Wednesday, 20 Apr 2016

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (310)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

310. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive a hospital appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7467/16]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

Under 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.

Appointments to State Boards Data

Questions (311)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

311. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the regional breakdown of all members appointed by the Government or him to State boards, agencies and bodies in 2015 and to date in 2016 broken down by agency and by regions (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7480/16]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

The nomination and appointment process for boards of bodies under the aegis of my Department is set out in legislation. In line with Government Decision S180/20/10/1617 of 2014 and Guidelines set out by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform relating to the advertising for expressions of interest in vacancies on State Boards, my Department in conjunction with the Public Appointments Service currently advertises for board vacancies as they arise, where I, as Minister for Health, have nominating rights under relevant legislation. I also appoint members on the nomination of various bodies, again in accordance with the relevant legislation.

The detailed information requested by the Deputy regarding the breakdown of Board appointments by region is not readily available, but is currently being collated and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

Vaccination Programme

Questions (312)

John Brassil

Question:

312. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health his views on concerns raised regarding the adverse effects on some recipients of the human papillomavirus vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7494/16]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

The 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. The HPV vaccine protects girls from developing cervical cancer when they are adults. It is available free of charge from the HSE for all girls in 1st year of secondary school and over 200,000 girls have received the vaccine since its introduction in 2010.

In Ireland, the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is the regulatory authority for medicines in Ireland. In November 2015 the European Medicines Agency completed a detailed scientific review of the HPV vaccine. The review which the HPRA participated in, specifically focused on rare reports of two conditions, complex regional pain syndrome and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome associated with heart rate increase. The outcome of the review which was carried out by the EMA Pharmacovigilance and Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) found no evidence of a causal link between the vaccine and the two conditions examined. The European Medicines Agency has advised healthcare professionals that available data does not warrant any change to the use of HPV vaccines as there are no new safety concerns regarding HPV vaccines. Healthcare professionals should therefore continue using the vaccines in accordance with the current product information. On 12 January 2016 the European Commission endorsed the conclusion of the European Medicines Agency stating that there is no need to change the way HPV vaccines are used or to amend the product information. This final outcome by the Commission is now binding in all member states.

I am aware of claims of an association between HPV vaccination and a number of conditions experienced by a group of young women. It appears that some girls first suffered symptoms around the time they received the HPV vaccine, and understandably some parents have connected the vaccine to their daughter’s condition. Anyone who is suffering ill health is eligible to seek medical attention, and to access appropriate health and social care services, irrespective of the cause of their symptoms. The individual nature of the needs of some children may require access to specialist services.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (313)

John Brassil

Question:

313. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the details of how long the current waiting list for cataract consultations with specialists and cataract operations in South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital is, as the elective surgical component of the ophthalmology service has been transferred from Cork University Hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7499/16]

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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.

Hospital Charges

Questions (314)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

314. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal was referred to Altnagelvin Area Hospital for follow-up treatment subsequent to having undergone surgery at North West Independent Hospital, Ballykelly via the cross-border health care directive; the reason this follow-up treatment incurred charges of in excess of £20,000stg for which the patient is now supposedly liable; if this person is liable for these charges and, if so, the assistance that will be provided to this person from authorities here considering the person's inability to reasonably meet these costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7500/16]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The EU Directive 2011/24/EU on Patients’ Rights in Cross Border Healthcare aims to ensure EU citizens may access safe and good quality healthcare services across EU borders. In line with the terms of the Directive where a patient has received cross-border healthcare and where medical follow-up proves necessary, the HSE will ensure that the same medical follow-up is available as would have been if that healthcare had been provided here. In this case the follow-up care was provided in Northern Ireland.

The matter of the charges raised for the follow-up care provided in Northern Ireland is not within the remit of the Minister for Health in this State. Nonetheless, the National Contact Point (in respect of cross-border healthcare under the Directive) of the HSE is aware of this case and has had contact with the patient’s family. The HSE is assisting the family in resolving this matter including writing to the private facility in question in relation to this patient.

Under 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.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (315)

Peter Fitzpatrick

Question:

315. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied) in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7501/16]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

Under 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.

Medicinal Products Supply

Questions (316)

Darragh O'Brien

Question:

316. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Health to fast-track the approval of the new drug Orkambi for the treatment of cystic fibrosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7502/16]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I am aware that there is a lot of concern and worry among cystic fibrosis (CF) sufferers, and families of children who have CF, about the current debate on the cost and availability of this medicine.

Orkambi (lumacaftor/ivacaftor) is a combination drug for the treatment of CF in patients with two copies of a specific CF gene mutation. The drug was licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in July 2015 and by the European Medicines Agency in November 2015. To date, it has not been approved for reimbursement by any public health service in Europe.

Each country has its own process for approval. The Irish process is laid down in law in the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. Under this law, the HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicinal products under the community drug schemes in accordance with the provisions of the law. It is appropriate that these should not be political decisions and that a scientific and evidence based approach is taken to determine the extent to which patients would benefit from treatment with expensive new drugs.

Prior to reimbursing any medicine, the HSE considers a range of statutory criteria, including clinical need, cost-effectiveness, and the resources available to the HSE. The process for approval of high-tech new drugs in Ireland involves three steps. The first step involves a Rapid Review, which has been completed. The second involves a full Health Technology Assessment by the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE). This expert assessment is scientific and objective and will evaluate whether the claims being made about the benefits of a new drug are valid, and to what extent, in terms of its impact on life expectancy, quality of life, reducing hospital admissions, reduced need for transplants etc. The NCPE will also consider which patient groups might benefit, how the drug compares with existing treatments and if it is cost-effective at the price being sought by the manufacturer. The Minister for Health has requested that the NCPE expedite this part of the process. The Centre hopes to be in a position to issue its recommendation to the HSE in early June, and the HSE may then engage in price negotiations with the manufacturer.

The process being followed is the same as that for other CF drugs like Kalydeco (ivacaftor), new drugs to treat cancer and other rare diseases. Orkambi will be treated in the same way as these were, and has to be, under the law. This process is designed to secure the best value for the HSE, and the savings that accrue from this process can be used to fund other health service developments, for example isolation rooms for CF and cancer patients, better ambulance services, home supports for the elderly and safer maternity services.

I hope that it will be possible for Orkambi to be approved for patients who will benefit from it, and at a fair price, but it must go through the normal approval procedure first, like all other high-tech medicines.

Hospital Appointments Delays

Questions (317)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

317. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a hospital appointment in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7 and the reason for the delay in this person receiving an appointment. [7510/16]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

Under 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.

Health Services Provision

Questions (318)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

318. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will receive Health Service Executive footwear; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7514/16]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As the particular issue raised relates to an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to you. 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 Appointments Status

Questions (319)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

319. 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. [7520/16]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

Under 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.

Health Services Data