Written Answers Nos. 504 - 521
504. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Health since the commencement of the human papilloma virus vaccine, the number of young persons who have had a reaction to it; the type of reaction, by category; the percentage of the young persons vaccinated who had a reaction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15573/15]
View answerGardasil® has been authorised for use across the European Union (EU) since 2006 and has been in widespread use in a number of member states since then. In addition to the European approval, it is currently authorised for use in 133 countries worldwide, including approvals by both the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Therapeutic Good Administration in Australia. It is estimated that over 165 million doses of Gardasil® have been distributed worldwide since it was first authorised (figures to end of May 2014). Figures on national distribution and usage are available from the HSE.
Since first authorisation the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) has continuously monitored the safety of Gardasil®. This monitoring includes review of global safety data in addition to national experience with use of the vaccine.
Up to 20 April 2015, the HPRA has received 849 reports of adverse reactions associated with Gardasil®. The vast majority of these reports relate to adolescents, with a smaller number occurring in adults >18 years of age, which is reflective of Gardasil® usage as part of the national HPV immunisation programme. No new risks have been identified in association with national use of Gardasil®. The national monitoring experience has been consistent with the expected pattern of adverse effects for the vaccine, as outlined in the product information, including injection site reactions, malaise, headache, myalgia, fatigue, gastrointestinal symptoms and skin reactions (including urticaria). Vaccination related events such as dizziness and syncope were among the most commonly reported reactions. Hypersensitivity reactions have also been reported including a small number of anaphylactic-type reactions in patients, who have recovered following intervention and treatment. It is estimated that over 590,000 doses of Gardasil® have been distributed in Ireland to date since the commencement of the HPV schools immunisation programme.
505. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who have been screened at Roscommon hospital under the national cancer control programme since it commenced in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15577/15]
View answerThe Deputy's question relates to service delivery matters and accordingly I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him.
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.
506. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Health the reason a full medical card was replaced with a general practitioner visit card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; if the person is entitled to a long-term illness card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15580/15]
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.
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.
508. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health the cost of the report commissioned by the Health Service Executive in 2006 in relation to maternity services; the reason it was never published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15592/15]
View answerAs 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 my officials will follow the matter up.
509. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if a date for a cataract operation will be provided in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15593/15]
View answerUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
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, 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 my officials will follow the matter up.
510. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of Health Service Executive plans for the future of a hospital (details supplied) in County Donegal; if the executive is examining options for expansion of capacity at the hospital; if the executive has assessed the capacity of the site to facilitate expansion of facilities and beds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15597/15]
View answer511. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of Health Service Executive plans for the future of a hospital (details supplied) in County Donegal; if the executive is examining options for expansion of capacity at the hospital; if the executive has assessed the capacity of the site to facilitate expansion of facilities and beds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15598/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 510 and 511 together.
As these are service matters they have 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.
512. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update in relation to progress on a community nursing unit to replace St. Patrick's Hospital in Waterford city; if planning has been submitted; if so, when a decision is due; if the tendering process has begun; when same is expected to conclude; if he will provide a time frame for the building of this much needed and long promised facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15600/15]
View answerThe HSE has identified the St Patrick's Hospital in Waterford City as a priority location for a new Community Nursing Home unit. The design team has been appointed.
In advance of the award of planning permission it is not possible, at this point in time to be definitive about a time frame for completion once work begins, other than to say that it is possible that the construction of a CNU could be completed within twelve months of appointing a contractor. All Government Departments and agencies, including the HSE, that are funded from the Exchequer must comply with EU Directives and national guidelines on procurement and in this regard the HSE's selection of the necessary works and services will be in accordance with this process.
The following parts of your question have been referred to the HSE for direct reply:
- Date for submission of planning application;
- Estimated date for a decision on the award of planning permission, in the event it is not appealed; and
- Estimated date for beginning the tendering process and its projected conclusion.
If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office who will follow up.
513. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied that St. Patrick's unit in Waterford city will meet the Health Information and Quality Authority environmental standards for re-registration of public residential care services in July 2015; the measures that are being taken to ensure that St. Patrick's unit will comply with these guidelines in view of the fact that at this stage the proposed community nursing unit is only at the planning stage. [15601/15]
View answer514. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Health regarding St. Patrick's unit in Waterford city, if he will provide, in detail, the contingency plans that are in place should the current unit fail to meet the new Health Information and Quality Authority environmental standards; if he will provide a projection as to the number of patients and clients who could be affected; the arrangements that are being made with regard to alternative accommodation and beds, should this be required; if he will provide figures of the alternative venues that are under consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15602/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 513 and 514 together.
As these are service matters they have 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.
515. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a hospital appointment in University Hospital Waterford in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15604/15]
View answerUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
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 should take the matter up with the consultant and the hospital involved. In relation to the specific case raised, 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.
516. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the reason a dependent child (details supplied) in County Donegal was refused a medical card in view of the fact that the child's parents qualified for full medical cards once they submitted evidence of travel costs for work purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15615/15]
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.
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.
518. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will respond to concerns (details supplied) regarding the resignation of a surgeon from the kidney and pancreas transplantation team in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9; if his and-or the Health Service Executive's attention was drawn to the surgeon's concerns prior to the surgeon's resignation; and the action he is taking to ensure that a full team of surgeons is in place at the kidney and pancreas transplantation unit as soon as possible. [15625/15]
View answerAt the end of 2014, two consultant transplant surgeons left the renal and pancreas transplant programme at Beaumont Hospital, one on retirement and the second on leave of absence for professional development purposes. Given the limited number of surgeons who specialise in transplantation, any vacancies pose a challenge. While every effort is being made to fill the vacancies, remaining surgeons are available to provide transplant services.
Officials from the HSE and my Department are actively working with senior management and the transplant surgeons at Beaumont Hospital on the operational and strategic development of renal transplant services.
Along with an active recruitment process, Beaumont Hospital is collaborating with other transplant services in relation to the development of an intra-abdominal organ retrieval service, as well as a combined approach to kidney/pancreas transplants.
519. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health his views on the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the future of the Rosalie unit in Castlerea, County Roscommon; his views that the future of this unit must be clarified immediately in order to bring an end to the stress, worry and apprehension being endured by residents and their families as a result of the current uncertainty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15626/15]
View answerAs this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If you have not received a reply within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
520. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the number of vacancies in the Health Service Executive community care areas, by position and job description, in County Louth and east County Meath; the length of time the vacancies remain unfilled; the frequency at which they have been advertised and interviews held; if contract staff have been employed as a result of these vacancies; the cost of same for each such position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15628/15]
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.
521. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health the number of fair deal scheme high care dementia bed places in the greater Cork city region; the present availability of such beds; his plans to increase the number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15635/15]
View answerAs 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.
