Written Answers Nos. 375-396
375. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health when he will provide funds to the Sacred Heart Hospital in County Roscommon to meet immediate requirements for licensing by the Health Information and Quality Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5143/16]
View answerThe recently announced national programme of investment in public residential units is designed to bring them into compliance with relevant national standards by 2021. The programme includes the Sacred Heart Hospital, County Roscommon, which is due for replacement by the end of 2021. The Department has advised the Health Service Executive to engage with the Health Information and Quality Authority in relation to the agreed programme.
376. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health when the practice of general practitioners routinely taking stool samples from patients to test for a wide range of diseases ceased; if this has had a negative impact on the diagnosis of bowel diseases in particular; if he has satisfied himself with the present protocol for preventing bowel cancer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5144/16]
View answerScreening for colorectal cancer under the BowelScreen programme was introduced nationally in November 2012. The aim of the programme is to increase early detection of these cancers in order to achieve better outcomes for patients.
Screening is offered to men and women aged 60 to 69 years. It was initially conducted on a three year round, with completion of the first round at the end of 2015. The programme will now move to screening every two years, thus increasing the potential benefits for patients.
The introduction of BowelScreen, and the current move to more frequent screening, is in line with best international practice in regard to the early detection and effective treatment of colorectal cancer.
The figures for the first round of screening (to end 2015) are as follows:
|
Numbers |
Participants |
|
Numbers of invitations issued to participate in BowelScreen |
488,779 (251,982 men and 236,797 women) |
|
Number of people who participated in BowelScreen |
182,552 (85,554 men and 96,998 women) |
|
Cancers detected |
414 |
377. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the progress he has made in discussion with a drugs company to provide the life-saving drug Soliris to a person (details supplied) under the compassionate drugs access scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5147/16]
View answerEculizumab (Soliris®) is an ultra-orphan medicine manufactured by Alexion Pharma and licensed for the treatment of paroxysmal nocturnal haemaglobinurea (PNH) and atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome (aHUS). Reimbursement support is provided for these two indications, for which the European Medicines Agency has completed assessments in relation to safety and efficacy. The drug is not licensed for the treatment of Degos disease by either the European Medicines Agency or the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
At an individual cost of over €400,000 per patient per year, this drug is expected to cost the HSE approximately €8m in 2016. Given these substantial costs, the Director General of the HSE has put in place formal procedures to ensure that each case in which Soliris is used is the subject of clear advance authorisation. Treating clinicians are required to apply to the HSE's Medicines Management Programme in order to commence a screening process for their respective patients. These arrangements would not permit the drug to be used for the treatment of a condition beyond the terms of the Marketing Authorisation and where evidence of clinical benefit has not been demonstrated. To date, there is a lack of convincing clinical evidence or research to support the use of Soliris for the treatment of Degos disease.
It is open to a drug’s manufacturer at any time to submit an application to the European Medicines Agency to have a product licensed for use for a specific indication. Once that drug is approved by the EMA, the manufacturer can, if it wishes, submit an application for pricing and reimbursement to the HSE.
It is not in my power as Minister for Health to licence any new drug or medicine, or to sanction experimental trials of new drugs. As you will appreciate, I cannot comment on the case of any individual, or intervene in individual patient cases.
378. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Longford will be called for an operation in Cappagh hospital in Dublin 11. [5151/16]
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.
379. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if all nursing and midwifery staff have been recruited in the Midland Regional Hospital in Mullingar, County Westmeath; and if he will confirm that staffing levels are at full complement. [5153/16]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this 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.
380. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health his plans to remove the inequitable contracts throughout the Health Service Executive where persons have been hired at rates significantly lower than persons carrying out the same role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5154/16]
View answerI understand that the Deputy’s question relates to Multi Task Attendants.
The Haddington Road Agreement provided for the introduction of an initiative to recruit intern Health Care Assistants, Multi Task Attendants and other support grades on a 2 year programme, to be employed at 85% of the first point of Band 3 salary in year 1, progressing to 90% of same in year 2.
The Lansdowne Road Agreement provides that support Staff Interns on reaching 18 months of employment from their date of commencement will be made permanent and placed on the appropriate pay scale for their position and on the next favourable incremental point.
381. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health his plans for Clifden District Hospital in view of plans to provide new facilities at St. Anne's in Clifden, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5158/16]
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.
382. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health if the necessary procedure will be carried out on a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath whose condition has severely deteriorated as has been ascertained in their most recent assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5161/16]
View answerLong waiting times for scoliosis surgery are unacceptable and I have been clear in my determination that these waiting times are reduced, through additional resources and capacity.
Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin is the largest provider of scoliosis surgery for children and young people. Funding was allocated in 2015 for additional consultant posts including two consultant orthopaedic surgeons, anaesthetist and support staff at Crumlin. Capital funding was also provided for a new theatre on site to expand theatre capacity further. The 2016 Service Plan specifically provides for support for the new theatre capacity and the continued development of paediatric scoliosis services to address ongoing capacity deficits.
In order to address waiting times in the interim, patients from Crumlin have been transferred to other hospitals where capacity is available and where that is clinically appropriate. These include Temple Street, Cappagh, Tallaght and the Blackrock Clinic. External capacity has also been identified at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital at Stanmore in the UK.
The Department of Health is continuing to work with the HSE, the Children’s Hospital Group and the hospitals themselves to ensure that we continue to make strong progress in addressing this issue and to identify all options to further improve access times for surgery.
As the specific issues raised are 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.
383. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of concerns arising from the increased insurance costs faced by nursing home providers, some of which have experienced substantial increases in premiums over the past two years, which is undoubtedly impacted by the limited number of insurance providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5163/16]
View answerPart 6 of the Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2013 stipulates that registered providers of nursing home care are required to effect a contract of insurance against injury to residents. They may also insure against other risks, such as loss or damage to a resident’s property, at their discretion. The Department of Health has no role in setting prices for insurance for private nursing homes. This is a matter between the nursing home and their insurance provider.
The legislation underpinning the Nursing Homes Support Scheme requires each private nursing home to negotiate and agree a price for long-term residential care services with the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) should they wish to be an approved nursing home for the purposes of the Scheme.
In negotiating with nursing homes, the NTPF has regard to:
- Costs reasonably and prudently incurred by the nursing home and evidence of value for money,
- Price(s) previously charged,
- Local market price, and
- Budgetary constraints and the obligation on the State to use available resources in the most beneficial, effective and efficient manner to improve, promote and protect the health and welfare of the public.
The National Treatment Purchase Fund has statutory independence in the performance of its function, and negotiates with each nursing home on an individual basis. The Department of Health has no role in such individual negotiations. The NTPF may examine the records and accounts of nursing homes as part of the process with the objective of setting a fair price which delivers value for money to the individual and the State. Pricing contracts are purely a matter for agreement between the NTPF and the nursing home in question.
When the Nursing Homes Support Scheme commenced in 2009, a commitment was made that it would be reviewed after three years. The report of the review was published in July 2015 and identifies a number of key issues for more detailed consideration across Departments and Agencies. The report recommends that the National Treatment Purchase Fund review the present pricing arrangements with a view to ensuring value, increasing transparency and ensuring adequate capacity for those with complex needs.
An Interdepartmental/Agency Working Group has been established to progress the recommendations contained in the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Review. This Group is chaired by the Department of Health and includes representatives from the Department of the Taoiseach, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the HSE, the Revenue Commissioners and, when required, the National Treatment Purchase Fund. The Working Group is due to report on its progress to the Cabinet Committee on Health in June 2016.
385. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health to meet with the senior staff of a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary, given their efforts to improve therapy services at the school; if he is aware of a recent discussion with the Joint Committee on Health and Children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5193/16]
View answerMy office has no record of having received a request for a meeting from this particular group. If the group submits a meeting request to my office, it will be considered in line with normal procedures.
386. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the status of regaining vital inpatient and community mental health services in County Tipperary which have been denied as a result of the decision to close St. Michael's unit in Clonmel, County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5194/16]
View answerAs this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If you have not received a reply within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
387. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if a primary medical certificate will be approved without delay for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5196/16]
View answerAs the issue raised by the Deputy relates to an individual case, this is a service matter for the Health Service Executive. I have asked the HSE to look into the particular matter raised and to reply directly 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.
388. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath is given an appointment at Tullamore hospital. [5218/16]
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.
389. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health to schedule an appointment for surgery for a person (details supplied) in County Longford. [5224/16]
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.
390. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health to schedule an appointment for surgery for a person (details supplied). [5225/16]
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.
391. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health to expedite an examination for a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath. [5226/16]
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.
392. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in scheduling an operation for a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath in Cappagh hospital, Dublin 11. [5227/16]
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.
393. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health to expedite an appointment for a person (details supplied). [5228/16]
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.
394. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in scheduling a person (details supplied) for surgery in Tullamore regional hospital, County Offaly. [5229/16]
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.
395. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the reason two persons (details supplied) in County Donegal who are in receipt of a disability allowance had their wages stopped by the Health Service Executive for their work in the workshop in St. Conal's Hospital, Letterkenny, County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5231/16]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this 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.
396. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive an appointment in Letterkenny University Hospital for surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5232/16]
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.
