Written Answers Nos. 387-402
387. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the options open to the parents of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin who was discharged from the Central Remedial Clinic two years ago, and who has, to date, had no disability services or multidisciplinary team, given that this is causing concern for the person's parents and teacher; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6423/16]
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 Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 82 of 2 February 2016, his views that the chronic staff shortages referred to have deteriorated further and now stand at over 50; the steps he will take to immediately address the deteriorating effect on vital services in Saint Joseph's Association for the intellectually disabled in Portrane in County Dublin. [6424/16]
View answerThe recruitment of staff is primarily a matter for the HSE. I 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 on the matter with them.
389. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the practice employed by many medical consultants of charging public patients amounts of between €500 and €1,000 for a simple letter outlining the patient’s injuries for the purpose of claiming compensation, and that public patients are told that the money is charged in order for them to become temporary private patients, thus permitting the specialist to charge these large amounts of money; and to outline or investigate the extent of this practice [6425/16]
View answerThe Consultant Contract 2008 specifically provides in Section 21 (f) that "Professional medical/dental practice carried out for or on behalf of the Mental Health Commission, the Coroner, other Irish statutory bodies or medical education and training bodies shall not be regarded as private practice. In addition, the provision of expert medical opinion relating to insurance claims, preparation of reports for the Courts and Court attendance shall not be regarded as private practice."
The provision of such reports is outside of the consultants public obligations under the Consultants Contract 2008.
390. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health if he is reviewing the provision of emergency medicine services at Sligo University Hospital by the Saolta hospital group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6426/16]
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.
391. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the drugs crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6432/16]
View answerGovernment policy on tackling the drug problem is set out in the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016. The Department of Health is leading the development of a new National Drugs Strategy for the period after 2016 to meet the challenges into the future. The intention over the coming months is to lay the groundwork for a concise and focused policy, placing a clear emphasis on the practical implementation of actions. An examination of the approach to drugs policy and practice in other jurisdictions will help to identify any additional evidence based approaches which might be considered in an Irish context.
The development of the new Strategy will provide an opportunity to have a constructive and wide-ranging public dialogue on our current drug policies and our approaches to the issue. The Department has established a Steering Group to oversee a review of the current Strategy and develop proposals for a new Strategy including the identification of drugs-specific priorities. This will involve a comprehensive consultation process which will be announced shortly. The issues raised by the Community Sector in the correspondence referred to by the Deputy will be considered as part of that process.
392. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health to clarify who is responsible if there is a side-effect of the human papilloma virus Gardasil vaccine (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6433/16]
View answerThe immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). NIAC is a committee of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland comprising of experts in a number of specialties including infectious diseases, paediatrics and public health. The committee's recommendations are informed by public health advice and international best practice.
In Ireland, the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is the regulatory authority for medicines in Ireland. There are 2 licensed HPV vaccines available in Ireland (Gardasil and Cervarix). Gardasil is the vaccine used by the HSE in the School Immunisation Programme and over 200,000 girls have received this vaccine since its introduction in 2010.
In addition to their desired effects, all medicines (including vaccines) have the potential to cause unwanted side effects (also known as adverse reactions). These effects may be mild and transient, or more serious necessitating treatment to manage symptoms. In the case of vaccination, reporting of experience with use is particularly encouraged, reports may represent true adverse reactions or adverse events that are coincidental to vaccination and may be due to underlying illness/conditions that would also have occurred in the absence of vaccination. Patients/carers should be advised to liaise with healthcare professionals involved in their care for clinical assessment and for any investigation, guidance and advice needed to manage/treat symptoms or conditions they consider may be associated with vaccination.
The HPRA encourages patients (and carers), as well as healthcare professionals to report any suspected adverse reactions experienced to HPRA, so that any possible new risks may be identified and investigated, allowing for any appropriate regulatory action, such as product information updates reflecting the current knowledge of the vaccine and the risks known to occur in association with its use to be implemented and communicated, as necessary.
The HSE provides information for parents about diseases, the vaccines to prevent them and side effects to allow them to choose whether or not to give consent to vaccination. All vaccination information provided to parents is prepared from the available licensed documentation for each vaccine, the Summary of Products Characteristics and Patient Information Leaflet. The information is presented in clear simple language and approved by the National Adult Literacy Agency so that it can be understood by all adults as the average reading age in Ireland is 12 years of age.
