Written Answers Nos. 60-84
60. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health if he will, under the Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal Act 1997, make available the measures provided for the majority who have tested positive, to the small number of women who received blood products from contaminated batches of anti-D in the 1977-1979 and 1991-1994 periods but who are testing negative while experiencing severe health problems consistent with testing positive. [30503/16]
View answerI understand that a group of women who received infectious, or potentially infectious, Anti-D Immunoglobulin in two periods (between 1977 and 1979 and between 1991 and 1994) and who tested negative for Hepatitis C are seeking access to claim compensation from the Hepatitis C and HIV Compensation Tribunal and to be awarded HAA cards.
The Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal (Amendment) Act 2006 restricts access to the Tribunal to those people who have been diagnosed with Hepatitis C or HIV, and provides clear scientific grounds for the definition of “diagnosed positive for Hepatitis C”. Under this legislation a diagnosis must arise (a) from a positive result from one of three specific tests for the presence of Hepatitis C virus, or (b) from the presence of antibodies to the virus, or (c) based on evidence of jaundice up to 16 weeks after the administration of Anti-D Immunoglobulin. I am satisfied that no new scientific evidence has emerged in this regard.
It is estimated that up to 16,000 women in Ireland were exposed to potentially infectious batches of Anti-D. Approximately 1,000 of these women were infected with Hepatitis C and were therefore eligible to apply to the Tribunal for compensation.
61. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the details of the funding which is to be allocated to the peer support worker positions in CHO area 5; if these jobs, which are to be based in counties Carlow, Kilkenny and south Tipperary will also be covering counties Wexford and Waterford, in view of the fact that they are part of CHO area 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30622/16]
View answerAs this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
62. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health his plans to transfer maternity services from Portlaoise Regional Hospital; and if such matters are being considered by his Department and the HSE. [30304/16]
View answer126. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a date for the publication of the report on the future of services at Portlaoise Regional Hospital. [30305/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 62 and 126 together.
Patient safety and outcomes must come first. There have been a number of reports on Portlaoise Hospital in recent years. These reports pointed to the need for reconfiguration of some services to ensure that patients are treated in the most appropriate setting by specialist staff that can safely meet their needs.
Since 2014 the focus has been on supporting the hospital to develop and enhance management capability, implementing changes required to address clinical service deficiencies, and incorporating the hospital into the governance structures within the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group. Governance and management arrangements in Portlaoise have been strengthened, additional clinical staff have been appointed and staff training, hospital culture and communications have improved.
The Dublin Midlands Hospital Group has recently produced a draft plan which sets out a proposed service design for a new model of clinical service delivery at Portlaoise. The draft plan has been discussed with my Department and is currently the subject of further work and consideration within the HSE.
Any change to services at Portlaoise Hospital, including plans for service reconfiguration, will be undertaken in a planned and orderly manner and will take account of current use of services, demands in other hospitals, and the need to develop particular services at Portlaoise in the context of overall service reconfiguration in the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group.
64. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the status of the roll out of Jigsaw; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30697/16]
View answerThe HSE Service Plan 2016 prioritises the development of a range of Early Intervention and prevention mental health initiatives for young people. This includes the consolidation of the ten existing Jigsaw services nationally, and the provision of new services at Dublin, Cork and Limerick. As the details raised by the Deputy on a further roll-out is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
65. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the reason ambulance services in Edenderry have been relocated to Tullamore; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30667/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
66. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health his views on the September 2016 figures from the National Treatment Purchase Fund which showed that 1,069 persons are waiting more than 12 months for an outpatient appointment in Naas General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30677/16]
View answerA key challenge for our health system is to ensure that patients have timely access to health services, in light of increasing demand. This Government is committed to a sustained focus on improving wait times, particularly for those waiting longest.
While the numbers on waiting lists are undoubtedly too high, the key issue is how long people are waiting. According to the September waiting list data published by the NTPF, 81% of patients on the outpatient waiting lists are waiting for Naas Hospital are waiting less than 12 months for their appointment and 90% are waiting less than 15 months.
My Department works closely with the HSE and the NTPF to implement measures to reduce waiting times. At my request, in August, the HSE developed an action plan to reduce, by year end, the number of patients currently waiting 18 months or more for an inpatient-daycase procedure.
