Brian Walsh
Question:352. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Health the number of persons awaiting orthodontic treatment in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48826/14]
View answerOrthodontic Service Waiting Lists
Questions (352, 353)
Brian Walsh
Question:353. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Health the measures he is taking to address the large waiting lists for orthodontic treatment in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48827/14]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 352 and 353 together.
The HSE provides orthodontic treatment to those who have been assessed and referred for treatment before their 16th birthday. It should be noted that the nature of orthodontic care means that immediate treatment is not always desirable. It is estimated that in up to 5% of cases it is necessary to wait for further growth to take place before treatment commences. Patients are assessed by the HSE Orthodontic Service under the modified Index of Treatment Need. Patients with the greatest level of need are provided with treatment by the HSE.
Information on waiting times is collated by the HSE by region and for the intervals as shown in the table. The waiting times for orthodontic treatment in the Western region at the end of Quarter 3 2014 are as follows:
|
Waiting time from assessment to commencement of treatment |
1 - 6 months |
7 - 12 months |
13 - 24 months |
25-36 months |
37-48 months |
Over 48 months |
TOTAL |
|
HSE West |
1,206 |
1,218 |
1,443 |
1,153 |
124 |
48 |
5,192 |
In addition to the services provided by HSE staff, orthodontic treatment for certain categories of misalignment will be provided by a panel of independent practitioners under contract to the HSE over the next three years. A national procurement process is currently underway and is due to be ready for commencement in January 2015. This initiative will especially focus on those waiting for 4 years or longer. It is expected that this initiative will have a positive impact on waiting times.
I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly on the specific issues you have raised on orthodontic treatment in County Galway. 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.
Diabetes Strategy
Questions (354)
Brian Walsh
Question:354. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce additional measures at University Hospital Galway to improve the availability of insulin pump treatment for diabetic paediatric patients. [48828/14]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up with them.
Hospital Transfers
Questions (355, 356)
Brian Walsh
Question:355. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Health the cost nationally of using private transport to transport hospital patients to and from Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48829/14]
View answerBrian Walsh
Question:356. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Health the cost of using private transport to transport hospital patients from University Hospital Galway to and from Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48830/14]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 355 and 356 together.
As these are service matters, 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 my officials will follow the matter up.
Medical Card Applications
Questions (357)
Joe Carey
Question:357. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health when a decision on a medical card application will be reached in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48834/14]
View answerWritten answers
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.
If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.
Nursing Homes Support Scheme Applications
Questions (358)
Arthur Spring
Question:358. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the fair deal scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48837/14]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply. 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.
Medical Card Drugs
Questions (359)
Terence Flanagan
Question:359. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if a drug (details supplied) will be made available under the medical card scheme and long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48838/14]
View answerWritten answers
The decisions on which medicines are reimbursed by the taxpayer, are not political or ministerial decisions. These are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds by the Health Service Executive (HSE) on the advice of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE).
The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicinal products under the community drug schemes in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. The HSE received an application for the inclusion of Fampridine in the GMS and community drugs schemes. The application was considered in line with the procedures and timescales agreed by the Department of Health and the HSE with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association for the assessment of new medicines.
In accordance with these procedures, the NCPE conducted a pharmacoeconomic evaluation of Fampridine and concluded that, as the manufacturer was unable to demonstrate sufficient effectiveness and a fair price for Fampridine in the Irish healthcare setting, it was unable to recommend the reimbursement of the product. The report is available on the NCPE's website (www.ncpe.ie).
On foot of this, the HSE decided that it was not in a position to add the drug to the List of Reimbursable Items supplied under the GMS and other community drug schemes. It is open to the supplier, at any time, to submit a new application to the HSE for the inclusion of Fampridine on the community drugs schemes incorporating new evidence which demonstrates the cost-effectiveness of the drug, by offering a reduced price or both.
A revised application was received by the HSE on 25th July 2014. The HSE's Corporate Pharmaceutical Unit has since been engaging with the company seeking improved commercial offering. These engagements have been completed and the HSE is now considering the outcome of those commercial engagements. Fampridine will be assessed along with a range of other applications for reimbursement of medicines for multiple sclerosis and other diseases.
