Michael Healy-Rae
Question:587. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34990/16]
View answerHospital Waiting Lists
Questions (587)
Written answers
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 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.
Medicinal Products Reimbursement
Questions (588)
Joan Collins
Question:588. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health his plans to remove a tablet (details supplied), which is prescribed for macular degeneration of the eyes, from the hardship scheme. [34991/16]
View answerWritten answers
The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicinal products under the community drug schemes in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
Medicinal Products Availability
Questions (589)
Joan Collins
Question:589. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health his plans to remove any item now accessible under the hardship scheme from the hardship scheme. [34992/16]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration and operation of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (590)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:590. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34993/16]
View answerWritten answers
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 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.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (591)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:591. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34994/16]
View answerWritten answers
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 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.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (592)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:592. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34995/16]
View answerWritten answers
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 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.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (593)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:593. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34996/16]
View answerWritten answers
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 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.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (594)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:594. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34997/16]
View answerWritten answers
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 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.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (595)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:595. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35002/16]
View answerWritten answers
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 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.
Hospital Equipment
Questions (596)
Mattie McGrath
Question:596. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason despite the two new reconstructions at a total cost of €10.15 million and €12.6 million of Our Lady’s Hospital, Cashel, County Tipperary, medical and surgical equipment has been removed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35006/16]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Hospital Facilities
Questions (597)
Mattie McGrath
Question:597. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if Our Lady's Hospital, Cashel, County Tipperary has any designated space for worship or spiritual care since the removal of the oratory that was previously in place at the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35007/16]
View answerWritten answers
There is an Oratory/reflection room/quiet room in Our Lady's Hospital Cashel. It is located near the lift and adjacent to the old front door and has been there for many years.
Cancer Screening Programmes
Questions (598)
Eamon Scanlon
Question:598. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health the details of the programme for BreastCheck at Sligo University Hospital in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35008/16]
View answerWritten answers
The Deputy's question relates to service delivery matters and accordingly I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him.
Medicinal Products Availability
Questions (599)
Gino Kenny
Question:599. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the arrangements he has made to enable compassionate access to cannabis based medicines for a person (details supplied) and other persons with medical conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35010/16]
View answerWritten answers
I am aware that many patients believe that cannabis should be a treatment option for their medical condition. However, with the exception of Sativex, cannabis-based preparations are not currently authorised as medicines in Ireland. Cannabis has not gone through the normal regulatory procedures for medicines which are designed to protect patients and ensure treatments are supported by good evidence of their safety and efficacy.
I am however committed to urgently reviewing policy on medicinal cannabis. I have requested the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) to provide me with expert advice on the matter. The HPRA’s statutory role is to protect and enhance human health by regulating medicines and other health products and it has the necessary clinical and scientific expertise to provide advice on this issue. I have asked the HPRA to report on recent developments in the use of medicinal cannabis in other countries including an overview of emerging research. This report may also propose changes to Irish legislation in relation to the use of medicinal cannabis.
Separately the Oireachtas Health Committee will also start to examine the issue of medicinal cannabis later this month. I hope to receive the report from the HPRA and the output from the Oireachtas Health Committee early in the new year and I will then be in a position to consider future policy and progress any legislative changes that may be recommended.
In the meantime, it must be emphasised that treatment options for a particular condition are a matter to be discussed between a patient, their carer and their doctor in the first instance. There are, for example, cannabis-based preparations intended for the treatment of certain types of epilepsy which are currently undergoing clinical trials. It may be possible for patients to access these products on an individual basis, but this is something for discussion with the treating doctor.
Cannabis-based preparations are strictly controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Acts. It is open for an Irish registered doctor to apply for a licence for such preparations for an individual, named-patient. Such applications will be considered on a case by case basis. The appropriateness of any particular treatment is a matter between the patient and their doctor. It would be entirely inappropriate for me, as Minister for Health, to involve myself in this process. My understanding is that many doctors would be quite cautious about recommending a cannabis-based treatment for a patient, in the absence of the robust clinical evidence which underpins authorised medicines.