Colm Keaveney
Question:65. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase the number of personal assistant hours for persons with disabilities in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36577/15]
View answerDisability Services Provision
Questions (65)
Written answers
In 2015, the HSE has sought to maximise the provision of health and personal social services, including personal assistant services, for people with a disability, within available resources. In the 2015 HSE National Service Plan, the HSE's priority is to provide 1.3 million hours of personal assistant services to adults with a physical or sensory disability.
The HSE funds a range of assisted living services, including personal assistant services, to support individuals to live full and independent lives. The personal assistant works on a one-to-one basis with the person with a disability both in the home and in the community. A vital element of this personalised support is the full involvement of the individual service user in planning and agreeing the type of support and the time that support is required. Assisted living services are provided either directly by the HSE or in partnership with a range of voluntary service providers, such as the Irish Wheelchair Association.
Any increases in demand for personal assistant services due to demographic pressures and changing needs must be met within the level of resources available. Work is currently underway in preparing the Health Service Executive's National Service Plan for 2016. As discussions are ongoing in this regard, the Minister for Health is not in a position to comment on the service levels including personal assistant hours in 2016.
Cancer Services Funding
Questions (66)
Charlie McConalogue
Question:66. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health when the Saolta University Health Care Group will establish a rapid access prostate clinic in Letterkenny General Hospital in County Donegal, given that a commitment was made by this Government for same in November 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36254/15]
View answerWritten answers
Rapid access prostate cancer clinics have been established in the eight designated cancer centres to ensure that men who have symptoms of prostate cancer can be seen in a timely way and that they undergo comprehensive assessment with appropriate imaging and biopsies where necessary. The treatment of men subsequently diagnosed with prostate cancer is discussed at multidisciplinary team meetings and they may be offered a range of options including surveillance, surgery, prostate brachytherapy or external beam radiotherapy.
Donegal patients have been referred to the Rapid Access Prostate Clinic at University Hospital Galway since its establishment in 2009. Patients needing radical surgery for prostate cancer are admitted to Galway University Hospital and those considered suitable for brachytherapy are referred to either Galway or Dublin. Patients considered suitable for external beam radiotherapy are also treated in Galway or Dublin and from Autumn 2016 such patients will be referred to a new radiotherapy unit at Altnagelvin Hospital, Derry.
Patients for surveillance with respect to prostate or bladder cancer are seen at Letterkenny General Hospital.
Medicinal Products Availability
Questions (67)
Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Question:67. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Health his plans to make adequate provision for the potential life-saving availability of an EpiPen without prescription in emergency situations; if he will be amending legislation or introducing guidelines on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35547/15]
View answerWritten answers
Last Thursday 15th October 2015 I signed new regulations which will allow certain medicines, including epipens, to be administered by trained members of the public in emergency situations. The emergency medicines covered by the new regulations are:
- adrenaline auto-injectors (treatment of anaphylaxis)
- glyceryl trinitrate (treatment of unstable angina)
- salbutamol (treatment of asthma attacks)
- glucagon (treatment of diabetic hypoglycaemia)
- naloxone (treatment of opioid overdose)
- entonox (gas mixture consisting of 50% nitrous oxide and 50% oxygen) (management of severe pain when used by emergency rescue organisations e.g. mountain rescue teams).
This is an important initiative which has the potential to save lives. Organisations such as colleges, workplaces and sports venues will be allowed to hold these medicines and arrange for staff to be trained in their use. The Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) which accredits paramedics will be given the role of accrediting courses for lay people which will be available in the coming months.
Additionally pharmacists will be able to supply and administer these medicines to individuals in emergency circumstances. The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) is developing training standards and it is envisaged that they will be able to commission and accredit courses in the coming months. These new arrangements do not in any way change the existing 'good Samaritan' rule which allows any member of the public to assist a person in distress to administer a medicine which has been prescribed to them. Equally, these regulations in no way diminish the responsibility or the importance of people continuing to carry the medicines that they need to manage their own health needs.
Accident and Emergency Departments
Questions (68)
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:68. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the changes that have taken place on the Emergency Department Task Force since a person (details supplied) very recently took over as chair; if he has set targets for this winter; if hospitals will be fined this winter if they do not meet these targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35548/15]
View answerWritten answers
ED overcrowding is a key priority issue for the Government. I convened the ED Taskforce in December 2014 to provide focus and momentum in dealing with the challenges this issue presents.
The Director General of the HSE is co-chairing the ED Taskforce Implementation Group until March 2016. He has taken this decision in order to ensure that all relevant parts of the health services, including acute, social and primary care, are optimising resources in order to deal with the particular challenges associated with the winter months. He is currently engaged in visiting a number of acute hospital sites which have been identified as having performance issues in relation to ED or other matters.
