Written Answers Nos. 887-919
887. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that in the second quarter of 2015, the Health Service Executive in counties Laois and Offaly had a 9% compliance rate with its statutory obligation under the Disability Act assessment of need for children with suspected disability; that 259 assessments of need were overdue for completion; the measures he will take to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10422/16]
View answerThe particular issue raised by the Deputy 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.
888. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (detail supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10424/16]
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.
889. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding dental treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10427/16]
View answerAs 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 the Executive.
890. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health his plans to appoint additional consultant paediatrician rheumatologists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10441/16]
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 on the matter with them.
891. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health why some diabetes type 1 patients in University Hospital Waterford are being requested to transfer to other hospitals owing to insufficient insulin pumps in the hospital. [10443/16]
View answer892. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health when persons with type 1 diabetes will be able to avail of dose adjustment for normal eating courses in Waterford or via University Hospital Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10445/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 891 and 892 together.
With regard to the specific 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.
893. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an appointment for an operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10446/16]
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.
894. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health when the new health centre in Kildare town will be opening; the services it will provide when opened; the length of time the Health Service Executive has been paying rent for the premises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10448/16]
View answerThe HSE has responsibility for the provision and operation of Primary Care Centres. Therefore, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this issue. 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.
895. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health when University Hospital Waterford will get the other endocrinologist it has been awaiting for six years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10449/16]
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.
896. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health when University Hospital Waterford will get an adult dietician; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10451/16]
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.
897. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Health the current position regarding the shortage of the BCG vaccine in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10452/16]
View answerThere is currently a worldwide shortage of BCG vaccine. In 2015 the United Nations Children's Funds (UNICEF) estimated a worldwide shortage of 65 million doses of BCG. The vaccine has not been available in Ireland since the end of April 2015. Consequently, BCG vaccination clinics in HSE Clinics and Maternity hospitals have been postponed until new stock arrives.
There is only one licensed supplier of BCG vaccine to Ireland and to other countries within the EU. Since this problem became apparent, the HSE National Immunisation Office has been in regular contact with the manufacturer of BCG vaccine to ascertain when the vaccine might be available. The HSE has also asked the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), which licenses and regulates all human medicines in Ireland, to source an alternate supplier of the BCG vaccine. Efforts have been made to find a company who can provide the vaccine for use in Ireland which satisfies all the HPRA requirements on safety and efficacy. To date no suitable alternative BCG product has been found. Therefore the HSE has been unable to procure the BCG vaccine from any other source and still awaits the product from the HPRA licensed supplier of the vaccine.
The supplier has indicated that supplies of the vaccine are not expected to be delivered into Ireland until early 2017. When the HSE receives the vaccine, they will arrange appointments for vaccination clinics ensuring that those at high risk are offered vaccination first.
898. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health how long is the waiting time to see an endocrinologist for a person with type 1 or type 2 diabetes in University Hospital Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10454/16]
View answer900. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health the number of patients on the waiting list to see an endocrinologist at University Hospital Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10456/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 898 and 900 together.
With regard to the specific 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.
899. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a date for a procedure. [10455/16]
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.
901. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the number of primary care centres per county; the number and profession of all staff within each primary care centre; the service categories provided in each primary care centre in tabular form; and if these staff are directly employed by the State or private providers. [10457/16]
View answerThe HSE has responsibility for the provision and operation of Primary Care Centres. Therefore, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this issue. 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.
902. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health if his Department will review the case of a person (details supplied); if he will expedite this case given the nature of the condition; if his Department intends to replace the consultant who was working in a specialist Department up until November 2014 as there is now only one consultant working in this role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10461/16]
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.
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.
903. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health the status of persons with type 1 diabetes in University Hospital Waterford being given the opportunity to access insulin pumps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10464/16]
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.
904. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a person (details supplied) looking for home help seven days a week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10465/16]
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.
905. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for surgery for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10477/16]
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.
906. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal can expect an appointment from Galway University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10487/16]
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.
