Written Answers Nos. 881-899
881. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the number of respite centres for the disabled which have been closed as a result of Health Information and Quality Authority investigations and the numbers availing of respite centres. [30930/15]
View answerThe Government is very committed to the protection and safety of our most vulnerable citizens and placed regulation and inspection of residential disability centres on a statutory footing in November 2013. Every person who uses disability services is entitled to expect and receive care of the highest standard and to live in dignity and safety. People with a disability should be able to maximise their potential and live rich and fulfilling lives.
Compliance with HIQA standards for disability residential centres is a requirement under the Service Level Arrangements between the HSE and voluntary service providers.
66% of designated centres for people with a disability were inspected by HIQA by the end of Quarter 2 2015, including inspections triggered by complaints or allegations of mistreatment. The lessons learned from them are continuing to improve the quality of services. Clients and their families can be assured that this regulatory regime is being rolled out across all residential facilities for people with a disability.
HIQA has reported evidence of good practice in the delivery of many residential services to people with disabilities where the support and care needs of residents have been prioritised and there is a strong focus on the needs of service users.
The Department of Health has requested the HSE to develop action plans to address cases where HIQA has raised serious concerns regarding the level of care that people with a disability are receiving in a number of disability centres, including safeguarding the human rights of residents.
The HSE is implementing a comprehensive change programme of measures to improve the quality and safety of residential services for people with disabilities. Much work remains to be carried out on an ongoing basis to ensure all facilities comply with Disability Residential Standards. While this programme will be challenging for the HSE, it is crucial in safeguarding vulnerable people in the care of the State.
In relation to the specific issues raised by the Deputy, as these relate to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, she can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
882. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health in view of the EU-OSHA report in respect of workers' safety in the energy sector, his view on concerns over the health of persons who live in close proximity to wind farms; his plans to carry out research into any possible threat; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30931/15]
View answerPolicy responsibility with regard to planning and the legislative framework in relation to wind farms rests with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. My Department provides advice on public health issues from time to time when requested by the above mentioned Department.
At this time, my Department is not aware of any reliable or consistent evidence that wind farms directly cause adverse health effects in humans. My Department will continue to monitor developments, analyse the evidence and provide advice accordingly.
883. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the compensation arrangements in place for a certain group of persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30950/15]
View answerThe Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal was established in December 1995 to compensate persons infected with Hepatitis C as a result of the use of Human Immunoglobulin Anti-D, or the receipt of contaminated blood transfusions within the State. In October 2002 the remit of the Tribunal was extended to include persons who contracted HIV within the State from blood products.
The Tribunal has been hearing claims on a continuous basis since March 1996 and continues to assign a hearing date without delay in respect of any claim for which full supporting documentation has been lodged.
884. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a cataract operation in South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital, County Cork for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30959/15]
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.
885. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in identifying an alternative supplier for the BCG vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30960/15]
View answer886. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of babies that have not received the vaccine to date; the projected final figure for non-innoculation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30961/15]
View answer888. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if his Department is considering ending the universal availability of the BCG vaccination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30963/15]
View answer889. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the specific concerns or risks associated with TB for babies born on farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30964/15]
View answer912. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health the measures taken to ensure there is adequate supply of the BCG vaccine as soon as possible for new born children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31095/15]
View answer913. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health the number of BCG vaccines that are currently available here. [31096/15]
View answer914. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health the steps taken to find alternative sources of the BCG vaccine to ensure there was an adequate supply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31097/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 885, 886, 888, 889 and 912 to 914, inclusive, together.
There is a worldwide shortage of BCG and Ireland is not the only country affected by this. There is only one licensed supplier of BCG vaccine to Ireland and to other countries within the EU.
The vaccine has not been available since the end of April 2015. Babies born after the last day of April have not been immunised, this equates to approximately 5,500 babies a month, so around 24,000 to-date. It is anticipated that the vaccine will be available near the end of the year so if vaccinations begin in January there will be approximately 44,000 babies to immunise. The exact backlog will clearly be dependent on when the vaccine becomes available.
Since this problem became apparent, the HSE National Immunisation Office has been in regular contact with the manufacturer of BCG and with the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) who licenses vaccines in Ireland as well as with other relevant stakeholders. The HPRA have been seeking to find an alternative supply of BCG that meets safety, quality and effectiveness standards and that could be used in Ireland. To date no appropriate alternative manufacturer of BCG vaccine has been found.
The HPRA confirmed that it was contacted by an Irish company in August 2015, which advised that it could procure some Infant BCG Vaccine from InterVax in Ontario, Canada. The HPRA highlights that the company InterVax is a distributor for this product rather than a manufacturer or marketing authorisation holder. The vaccine in question is currently not authorised for use in Ireland.
The HPRA followed up with both the Irish company and contacts within the regulatory network. The information which was made available to the HPRA in relation to this BCG vaccine was extremely limited and was not considered to be sufficient to allow for the assessment of the quality, safety and efficacy of the medicine. Consequently, the HPRA was not in a position, without further data, to undertake a comprehensive review or to approve the use of this medicine (which is primarily used for the vaccination of infants) in Ireland. The HPRA subsequently outlined its concerns to the Irish company involved, which acknowledged them.
This company was also advised that should it submit a regulatory submission, providing the necessary data on this BCG vaccine, the HPRA would be happy to assess the medicine for safety, quality and efficacy, in an expedited timeframe. The company indicated that it did not wish to pursue this option.
In early 2015 the HSE asked the HPRA to look at extending the shelf life of BCG vaccine from 12 months to 18 months. The HPRA reviewed the necessary documentation and agreed to extend the shelf life of any new delivery of BCG vaccine to 18 months. Any new deliveries of BCG will have an 18 month shelf life.