I would like to assure the Deputy that the Department, and the HSE, fully understand the concerns of patients regarding the availability of this drug. While I appreciate that some may take the view that the taxpayer should reimburse every licensed medicine for whatever the price the drug company demands, I hope the Deputy will appreciate that the better interests of the health service require that we reimburse only the most effective medicines and only at a fair price.
Hospital Appointment Status
Questions (360)
Arthur Spring
Question:360. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) in County Kerry is on a waiting list for an appointment with an ophthalmologist in Kerry General Hospital; and if a date for an appointment will be provided in the near future considering the patient's medical evidence. [48841/14]
View answerWritten answers
The scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she would be in the best position to take the matter up with the consultant and hospital involved. In relation to the specific case raised, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. 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.
Medical Card Drugs
Questions (361)
Finian McGrath
Question:361. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will support a matter regarding coeliacs and a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48856/14]
View answerWritten answers
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicinal products under the community drug schemes in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
In the current financial environment, the HSE faces a continuing challenge to deliver services in a way that will minimise any adverse impact on patients and continue to protect, as far as possible, the most vulnerable citizens. Unfortunately, as a result it has become necessary for the HSE to suspend certain products from its list of items reimbursable under the GMS and other community drug schemes. This includes gluten-free products.
Gluten-free products have become more widely available in supermarkets in recent years and tend to be significantly cheaper than products sold through community pharmacies.
Medical Aids and Appliances Provision
Questions (362)
Dan Neville
Question:362. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an application for special boots in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48857/14]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for attention and direct reply. 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.
An Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann
Questions (363)
Michael Moynihan
Question:363. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 672 of 8 July 2014, if there were regulations made in relation to quorum requirements for fitness to practise hearings by An Bord Altranais; if this means that any fitness to practise inquiries that took place were operating outside of any legal framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48859/14]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to advise that the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) is a statutory agency and as such I have referred the question on the Deputy's behalf to the NMBI for direct reply.
If you have not received a reply from the NMBI within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
Nursing Homes Support Scheme Applications
Questions (364)
Dan Neville
Question:364. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an application for the fair deal scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48868/14]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply. 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.
Health Services Data
Questions (365)
Billy Kelleher
Question:365. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of requests that the Health Service Executive made in 2013 and to date in 2014, under section 8 of the Health (Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Act 2013, to the Department of Social Protection, to provide it with personal data where it is required for assessing or reviewing the eligibility of persons for services provided under the Health Acts 1970 to 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48890/14]
View answerWritten answers
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. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.
Health Services Data
Questions (366)
Billy Kelleher
Question:366. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of requests that the Health Service Executive made in 2013 and to date in 2014, under section 8 of the Health (Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Act 2013, to the Revenue Commissioners to provide it with personal data where it is required for assessing or reviewing the eligibility of persons for services provided under the Health Acts 1970 to 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48891/14]
View answerWritten answers
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. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.
Health Services Data
Questions (367)
Billy Kelleher
Question:367. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of requests that the Health Service Executive received in 2013 and to date in 2014, under section 8 of the Health (Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Act 2013, from the Minister for Social Protection to provide personal data where the data is required to calculate the means of a person in order to assess or review entitlements to benefits and services provided under the Social Welfare Acts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48892/14]
View answerWritten answers
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. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.
Health Services Data
Questions (368)
Billy Kelleher
Question:368. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of requests that the Health Service Executive received in 2013 and to date in 2014, under section 8 of the Health (Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Act 2013, from the Revenue Commissioners to provide them with personal data when the Revenue Commissioners require the personal data for the purpose of assessing or collecting any tax, duty or other charge payable to the Revenue Commissioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48893/14]
View answerWritten answers
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.
If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.
Nursing Education
Questions (369)
Billy Kelleher
Question:369. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of applications received for the graduate nurse-midwifery programme; the number of places offered; the number of places accepted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48894/14]
View answerWritten answers
I 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.
