Written Answers Nos. 145-151
145. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation in Cork University Hospital in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30111/16]
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.
146. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that there is no budget to provide for new cases of special needs children and their families in Rathfarnam, Dublin 16, who seek respite provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30114/16]
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.
The Programme for Partnership Government states that the Government wishes to provide more accessible respite care to facilitate full support for people with a disability.
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.
147. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce a drug (details supplied) to the Irish market; if there is a timeframe for same; if not, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30115/16]
View answerI understand that officials in my Department have clarified with the Deputy's office that the drug in question is Vimizim.
The 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.
At the request of the HSE, the NCPE is currently conducting an assessment of Vimizim for the treatment of mucopolysaccharidosis, type IVa (also known as Morquio A syndrome) in patients of all ages. Once this assessment is completed, a summary report will be published on the NCPE website. The HSE will then consider the NCPE assessment as part of its decision-making process when considering the drug for reimbursement.
As the NCPE's assessment of Vimizim is ongoing, it is not possible to provide further details at this time.
148. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the status of funding for two projects at a hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30127/16]
View answerFunding has been made available in the current Capital Plan to bring these projects to the design and planning stage. The Renal Dialysis Unit has attained planning permission and the expansion of the Intensive Care Unit is currently at design stage. Further funding is dependent on the costing and timing of the projects, the availability of resources in the context of many other demands across the country and the limited future capital envelope for the health service and the overall priorities for future service development in the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group.
149. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment for an operation from Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30134/16]
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.
150. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding access to drugs and appliances, including certain dressings for persons who require them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30145/16]
View answerUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes, including discretionary hardship arrangements; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and reply to the Deputy.
151. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the date the HSE was first approached by the Central Remedial Clinic to explore the possibility of members of the Central Remedial Clinic pension plan being accepted into a public sector pension scheme for past and-or future service. [30183/16]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