Also the NTPF is currently implementing an Endoscopy Initiative which aims to ensure that, by year end, no patient will be waiting 12 months or more for an endoscopy procedure.
Furthermore, €7m of the Winter Initiative funding is to be utilised to fund a targeted waiting list programme to provide treatment for patients waiting for orthopaedic, spinal and scoliosis procedures.
Finally, the Budget 2017 provides for the treatment of our longest-waiting patients. €20m is being allocated to the NTPF, rising to €55m in 2018. Planning of this initiative is at an advanced stage by the NTPF, my Department and the HSE.
In relation to the specific query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
68. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health his views on the September 2016 figures from the National Treatment Purchase Fund which showed that 1,070 persons are waiting more than 18 months for an outpatient appointment in Connolly Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30656/16]
View answerA key challenge for our health system is to ensure that patients have timely access to health services, in light of increasing demand. This Government is committed to a sustained focus on improving wait times, particularly for those waiting longest.
While the numbers on waiting lists are undoubtedly too high, the key issue is how long people are waiting. According to the September waiting list data published by the NTPF, 76% of patients on the outpatient waiting list for Connolly Hospital are waiting less than 12 months for their appointment and 85% are waiting less than 15 months.
My Department works closely with the HSE and the NTPF to implement measures to reduce waiting times. At my request, in August, the HSE developed an action plan to reduce, by year end, the number of patients currently waiting 18 months or more for an inpatient-daycase procedure.
Also the NTPF is currently implementing an Endoscopy Initiative which aims to ensure that, by year end, no patient will be waiting 12 months or more for an endoscopy procedure.
Furthermore, €7m of the Winter Initiative funding is to be utilised to fund a targeted waiting list programme to provide treatment for patients waiting for orthopaedic, spinal and scoliosis procedures.
Finally, the Budget 2017 provides for the treatment of our longest-waiting patients. €20m is being allocated to the NTPF, rising to €55m in 2018. Planning of this initiative is at an advanced stage by the NTPF, my Department and the HSE.
In relation to the specific query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
69. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Health the status of the proposed regional hospital for counties Meath, Louth, Cavan and Monaghan which was to be constructed in Navan, County Meath; and when construction is likely to commence. [30492/16]
View answerThere are currently no plans to construct a regional hospital for the north east in Navan. The proposal that a regional hospital be developed in Navan originated in a report prepared for the HSE in 2008. This proposal was superseded by the Government's decision, in 2013, to re-organise acute hospitals into Hospital Groups.
Our Lady’s Hospital Navan is part of the Ireland East Hospital Group, which includes the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital; St Vincent's University Hospital; Midland Regional Hospital Mullingar; St Luke's General Hospital, Kilkenny; Wexford General Hospital; National Maternity Hospital; St Columcille's Hospital; St Michael's Hospital, Dun Laoghaire; Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospital and the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital.
Hospital Groups must increasingly focus on networks of service provision with smaller hospitals managing routine, urgent or planned care locally, more complex care managed in the larger hospitals and better linkages with primary, continuing and social care. Ireland East Hospital Group is developing a Strategic Plan to describe how they will provide more efficient and effective patient services and reorganise their services across the Group, including at Navan, to provide optimal care to the populations served.
70. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his views on whether a greater use of biosimilars could assist in controlling the cost of medications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30641/16]
View answerThe use of biotechnology in the pharmaceutical field has led to the development of many new biological medicines, offering new treatments for a range of serious illnesses.
The manufacturing of a biological medicine is a complex process. Biosimilar medicines are similar but not identical to their reference biological medicines, and therefore are not considered in the same way as generic medicines. Under the Heath (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, biosimilars are not considered to be interchangeable, and therefore cannot be substituted for biological medicines.
It is likely that the use of biosimilar medicines will grow in Ireland in the coming years as the patents on biological medicines expire, offering opportunities for the State to make further savings on the cost of medicines. The recently signed Framework Agreement on the Supply and Pricing of Medicines 2016-2020 with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association includes a provision to take advantage of these new developments in the pharmaceutical industry. Under the new Agreement the price of a biologic medicine will be reduced by 20% and an additional rebate of 12.5% provided upon entry into the market of a biosimilar.
