Tuesday, 8 Nov 2016

Written Answers Nos. 371-389

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (371)

Barry Cowen

Question:

371. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied); and when the person will receive an appointment. [33619/16]

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.

National Dementia Strategy Implementation

Questions (372)

Mary Butler

Question:

372. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health the status of his Department’s mid-term review of progress in the national dementia strategy; and when it will be completed and published. [33621/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The National Dementia Strategy will be reviewed in the first half of 2017. This review will examine progress to date and will consider how any issues arising should be addressed.

A National Dementia Strategy Monitoring Group, chaired by the Department of Health and including representatives of the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, clinicians, academics, the HSE's National Dementia Office, and those affected by the condition, is overseeing the Strategy's implementation, and this will include oversight of the coming Mid-Term Review.

Services for People with Disabilities

Questions (373)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

373. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) from County Donegal was refused a primary medical certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33622/16]

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.

Hospital Staff Data

Questions (374)

Jack Chambers

Question:

374. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of all vacancies in full-time posts for nurses and hospital consultants in each hospital over the past five years, in tabular form (details supplied); if he will provide a breakdown of the number of approved full-time posts for nurses and hospital consultants in each hospital over the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33623/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.

Departmental Strategy Statements

Questions (375)

Margaret Murphy O'Mahony

Question:

375. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health if his Department has produced a new statement of strategy since May 2016; and if so, the measures in it to support persons with disabilities. [33631/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

My Department is currently in the process of finalising its new three year Statement of Strategy. The Statement of Strategy will reflect the importance placed on empowering people with disabilities to live independent lives, providing them with greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhancing their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. It will contain a number of measures to support persons with disabilities, reflecting the Programme for a Partnership Government. These include:

- Progressing the implementation of Transforming Lives, the programme to implement the recommendations of the Value for Money and Policy Review of Disability Services, which provides the overarching framework for the reform of disability services in Ireland;

- Progressing the reconfiguration of children's disability services under the Progressing Disability Services Programme (0-18s);

- Reviewing Assessment of Need provisions under Part 2 of the Disability Act 2005;

- Progressing the reconfiguration of adult day services, including the provision of appropriate services and supports for school leavers with disabilities who have continuing support needs, as recommended in the report New Directions: Review of HSE Adult Day Services;

- Progressing the reconfiguration of residential services as recommended in Time to Move On from Congregated Settings;

- Leading the Task Force on Personalised Budgets to give people with disabilities more independence, choice and control in accessing health funded personal social services and supports; and

- Drafting legislation for the introduction of a new scheme to assist certain people with a disability who face particular challenges in accessing transport to meet their increased mobility costs.

Medicinal Products Availability

Questions (376)

Alan Kelly

Question:

376. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce Orkambi, a drug for treating cystic fibrosis, to the HSE approved drugs on the drugs payment plan. [33663/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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.

These decisions are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds by the HSE. In reaching its decision, the HSE examines all the evidence which may be relevant in its view for the decision and will take into account such expert opinions and recommendations which may have been sought by the HSE, including, for example, advice from the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics.

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 in June 2016. 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: 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. This process is ongoing. The HSE will consider the outcome of these engagements and any other, together with the NCPE recommendation, in making a final decision on reimbursement.

Long-Term Illness Scheme Coverage

Questions (377)

Margaret Murphy O'Mahony

Question:

377. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health if the condition known as bilateral recurrent serpigineous choroiditis will be added to the long-term illness scheme due to its progressive nature and the need for aggressive immunosuppression and careful long-term observation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33666/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Long Term Illness (LTI) Scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). The conditions covered by the scheme are: acute leukaemia; mental handicap; cerebral palsy; mental illness (in a person under 16); cystic fibrosis; multiple sclerosis; diabetes insipidus; muscular dystrophies; diabetes mellitus; parkinsonism; epilepsy; phenylketonuria; haemophilia; spina bifida; hydrocephalus; and conditions arising from the use of Thalidomide. Under the LTI Scheme, patients receive drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of their illness, free of charge.

There are no plans to extend the list of conditions covered by the LTI Scheme.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (378)

Fiona O'Loughlin

Question:

378. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the strategy and funding in place to ensure the waiting list for scoliosis patients is reduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33687/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Long waiting times for scoliosis surgery are not acceptable, and my Department has been working closely with the HSE to address services pressures, particularly in Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin, which is the largest provider of scoliosis surgery for children and young people.

Additional funding of €1.042m was allocated under the 2015 Service Plan to increase capacity at Crumlin, and further resources of €0.987m have been allocated under the 2016 Service Plan for Orthopaedics and Trauma to address service needs in Crumlin which will have a positive effect on access for scoliosis patients.

The construction of a new orthopaedic theatre in Crumlin has been completed and is commissioned. This will provide for additional scoliosis activity in 2017 but is dependent on the recruitment of additional theatre nurses. The Children's Hospital Group is proactively working on nurse recruitment to support the opening of the new theatre.

The HSE Winter Initiative 2016/2017, published on 9 September, includes €2m provided specifically for scoliosis patients to provide for scoliosis surgeries by year end for 15 paediatric cases on the Crumlin waiting list and to treat 39 adolescent/adult cases on the Tallaght Hospital waiting list.

