Written Answers Nos. 910-935
910. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health the action he will take regarding insurance companies refusing to provide cover for neurological paediatricians prescribing medicinal cannabis; the way he will deal with this matter in new legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13615/17]
View answerI have not received any reports from hospital consultants regarding insurance companies refusing to provide cover for neurological paediatricians prescribing medicinal cannabis.
Under existing arrangements consultants in public hospitals are covered by the Clinical Indemnity Scheme (CIS) in respect of the prescription of THC-based medicines for a patient under their care provided that the consultant is permitted to do so under a licence granted by the Minister for Health under the Misuse of Drugs Acts and where he/she has exhausted all other treatment options for that patient.
In relation to private consultants the CIS covers the excess over the indemnity ceilings (or Caps) set by the State for private indemnifiers of consultants working in private practice settings. Effectively, the private indemnifier’s liability in respect of any claim is capped at the relevant indemnity ceiling and the State assumes responsibility for any amount in excess of the cap. Consultants in private hospitals should check with their Medical Defence Organisations to establish that such organisations will cover them up to the Caps limit in cases where they are considering prescribing THC-based medicines for a patient, under licence from the Minister and where he/she has exhausted all other treatment options for that patient.
911. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health if any person that has applied to his Department regarding the new cannabis legislation succeeded in getting the required drug to treat epilepsy or Dravet syndrome; if so, the name of the consultant involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13616/17]
View answerTo date, only one licence for cannabis-based product containing THC has been issued. As you will know it would be inappropriate for me to comment on individual cases, and the information supplied in any application is confidential.
912. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health if the sponsorship of nursing and midwives third level education initiatives is still available within the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13618/17]
View answerI wish to thank the Deputy for the matter raised.
Given that this is an operational matter, it is appropriate that it should be dealt with by the HSE. I have referred the Deputy's question to the HSE for attention and direct reply within 10 working days.
913. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health if he will request that South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital refer a person (details supplied) for treatment in a private hospital via the National Treatment Purchase Fund once the next funding initiative to the hospital has been sanctioned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13626/17]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
914. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that the next appointment for surgery will take place in respect of a person (details supplied); and the way the person can receive priority surgery. [13627/17]
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.
915. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health when the next initiative of National Treatment Purchase Fund funding will be made available to South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital, Cork, for persons listed on the inpatient day case ophthalmology waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13631/17]
View answerReducing waiting times for the longest waiting patients is one of this Government's key priorities. Consequently, Budget 2017 allocated €20 million to the NTPF, rising to €55 million in 2018.
In December 2016, I granted approval to the NTPF to dedicate €5m to a daycase waiting list initiative with the aim of ensuring that no patient will be waiting more than 18 months for a daycase procedure by 30 June 2017. In excess of 2000 daycases will be managed through this process and outsourcing of treatment will commence from March. The focus of this initiative will be those lists with large numbers of long waiting patients including Ophthalmology.
In addition to this Daycase Initiative, the NTPF has been working closely with my Department and the HSE to agree an approach to the remaining 2017 allocation. The HSE is currently developing a 2017 Waiting List Action Plans for Inpatient/Daycase procedures and Outpatient appointments to reduce the number of patients waiting more than 15 months by the end of October. The Inpatient/Day case Plan is being developed in conjunction with the NTPF's approach to the utilisation of its remaining €10m funding for patient treatment in 2017.
The HSE has now submitted Draft Waiting List Action Plans for Inpatient Daycases and Scoliosis. My Department is currently reviewing and evaluating these plans and engagement is ongoing with the HSE and the NTPF towards the finalisation of the former. The Outpatients Plan has been significantly progressed and I expect that it will be submitted shortly.
916. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the amount of the National Treatment Purchase Fund €5 million funding that has been provided to the South-South West Hospitals Group for the day case waiting list; the number of patients that have had procedures from this hospital; the amount of funding provided to this hospital that is remaining and of the excess of 2000 day cases across the country managed through this process; the number that are patients from South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital and of these the number that are ophthalmology patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13633/17]
View answerIn December 2016, I granted approval to the NTPF to dedicate €5m to a daycase waiting list initiative with the aim of ensuring that no patient will be waiting more than 18 months for a daycase procedure by 30 June 2017. The focus of this initiative will be those lists with large numbers of long waiting patients including Ophthalmology.
In excess of 2000 daycases will be managed through this process and the NTPF has indicated that outsourcing of treatment will commence shortly. As part of this Daycase Waiting List Initiative, the NTPF will be in a position to report on the numbers of patients treated under the Initiative, including by Hospital Group.
917. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13636/17]
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.
918. 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. [13640/17]
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.
919. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when a comprehensive child and adolescent mental health service will be provided to a person (details supplied); the provision made to ensure that all young persons requiring urgent and comprehensive services are provided with them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13649/17]
View answerAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
920. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the amount of public money spent in each of the past five years in respect of treatment in hospitals by the Health Service Executive (details supplied); if these hospitals have entered contracts with the National Treatment Purchase Fund for taking patients off waiting lists; the other funding that has been given to this hospital group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13650/17]
View answerIn relation to the NTPF, the total amounts paid to the Bon Secours Hospitals by the NTPF from 1 Jan 2012 to date is presented in the table. All Bon Secours hospitals are on the current list of authorised hospitals for the purposes of NTPF commissioning plans for 2017.
|
Bon Secours Location |
Total NTPF Funding |
|
Dublin |
€2,024,311.75 |
|
Cork |
€3,602,506.32 |
|
Galway |
€1,590,790.50 |
|
Tralee |
€1,551,508.30 |
In relation to the HSE, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
921. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of all State funding allocation relating to AIDS-HIV prevention to LGBT and non-LGBT organisations over the past ten years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13651/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you.
922. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to address the growing waiting times in Naas hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13655/17]
View answerReducing waiting times for the longest waiting patients is one of this Government's key priorities. Consequently, Budget 2017 allocated €20 million to the NTPF, rising to €55 million in 2018.
In December 2016, I granted approval to the NTPF to dedicate €5m to a daycase waiting list initiative with the aim of ensuring that no patient will be waiting more than 18 months for a daycase procedure by 30 June 2017. In excess of 2000 daycases will be managed through this process and outsourcing of treatment will commence from March.
In addition to this Daycase Initiative, the NTPF has been working closely with my Department and the HSE to agree an approach to the remaining 2017 allocation. The HSE is currently developing a 2017 Waiting List Action Plans for Inpatient/Daycase procedures and Outpatient appointments to ensure that no patient is waiting more than 15 months by the end of October. The Inpatient/Day case Plan is being developed in conjunction with the NTPF's approach to the utilisation of its remaining €10m funding for patient treatment in 2017.
The HSE has now submitted Draft Waiting List Action Plans for Inpatient Daycases and Scoliosis. My Department is currently reviewing and evaluating these plans and engagement is ongoing with the HSE and the NTPF towards the finalisation of the former. The Outpatients Plan has been significantly progressed and I expect that it will be submitted by mid-March.
In relation to the steps being taken to address waiting times in Naas Hospital, as this is a service matter I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
923. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide medical assessment records in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry in view of the fact the person has experienced difficulty accessing their own records; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13662/17]
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 particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
924. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal can expect to have a decision made in respect of a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13663/17]
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 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.
925. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied ) will have surgery. [13666/17]
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.
926. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 446 of 13 December 2016, if he will ensure that a final reply is issued as soon as possible in view of the fact no response has been issued from the Health Service Executive despite several requests to his office. [13670/17]
View answerI am having this matter raised by the Deputy examined and I will reply directly to the Deputy.
927. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health when the position of the sarcoma specialist at St. Vincent's Hospital will be filled; the current status of the recruitment process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13703/17]
View answerThe HSE has advised that interviews for the position of consultant medical oncologist with a special interest in sarcoma in St. Vincent's University Hospital took place last week, and that a successful candidate has been identified.
928. 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. [13709/17]
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.
929. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the reason funding was refused by the Health Service Executive to supply a nurse to a person (details supplied) who has been out of school since February 2017. [13711/17]
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.
As the Deputy's questions relate to service matters, I have arranged for the questions to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
930. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the number of home help hours provided by the Health Service Executive for each of the years 2011 to 2016, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13725/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
931. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the reason long term illness benefit is cut off at 16 years of age for mental illness but not for other illnesses; the reason the medical card is withdrawn for persons suffering from mental illness at the age of 16 but not for other illnesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13730/17]
View answerThe 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.
Medical card provision is solely based on financial assessment. In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE. The Act obliges the HSE to assess whether a person is unable, without due hardship, to arrange general practitioner services for himself or herself and his or her family, having regard to his or her overall financial position and reasonable expenditure and every application must be assessed on that basis. Under the legislation, having a particular illness, in itself, does not establish eligibility for a medical card and therefore, the medical conditions of applicants for this scheme are not monitored on that basis. Where the applicant's income is within the income guidelines, a medical card or GP visit card will be awarded.
Every effort is made by the HSE, within the framework of the legislation, to support applicants in applying for a medical card and, in particular, to take full account of the difficult circumstances in the case of applicants who may be in excess of the income guidelines. It should be noted, in certain circumstances, the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds his or her income threshold, where he or she faces difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from an illness. Social and medical issues are considered when determining whether undue hardship exists for an individual accessing general practitioner or other medical services. The HSE affords applicants the opportunity to furnish supporting information documentation to fully take account of all the relevant circumstances that may benefit them in the assessment, including medical evidence of cost and necessary expenses.
932. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will have surgery arranged. [13741/17]
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.
933. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health his plans to alter the living donor reimbursement scheme in order that stay at home parents would be compensated for child care costs which will ensue as a result of their recuperation from their operation and therefore ensure that there is not a financial disincentive with such activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13743/17]
View answerThe Policy for the Reimbursement of Expenses of Living Donors provides for the reimbursement of accommodation and travel expenses incurred by living kidney donors up to a maximum of €6,000. In addition, the scheme reimburses loss of earnings incurred by salaried/waged donors and self-employed donors for up to 12 weeks after the donation, up to a maximum of €6,000.
This policy was introduced in 2014 and a review of the provisions of the policy was undertaken last year. There are no plans to further alter the scheme.
934. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health if he will review the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13749/17]
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 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.
935. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if an urgent hospital appointment in the neurology department will be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13751/17]
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.