Officials in my Department are currently assessing the whole area of biosimilar medicines and are developing a biosimilar policy. They will be working with the Health Products Regulatory Authority and the HSE to progress this agenda and will be examining the need for legislative changes in this area. It is useful to note that the HSE's Medicines Management Programme issued a position paper earlier this year supporting the appropriate introduction of biosimliars into clinical use in Ireland.
71. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health if a third consultant rheumatologist has been appointed to Sligo General Hospital; when the outreach rheumatology clinic will be reinstated in Letterkenny University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30493/16]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
72. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the targets in place for child and adolescent mental health service teams staff levels in CHO 9 in 2017 to bring them closer to the target set in A Vision for Change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30680/16]
View answerAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
73. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health the targets in place for child and adolescent mental health service teams staff levels in CHO 1 in 2017 to bring them closer to the target set in A Vision for Change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30676/16]
View answerAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
74. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if, regarding the new access and inclusion model, AIM, in preschools and recent incidences of children with special educational needs, SEN, who were provided with SEN supports previously but who are to have these supports withdrawn henceforth; if he has met with his colleague, the Minister of State to further examine and discuss same; and the measures he will take to ensure that all supports currently available through the various agencies will remain in place for 2016/2017 during this transition period. [22968/16]
View answerThe Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme, is the responsibility of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. The Department of Children and Youth Affairs has brought forward a new model of supports to facilitate the full participation of children with a disability in the ECCE Programme. The new Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) will provide supports including enhanced continuing professional development for early years practitioners; grants for equipment, appliances and minor alterations; and access to therapeutic intervention. Funding of €15m has been provided to phase these supports in during 2016. Full year costs for these supports are estimated to be €33m from 2017 onwards. This model of supports was launched on 18th November last by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs with my full support and the support of my Government colleague, Minister for Education and Skills.
Improving access to therapy services for children in primary care and in disability services is a particular priority for the Government. Building on additional investment in recent years, funding of €8m was provided to the HSE in 2016 to expand the provision of Speech and Language Therapy in primary care and the further development of early intervention therapy services under the Progressing Disabilities Programme to facilitate the inclusion of children with a disability in mainstream pre-school settings, as part of the rollout of the new inclusive preschools model.
It should be noted that while the Health Service Executive has no statutory obligation to provide assistant supports for children with special needs wishing to avail of the ECCE scheme, it has, to date, worked at local level and in partnership with the relevant disability service providers to address individual needs as they arise. This has been done, for example, by funding special pre-schools that cater specifically for children with disabilities. In some limited and specific cases at local level, disability services have in the past also facilitated children with a disability to attend mainstream pre-schools by providing additional supports where possible and where resources are available.
Within this context, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to the issues he has raised.
75. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Health his views on the recruitment of a new general manager at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, with the stated job remit to downgrade the hospital from a model three to a model two hospital and close the 24/7 accident and emergency unit. [30491/16]
View answerOur Lady’s Hospital Navan is a constituent hospital of the Ireland East Hospital Group. Hospital Groups must increasingly focus on networks of service provision with smaller hospitals managing routine, urgent or planned care locally, more complex care managed in the larger hospitals and better linkages with primary, continuing and social care.
The future of Navan hospital is as a constituent hospital within the Hospital Group and there is significant potential for enhancing the hospital’s role within the Group. As a smaller hospital, the challenge is to make sure that Navan provides more of the right type of services, which can safely be delivered, so that we maximise the benefit to patients.
A number of developments at the hospital have been funded in recent years including the refurbishment of the Emergency Department and upgrade of general theatres and Central Sterile Services. There has also been an increase in day surgical activity, with surgeons from the Mater Misercordiae University Hospital carrying out day surgery in Navan. Further developments in relation to surgery and other clinical services are being considered by the Group.
