Written Answers Nos. 216-225
216. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in the determination of a review requested following refusal of a medical card review in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29106/16]
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 was issued to Oireachtas members.
217. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if he will maintain the position of consultant at Kilcreene fracture clinic, Kilkenny rather than appointing a locum; if he will outline the long term plans for the services at Kilcreene, Kilkenny; his plans to reduce the level of services available; his plans for this hospital which is highly regarded for the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29114/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
218. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to cuts in funding (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29116/16]
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 service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
219. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the making available of Orkambi free to cystic fibrosis sufferers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29118/16]
View answerThe HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drugs schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. Prior to deciding whether to reimburse a medicine, the HSE considers a range of statutory criteria, including clinical need, cost-effectiveness and the resources available.
The 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). The NCPE conducts health technology assessments (HTAs) of pharmaceutical products for the HSE, and can make recommendations on reimbursement to assist the HSE in its decision-making process. The NCPE used a decision framework to systematically assess whether the drug is cost-effective as a health intervention.
I am informed that, following a request from the HSE, the NCPE carried out an assessment of the manufacturer's economic dossier submitted in March 2016 on the cost effectiveness of lumacaftor/ivacaftor (Orkambi). This dossier included details on all relevant costs and relevant cost offsets including hospitalisation, disease management costs, intravenous antibiotics, adverse events and any additional costs arising in patients not taking Orkambi.
The NCPE has completed its HTA and submitted it to the HSE. The NCPE determined, following an evaluation of the economic dossier, that the manufacturer failed to demonstrate cost-effectiveness or value for money from using the drug. The NCPE have confirmed that all relevant costs were included in the analysis.
A summary of the HTA has been published on the NCPE website and is available at: http://www.ncpe.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Website-summary-orkambi.pdf.
The HSE has since had further engagements with the manufacturer in an effort to secure significant price reductions for Orkambi. The HSE will consider the outcome of these engagements, together with the NCPE recommendation, in making a final decision on reimbursement.
220. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will carry out an investigation as to the way in which the €900,000 is being spent as outlined (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29123/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
221. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for home help hours or a home care package in south Tipperary and north Tipperary; if extra funding will be allocated to County Tipperary for home help hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29124/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
222. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will provide sufficient funding to provide an additional chaplaincy support to South Tipperary General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29127/16]
View answerWith regard to the specific matter raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
223. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health if he will take steps to have a person (details supplied) admitted immediately for a surgical procedure at Cappagh Hospital, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29138/16]
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.
224. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when special footwear and a wheelchair will be provided in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29141/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
225. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if an application for medical cards in the case of a person (details supplied) will be reopened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29151/16]
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 was issued to Oireachtas members.
