheme.

Medical Card Applications

Questions (404)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

404. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in County Donegal is still awaiting a decision for their medical card on a discretionary basis since it was submitted on the 9 May 2014, despite his Department having the requested supporting documentation in its possession since the end of June; if he is satisfied with the length of time it is taking to process this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36866/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The 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.

Hospital Admissions

Questions (405)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

405. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health his views on the implementation of a system, similar to other countries, whereby alcohol-drug related admissions to accident and emergency departments would be treated outside of the general admissions department which would make the hospital environment a less hostile place for other patients; and if he will consider a pilot testing of this during particularly problematic weekend hours. [36878/14]

Written answers

Minister for Health

In relation to the detailed query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.