Based on the Task Force's Action Plan published in April, €25 million was provided in Budget 2015, and an additional €74m in April of this year, to address the issue of delayed discharges in hospitals. This funding had been provided to increase the number of long-term nursing home care places and reduce the waiting time for the funding of such places, as well as providing additional transitional care beds and home care packages to provide viable supports for those no longer needing acute hospital care. Significant progress has been made to date on the overall ED Taskforce plan including a steady reduction in delayed discharges from hospital (561 on 13 Oct 2015, down from 830 in Dec 2014). The waiting time for Nursing Home Subvention Scheme funding has reduced from 11 weeks at the beginning of the year to between 2 to 4 weeks.
In relation to bed capacity, further additional funding of €18m was provided in July for a winter initiative to include the provision of approximately 300 additional hospital beds. A further 116 hospital beds which have been closed for refurbishment or for infection control purposes during 2015 are also to be re-opened by the end of November.
All of these actions are intended to enable the HSE to improve the patient flow through the hospital system and achieve the target to reduce the number of patients on trolleys in EDs waiting for admission for over nine hours to fewer than 70.
Programme for Government Implementation
Questions (69)
Billy Kelleher
Question:69. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will outline, in tabular form, the commitments on health in the programme for Government that he deems to be fully delivered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36659/15]
View answerWritten answers
Each year the Department of An Taoiseach publishes a report setting out progress made on the implementation of the Programme for Government. The fourth annual report, published in March 2015, sets out the work carried out across all Government Departments, including my Department. The report is available on the Department of An Taoiseach's website at http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/eng/Publications/Publications_2015/Programme_for_Government_Annual_Report_2015.pdf
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (70)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:70. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health how he proposes to reduce the waiting times for outpatients, inpatients and day cases at University Hospital Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36567/15]
View answerWritten answers
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.
General Practitioner Contracts
Questions (71)
Niall Collins
Question:71. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the estimated full-year cost of expanding free general practitioner care to children under 12 years of age, as announced on budget day; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36575/15]
View answerWritten answers
The Government is committed to the negotiation of a comprehensive new GP contract with the Irish Medical Organisation. In that context, the Government has provided €10 million for the extension, in the latter part of 2016, of GP care without fees to all children aged 11 years and under. The GP service will be subject to negotiations, which have already commenced, with the IMO in relation to the scope of the service to be provided and the fee arrangements to apply and will be implemented in the context of overall new arrangements and not as a stand alone extension or amendment to the current contract.
Maternity Services
Questions (72)
Michelle Mulherin
Question:72. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Health the progress being made on the development of a national maternity strategy; if all hospitals have reported back to him with their submissions; if not, the hospitals that have yet to report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35552/15]
View answerWritten answers
Much progress has been made in the development of the country's first National Maternity Strategy. A review of national and international literature on models of care has been completed, and this is informing the work of the Steering Group which I established earlier this year. I was pleased that the public consultation process, which was undertaken over the summer months, attracted over 1,300 submissions. While individual hospitals were not specifically targeted during the consultation, among the submissions received were several from maternity units around the country, and from staff who work in our maternity services. A thematic analysis of the submissions received has now been completed by the Institute of Public Health, and a report submitted to the Steering Group.
I hope to publish the Strategy by the end of the year.
Symphysiotomy Payment Scheme
Questions (73)
Clare Daly
Question:73. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health his views as to why independent medical assessments and reports are not being considered by the surgical symphysiotomy payment scheme; his plans regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35553/15]
View answerWritten answers
The Surgical Symphysiotomy Payment Scheme is operating very well since it was established on 10 November 2014. It was estimated that 350 women would apply to the Scheme, but in fact 578 applications have been accepted by the Scheme and as at 9 October 2015, 306 offers have been made.
The Scheme has brought to an end years of uncertainty and costs for women who have undergone surgical symphysiotomy. It was designed to be simple, straightforward and non-adversarial and aims to minimise the stress for all women concerned. The Scheme was designed following meetings with all three support groups, two of which have welcomed its establishment.
In the interest of accountability, the Scheme requires each Applicant to prove that she had a surgical symphysiotomy or pubiotomy in order to be considered for the assessment of an award. It is for the Assessor to determine whether an Applicant has identified and established any significant disability by objective evidence. Judge Clark has commissioned independent medical experts in the areas of obstetrics and gynaecology, radiology and orthopaedic surgery to assist her in assessing applications, where she considers evidence is needed either that the procedure was undertaken, or of its consequences on the health of the woman. The three consultants concerned are eminently qualified in their respective fields to do this work. The weight, if any, to be given to any report submitted by an Applicant is entirely a matter for the Judge, as independent Assessor.