Prior to all school immunisation parents receive an information pack in a sealed package which contains an information leaflet, consent form and cover letter. Information packs for all immunisation are standardised nationally. The information booklets include information on the most common adverse events that can occur after each vaccination. Parents are also given contact details for their local immunisation office and advised to speak to a member of the school immunisation team if they have any further questions.
Should parents require additional information about vaccines the immunisation leaflet refers to the HSE’s national immunisation website (www.immunisation.ie ). The national immunisation website has been accredited by the World Health Organisation for credibility, content and good information practices. The website allows members of the public to contact the National Immunisation Office to ask a question if they require further information. These questions, when possible, are answered by the staff of the National Immunisation Office within one working day.
393. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health to urgently grant capital investment to Freshford health centre via the Health Service Executive's south development office to ensure that the highest standard of practice and the safest level of primary care is provided for Freshford, County Kilkenny and its surrounding catchment area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6442/16]
View answerThe development of primary care is central to the Government's objective to deliver a high quality, integrated and cost effective health care system. Primary care centres procured through a combination of public and private investment, will facilitate the delivery of multi-disciplinary primary health care. The mechanism and timescale for delivery of primary care infrastructure is dependent on a number of factors. Regardless of the delivery mechanism, all potential primary care infrastructure is subject to suitable locations being offered / provided / available, to successful planning processes and GP commitment to sharing accommodation and delivering health care services with HSE staff.
There will always be more projects than can be funded by the Exchequer. As with all capital projects, the further development of the primary care infrastructure, including facilities in County Kilkenny, must be prioritised and considered within the context of the overall capital envelope available to the health service. The HSE will continue to apply the available funding for infrastructure development in the most effective way possible to meet current and future needs.
As it is responsible for the management of the health care estate the HSE has been requested to reply directly to you on the matter. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office who will follow up.
394. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment for a medical procedure; and the reason for the delay [6444/16]
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 HSE, 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 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the steps he has taken to address the issues arising for non-central applications office medical students in the system who now find themselves with no guarantee of an internship position when they graduate; his understanding of the maximum capacity for internship positions and how these are distributed across the hospital network; if there is scope to increase the annual intake of graduates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6445/16]
View answerI am aware that changes were made last year by the Health Service Executive which have had an impact on the allocation of places under the 2016 intern matching process. These changes were necessary as it is not feasible for the HSE to continually expand the number of intern places available. The Executive had already increased the number of places to the maximum level the system can safety support. For some time it has been the case that a significant number of students who study medicine here do so on the basis that they will not have access to intern places.
I have also 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 on the matter with them.
396. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when he will publish the review of the genetic service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6464/16]
View answerIn 2015, the Health Service Executive Acute Hospital Division commissioned a strategy group, with broad representation, including rare diseases advocacy representation, to develop a National Genetics and Genomic Network Strategy for HSE and Department of Health consideration. The recommendations made by this strategy group were submitted in December 2015 to the HSE and are currently under consideration by the HSE Acute Hospital Division.
397. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the status of eligibility for a mdical card of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6472/16]
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 recently 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.
398. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6474/16]
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 HSE, 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.
399. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an application by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry under the respite care scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6477/16]
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.
400. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when an operation will be facilitated for a person (details supplied) at Tallaght Hospital in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6480/16]
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 HSE, 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.
401. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health why an application for a medical card was refused to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; if this application will be reviewed as a matter of urgency with particular reference to the person's circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6486/16]
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 recently 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.
402. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health why the ring-fenced €35 million additional moneys for mental health in 2016 has not yet been released, given that a quarter of the year is now past; the intended use of this promised sum in 2016; when he will release the moneys; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6491/16]
View answerThe HSE National Service Plan 2016 identifies priorities for the allocation of the €35 million, including the continued development of early intervention and prevention counselling services by mental health and primary care as well as improved provision of psychotherapeutic interventions and children with mental illness. The Department of Health is currently examining proposals from the HSE relating to the development of these specific enhanced priority services, as well as proposals for the ongoing development of a range of existing and new specialist mental health services. It is expected that a decision on the release of the funding will be made shortly.