907. Deputy Pat Casey asked the Minister for Health in view of the confirmation that the pigmented lesions clinic at St. Vincent’s University Hospital in Dublin 4 is now closed to new referrals between May and September 2016, the locations the new referrals are being sent to; if there are waiting lists at these referral centres; the waiting times in these centres; if there are waiting times, if these are expected to increase, and if so, to what level; if there are best practice guidelines and standard referral timeframes in the treatment of skin cancer; if so, if he will provide the guidelines, specifically regarding cases of suspected malignant melanoma; if these standards and timeframes are being met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10489/16]
View answerThe Deputy's question relates to service delivery matters and accordingly I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him.
If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow up the matter with them.
908. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health his plans to engage with the Responsible Retailing of Alcohol in Ireland group (RRAI) in respect of the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10493/16]
View answerThe Government approved the publication of the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill and the introduction of the Bill in the Houses of the Oireachtas on the 8th December 2015. The Bill completed Second Stage in the Seanad on the 17th December 2015. The Bill is part of a suite of measures agreed on foot of the recommendations in the Steering Group Report on a National Substance Misuse Strategy. The National Substance Misuse Strategy Steering Group included representatives from the Alcohol Beverage Federation of Ireland and MEAS Ltd. The Public Health (Alcohol) Bill was also subject to pre-legislative scrutiny from the Joint Committee on Health and Children. The Committee heard submissions from the Responsible Retailers of Alcohol in Ireland (RRAI). The Committee's recommendations were considered when drafting the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill. The Department met with the RRAI last October along with the then Minister for Health, Leo Varadkar.
The Department will continue to engage with the industry in relation to the implementation of the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill where appropriate.
909. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the apparent 15 to 18-month waiting list for ear, nose and throat appointments his plans to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10497/16]
View answerAs of 28 April 2016, there were 51,028 patients waiting for ENT outpatient appointments. However, 48% of patients on the ENT outpatients waiting list have been waiting less than six months. Only 8.6% of those on the waiting list have been waiting over 15 months.
The Department of Health and the HSE recognise that there are resource availability and structural challenges which impact on individual specialties and hospital sites.
The 2016 HSE Service Plan undertakes to maintaining 2015 levels of service in respect of scheduled care and continues to address waiting times with Hospital Groups as part of the regular performance and accountability process. The HSE has established a Scheduled Care Governance Group to coordinate key initiatives to reduce waiting list numbers. In 2016, the HSE is focusing on key activities including:
- ensuring that chronological scheduling is adhered to;
- putting in place administrative and clinical validation procedures to ensure that patients are available for treatment;
- relocating high-volume low complexity surgeries to smaller hospitals and
- designating an improvement lead for each hospital group, to provide support in meeting national targets for appointment and treatment
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.
913. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in receipt of packages under the home care scheme; if there are waiting lists to access this scheme; the numbers on these waiting lists; the lengths of time they are waiting; the resources necessary to address this, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10501/16]
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.
914. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the status of the discussions between the suppliers of Sativex and the Health Service Executive regarding its inclusion under the community drugs scheme's high-tech arrangements, including when these discussions will conclude; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10507/16]
View answerOn 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. It was then open to the holder of that authorisation to make the product available for prescribing in Ireland.
The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicinal products under the GMS and community drug schemes, under 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 (NCPE). They are not political or ministerial decisions.
The HSE has received an application for the inclusion of Sativex on the High Tech Scheme. However, an NCPE health technology assessment report on Sativex has not recommended reimbursement at the submitted price. The NCPE report is an important input to assist the HSE in its decision-making process and will inform 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.
915. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health the cost of a packet of the branded drug Xanax which is generic alprazolam; the cost of a packet of the branded drug Veserc which is generic betahistine; the cost of a packet of the branded drug Lipitor which is generic atorvastatin calcium; the cost of a packet of the branded drug Nexium which is generic esomeprazole; and their comparative prices in other European Union countries in tabular form. [10522/16]
View answerThe 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 Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and 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.
916. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health to expedite an appointment for a person (details supplied) for an assessment of need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10527/16]
View answerThe Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.
As the Deputy's question relates to an individual case, 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.
917. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health to expedite an outpatient appointment for a person (details supplied) at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10536/16]
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.
918. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health why the Health Service Executive has decided to end routine eye screening of fifth and six class primary schoolchildren under the primary schoolchildren optical scheme without offering an alternative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10537/16]
View answerAs 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 the Executive.
919. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details supplied) in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10541/16]
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.
