Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:137. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) in County Dublin will be given the necessary rehabilitation to enable a return home. [43444/14]
View answerHealth Services
Questions (137)
Written answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. 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.
Midwifery Services
Questions (138)
Billy Kelleher
Question:138. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the case of a person (details supplied) and the ongoing investigation into this case; if he will provide a timeframe in view of the time sensitivity of this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43446/14]
View answerWritten answers
As this matter remains sub judice I remain restricted in the response I can give to the Deputy on the questions raised.
However, in response to the first part of the Deputy's. I have been informed by the HSE that there were 13 mothers-to-be contracted for Home Births by Ms Canning at the time of the suspension. To date, 5 mothers have delivered of their babies. The remaining 8 mothers-to-be have arranged alternative care with the assistance of the designated midwifery officers. Any other mothers wishing to apply for Home Birth must contact the designated midwifery officers for assessment.
The most up to date information from the HSE is that there are 2 investigations ongoing into this case. I understand that there is an Internal System Analysis investigation that is expected to report within approximately 4 months. There is also an Independent Supervisory Investigation to be carried out in parallel , in order to expedite the overall process. The HSE is not yet in a position to provide a timeline for this second investigation.
HSE Funding
Questions (139)
Finian McGrath
Question:139. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will support the Central Remedial Clinic in Clontarf, Dublin 3; the position regarding funding in 2014-2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43453/14]
View answerWritten answers
The Central Remedial Clinic (CRC) provides a range of services for people with a disability on behalf of the Health Service Executive (HSE) under Section 38 of the Health Act 2004. Services are provided through a number of Service Level Agreements which are reviewed on an annual basis. The CRC received funding of over €15.8 million in 2013.
The HSE is currently in the process of preparing its 2015 National Service Plan, including its disability services programme for children and adults with disabilities. It is not expected that the HSE will be in a position to comment on the funding of individual disability organisations, including the CRC, until this process has been completed.
The Government is fully committed to ensuring the on-going delivery of vital services and supports to people with disabilities within available resources.
Medicinal Products Licensing
Questions (140)
Sandra McLellan
Question:140. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health the reason vitamin B17 is not available to purchase here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43456/14]
View answerWritten answers
Under Irish and European medicines legislation any product which claims to treat a medical condition must be authorised as a medicine by the European Medicines Agency or the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) before being placed on the market.
Vitamin B17, or Amygdalin, is not authorised as a medicine for sale or supply on the Irish market. The supply of this product by mail order, including through online sources, is also prohibited.
Claims that Amygdalin has beneficial effects for the treatment of cancer are not supported by the clinical data and there is a considerable risk of serious adverse effects. Patients are therefore strongly advised not to attempt to source this product via the internet and should discuss questions regarding treatment with their doctor.