The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) and the National TB Advisory Committee have recommended stopping routine BCG vaccination of newborn babies and instead provide a selective vaccination of babies in high-risk babies groups. The Department of Health have requested the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) to conduct a Health Technology Assessment (HTA) to review the implications of this change. HIQA commenced a public consultation on proposed changes to the BCG vaccination programme in Ireland on September 9th 2015.
Tuberculosis (TB) is a notifiable disease under the Infectious Diseases (Amendment) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 452 of 2011). In 2014, 328 cases of TB were notified to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre, giving a national TB notification rate of 7.1 per 100,000, the lowest rate reported since surveillance commenced. According to the World Health Organisation, the definition of a low incidence TB country is one with a national TB notification rate of less than 10 cases per 100,000, Ireland is in this category.
In Ireland the number of cases of TB has been falling and there were no cases of TB in young children in 2014. Most European countries, including the UK, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland do not give BCG vaccine to all babies. Babies are not at risk of TB because of the delay in getting BCG vaccine in Ireland.
Resolving the issue of the shortage of BCG remains a priority for the HSE.
887. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of cases of TB that have occurred in the State each year for the past five years; the outcome for the patients concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30962/15]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
890. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when a hospital appointment will be arranged in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30968/15]
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.
891. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health the steps taken to make the availability of services under the cross-border health care directive, Directive 2011/24/EU, known among patients who may benefit from this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30976/15]
View answer1081. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health the action his Department has taken to highlight the existence of the cross-border health care directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31847/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 891 and 1081 together.
The decision to access healthcare is primarily a matter for the patient and their physician or health professional and, in general, healthcare is not routinely advertised. It is within this professional setting that the best options for treatment are most appropriately discussed, and advice received as to where services might be sought, including availing of the provisions of the 'Cross-Border' Directive for treatment within the EU\EEA. It is also noteworthy that access to healthcare abroad under the Directive is based on patients following public patient pathways; that is, a referral is required in order to be eligible for reimbursement. This referral is not limited to Irish health professionals but nevertheless the great majority of patients are likely to have consulted an Irish health professional who then referred them for treatment here or, if they wished, within the EU\EEA. As a consequence, a general information campaign regarding the Cross Border Healthcare Directive, Directive 201/24/EU, has not been undertaken. It is also noteworthy that Recital 4 of the Directive states “the transposition of this Directive into national legislation and its application should not result in patients being encouraged to receive treatment outside their Member State of affiliation”. The HSE has tried to balance its dissemination of information regarding the Directive with this Recital in mind and has concentrated on informing the clinicians who make the referrals about the Directive. To this end it has met with the ICGP and various consultants at hospital level to inform them of the provisions of the Directive.
892. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health the number of patients who have availed of the cross-border health care directive, Directive 2011/24/EU, in the years 2011 to 2014 inclusive and 2015 to date in other States; and the number in those years who have come here to avail of services. [30977/15]
View answerThe Health Service Executive operates the EU Directive on Patients’ Rights in Cross Border Healthcare in Ireland. The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine the matter of the data requested and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. 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.
893. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health in view of the fact that the cross-border directive allows for Irish residents to avail of health care in other EU member states that they would be entitled to within the public system here, if a greater effort will be made by the Health Service Executive to make available this health care within the State at the cost that would be paid under the cross-border directive and this would be more socially equal as many persons may not be in a position to afford to travel outside the State for their health care needs; if he will examine the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30991/15]
View answerUnder the conditions of EU membership, all Member States must implement EU Directives. Consequently under the EU Directive on Patients’ Rights in Cross Border Healthcare each Member State is required to implement the Directive's provisions regarding access to healthcare in other Member States/EEA countries. The Health Service Executive operates the EU Directive on Patients’ Rights in Cross Border Healthcare in Ireland.
The Health Service Executive’s National Service Plan 2015 sets out the type and volume of health and personal social services that the Executive proposes to deliver during the course of this year within its total net budget of €12,131 million. The HSE has provided a sum of €1 million in this year's National Service Plan to address costs specific to the EU Directive and will keep this under review.
894. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the staff that are employed by Cluain Lir nursing home, Mullingar, County Westmeath; the number of nurses, doctors, attendants and chefs; and the number of employees that are full-time and part-time. [30994/15]
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.
896. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the position regarding training courses generally, and specifically the courses being run by State agencies, for care of the elderly; if there is a general policy and need for specific training for such staff into the future; if it is under the remit of Intreo offices in Dublin or the City of Dublin Education and Training Board, or if these agencies refer clients to private training agencies; if the specific responsibilities of these two agencies in relation to providing trained care staff for the future will be outlined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31015/15]
View answerIntreo refers clients to programmes provided by and on behalf of SOLAS/Education and Training Boards (ETB). The design and specification of these programmes is a matter for SOLAS/ETBs.
The City of Dublin Education and Training Board (CDETB) provides courses in healthcare support at level 5 on the national framework of qualifications (NFQ). This course includes Care of the Older Person. It is provided on a full time basis in the Further Education colleges in Marino, Whitehall, Inchicore and Cabra. It also provides a Community Health Services programme in St. Kevin’s College, Crumlin and in Whitehall College. This course also includes Care of the Older Person.
At level 6, CDETB provides for the healthcare programme, Community Health Services and Supervisory Management, a full time programme, delivered in Coláiste Íde in Finglas.
Through its contracted training provision, CDETB also provides for a Healthcare Support Traineeship which includes an element of Care for the Older Person.
The Department of Health is establishing a cross sectoral working group to develop a national integrated strategic framework for health workforce planning. The establishment of effective education and training strategies for all parts of the health service will form a vital part of the development of this framework.
897. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding home help hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31024/15]
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.
898. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding Kenmare Community Hospital, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31025/15]
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.