In relation to the role of the general manager, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
76. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the targets in place for child and adolescent mental health service teams staff levels in CHO 4 in 2017 to bring them closer to the target set in A Vision for Change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30659/16]
View answerAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply
77. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Health his views on the September 2016 figures from the National Treatment Purchase Fund which showed that 1,805 persons are waiting more than 12 months for an outpatient appointment in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30673/16]
View answerA key challenge for our health system is to ensure that patients have timely access to health services, in light of increasing demand. This Government is committed to a sustained focus on improving wait times, particularly for those waiting longest.
While the numbers on waiting lists are undoubtedly too high, the key issue is how long people are waiting. According to the September waiting list data published by the NTPF, 85% of patients on the outpatient waiting list for Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital are waiting less than 12 months for their appointment and nearly 92% are waiting less than 15 months.
My Department works closely with the HSE and the NTPF to implement measures to reduce waiting times. At my request, in August, the HSE developed an action plan to reduce, by year end, the number of patients currently waiting 18 months or more for an inpatient-daycase procedure.
Also the NTPF is currently implementing an Endoscopy Initiative which aims to ensure that, by year end, no patient will be waiting 12 months or more for an endoscopy procedure.
Furthermore, €7m of the Winter Initiative funding is to be utilised to fund a targeted waiting list programme to provide treatment for patients waiting for orthopaedic, spinal and scoliosis procedures.
Finally, the Budget 2017 provides for the treatment of our longest-waiting patients. €20m is being allocated to the NTPF, rising to €55m in 2018. Planning of this initiative is at an advanced stage by the NTPF, my Department and the HSE.
In relation to the specific query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
79. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health his plans to implement in full the decision taken by his immediate predecessor to protect the two titles of physiotherapist and physical therapist in one register; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30646/16]
View answerI can confirm that I will be implementing in full the decisions taken earlier this year by my predecessor, Leo Varadkar T.D., that the titles of physiotherapist and physical therapist would be protected under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 and that there would be only one register for the profession. This was welcomed by the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists.
Last month, the Physiotherapists Registration Board established its register under the Act with effect from 30 September 2016. This ensures that the specified title of physiotherapist will be protected for the exclusive use of registrants when the register’s two-year transitional period ends in September 2018.
Earlier this year, my predecessor, Leo Varadkar T.D., having consulted with relevant parties, concluded that protecting the title of physical therapist under the Act as a variant of the title of physiotherapist would be the best way to eliminate the ongoing risk of title confusion and the consequent risks to public safety. He also decided to allow particular existing users of the title of physical therapist, who are not physiotherapists but who hold qualifications of a certain standard, to continue to use the title.
New grand-parenting provisions will allow such practitioners to apply, on a once-off basis and for a limited period, to register in the physiotherapists register, confining their practise to musculoskeletal therapies.
Preparation of the necessary legislation to give effect to these decisions is now at an advanced stage. The legislation will involve the making of regulations under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 in tandem with the enactment of necessary amendments to that Act to allow existing qualified title users to continue to use the title. It is my intention to seek Government approval to include these amendments to the Act in a Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill that is currently being drafted by the Parliamentary Counsel to the Government.
81. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health his plans, exclusive of investment in the new NRH hospital development, for investment in neuro-rehabilitation services in 2017; his further plans to invest new funding in community neuro-rehabilitation services in 2017 to meet the commitment under the programme for Government around the development of neuro-rehabilitation services in the community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30497/16]
View answer485. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if any of the €10 million additional funding in the area of disabilities earmarked for programme for Government commitments will be allocated to the implementation plan of the neuro-rehabilitation strategy and the development of community teams; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30635/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 81 and 485 together.
I am very pleased that as part of Budget 2017, I have been able to both protect significant existing resources and obtain additional funding for disability services. The allocation for disability services will rise to over €1.654 billion in 2017, as compared with the 2016 allocation of €1.562 billion.
The Programme for Partnership Government places a particular focus on a number of key programmes and strategies, including publishing a plan for advancing Neuro-rehabilitation services in the community. I will ask the Health Service Executive, in preparing its National Service Plan for 2017, to examine how a number of key priorities from the Programme for Partnership Government may be progressed within the overall increased envelope of funding for disability services.
82. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health his views on the September 2016 figures from the National Treatment Purchase Fund which showed that 1,569 persons are waiting more than 12 months for an outpatient appointment in Mayo General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30681/16]
View answerA key challenge for our health system is to ensure that patients have timely access to health services, in light of increasing demand. This Government is committed to a sustained focus on improving wait times, particularly for those waiting longest.