The Government has given careful and detailed consideration to this complex and sensitive matter. It believes that the provision of the Scheme, together with the ongoing provision of medical services by the HSE, including medical cards, represents a comprehensive response to this issue, which should help bring resolution for the women, many of whom are elderly, and their families.
Hospitals Building Programme
Questions (74)
John Halligan
Question:74. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health the proposed use of the three top floors of the new regional specialist inpatient unit and day service in palliative medicine building on the grounds of University Hospital Waterford; if a designated private wing is being considered for these floors; when construction will commence on the building; when it will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36368/15]
View answerWritten answers
It is intended that the top three floors will accommodate replacement medical in-patient beds and a surgical assessment unit. The ground and first floors will be allocated to palliative in-patient and palliative day-care.
There is no plan to use any of the floors in the new building as a designated private wing.
Planning permission for this replacement ward block including palliative care accommodation was granted in June 2015. Currently stage 2b & c detailed design is in progress. Following the announcement last month of the health capital envelope for the multi-annual period 2016-2021, the HSE has undertaken preliminary work on the Capital Plan. Once submitted this Plan requires my approval together with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. Further details of the capital infrastructure projects will be available on the HSE's website when the Capital Plan 2016-2021 is approved.
HIQA Reports
Questions (75)
Thomas Pringle
Question:75. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the actions he will take in response to the Health Information and Quality Authority's report which found issues of hygiene compliance at Letterkenny General Hospital in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36468/15]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Symphysiotomy Payment Scheme
Questions (76)
Clare Daly
Question:76. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will review the administration of the surgical symphysiotomy payment scheme, as the refusal to take oral testimonies and an over-reliance on the need to present medical records for procedures that occurred decades ago have totally undermined any confidence in the scheme delivering justice and being human rights compliant. [35554/15]
View answerWritten answers
The Surgical Symphysiotomy Payment Scheme is operating very well since it was established on 10 November 2014. It was estimated that 350 women would apply to the Scheme, but in fact 578 applications have been accepted by the Scheme and as at 9 October 2015, 306 offers have been made.
The Scheme has brought to an end years of uncertainty and costs for women who have undergone surgical symphysiotomy, whose only option prior to its establishment was to take legal action through the courts, with no certainty about the outcome of that action. The Scheme was designed to be simple, straightforward and non-adversarial and aims to minimise the stress for all women concerned. The Scheme was designed following meetings with all three support groups, two of which have welcomed its establishment.
In the interest of accountability, the Scheme requires each Applicant to prove that she had a surgical symphysiotomy or pubiotomy in order to be considered for the assessment of an award of €50,000. It is for the Assessor to determine whether an Applicant has identified and established any significant disability by objective evidence if the Applicant is seeking a higher award of €100,000 or €150,000.
Judge Clark has noted in her most recent progress report that failure by the applicants' legal representatives to provide a Notice of Discontinuance to the Scheme in a timely manner (in relation to the applicants' previous court proceedings) means that long delays in some cases have occurred between the acceptance of an offer by the woman and the actual payment of the award. In one recent case, the delay is approaching 7 months. As this is unfair to Applicants, Judge Clark has indicated that as soon as a Notice of Discontinuance of proceedings in being is served on the Scheme, the payment to the Applicant will be recommended even when agreement on fees due to an assisting Solicitor has not been finalised.
The Government has given careful and detailed consideration to this complex and sensitive matter. It believes that the provision of the Scheme, together with the ongoing provision of medical services by the HSE, including medical cards, represents a comprehensive and fair response to this issue, which should help bring resolution for the women, many of whom are elderly, and their families.
Disability Support Services Provision
Questions (77)
Barry Cowen
Question:77. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the support the Health Service Executive has provided to move persons with disabilities out of congregated settings in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36658/15]
View answerWritten answers
The HSE's report “Time to Move on from Congregated Settings – A Strategy for Community Inclusion”,(2011) proposes a new model of support in the community by moving people from institutional settings to the community, over a seven year time frame. The plan will be rolled out at a regional and local level and will involve full consultation.
In terms of housing, the Department of Health and the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government are working in collaboration to support the transition of people with a disability from institutions to social housing in the community under the Government's National Housing Strategy for People with Disability 2011 to 2016.
As part of the implementation process, in 2013 and 2014 one million euro was transferred from the Department of Health's Vote to the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government's (DECLG) Vote to provide for the ring-fenced social housing costs of up to 150 people leaving disability or mental health institutions in both years. At the end of June 2015, it is estimated that there were circa 2,850 people with a disability living in congregated settings. The HSE has prioritised the transition of 150 people from congregated settings in 2015 under its Social Care Operational Plan.
In 2015, one million euro has been allocated to the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government to continue this process.
As the HSE is responsible for leading out on the recommendations on “Time to Move on from Congregated Settings – A Strategy for Community Inclusion”, 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.
