Written Answers Nos. 162-170
162. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive an appointment from Sligo Regional Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35045/15]
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.
163. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the arrangements he has made to meet with parents of girls who are suffering from illnesses following the administration of the Gardasil human papilloma virus vaccination; the research his Department or the Health Service Executive have carried out in this area; the evidence that has been presented concerning same; the arrangements he has made to provide ongoing medical assistance to such persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35058/15]
View answerImmunisation is regarded as one of the safest and most cost-effective of health care interventions. The HPV vaccine protects girls from developing cervical cancer when they are adults. The vaccine is available free of charge from the HSE for all girls in 1st year of secondary school. This is in accordance with the recommendation received from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) which indicated that the HPV vaccine should be offered on an annual basis to all girls aged 12. The advice, based on public health considerations and supported by the cost-effectiveness analysis, is that HPV vaccines confer maximum benefit both individually and on a population basis if administered prior to HPV exposure. The vaccine protects against two high risk types of HPV (16 & 18) that cause 73% of all cervical cancers. Vaccinated women and girls will still be at risk from other high risk types of HPV that can cause cervical cancer and will therefore need to continue to have regular cervical smear tests.
In Ireland, the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is the regulatory authority for medicines in Ireland. Gardasil® is a medicinal product which has been authorised for use across the European Union since September 2006 following a positive opinion from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) at the European Medicines Agency (EMA). With this authorisation, the vaccine can be marketed in all EU Member States. Since first authorisation the HPRA has continuously monitored the safety of Gardasil®.
While no medicine (including vaccines) is entirely without risk, the safety profile of Gardasil® has been continuously monitored since it was first authorised both nationally and at EU level. This is done by both monitoring of individual adverse reaction reports received by competent authorities across Europe (including the HPRA) and Periodic Safety Update Reports (PSURs) submitted by the Marketing Authorisation Holder (i.e. license holder) for the vaccine on a regular basis. The most recent EU review of cumulative global safety update data completed in December 2014 concluded that the benefit/risk profile for Gardasil® remains positive.
Up to the 11 September 2015, the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) has received 901 reports of suspected adverse reactions/events notified in association with the use of HPV vaccines (Gardasil® 899 and Cervarix® 2). The vast majority of reports received by the HPRA regarding both Gardasil® and Cervarix vaccines to date have been consistent with the expected pattern of adverse effects for the vaccines, as described in the product information. Vaccination related events, occurring at the time of vaccine administration, such as syncope (faints) has been among the most commonly reported effects. Other commonly reported symptoms include gastrointestinal symptoms, malaise, headache, dizziness and injection site reactions. Reports of allergic-type reactions including skin rashes, urticaria and flushing have also been received, including isolated reports of more severe hypersensitivity-type reactions.
As part of its monitoring of the safety of medicines, the HPRA operates an adverse reaction reporting system, where healthcare professionals and patients are encouraged to report adverse reactions they consider may be associated with their treatment, through the range of options in place for reporting (https://www.hpra.ie/homepage/about-us/report-an-issue). All reports received are evaluated and considered in the context of the safety profile of the product concerned, with reports followed up as necessary for further information, that may assist in the assessment of the case. All reports received through the online reporting options receive an acknowledgement and case record number on successful submission of a report. Further information is provided to reporters in respect of any questions/concerns reflected in their reports, in the context of report follow up. In accordance with its reporting obligations, the HPRA provides anonymised details of reports received to the EMA, the World Health Organization and to the marketing authorisation (i.e. licence) holder for the medicine.
The EMA has commenced a review of the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine "to further clarify aspects of their safety profile," although the agency points out that this review "does not question that the benefits of HPV vaccines outweigh their risks." The review is specifically focusing on rare reports of two conditions, complex regional pain syndrome and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome associated with heart rate increase. Recommendations from the first stage of this review are expected in November. The agency also notes that while the review is being carried out, no change in the use of these products is recommended.
In addition the EMA is currently evaluating data from a new epidemiological study on the safety of human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccines, Gardasil® and Cervarix®. The study conducted jointly by the French medicines agency (ANSM) and the French national health insurance fund (CNAMTS) compared the incidence of autoimmune conditions in girls given HPV vaccines with the incidence in girls not given the vaccines.
In the meantime, the EMA has advised healthcare professionals that available data does not warrant any change to the use of these vaccines. Healthcare professionals should therefore continue using Gardasil® and Cervarix® in accordance with the current product information.
As Minister for Health I consider meeting any organisation in the health area that requests to do so. However due to scheduling commitments I am not always available to meet all who request a meeting.
164. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health the reason an ear, nose and throat clinic appointment at University Hospital Limerick for a person (details supplied) in County Clare, has been cancelled twice and rescheduled for four months after the initial appointment; if this person's appointment will now be brought forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35082/15]
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.
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.
165. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a hospital appointment for a child (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35084/15]
View answerAs the particular issue raised by the Deputy relates to an individual case, this is a service matter for the Health Service Executive. Accordingly, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE 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.
166. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35092/15]
View answerThe Irish National Dementia Strategy was launched in December 2014. This delivers on a commitment in the Programme for Government to develop a national Alzheimer’s and other dementia's strategy to increase awareness, ensure early diagnosis and intervention and develop enhanced community based services.
The Department of Health and the HSE have agreed a joint initiative with Atlantic Philanthropies to implement significant elements of the Strategy over the period 2014-2017. This National Dementia Strategy Implementation Programme will represent a combined investment of €27.5 million, with Atlantic Philanthropies contributing €12 million, and the HSE contributing €15.5 million.
This programme will promote a greater focus on timely diagnosis of dementia and on the value of early intervention, along with the long-term objective of making people in Ireland generally more aware and understanding of the needs of people with dementia, and of the contribution that those with dementia continue to make to our society.
Key elements of the initiative include:
the roll-out of a programme of Intensive Home Supports and Homecare Packages for people with dementia;
the provision of additional dementia-specific resources for GPs, who are the critical and initial point of contact with the health system for those with dementia. The resource material will include training materials and guidance on local services and contact points, etc.
Measures to raise public awareness, address stigma, and promote the inclusion and involvement in society of those with dementia.
A Monitoring Group, chaired by the Department of Health, has been established to assist with and advise on implementation of the National Dementia Strategy, including the National Dementia Strategy Implementation Programme. This Group includes health professionals, administrators, researchers, and advocates. The Group also includes a person living with dementia and a representative of those who care for people with dementia. The most recent meeting of this Monitoring Group was held on 24 September 2015.
The Alzheimer Society of Ireland's pre-budget submission relates to service matters and the Deputy's question has therefore 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.
167. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide cover for the absence-on-leave of a consultant general paediatrician in charge of diabetes and endocrinology at University Hospital Limerick; the reason being that in the current absence of said consultant (details supplied) a seven-year old child with acute diabetes, pre-approved for a pump to treat the condition with the family fully trained to use the pump and said pump already ordered, manufactured and awaiting the family at University Hospital Limerick, cannot be issued with said pump in the absence of a qualified consultant to release it; the reason no prospective definitive date can be supplied for a return to duties of the existing consultant or the recruitment of a replacement consultant to deal with this issue of a critical life-changing pump for this child in desperate need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35094/15]
View answerIn relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, 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.
168. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if he will indicate, notwithstanding previous replies to parliamentary questions on the matter, the action that will be taken to expedite provision of the required attention, given the family history in the case of a child (details supplied) in County Kildare; if urgent action will be taken to facilitate early access to Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin, Dublin 12; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35098/15]
View answerHospitals are expected to accept all patient referrals and prioritise on the basis of strict chronological order other than in cases of evidenced clinical urgency. As the HSE has indicated, in their recent reply to you, should the clinical condition of the individual concerned deteriorate whilst waiting for the out-patient appointment the family should contact their GP who should contact the hospital directly.
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.
169. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if he will indicate, notwithstanding a reply to a previous parliamentary question and given that all documentation requested has now been submitted, if a full medical card will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35107/15]
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.
170. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if he will indicate if the cost of a special hip operation to be carried out on a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who holds a full medical card and whose surgery cannot be facilitated in this jurisdiction but is possible in the United Kingdom, will be borne in full by the general medical services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35122/15]
View answerUnder the Health Acts, all persons ordinarily resident in the country are entitled, subject to certain charges, to all in-patient public hospital services in public wards including consultant services. While the General Medical Services covers specific primary services, medical card holders are exempt from the public hospital charges.
The HSE operates two schemes for patients seeking to access healthcare abroad. The Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS), under which patients have the ability to apply to the HSE seeking access to public healthcare outside the State through model form E112. The application requires the patient's Irish based public referring hospital consultant, following clinical assessment, to certify, among other things, that the treatment is medically necessary and will meet the patient’s needs. The treatment must not be available within the State or not available within a time normally necessary for obtaining it.
The HSE also operates the EU Directive on Patients’ Rights in Cross Border Healthcare (CBD). The healthcare being sought under the CBD can only be healthcare that a person would be entitled to within the public health system in Ireland, which is not contrary to Irish legislation. Referral for care under the CBD can be made by a GP, a hospital consultant and certain other HSE clinicians. It will be a matter for the patient and his/her referring doctor to identify the clinician abroad and satisfy him/herself in relation to the qualifications, quality and safety of the services being availed of in the other jurisdiction. Prior authorisation may be required from the HSE for certain healthcare. The costs must be borne by the individual and he/she then will seek reimbursement for the cost of the healthcare upon return to Ireland. The HSE will reimburse the patient for care, which meets the terms of the CBD, in line with the Directive.