Hospital Trusts
Questions (370)
Billy Kelleher
Question:370. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when he will publish the international evidence review on independent hospital trusts undertaken by the Health Research Board at his Department's request; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48895/14]
View answerWritten answers
A literature review of Independent Hospital Trusts was requested from the Health Research Board by my Department in 2012, to inform policy development. It is regarded as best practice that academic articles and reviews undergo peer review prior to publication. The Health Research Board advised my Department that the peer review undertaken identified a requirement for some further work on this literature review. This work has recently been completed and submitted to my Department for consideration. The review will be published in due course.
Primary Care Centre Provision
Questions (371)
Billy Kelleher
Question:371. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form, the primary care centre projects announced on 17 July 2012; the current status of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48896/14]
View answerWritten answers
The development of primary care is central to the Government's objective to deliver a high quality, integrated and cost effective health care system. Supporting infrastructure, procured through a combination of public and private investment, will facilitate the delivery of multi-disciplinary primary health care. Considerable progress has been made in progressing the primary care centre PPP project. Tender documentation has been issued to the pre-selected bidders and tenders are due to be returned by February 2015. These PPP primary care centres are expected to be delivered by early 2017.
As regards the remaining locations, the mechanism and timescale for delivery of primary care infrastructure is dependent on a number of factors. Regardless of the delivery mechanism, all potential primary care infrastructure is subject to suitable locations being offered / provided / available, to successful planning processes and GP commitment to sharing accommodation and delivering health care services with HSE staff. In addition the operational lease mechanism is subject to market pressures such as the developers' access to sufficient financing. Delivery of primary care infrastructure is a dynamic process, constantly evolving to take account of changing circumstances including the feasibility of implementation.
The following spreadsheet provides some information on 19 locations. Your question has been referred to the HSE to provide a status update on the remaining locations. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up on the matter.
Primary Care Centre locations announced in July 2012
|
Count |
HSE Region |
County |
Location |
Status |
|
1 |
DML |
Kildare |
Kilcock |
PPP |
|
2 |
DML |
Dublin |
Crumlin / Drimnagh |
within planning process |
|
3 |
DML |
Dublin |
Knocklyon / Rathfarnham |
within planning process |
|
4 |
DML |
Dublin |
Rowlagh / north Clondalkin |
Direct/own-build |
|
5 |
DNE |
Dublin |
Coolock / Darndale |
PPP |
|
6 |
DNE |
Dublin |
Summerhill, north inner city Dublin |
PPP |
|
7 |
DNE |
Meath |
Kells |
Operational lease |
|
8 |
South |
Carlow |
Tullow / Rathvilly / Hacketstown |
Direct/own-build |
|
9 |
South |
Wexford |
Wexford Town |
PPP |
|
10 |
South |
Waterford |
Dungarvan |
PPP |
|
11 |
South |
Waterford |
Waterford City |
PPP |
|
12 |
South |
Tipperary |
Carrick-on-Suir |
PPP |
|
13 |
West |
Limerick |
Limerick City (Ballinacurra / Weston) |
PPP |
|
14 |
West |
Galway |
Tuam |
PPP |
|
15 |
West |
Roscommon |
Boyle |
PPP |
|
16 |
West |
Mayo |
Westport |
PPP |
|
17 |
West |
Mayo |
Claremorris |
PPP |
|
18 |
West |
Sligo |
Ballymote |
PPP |
|
19 |
West |
Donegal |
Dungloe |
Direct/own-build |
Hospital Bed Data
Questions (372)
Billy Kelleher
Question:372. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of beds and wards in hospitals (details supplied); the number of those beds and wards that are currently closed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48897/14]
View answerWritten answers
Regarding the detailed information sought by the Deputy, as these are service matters, I have asked the HSE to respond to him directly. If he has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days he should contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up with them.