While the numbers on waiting lists are undoubtedly too high, the key issue is how long people are waiting. According to the September waiting list data published by the NTPF, 76% of patients on the outpatient waiting lists for Mayo General Hospital are waiting less than 12 months for their appointment and 82% are waiting less than 15 months.
My Department works closely with the HSE and the NTPF to implement measures to reduce waiting times. At my request, in August, the HSE developed an action plan to reduce, by year end, the number of patients currently waiting 18 months or more for an inpatient-daycase procedure.
Also the NTPF is currently implementing an Endoscopy Initiative which aims to ensure that, by year end, no patient will be waiting 12 months or more for an endoscopy procedure.
Furthermore, €7m of the Winter Initiative funding is to be utilised to fund a targeted waiting list programme to provide treatment for patients waiting for orthopaedic, spinal and scoliosis procedures.
Finally, the Budget 2017 provides for the treatment of our longest-waiting patients. €20m is being allocated to the NTPF, rising to €55m in 2018. Planning of this initiative is at an advanced stage by the NTPF, my Department and the HSE.
In relation to the specific query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
83. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health his views on the September 2016 figures from the National Treatment Purchase Fund which showed that 7,607 persons are waiting more than 12 months for an outpatient appointment in Waterford University Hospital, with 2,944 waiting over 18 months [30686/16]
View answerA key challenge for our health system is to ensure that patients have timely access to health services, in light of increasing demand. This Government is committed to a sustained focus on improving wait times, particularly for those waiting longest.
While the numbers on waiting lists are undoubtedly too high, the key issue is how long people are waiting. According to the September waiting list data published by the NTPF, nearly 75% of patients on the outpatient waiting list for Waterford University Hospital are waiting less than 12 months for their appointment and 83% are waiting less than 15 months.
My Department works closely with the HSE and the NTPF to implement measures to reduce waiting times. At my request, in August, the HSE developed an action plan to reduce, by year end, the number of patients currently waiting 18 months or more for an inpatient-daycase procedure.
Also the NTPF is currently implementing an Endoscopy Initiative which aims to ensure that, by year end, no patient will be waiting 12 months or more for an endoscopy procedure.
Furthermore, €7m of the Winter Initiative funding is to be utilised to fund a targeted waiting list programme to provide treatment for patients waiting for orthopaedic, spinal and scoliosis procedures.
Finally, the Budget 2017 provides for the treatment of our longest-waiting patients. €20m is being allocated to the NTPF, rising to €55m in 2018. Planning of this initiative is at an advanced stage by the NTPF, my Department and the HSE.
In relation to the specific query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
84. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the new 75 bed unit in GUH is almost complete and will not be able to take in patients due to the lack of resources; the funding for staff and resources that has been or will be made available as a matter of urgency so that the new unit can be fully opened and utilised in view of the pressure on the existing hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30392/16]
View answerGalway University Hospitals comprise of University Hospital Galway (UHG), a model 4 tertiary referral centre, and Merlin Park Hospital, a model 2 hospital, both located in the city of Galway.
A number of significant projects have been completed in UHG in recent years. These include the Clinical Research Facility, the upgrade of the Maternity Unit and the CF out-patient department.
In addition, major developments currently underway include construction of a 75 bedded Clinical Ward Block and an Adult Acute Mental Health Unit. Planned developments include a Radiation Oncology Project, new Blood and Tissue laboratory facilities and replacement of the current cardiac catheterisation laboratories, CT Radiotherapy and Radiology facilities.
It is expected that the 75 bed ward block at UHG will be handed over to the Hospital at the end of October or early November 2016. Commissioning of the block will then take a number of weeks, with the expectation that the building will be ready for use in Quarter One 2017 as outlined in the HSE National Service Plan 2016.
Under the Winter Initiative 2015, 30 new beds opened in UHG in early 2016 to alleviate overcrowding in the Emergency Department. Further the Programme for a Partnership Government states that a new ED is currently being designed with a view to funding for construction being provided as part of the 2017 Capital Plan Review.