My Department will continue to work with the HSE and the relevant hospitals to ensure improvements in access to spinal surgery. I recently met with a number of scoliosis advocacy groups to discuss their concerns following which the Children’s Hospital Group has begun a process of engagement with advocacy groups on developing a partnership approach to the design and planning of services for children with scoliosis.

Hospital Services

Questions (379)

Fiona O'Loughlin

Question:

379. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health his plans to transfer maternity services from Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33688/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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 Hospital. The draft plan has been discussed with the Department and is currently the subject of further work and consideration within the HSE with a view to finalising it for submission to the Department. I will then be briefed in advance of further necessary consultations with all relevant stakeholders.

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.

Health Services

Questions (380)

Fiona O'Loughlin

Question:

380. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the therapeutic services for children, such as occupational therapy, that are available in community health organisations in south County Kildare; the manner in which parents can access these services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33689/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this 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.

Services for People with Disabilities

Questions (381)

Fiona O'Loughlin

Question:

381. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health his plans to reduce the waiting list of up to four years for children requiring appointments with HSE assessment officers in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33690/16]

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.

The particular issue raised by the Deputy is a service matter for the HSE. Accordingly I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

Home Care Packages

Questions (382)

Thomas Byrne

Question:

382. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Health when a home care package will be put in place for a person (details supplied) who has already been approved for this scheme. [33695/16]

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 direct reply.

Hospital Staff

Questions (383)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

383. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if there is a dedicated respiratory doctor or consultant in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda that specialises in COPD; if there has been in the past; his plans in the near future to address any staff vacancy in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33701/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Health Services

Questions (384)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

384. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an application by a person (details supplied) who has been awarded an injury grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33704/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.

Medical Card Applications

Questions (385)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

385. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in determination of eligibility for a medical card in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33706/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The 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.

Services for People with Disabilities

Questions (386)

James Browne

Question:

386. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that respite beds in the system, notably in Enniscorthy, are being used as full-time institutional beds thus reducing the capacity for respite to needy families in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33708/16]

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.

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.

Hospital Services

Questions (387)

Seamus Healy

Question:

387. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the preparation of a development control plan for South Tipperary General Hospital site at Clonmel, County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33722/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Hospital Services

Questions (388)

David Cullinane

Question:

388. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the south-south west hospital group has categorised as high risk the out of hours access to interventional cardiology services at University Hospital Waterford, UHW; his views on this risk analysis; his further views on whether this justifies the need to extend out of hours access and move to full 24-7 emergency cover at University Hospital Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33728/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The risk register helps to establish a direction for managing risks. It provides managers with a high level overview of the services’ risk status at a particular point in time, and becomes a dynamic tool for the monitoring of actions which need to be taken to mitigate that risk.

I am aware that the South/South West Hospital Group risk register had identified out of hours access to interventional cardiology services as a risk. However, to manage this risk protocols are in place for STEMI patients out of hours, which includes patients being transferred to Cork or Dublin for primary PCI. Alternatively, STEMI patients receive thrombolysis at the nearest hospital before later being referred to a PCI centre.

The Deputy will be aware of the review of cath lab services at UHW which was undertaken by Dr Niall Herity. Dr Herity has made clear recommendations that a second cardiac cath lab at UHW is not justified. However, he recommends investing in UHW to enhance the existing cardiology services including increasing the number of weekly sessions currently provided, in order to address waiting times and to provide improved access for patients. He also recommends that new specialist equipment be provided to improve contingency for radiological equipment failure during a procedure. I am happy to provide the additional resources necessary to implement these recommendations. This investment will be reflected in the HSE National Service Plan for 2017.

Dr Herity also recommends that some services be provided elsewhere. In this regard, I have asked my Department to address the implications of this recommendation by undertaking a national review of all primary PCI services with the aim to ensure that as many patients as possible have access to a 24/7 basis to safe and sustainable emergency interventions following a heart attack. I expect the review to be completed by the end of July 2017.

Implementation of Dr Herity’s report will, I believe, strengthen the provision of safe and sustainable primary PCI services for STEMI patients in the South East.

Hospital Services

Questions (389)

David Cullinane

Question:

389. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the reason ten inpatient beds at University Hospital Waterford have been closed; the details of the additional beds which were promised as part of the winter programme; if these additional beds will also now not open; the reasons for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33729/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Integrated, patient-centred approaches to winter planning are key to ensuring that the health service effectively manages peak winter pressure times in our EDs, such that patients experience a safe, high quality health service, in the setting most appropriate to their needs. Accordingly, the Winter Initiative has provided €40 million of additional funding to facilitate such an approach for this period of particularly high pressure.

The Initiative aims to strike a balance between hospital avoidance measures, supporting patient flow through acute hospitals and increasing the availability of social care services. In relation to University Hospital Waterford the Winter Initiative will provide: 6 additional Home Care Packages per week until February 2017, funding to discharge 2 complex cases on a once off basis; funding for 15 surge capacity beds; funding to enable patients requiring orthopaedic surgery to avail of treatment at Cappagh Hospital.

I am currently chairing a weekly meeting with the HSE to drive progress in implementing the Winter Initiative. With regard to the specific queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service matters, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.