Tuesday, 5 Jul 2016

General Practitioner Data

Questions (438)

Jack Chambers

Question:

438. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the number of trained level one and level two general practitioners per county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19081/16]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days he should contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

Question No. 439 answered with Question No. 430.

HSE Staff Training

Questions (440)

Jack Chambers

Question:

440. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the development of national training standards for all those involved in the provision of substance misuse services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19083/16]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

In line with action 47 of the National Drugs Strategy, a core objective of the HSE National Addiction Training Programme (NATP) is the development of national training standards for those involved in the provision of substance misuse services. The specific aims of the programme include the provision of training based on current evidence-based practice, prioritising training programmes to meet current and emerging service needs and ensuring adequate and appropriate validation for training. The NATP has drafted a Workforce Development Statement which outlines a strategic approach to staff development.

The HSE is continuing to roll out standardised training to support the implementation of the National Drugs Rehabilitation Framework, focusing on the delivery of screening and brief intervention, care planing and case management.

Hospitals Capital Programme

Questions (441)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

441. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the proposals he is considering to include modular accommodation patient hotel for South Tipperary General Hospital as part of a revised capital plan for the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19095/16]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

Your question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply as the delivery of health care infrastructure is a service matter. If you do not receive a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office who will follow up on the matter.

Vaccination Programme

Questions (442)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

442. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health to address concerns that have arisen regarding the Gardasil vaccine (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19096/16]

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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. In 2009, NIAC recommended HPV vaccination for all 12 year old girls, and in September 2010, the HPV vaccination programme was introduced for all girls in the first year of second level schools. 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 Ireland, the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is the regulatory authority for medicines in Ireland. The HPRA's role is to monitor adverse reactions to medicinal products including vaccinations.

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.

However, I am aware of claims of an association between HPV vaccination and a number of symptoms 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. I want to reassure these girls and their families that they are eligible to seek medical attention and to access appropriate health and social care services, irrespective of the cause of their symptoms. The HSE will be in a position to facilitate access to specialist services according to the individual needs of these young women.

Services for People with Disabilities

Questions (443)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

443. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be granted an appointment for a cognitive assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19097/16]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The 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.

Hospitals Car Park Charges

Questions (444)

James Lawless

Question:

444. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health if he will review the cost of staff parking at St. James's Hospital, Dublin 8 to ease the financial cost of commuting to work for those staff who are not on a bus or Luas route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19098/16]

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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.

Home Care Packages Provision

Questions (445)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

445. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when the required support and assistance will be approved under the home care package in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19103/16]

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Written answers

Written answers

Minister for Health

In general, monthly prescriptions are dispensed by pharmacies on a monthly or 28-day basis depending on the type of medicine and the form in which it is packaged by the manufacturer. A prescriber may, on occasion, request that patients are only supplied with one week's supply of medicine at a time, due to the nature of the medicines involved and/or any ongoing safety concerns for the patient. In such circumstances, the prescription would be required to be dispensed by the pharmacy on a weekly basis, and this would be governed by the particular patient's care needs. This is known as phased dispensing. The rules in relation to dispensing have not changed.

I have been informed by the HSE that its Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS) issued a letter to all pharmacies on the 5th of May to reconfirm the rules applying to phased dispensing.

Claims by pharmacists for phased dispensing fees are only valid in certain narrow circumstances, where the dispensing on multiple supply occasions is:

- at the request of a patient's physician;

- due to the inherent nature of the medicine in terms of product stability and shelf life;

- where a patient is commencing new drug therapy with a view to establishing patient tolerance and acceptability before continuing on a full treatment regimen;

- in exceptional circumstances where the patient is incapable of safely and effectively managing the medication regimen.

The HSE/PCRS recently noted a significant increase in the number of pharmacy claims requesting phased dispensing fees, and is currently carrying out an audit of all claims submitted for such fees. The HSE has already written to a number of pharmacies in relation to phased dispensing claims, and will engage further with these pharmacies to address any outstanding issues.

The HSE has recently increased its capacity to undertake an enhanced level of inspections in pharmacies to give assurance to the system regarding probity issues.

Hospital Consultant Contracts

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Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 449, 459, 537, 545, 557, 559 and 566 togther.

Services for patients with sarcoma are provided in St. Vincent’s University Hospital and in Cork University Hospital. Both hospitals are designated cancer centres and have an extensive range of multi-disciplinary services and expert clinical advice available to them. A National Clinical Lead in Soft Tissue Sarcomas is in place to oversee the services for patients with sarcomas. Irish patients with sarcoma have their cases presented and discussed at one of the two sarcoma multi-disciplinary teams. Members of these teams also have links with European specialists in sarcoma.

St. Vincent's University Hospital has provided highly specialised and individualised treatment to sarcoma sufferers for a number of years. St. Vincent's has access to all of the relevant specialties including surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, radiology and pathology and is the largest provider of surgical procedures for soft tissue sarcomas in the country.