Alcohol Pricing
Questions (373)
Billy Kelleher
Question:373. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the discussions that he has undertaken with the relevant members of Northern Ireland Executive regarding a joint approach to the introduction of minimum prices for alcohol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48898/14]
View answerWritten answers
The Government has approved an extensive package of measures to deal with alcohol misuse to be incorporated in a Public Health (Alcohol) Bill. These measures are based on the recommendations contained in the Steering Group Report on a National Substance Misuse Strategy, 2012 and include provisions for the introduction of minimum unit pricing for alcohol products. A health impact assessment, in conjunction with Northern Ireland, was commissioned in 2013, from the University of Sheffield, as part of the process of developing a legislative basis for minimum unit pricing. The health impact assessment studied the impact of different minimum prices on a range of areas such as health, crime and likely economic impact, with a view to setting a minimum unit price.
The Minister for Health in Northern Ireland has announced plans to introduce minimum unit pricing for alcohol. It is intended that a policy paper will be developed for consultation over the next few months and will be brought to the Executive for agreement. This consultation will shape and inform future decisions on any legislation needed to bring minimum unit pricing into law. My Department is in contact with our counterparts in the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety on the matter.
Asthma Incidence
Questions (374)
Billy Kelleher
Question:374. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if the national asthma programme will be included in the 2015 Health Service Executive Service Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48899/14]
View answerWritten answers
The National Service Plan 2015 commits the Health Service Executive to developing five Integrated Care Programmes (ICPs) that will provide the HSE with the capability of designing and implementing clinically-led, multi-disciplinary integrated models of care, including chronic disease prevention and management. The ICP project teams will work across services, developing and implementing key priority work streams within each programme.
The Service Plan has identified the implementation of actions aimed at improving Traveller and Roma health, including the roll out of the Asthma Education project and enhancing access to primary health services as a key priority for 2015. The Service Plan also commits the HSE’s Primary Care and Clinical Programmes Divisions to work together on the roll out of the chronic disease programmes by the appointment of 12 Nurse Specialists and/or Allied Health Professionals and the implementation of Integration and Self Care Projects in Respiratory Disease and Heart Failure.
The National Clinical Programme for Asthma (NCPA) has developed a National Model of Care for Asthma which details how physicians, nurses and other health care professionals will work with engaged patients to make the clinical decisions most appropriate to their circumstances and to collaborate with specialist colleagues in providing a safe, seamless patient experience within the health system in Ireland. This has been approved by the HSE and a formal launch is planned for the first quarter of 2015.
The Model of Care identifies phases of implementation and the NCPA is committed to working with the Executive’s operational divisions to implement the Model of Care. Education on the use of available guidelines and training are already underway.
National Children's Hospital Status
Questions (375)
Billy Kelleher
Question:375. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the progress made on the development of the national children's hospital since the selection of the site at St James's Hospital, Dublin 8, in autumn 2012; the timeframe for the next steps in the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48900/14]
View answerWritten answers
The new children's hospital will be co-located with St James's Hospital, and ultimately tri-located with a maternity hospital to be developed on campus. The National Paediatric Hospital Development Board is the statutory body responsible for planning, designing, building and equipping the new children's hospital. Since the decision to locate the hospital at the St. James's campus, the Board's initial focus was on decant planning; site surveys and investigations; design team procurement; and review and update of the Project Brief to take account of the new site. The revised Project Brief also took account of the outcome of a review of the location, model and number of urgent care centres which was undertaken in 2013. Following that review, which involved significant consultation with the relevant stakeholders, it was decided that satellite centres, which will share governance and staffing with the new children's hospital, will be built on the campuses of Tallaght and Connolly Hospitals.
The Project Brief was approved in June 2014 and sets out details of the specialties to be provided and the planned accommodation. This will include 384 in-patient beds, all in single en-suite rooms with in-room parent accommodation, a further 85 daycare beds and 14 theatres, including three hybrid theatres to facilitate access to imaging during surgery, all in the main hospital. There will be 111 outpatient consulting examination rooms across both the main hospital and the two satellite centres, as well as ED and urgent care facilities.
The design team is now working on detailed design development, with the aim of submitting a planning application in June 2015. Subject to planning, work will commence at the main site at St. James's, and at satellite centre sites at Connolly and Tallaght, in January 2016.