Thursday, 14 Apr 2016

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (403)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

403. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of appointments for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6495/16]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As 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.

Mental Health Services Funding

Questions (404)

David Cullinane

Question:

404. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of cuts to adolescent mental health services in County Waterford, particularly in respect of out-of-hours services; how he will rectify this issue; his plans for additional supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6498/16]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As 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.

Long-Term Illness Scheme Coverage

Questions (405)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

405. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of including a new drug (details supplied) under the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6501/16]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

On 11 July 2014, the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 1988 were amended to allow for certain cannabis-based medicinal products to be used in Ireland. The Health Products Regulatory Authority subsequently granted a marketing authorisation for the cannabis-based medicinal product Sativex to be marketed in this State.

The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicinal products under the GMS and community drug schemes in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. Decisions on which medicines are reimbursed by the taxpayer are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds by the HSE on the advice of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics. They are not political or ministerial decisions.

Following the granting of a marketing authorisation, it was open to the holder of that authorisation to make the product available for prescribing in Ireland. In September 2014, the HSE received an application for inclusion of Sativex under the Community Drugs Schemes High Tech Arrangements.

A Health Technology Assessment report on Sativex has been completed by the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics, which did not recommend reimbursement of Sativex at the submitted price. The Report by the NCPE is an important input to assist the HSE in its decision-making process and informed further engagement between the HSE and the supplier in relation to potential pricing arrangements for this product.

As the matter remains under consideration by the HSE, I am not in a position to comment any further at present.

Hospitals Building Programme

Questions (406)

Gerry Adams

Question:

406. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the criteria for inclusion on the pre-qualified list for tendering for the phase 2 wards, theatre, accident and emergency extension building at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, County Louth; the selection process for the successful applicant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6516/16]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

The HSE has responsibility for tendering and selection processes. Therefore the Executive has been requested to reply directly to you. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office who will follow up.

Hospitals Funding

Questions (407)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

407. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the budget allocation from his Department to South Tipperary General Hospital over the past four years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6524/16]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

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.

Assisted Human Reproduction

Questions (408)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

408. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health his views on the regulation of surrogacy services and assisted human reproduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6525/16]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

In February 2015, I received Government approval to draft the General Scheme of a Bill for assisted human reproduction, which will include provisions relating to numerous different aspects from the beginning to the end of the assisted human reproduction process including consent, embryo transfer, gamete (sperm and egg) and embryo donation and the screening of embryos for serious genetic diseases. There will also be a number of provisions relating to surrogacy and the assignment of parentage in such cases. Drafting of the General Scheme is ongoing.

Following the completion of the draft General Scheme, I intend to submit it to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children for pre-legislative scrutiny. In addition, my Department will conduct a widespread consultation on the draft General Scheme during which stakeholders and members of the public will be invited to share their views.

It is my intention that the legislation will promote and ensure the health and safety of parents, others involved in the process (such as surrogate mothers) and, most importantly, the children who will be born as a result of assisted reproduction.

Community Care

Questions (409)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

409. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health to address the serious concerns outlined in a recent Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation report on community nursing entitled Missed Care-Community Nursing in Ireland (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6531/16]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

The Report to which the Deputy refers identifies elements of 'missed care' in practice, it also acknowledges that several positive findings some of which are related to activities that are legislatively mandated for and clinical activities such as injections and dressings. The report captured a snapshot of practice and does identify that there are many areas of practice that have not been included in the report that are not deemed as 'missed care'. This includes many areas of the practice that have been innovative and population health needs focussed. The report also identified the reduced practice in health promotion activities because of the increases in work mentioned above. In order to address this issue my Department has tendered for a literature review into community models of integrated care to assist in the development of a policy paper to examine models of practice in the community to deliver integrated models of care.

The INMO report is of relevance as a starting point in this area of practice. Further research would be required to more robustly report on instances of missed care, to definitively examine the relationship between missed care and its relationship to staffing adequacy. The current work of the Taskforce on Staffing and Skill Mix for Nursing focused on acute, general and specialist medical and surgical wards has included in its report a recommendation for ongoing reporting, monitoring and escalation of missed care as one of the indicators of staffing adequacy. This recommendation, along with the others, will be tested as part of a pilot throughout 2016. It would be anticipated that the development of future Frameworks in other clinical settings, will have included within it, missed care reporting, and therefore this research report, will add to the evidence on the approach to missed care reporting specific to community nursing and midwifery practice.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (410)

Timmy Dooley

Question:

410. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will have an appointment with a specialist with a view to being fitted with a medical device; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6532/16]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive 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 Consultant Recruitment

Questions (411)

Timmy Dooley

Question:

411. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health when County Clare will have an audiologist for adult appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6533/16]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive 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.

Registration of Nurses

Questions (412, 420)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor

Question:

412. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Health why a person (details supplied) has not received a nursing registration from the Irish Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6534/16]

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Mary Mitchell O'Connor

Question:

420. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Health why a person (details supplied) has not received a nursing registration from the Irish Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6571/16]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 412 and 420 together.

I wish to thank the Deputy for the matter raised.

Given that this is an operational matter, it is appropriate that it should be dealt with by the NMBI. I have referred the Deputy's question to the NMBI for attention and direct reply.

If you have not received a reply from the NMBI within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

Mental Health Services

Questions (413)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

413. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health why dialectical behaviour therapy is not available to adult service users in County Donegal; why no mechanism is in place to allow for patients to be referred for this therapy to mental health services operating outside of the county; his efforts to recruit additional psychologists and to establish a dedicated local service for adults; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6546/16]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) is a treatment developed for people with self-harm behaviours and suicidal thoughts or urges. It is a combination of cognitive-based therapy enhanced with the addition of mindfulness practice and acceptance-based philosophy and practice. Following the success of an initial pilot DBT program in Cork, the National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP) in consultation with the North Lee Adult Mental Health Team, explored how best to coordinate DBT training in Ireland, whilst ensuring effective governance and targeting of resources. To this end, the National DBT Project Office was established in June 2013 and its responsibilities include supporting the administration of a national roll out of DBT and allied intervention programmes.

In relation to the specific issues raised, as these are service issues 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.

Mental Health Services

Questions (414)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

414. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health why a person (details supplied) in County Donegal is unable to access the mental health psychology service dialectical behaviour therapy; if he will allow for this person to have access to this therapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6547/16]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is a treatment developed for people with self-harm behaviours and suicidal thoughts or urges. It is a combination of cognitive-based therapy enhanced with the addition of mindfulness practice and acceptance-based philosophy and practice. Following the success of an initial pilot DBT program in Cork, the National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP) in consultation with the North Lee Adult Mental Health Team, explored how best to coordinate DBT training in Ireland, whilst ensuring effective governance and targeting of resources. To this end, the National DBT Project Office was established in June 2013 and its responsibilities include supporting the administration of a national roll out of DBT and allied intervention programmes.

In relation to the specific issues raised, as these are service issues 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.

Maternity Services

Questions (415, 416)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

415. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if the overall review into antenatal and gynaecology services at Dungloe Community Hospital, County Donegal is now formally complete; when the service will resume operations at Dungloe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6548/16]

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Pearse Doherty

Question:

416. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health to provide a copy of the finalised report and key recommendations on the antenatal and gynaecology services at Dungloe Community Hospital, County Donegal which was initiated by the clinical directorate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6549/16]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 415 and 416 together.

With regard to the detailed queries raised by the Deputy, 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.