It is intended to increase, in line with available resources, the number of consultant medical oncologists working in the eight designated cancer centres to meet demand. My Department has agreed that the recruitment of a consultant medical oncologist with a special interest in sarcoma, based in St. Vincent’s University Hospital, will be prioritised to facilitate further development of the service there. The Director General of the HSE has directed that work on the open recruitment process is to begin immediately.

Community Care

Questions (450)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

450. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on the issues concerning community first responder groups having access to a protected forum (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19123/16]

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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.

Cross-Border Health Initiatives

Questions (451, 452)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

451. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health when he will begin engagement to assess and identify how to minimise any adverse impacts on the provision of all-island health services and collaboration following the publication of the Government contingency framework; when he will meet his counterparts on these issues and draw up a briefing; if he will meet Opposition spokespersons on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19124/16]

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Louise O'Reilly

Question:

452. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health when measures to ensure no adverse impact or logistical challenges on accessibility issues for cross-Border emergency medical transport will be identified following the publication of the Government contingency framework; when he will meet his counterparts on these issues; when he will draw up a briefing on this and if he will meet Opposition spokespersons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19125/16]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 451 and 452 together.

The result of the referendum means that the UK electorate have declared their wish to leave the EU. It is important to be clear that the UK has not yet left the EU. Until it formally withdraws from the Union, the UK remains a full Member, with all of its existing rights and obligations. People can be assured that there will be no immediate changes in the area of health as a consequence of the UK’s decision to leave the EU. Cross-border services and health cooperation with Northern Ireland will not be affected in the immediate term by the UK’s decision to leave the EU.

The terms of a British exit from the EU are unknown at this stage. It is expected to take a minimum of two years of negotiations between all EU member states, including Ireland, to agree a new arrangement between the UK and the EU, and the Department of Health will be fully involved in these negotiations.

Ensuring that there is minimum disruption in the area of health and that essential services are maintained will be our key priority.

The North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) Plenary took place on Monday 4 July. This provided an important opportunity for an initial strategic discussion between the Government and the NI Executive on the impact of the recent UK referendum.

In order to optimise joint planning and engagement on key issues arising following the UK referendum result, the NSMC agreed to work together to ensure that Northern Ireland’s interests are protected and advanced and the benefits of North/South co-operation are fully recognised in any new arrangements which emerge as regards the United Kingdom’s future relationship with the European Union.

NSMC ministerial sectoral meetings will provide an important forum for consideration of the strategic and cross-cutting issues arising from the UK referendum. The next NSMC Health and Food Safety ministerial sectoral meeting is scheduled to take place in autumn 2016.

In advance of this, my Department will build on initial work completed to undertake a full audit of the possible impacts, risks, opportunities and contingencies arising over the longer term, in the phases preceding and following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.

This work will be conducted by a sub-committee of the Management Board, which was set up in advance of the UK referendum to examine the potential consequences of a UK decision to leave the EU on healthcare in Ireland and for Irish citizens.

Regular contact with counterparts at political and official level will be maintained throughout this process.

Further discussion on the implications of the referendum result will take place at the next NSMC Plenary, which takes place in Armagh in November.

Home Help Service Provision

Questions (453)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

453. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the status of an application by a person (details supplied) for extra hours under the home help scheme, including when he will make a decision on this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19127/16]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The 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 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.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (454)

Mary Butler

Question:

454. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be called for an operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19129/16]

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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.

Speech and Language Therapy

Questions (455)

Pat Deering

Question:

455. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be assessed for speech and therapy services. [19132/16]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service issue, this question 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.

Health Services Staff

Questions (456)

James Browne

Question:

456. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health if there is a permanent dermatologist appointed in the south east; the waiting times for consultations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19135/16]

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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 Appointments Status

Questions (457)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

457. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19137/16]

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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.

Dental Services Waiting Lists

Questions (458)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

458. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of children who are on the waiting list and the length of time they are waiting in schools in County Cavan and County Monaghan under the primary dental scheme in tabular form; if he is introducing measures to speed up waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19143/16]

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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 the Deputy does not receive a reply from the HSE within 15 working days I ask her to please contact my Private Office and it will follow up the matter with the HSE.

Question No. 459 answered with Question No. 449.

Services for People with Disabilities

Questions (460)

Peter Burke

Question:

460. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an appointment for a full assessment of need under the Disability Act 2005 for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19166/16]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The 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.

Medicinal Products Availability

Questions (461)

Willie Penrose

Question:

461. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health when the Ampligen drug will be available here given there are persons awaiting its approval; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19174/16]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

Ampligen is an experimental drug currently undergoing clinical development and has not been authorised to be placed on the market in Europe.

Before a medicine can be placed on the Irish market the manufacturer has to seek an authorisation from the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) or in the case of certain medicinal products, the European Medicines Agency (EMA). In the case of Ampligen, because of the biotechnology nature of the active substance involved, any application for a marketing authorisation must be made to the EMA. I have no information on whether or not such an application has been received by the EMA.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the regulatory authority for medicines in the US. I understand that the FDA has refused an application to make this product available in the US citing safety and efficacy concerns.