Written Answers Nos. 146-151
146. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the reason the drug Sandimmune is not available on the long-term illness scheme; if he will acknowledge that this drug is necessary for kidney transplant patients; his plans to have the drug added to the long-term illness list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42434/14]
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.
The conditions covered by the LTI Scheme are as follows: Acute Leukaemia; Mental Handicap; Cerebral Palsy; Mental Illness (in a person under 16); Cystic Fibrosis; Multiple Sclerosis; Diabetes Insipidus; Muscular Dystrophies; Diabetes Mellitus; Parkinsonism; Epilepsy; Phenylketonuria; Haemophilia; Spina Bifida; Hydrocephalus; and conditions arising from the use of Thalidomide.
As kidney transplant patients are not covered by the LTI scheme, the drug sandimmune which is required by those patients is not provided for under the 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.
147. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if it is safe for the residents in an area (details supplied) in County Kerry to drink and use their water in view of concerns that there is an unacceptable amount of lead in the water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42439/14]
View answerThe Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government is responsible for policy and legislation in relation to drinking water quality. Since 1 January 2014 Irish Water has statutory responsibility for the provision of safe and secure public drinking water services.
The European Union (Drinking Water) Regulations 2014 requires that where Irish Water or a local authority, having consulted with and subject to the agreement of the Health Service Executive, consider a supply of water intended for human consumption constitutes a potential danger to human health they must ensure that appropriate restrictions are put in place, that consumers are given necessary advice and that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is informed.
The legal limit of lead in drinking water in Europe is 10 micrograms per litre. Irish Water and Kerry County Council have taken samples of drinking water from a number of houses in the estate referred to by the Deputy. Irish Water has written to these householders advising them of the results and also advising that where these results, after flushing, were above the legal limit, safe drinking water from some other source should be used. This advice is particularly important for bottle-fed infants, pregnant women and young children.
Irish Water has indicated to the HSE that it does not have sufficient information to make a decision as to whether the water supply in the estate has lead levels that exceed the permitted limits. The HSE has informed me that Irish Water proposes to undertake further representative sampling to determine the extent of the lead levels across the estate. The HSE has advised Irish Water that these tests should be carried out as soon as possible.
I am informed that Irish Water has consulted the HSE in relation to the results from samples taken to date in this estate. In accordance with the EPA/HSE Joint Position Paper on Lead, the HSE has advised Irish Water, as follows:-
- As running the water from the cold tap in the kitchen sink (i.e. flushing) before using it for drinking or cooking may lower the level of lead, Irish Water should advise on appropriate flushing, testing and retesting to see if this works.
- If after flushing and retesting the level of lead stays above 10 micrograms per litre, consumers should be advised to use safe drinking water from some other source. This is particularly important for bottle-fed infants, young children and pregnant women.
148. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the success of Kaiser Permanente in California; if his Department is looking to replicate aspects of that business in the health service here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42443/14]
View answerThe Government is implementing a major reform programme in the health sector including significant structural reforms. It has been delivering on the structural reform agenda for the health service in line with the course set out in “Future Health: A Strategic Framework for Reform of the Health Service 2012 – 2014” as well as a number of other policy papers which focused on specific areas of the health service including acute hospitals and primary care. In developing these plans, my Department and the HSE examined approaches that have been successful in other jurisdictions, such as Kaiser Permanente, in order to identify initiatives that could work in an Irish setting. This research has helped to inform the changes that are now being implemented. Our reform proposals place an emphasis on the need for integrated care, frequently cited as one of the key benefits of the Kaiser model.
I am happy to report that significant progress has been made in relation to this reform programme. For instance, the HSE recently launched the "Community Healthcare Organisations Report ". This Report sets out plans for a comprehensive reorganisation of health services outside the acute hospital system. It will involve the present 17 Integrated Service Areas being replaced by nine Community Healthcare Organisations, which will be part of the HSE. The primary focus is to provide the maximum proportion of care to people in the communities where they live and to achieve joined-up, integrated services. The new structures will have a strong focus on building good linkages with the acute hospital system so that people’s care pathways are appropriately planned and their needs met in the right setting.
A new structure is also being implemented for acute hospitals through the establishment of seven Hospital Groups. Under the new model, Hospital Groups will be given greater leadership roles and more operational freedom. They in turn will be responsible for the delivery of hospital services within a performance and accountability framework relating to specific legal, corporate, clinical, financial governance and performance requirements. This new model combines the advantages of devolved decision making, such as flexibility, innovation, and local responsiveness. These seven Hospital Groups will see the retention of a commitment to centrally prescribed national objectives and standards, offering enormous potential to enhance the quality and safety of the care provided in a more cost effective manner.
In addition to implementing the above, my Department is also currently developing a detailed policy in relation to the new health structures that will replace the HSE and meet our key objectives of greatly improving the delivery of services for patients and the introduction of Universal Health Insurance.
Collectively, these new structures represent a comprehensive reorganisation of the health services, with a focus on providing high-quality, cost-effective and integrated care across the system as a whole.
149. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an organisational structure chart for two organisations (details supplied); his views on the various layers of management therein; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42449/14]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
151. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health if there is a list of applicants for positions on boards of State bodies in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42463/14]
View answerIn line with Government Decision S180/20/10/14234 of 2011, relating to the advertising for expressions of interest in vacancies on State Boards, my Department currently advertises for board vacancies as they arise, where I, as Minister for Health, have nominating rights. Boards need a broad range of competencies in order to function effectively. My Department has developed a protocol for the filling of vacancies on boards, which involves the advertising of posts through the Public Appointments Service (PAS), taking account of the specific competencies and skills required in each case, and this has been circulated to Department officials who are responsible for the governance of boards. To date my Department has posted over 30 notices for expressions of interest to State Boards on its website or through PAS.
My Department does not hold a list of applicants for positions on boards under its aegis. Advertising of board vacancies through PAS will continue as a way of ensuring the best mix of skills and experience from both public and private sectors is available to our Boards.
