Written Answers Nos. 202-211
202. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his views on reports that patients suffering from an acute psychiatric illness have had to wait on trolleys for a number of days in the overcrowded emergency department of Beaumont Hospital in Dublin 9; the immediate action that is being taken to ensure that this situation does not happen again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26510/15]
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 with 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
203. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the reason there is no out-of-hours assessment unit in the Ashlin Centre at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin 9; his views on the fact that as a result of this, psychiatric patients have to be treated in the emergency department; the steps that are being taken to ensure that an out-of-hours unit will be opened as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26511/15]
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 with 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
204. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a reassessment of a medical card on medical grounds in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26512/15]
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.
205. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive is to meet the manufacturers of trastuzumab emtansine in relation to making it available, given that this medication has been associated with increased life expectancy; if the executive has declined to attend meetings with the manufacturers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26523/15]
View answerThe 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. Prior to reimbursing any medicine, the HSE considers a range of statutory criteria including clinical need, cost-effectiveness and the resources available to the HSE.
The decisions on which medicines are reimbursed by the taxpayer are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds by the HSE on the advice of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics. They are not political or ministerial decisions.
The HSE received an application for the inclusion of trastuzumab emtansine (brand name Kadcyla) 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 National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics conducted a pharmacoeconomic evaluation of trastuzumab emtansine and concluded that it was unable to recommend reimbursement of the product at the price submitted by the manufacturer, Roche Products (Ireland) Ltd.
The Report by the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics is an important input to assist the HSE in its decision making process and informs further discussions between the HSE and the supplier. No further comment can be provided at this time as the assessment process is ongoing.
206. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will, together with the Health Service Executive, include ovarian cancer blood test cancer antigen 125 in a free screening programme, given that early screening is vital to prolonging and saving lives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26527/15]
View answerThe test for CA125, which is available in Ireland, looks at levels of the protein in the blood as part of the assessment of women who have symptoms which are suggestive of ovarian cancer.
Levels of CA125 can be significantly raised in women who have ovarian cancer however, raised levels can also exist in women who have a benign condition. Furthermore, the level can be normal in women who do have ovarian cancer. Therefore, it is unsuitable for use as a population screening test, as it could lead to over-diagnosis and unnecessary investigations or false reassurances.
The search for an effective screening method for ovarian cancer is ongoing internationally and includes the investigation of combinations of CA125 blood testing and ultrasound scans.
Women of any age who have concerns about ovarian cancer should seek the advice of their GP.
207. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the reason the night of 24 June 2015 was the third time in six weeks at the Navan North East Doctor on Call centre that there was no available doctor to cover the shift. [26537/15]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy. 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.
208. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, the numbers of new applications for home help that were approved in each of the past six months in the south Lee area and the north Lee area in County Cork. [26538/15]
View answer209. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, the numbers of new applications for home help that were approved but not allocated due to financial constraints in each of the past six months in the south Lee area and the north Lee area in County Cork. [26539/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 208 and 209 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.
210. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Carlow will be seen by the consultant in Waterford Regional Hospital, given that the person has been waiting five years for an appointment. [26551/15]
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.