Misuse of Drugs
Questions (78)
Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:78. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health for an update on addressing the legislation deficits to deal with the massive quantities of Z-drugs sold freely, particularly in Dublin city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36263/15]
View answerWritten answers
A Bill to amend the Misuse of Drugs Act so as to allow the Government to declare substances to be controlled and to clarify the provisions under which Ministerial orders and regulations are made is currently being drafted and is listed in the Government Legislative Programme for publication in 2016. This will once again allow regulations to be made and, if necessary and appropriate, bring under the scope of the Act new substances, including certain z-drugs, and allow the introduction of stricter or less strict controls on substances which are already covered under the legislation. It is already an offence under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations to possess with the intention of unlawful supply z-drug zipeprol.
It is important to note that the problem of abuse of z-drugs will not be solved by regulations alone and that prescribers need to ensure that these substances are only prescribed as appropriate.
Health Screening Programmes
Questions (79)
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:79. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he, his Department or the Health Service Executive have considered the real health and consequent economic benefits of targeted screening of all first-line blood relatives of those already diagnosed with coeliac disease; if a cost-benefit analysis has been carried out; if he will commit to such a screening programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36365/15]
View answerWritten answers
The HSE has advised my department that the diagnosis and management of coeliac disease is largely managed by General Practitioners in community services. Care in Ireland is based on the guidelines for coeliac disease diagnosis and management of the UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). These provide that those that are offered serological testing for coeliac disease should include 'first degree relatives of people with coeliac disease'. The cost effectiveness of the impact of this policy in an Irish setting has not been assessed to date.
Care of the Elderly Provision
Questions (80)
David Stanton
Question:80. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health the supports available from his Department for the development of a day care centre for older persons in Youghal in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36473/15]
View answerWritten answers
As 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.
HIQA Reports
Questions (81)
Timmy Dooley
Question:81. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health for an update on the implementation of the recommendations of the Health Information and Quality Authority report on the ambulance service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36597/15]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Pharmacy Services
Questions (82)
Ruth Coppinger
Question:82. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health his views on the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland's guidance in relation to the supply of emergency contraception, NorLevo and ellaOne, that pharmacists may refuse to dispense the drug if it lies in contradiction with their moral beliefs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36665/15]
View answerWritten answers
The medicinal products levonorgestrel and ulipristal acetate, known as Norlevo and ellaOne respectively, have been reclassified from 'prescription only' to 'pharmacy only' supply for use as emergency contraception in 2011 and 2015.
The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) is the statutory body responsible for the regulation of the practice and profession of pharmacists, and the operation of pharmacies, in Ireland in the interest of the health, safety and welfare of patients and the public.
As healthcare professionals, practising pharmacists are required to display full technical competence in their chosen profession, behave with probity and integrity and to be accountable in this regard for their actions. These qualities of competence, probity, integrity and accountability, which a pharmacist must demonstrate, are underwritten by a statutory Code of Conduct. All pharmacists must subscribe to this Code.
The Code states that the practice by a pharmacist of his/her profession must be directed toward maintaining and improving the health, well-being, care and safety of the patient. The Code also requires pharmacists to ensure that, in instances where they are unable to provide services to a patient (e.g. in situations where they have a conscientious objection to such a provision), they take reasonable action to ensure those medicines/services are provided and that the patient's care is not jeopardised. In practice, this means facilitating the patient in accessing the information or service required to meet their needs from another pharmacist/pharmacy.
In addition to the Code, the PSI issued two guidance documents to pharmacists:
- 'PSI Guidance for Pharmacists on the Safe Supply of Non-Prescription Medicinal Products Containing Levonorgestrel 1500mcg for Emergency Hormonal Contraception'
- 'PSI Guidance for Pharmacists on the Safe Supply of Non-Prescription Ulipristal Acetate 30mg (ellaOne®) for Emergency Hormonal Contraception'
which provide guidance in fulfilling their professional responsibilities in the supply of these medicines. The guidance documents are reviewed and updated regularly and circulated to the profession. The guidance documents are also available on the PSI website www.thepsi.ie
Health Services Provision
Questions (83)
Paul Murphy
Question:83. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health with particular attention to the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24, his views on the serious delays in providing occupational therapy and other treatments by the Health Service Executive school age team in the Dublin south west area; the measures being taken to improve the situation; his views on the staffing issues in Galro in County Laois which are resulting in the delay in providing important treatments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36652/15]
View answerWritten answers
As 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.
Hospital Staff Data
Questions (84)
Seán Kyne
Question:84. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health with regard to the number of additional staff in the health service, specifically hospital staff, the number and type allocated to University Hospital Galway; the overall number to be recruited within the next 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36470/15]
View answerWritten answers
I 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.