Written Answers Nos. 750-766
750. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the number of respite beds available in public care homes in County Louth, at present, and in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30535/15]
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.
751. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the number of respite beds available in public care homes, at present, and in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30536/15]
View answer901. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the number of public nursing home beds that have closed since the start of the Government's term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31040/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 751 and 901 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.
752. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the number of patients currently medically discharged, but without any suitable residential unit to go to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30537/15]
View answerDelayed discharges arise when a patient has been judged clinically to no longer have a requirement for acute hospital care but remains in an acute hospital bed, thus rendering that bed unavailable for patients who need admission. As of 15 September (latest figures available) there are 586 delayed discharges nationally, of which 308 are in the Dublin Academic Teaching Hospitals. Delayed discharges can arise for a number of reasons in addition to difficulties in finding a suitable nursing home place. For example, some patients have yet to apply for the Nursing Homes Support Scheme, and others are in the course of having their applications assessed and validated. Applicants are entitled to choose their own nursing home and while a facility may be available, the applicant may decide to wait for an option closer to home or to their family.
The Government committed an additional €25m in Budget 2015 to address delayed discharges. Of this:
- €10m was allocated to the Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS) to provide additional 300 places;
- €8m was allocated for the provision of 50 additional short-stay beds, in addition to the establishment of Mount Carmel as a short-stay facility for the Dublin area;
- €5m was allocated for an additional 400 Home Care Packages;
- €2m was allocated to strengthen community care teams.
In a further initiative earlier this year, the Government approved additional funding of €74m, of which €44m was allocated to the NHSS to provide an additional 1,600 places. €30m was used to provide additional transitional care beds (temporary contract beds) through June and additional community, convalescence and district hospital beds on a permanent basis.
The waiting time for approved applicants for the Nursing Homes Support Scheme has been reduced from a previous high of 17 weeks to 2 - 4 weeks. It is intended to maintain this at a maximum of 4 weeks.
753. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health if he will include ovarian cancer blood test, cancer antigen 125, in a free screening programme, as early screening is vital to prolonging and saving lives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30549/15]
View answerLevels of Cancer Antigen 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, Cancer Antigen 125 (CA125) is unsuitable for use as a population screening test as it could lead to over-diagnosis and unnecessary investigations, as well as to false reassurances.
The search for an effective screening method for ovarian cancer is ongoing internationally and this includes the investigation of combinations of CA125 blood testing and ultrasound scans.
754. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the human papilloma virus vaccination programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30550/15]
View answerThe Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine protects against two high risk types of HPV that cause 73% of all cervical cancers. Trials of the vaccines involved found that they provide nearly 100% protection against cervical infections with HPV types 16 and 18 and the cervical cell changes that these persistent infections can cause.
The HPV programme is a long-term investment that will protect girls from developing cervical cancer in adulthood. It is too early in the process to have statistics on the long-term impacts.
755. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the drug T-DMI, trastuzumab emtansine, and the claims that it will prolong cancer patient lives by six months, and reduces toxic side effects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30553/15]
View answer782. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health when the cancer treatment drug Kadcyla will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30670/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 755 and 782 together.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on the pricing and reimbursement of medicinal products under the GMS and community drugs schemes in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
I am happy to inform you that the HSE has decided to reimburse the drug Trastuzumab Emtansine (Kadcyla®). This drug is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with HER2-positive, unresectable locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer who previously received trastuzumab and a taxane, separately or in combination. Patients should have either:
(1) received prior therapy for locally advanced or metastatic disease, or
(2) developed disease recurrence during or within six months of completing adjuvant therapy.
Kadcyla® was added to the National Cancer Control Programme Oncology Drug Management System on 1 August 2015.
756. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the current capacity of nursing training colleges here, by each individual setting; in view of the need for more Irish-trained nurses and midwives in the health system, if it is intended to extend capacity, and if so, by number and location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30559/15]
View answerThe Review of Undergraduate Nursing and Midwifery Degree Programmes (October 2012) recommended that “in order to maintain stability within the health and higher education systems it is recommended that the current number of undergraduate student nurses and midwives (1570) continue to be commissioned by the Department of Health until the economic and service reform agenda becomes clearer".
The current number of undergraduate student nurses and midwives remains at 1,570. As requested, the breakdown of the current capacity for the nursing training colleges is set out in the Table below:
|
Higher Educational Institute |
Course |
Places |
|
Athlone IT |
General |
35 |
|
Psychiatric |
15 |
|
|
Dublin City University |
Children’s and General |
30 |
|
General |
87 |
|
|
Intellectual Disability |
40 |
|
|
Psychiatric |
60 |
|
|
Dundalk IT |
General |
40 |
|
Intellectual Disability |
20 |
|
|
Midwifery |
20 |
|
|
Psychiatric |
20 |
|
|
Galway-Mayo IT |
General |
25 |
|
Psychiatric |
15 |
|
|
IT Tralee |
General |
50 |
|
Psychiatric |
15 |
|
|
Letterkenny IT |
General |
25 |
|
Intellectual Disability |
15 |
|
|
Psychiatric |
20 |
|
|
NUI Galway |
General |
60 |
|
Midwifery |
20 |
|
|
Psychiatric |
15 |
|
|
St Angela’s College, Sligo |
General |
30 |
|
Intellectual Disability |
15 |
|
|
Trinity College Dublin |
Children’s and General |
20 |
|
General |
139 |
|
|
Intellectual Disability |
30 |
|
|
Midwifery |
40 |
|
|
Psychiatric |
45 |
|
|
University College Cork (UCC) |
General and Children’s |
20 |
|
General |
110 |
|
|
Intellectual Disability |
20 |
|
|
Midwifery |
20 |
|
|
Psychiatric |
20 |
|
|
University College Dublin (UCD) |
General and Children’s |
30 |
|
General |
164 |
|
|
Midwifery |
20 |
|
|
Psychiatric |
15 |
|
|
University of Limerick (UL) |
General |
50 |
|
Intellectual Disability |
20 |
|
|
Midwifery |
20 |
|
|
Psychiatric |
20 |
|
|
Waterford IT |
General |
45 |
|
Intellectual Disability |
20 |
|
|
Psychiatric |
30 |
|
|
Total |
1,570 |
757. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the contact and involvement the Health Products Regulatory Authority has with each medicinal governing body in the 11 European Union countries from which the drug roaccutane has been withdrawn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30562/15]
View answer758. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if the Health Products Regulatory Authority had any correspondence with the Food and Drug Administration over the safety, or otherwise, of roaccutane, since 1983; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30563/15]
View answer765. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the type of drugs that a pharmaceutical company (details supplied) is the world's largest manufacturer of; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30593/15]
View answer768. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he and the Health Products Regulatory Authority are aware of the international lawsuits involving roaccutane; the number there are; the reason these are happening; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30607/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 757, 758, 765 and 768 together.
