Written Answers Nos. 220-234
220. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a 12-month pilot project called CARE, which provided alcohol treatment to more than 140 persons with addiction problems in three areas of Dublin's northside; if he accepts that this project performed very well on evaluation; and if he will ensure that funding will be provided to enable this much needed project to continue. [31240/16]
View answerThe provision of services to prevent and treat addiction to alcohol is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive and as such, I have referred this question to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply.
221. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a procedure for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31242/16]
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 the Deputy directly.
222. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health his plans to reinstate the National Treatment Purchase Fund, which was cut in 2011 and which allowed patients on a waiting list for over three months to access private medical care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31245/16]
View answerThe National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) previously arranged for the provision of hospital treatment to classes of persons determined by the Minister. Since 2011 this function has been suspended. Currently, in accordance with Reg 4(1) of the NTPF Board (Establishment) Order 2004, the NTPF carries out activities in respect of data and analytics, audit and quality assurance of waiting lists and pricing under the Nursing Home Support Scheme.
The NTPF supports the management of in-patient, day-case and outpatient waiting lists, by working with the HSE to assist hospitals in developing local demand and capacity planning and providing technical guidance materials to ensure the highest standard of data quality and practice. The expertise amassed by the NTPF in respect of waiting lists has proven invaluable in assisting the HSE to administer previous waiting list initiatives and in carrying out smaller-scale targeted initiatives in areas such as endoscopy.
The Programme for Partnership Government emphasises the need for sustained commitment to improving waiting times for patients, with a particular focus on those patients waiting longest. 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-day-case procedure.
In line with the Government priority, the Budget 2017 provides for the treatment of our longest-waiting patients. Funding of €20 million is being allocated to the NTPF, rising to €55 million in 2018. Planning of this initiative is at an advanced stage by the NTPF, my Department and the HSE. Also within current resources, 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.
223. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the number of public autism respite care places for children in County Wexford; the locations of same; and the waiting times for these places at present. [31250/16]
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.
224. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the number of additional staff including medical staff, carers and therapists who will be employed with the additional €61 million secured for the 2017 disability budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31261/16]
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 Government currently provides funding of €1.56 billion to the Disability Services Programme. Budget 2017 includes an increased allocation to the Disability Services Programme to address a number of key priorities in the Programme for Partnership Government. Including the additional funding of €31 million secured earlier this year, the allocation for disability services will rise to over €1.654 billion in 2017, an increase of €92 million on the Budget 2016 allocation.
The quantum of service to be provided will be outlined in the Health Service Executive's National Service Plan for 2017, which is currently being prepared by the Executive. Pending agreement of the National Service Plan, I am not in a position to comment on additional staffing levels to be provided in 2017. As this is a matter in the first instance for the HSE, I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy.
225. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the amount of the additional €61 million in 2016 that will be allocated to pay increases for additional staff and for the employment of new staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31262/16]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
226. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the status of the negotiations between the Health Service Executive's National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics and a pharmaceutical company (details supplied) regarding the drug Orkambi; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31265/16]
View answer232. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the making available of Orkambi to cystic fibrosis sufferers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31318/16]
View answer233. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the negotiations the government has undertaken with the supplier of Orkambi (details supplied) to ensure the supply of this needed drug following the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics recommendation that Orkambi was deemed not to be cost effective; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31319/16]
View answer234. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he has raised the issue of unjustified pricing of life-changing drugs such as Orkambi at EU Council level; if his attention has been drawn to the pricing of Orkambi being an issue in other countries across the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31320/16]
View answer241. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the reason the drug Orkambi is not being made available to cystic fibrosis patients here (details supplied). [31434/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 226, 232 to 234, inclusive, and 241 together.
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. 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.
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 and any other, together with the NCPE recommendation, in making a final decision on reimbursement.
Decisions on pricing and reimbursement of pharmaceutical products within public health systems are a national competence for EU Member States. However, the issue of pricing and reimbursement of medicines and patient access to affordable medicines has been addressed at European level. In June of this year the EU Council adopted conclusions on strengthening the balance in the pharmaceutical systems in the EU and its Member States. Those conclusions invited Member States to explore opportunities for cooperation on pricing and reimbursement of medicines and to identify areas for cooperation which could contribute to higher affordability and better access to medicines. I have indicated my support for these measures and I welcome the opportunity for Member States to cooperate by sharing information so that we can achieve affordable and sustainable access to medicines.
227. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision of respite care in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31272/16]
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 an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
228. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an appointment to see a consultant in the Mater hospital in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31277/16]
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 the Deputy directly.
229. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify the situation in respect of medical card patients' entitlement to chiropody services and if there is any payment required. [31279/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
230. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the charging of medical card patients for blood tests and if a courier charge applies. [31280/16]
View answerPersons covered by the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme should not be charged for routine phlebotomy services provided by their GP, or the Practice Nurse on behalf of the GP, which are required to either assist in the diagnosis of illness or the treatment of a condition. The HSE has addressed this issue and advised GPs that where the service forms part of the investigation or necessary treatment of a patient’s symptoms or conditions, it should be provided free of charge for patients who hold a medical card or GP visit card.
If a patient who holds a medical card or GP visit card believes he-she has been incorrectly charged for routine phlebotomy services or associated courier charges by his-her GP, then that patient may wish to make a complaint to the HSE Local Health Office who will deal with the matter in accordance with the HSE's Complaints Policy. Contact details for all Local Health Offices can be found on the HSE's website.
231. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) can continue to receive medical care at Belfast Children's Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31314/16]
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 the Deputy directly.
