Written Answers Nos. 995-1013
995. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the necessary funding of €13 million for the development of a new 50-bed single-occupancy facility with en-suite facilities at the Sacred Heart Hospital, County Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31424/15]
View answerAs with all capital projects, the further development of the national CNU programme must be considered within the context of the overall capital envelope available to the health service. With regard to the Sacred Heart CNU Roscommon talks relating to registration of this and other Community Nursing Units are ongoing between the Health Service Executive and the regulator, the Health Information and Quality Authority.
996. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of a current shortage of epinephrine injectors for anaphylaxis within the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31425/15]
View answer997. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify the reason pharmacists are experiencing a shortage of epinephrine injectors for anaphylaxis; and the measures that can be undertaken to ensure that pharmacies are fully stocked. [31426/15]
View answer998. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm the identity of the companies currently holding the franchise for supplying epinephrine injectors for anaphylaxis to the State; if this franchise is set to end or be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31427/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 996 to 998, inclusive, together.
Adrenaline (also known as epinephrine) autoinjectors are a prescription only medicine indicated for the treatment of anaphylaxis. There are currently 3 adrenaline autoinjectors authorised and marketed in Ireland. Brands include Anapen®, Epipen® and Jext®.
I am aware that there are shortages of supply of the adult preparations of all 3 brands at a wholesaler level. There may still be supplies within the system at a pharmacy level. Unfortunately, individual pharmacies and their patients may be experiencing difficulties.
The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) has been working with the suppliers to try to restore continuity of supply. The HPRA employs a number of procedures which help to reduce the occurrence, impact and length of medicines shortages. One such mechanism, used in the case of adrenaline autoinjectors, is to facilitate Batch Specific Requests (BSRs). BSRs enable the company to temporarily supply, essentially identical, medicines from other countries to the Irish market to alleviate shortages. BSRs are typically processed within 24 hours of submission by a company to the HPRA.
I understand that the HPRA is working with the companies concerned to facilitate the provision of further stock in the coming weeks.
Adrenaline autoinjectors are complex systems due to both the characteristics of the adrenaline active substance, which is chemically unstable, and of the delivery device, which is designed to be as patient friendly as possible. The manufacture of these products is also complex. For these reasons supply shortages can occur from time to time.
The availability is also impacted by the shelf life of these 3 autoinjector products (which ranges from 18 to 24 months). This is short compared to some other medicinal products.
The HPRA has recently granted a Marketing Authorisation (MA) for a fourth adrenaline autoinjector, Emerade®. This has a 3 year shelf life. The HPRA is proactively working to ensure that supplies of this product can be made available as soon as possible.
There is no franchise, per se, for supply of adrenaline autoinjectors in Ireland. Each of the 4 products referred to above is the subject of a separate MA, granted by the HPRA, which entitles the holder to place the product on the Irish market.
999. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health to set out the status of the promised legislation regarding availability of epinephrine injectors for anaphylaxis in view of the fact he stated nine months ago that this issue may be resolved within a six-month period; and if he will indicate a clear timeframe for this legislation. [31428/15]
View answerEarlier this year I launched a review to explore how we might make certain prescription only medicines more available for use in emergency situations. More recently I have signalled my intention to make legislative changes to allow for suitably trained non-medical persons to supply a range of prescription only medicines in very specific circumstances. These medicines include epinephrine injectors, salbutamol, glyceryl trinitrate, glucagon and naloxone.
This is a significant change to existing regulations around the supply of prescription only medicines and officials from my Department have been working closely with colleagues from the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council, the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland and the Health Products Regulatory Authority on the legislative changes necessary to allow for this. I expect this work to be completed in coming weeks.
1000. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form and according to county the number of speech and language therapists employed by the Health Service Executive at the end of 2014 and at the latest date available in 2015. [31431/15]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on the 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.
1001. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of an issue whereby the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council will not issue a licence to persons to continue training as a paramedic intern practitioner after a break in study due to a period of illness; the most appropriate route for re-registration; if he will put in place a back-to-practise policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31432/15]
View answer1002. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Health to explain the reason the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council will not issue a person (details supplied) in County Cork with a licence to continue training as a paramedic practitioner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31433/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1001 and 1002 together.
The Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) is the independent national certification and registration body for emergency medical technicians in Ireland, including paramedics and advanced paramedics. National qualifications are awarded through training and examinations, with reference to the current syllabus, clinical practice guidelines and scope of practice. These have developed and expanded considerably in recent years.
It is understood that PHECC has set out an appropriate procedure in this case. However, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on or direct an independent qualifications authority in relation to an individual case.
1003. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details on the State yearly spending, on average, per full medical card holder in terms of medical cards for those over 70 years of age and those under 70 years of age in the years 2013 and 2014. [31435/15]
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.
1004. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that a person (details supplied) is provided with a medical appointment without further delay. [31437/15]
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.
1005. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health to explain the reason there was no orthodontist recruited for the midlands region since a vacancy became available in 2013, a scenario which has meant that a child, who was on the list since 11 years of age, is still awaiting treatment and is almost 18 years of age now. [31438/15]
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.
1006. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health to detail the cost for transportation of individual batches of blood samples from Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, County Meath in 2013 and 2014; and the cost of the current arrangement. [31439/15]
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.
1007. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Health when the long-term condition sarcoidosis will be included under the general medical services scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31446/15]
View answer1019. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the inclusion of a specified condition (details supplied) under the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31503/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1007 and 1019 together.
The Long Term Illness (LTI) Scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act, 1970 (as amended). Regulations were made in 1971, 1973 and 1975 specifying the conditions covered by the LTI Scheme, which are as follows: Acute Leukaemia; Mental handicap; Cerebral Palsy; Mental Illness (in a person under 16); Cystic Fibrosis; Multiple Sclerosis; Diabetes Insipidus; Muscular Dystrophies; Diabetes Mellitus; Parkinsonism; Epilepsy; Phenylketonuria; Haemophilia; Spina Bifida; Hydrocephalus; and conditions arising from the use of Thalidomide. There are no plans to extend the list of conditions covered by the LTI Scheme.
Under the Drug Payment Scheme, no individual or family pays more than €144 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals incurring ongoing expenditure on medicines.
Under the provisions of the Health Acts, medical cards are provided to persons who are, in the opinion of the Health Service Executive (HSE), unable without undue hardship to arrange GP services for themselves and their dependants. In the assessment process, the HSE can take into account medical costs incurred by an individual or a family.
1008. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an MRI scan at Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore, County Offaly in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford. [31449/15]
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.
1009. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Health to indicate when funding will be approved for orthotic footwear for a person (details supplied) in County Galway; his plans to introduce measures to alleviate the waiting period for funding and thus improve the availability of orthotic footwear for patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31450/15]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates 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, he can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
1010. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health when the type 1 diabetes clinic for children under six years of age will reopen in University Hospital Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31452/15]
View answer1011. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health when the type 1 diabetes clinic for children under six years of age in University Hospital Limerick closed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31454/15]
View answer1012. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health the reason type 1 diabetes clinic for children under six years of age in University Hospital Limerick is currently closed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31455/15]
View answer1014. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm whether, due to the fact that the type 1 diabetes clinic for children under six years of age in University Hospital Limerick is currently closed, children who have been waiting months - some of them years - have had insulin pump dates postponed indefinitely; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31457/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1010 to 1012, inclusive, and 1014 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.
1013. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the Health Information and Quality Authority review of ambulance services; when he expects the recommendations of the review to be implemented; if funding will be ring-fenced from the Health Service Executive budget 2016 to implement the recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31456/15]
View answerAs these 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.