The Health Products Regulatory Authority’s (HPRA) regulatory role (and that of other medicines agencies) involves the technical assessment of safety data from various sources of post-marketing experience, including further studies, literature reviews, and evaluation of adverse reaction data.
The HPRA liaises on a continuous basis with all EU medicines regulatory authorities including regular, monthly meetings of a number of scientific committees co-ordinated by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
One of these committees, the Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) is primarily responsible for risk management of the use of medicinal products including the assessment of the risk of adverse reactions. The PRAC also issues recommendations for co-ordinated regulatory action across the EU and liaises with the other scientific committees to support implementation. The HPRA has a representative on PRAC as have all other EU member states.
Roaccutane® is the brand name for the medicinal substance isotretinoin which is authorised for use in the treatment of severe forms of acne. Licences to market Roaccutane® in some Member States have been withdrawn by the marketing authorisation holder for commercial reasons. However, authorisations for other isotretinoin-containing medicines remain in place, with products continuing to be marketed in EU Member States. There have been no withdrawals of marketing authorisations for safety reasons.
The HPRA is not aware of any correspondence with the Food and Drug Administration in the USA regarding Roaccutane.
While the HPRA is aware of media coverage regarding international lawsuits, it is not privy to the details of these, with the exception of information which is publically available.
Requests for information on types and volumes of medicines manufactured by the pharmaceutical company referred to by the Deputy should be addressed directly to the pharmaceutical company concerned.
If the Deputy requires any additional information relating to Roaccutane® I would be happy to facilitate a meeting between the Deputy and the HPRA to discuss these issues further.
759. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the action that the Health Service Executive is taking to reduce the waiting lists in Health Service Executive-run hospitals in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30570/15]
View answerImproving waiting lists for scheduled care is a priority for Government. In January, taking into account current pressures on acute hospital services, I put in place a maximum permissible waiting times for inpatient and day case treatment and outpatient appointments of 18 months by 30 June and 15 months by year end.
In June, the HSE reported a performance against the 18 month maxima of 99.6% for IP/DC and 92% for OPD. In order to maintain progress and to make further improvements to achieve a 15 month maxima by end December, the HSE has directed that hospitals which breach the 18 month maximum waiting time in August are to be fined. The fines will be calculated on the basis of the Activity Based Funding cost of each procedure and are being imposed from 1 September.
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.
760. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) in County Cork with attention deficit disorder will be provided a medication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30574/15]
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, therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to you
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.
761. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the number currently availing of a pilot scheme in which participants receive buprenorphine as opposed to methadone; the comparative cost of bought treatments; the comparative risk profile of both medications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30578/15]
View answerI am advised by the Health Service Executive that at the end of July 2015 there were 77 people in receipt of buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) for opioid dependence. Suboxone is being provided to this cohort under an initial feasibility study to evaluate the use of Suboxone in Ireland. I have asked the HSE to reply to the Deputy directly in relation to the comparative costs and risk profiles of both methadone and Suboxone.
If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days he should contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
762. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; when the person can expect an appointment with the consultant orthopaedic surgeon in the Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore, County Offaly. [30586/15]
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.
763. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and when the person can expect an appointment for a magnetic resonance imaging, MRI, scan at the Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore, County Offaly. [30589/15]
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.
764. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the case of a child (details supplied) in County Offaly; and when the child can expect an appointment with a consultant paediatrician at Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin, Dublin 12. [30590/15]
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.
766. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding vaccinations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30597/15]
View answerIn Ireland the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) which comprises experts in a number of specialties including infectious diseases, paediatrics, public health make recommendation on vaccination policy in Ireland. Their recommendations are based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practice in relation to immunisation. NIAC guidance is regularly updated and the latest updates including details of local and general adverse events to each vaccine are available on the HSE website.
All vaccines provided by the HSE on the recommendation of NIAC to protect the public from disease are licensed by the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA). No vaccine is or will be licensed by the HPRA and the EMA unless it is has been approved as safe by the Licensing Authority.
Most proven reactions to vaccines are mild and self limiting. Commonly the child may experience pain and tenderness at the injection site where the vaccine has been injected into a muscle. These symptoms are generally mild and transient resolving completely in 2 to 3 days. A fever may also develop after a vaccination. These reactions are not allergic reactions.
Local urticarial (hives) reactions are uncommon and these reactions are also transient and self limiting.
Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) after vaccination are extremely rare, occurring at a rate of 1 or less after every million vaccinations. No international expert body such as the World Health Organisation, Centres for Disease Control and Prevention in the US, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, and NIAC recommends testing a child for allergies before receiving a vaccine.
