Written Answers Nos. 383-407
384. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the number of children who were registered and diagnosed as having a congenital condition causing loss of eyesight as of December 2016, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15297/17]
View answerThere are no plans for the establishment of a database for children with a congenital condition causing loss of eyesight.
With regard to services for people with disabilities, the Health Service Executive's two current Service Planning Databases in the disability sector are the National Intellectual Disability Database and the National Physical and Sensory Disability Database. The Health Research Board manages both of these databases on behalf of the Department of Health. The databases record current and future service needs, rather than being a registry of those with specific conditions. Health funded services for people with disabilities are provided on the basis of identified service needs, rather than linked to a specific diagnosis.
385. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied with the recent changes implemented by the HSE for dispensing medicines on a weekly basis instead of the previously monthly basis noting the difficulties for elderly persons in particular to access their medicine on a weekly basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15307/17]
View answerIn general, monthly prescriptions are dispensed by pharmacies on a monthly or 28-day basis depending on the type of medicine and the form in which it is packaged by the manufacturer. A prescriber may, on occasion, request that patients are only supplied with one week's supply of medicine at a time, due to the nature of the medicines involved and/or any ongoing safety concerns for the patient. In such circumstances, the prescription would be required to be dispensed by the pharmacy on a weekly basis, and this would be governed by the particular patient's care needs. This is known as phased dispensing. The rules in relation to dispensing have not changed.
Claims by pharmacists for phased dispensing fees are only valid in certain narrow circumstances, where the dispensing on multiple supply occasions is:
- at the request of a patient's physician;
- due to the inherent nature of the medicine in terms of product stability and shelf life;
- where a patient is commencing new drug therapy with a view to establishing patient tolerance and acceptability before continuing on a full treatment regimen;
- in exceptional circumstances where the patient is incapable of safely and effectively managing the medication regimen.
386. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a cataract appointment in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15312/17]
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.
387. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health his views on the fact that persons have been told there is no day service available in the Mullingar area for their child with a disability after the child completes school. [15313/17]
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.
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.
388. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an appointment for knee surgery for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15318/17]
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.
389. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will be included in the list for the NTPF for ophthalmology surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15323/17]
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 shortly. 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.
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.
390. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for children who are on the assessment of need waiting list in County Kildare; the average waiting time for children placed on this list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15325/17]
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.
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.
391. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the staffing levels at a facility (details supplied); when staffing vacancies at this facility will be filled; and if budget 2017 included funding for this purpose [15332/17]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
392. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be provided a date for hip replacement surgery in Cappagh Hospital. [15337/17]
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.
393. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the problems currently being experienced at Cork University Hospital, CUH, accident and emergency department as a result of poor ambulance turnaround times due to a lack of staff to receive ambulance passengers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15349/17]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
394. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the problem being caused to ambulance services due to the current inability of emergency medical technicians, EMTs, to use their experience and training to determine the seriousness of call-outs to their services and judge, on a case-by-case basis, if the use of an ambulance is appropriate, resulting in patients who do not require an ambulance taking up resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15350/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
395. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a date for surgery in respect of a person (details supplied). [15352/17]
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.
396. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision of an amended appointment date in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15357/17]
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.
397. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health the reason a person's (details supplied) application for a medical card has not yet been processed despite providing additional requested documentation to his Department on 17 February 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15365/17]
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.
398. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision of a service in a hospital (details supplied); if the HSE plans on implementing such a service here in the future; the reason it is currently not in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15370/17]
View answerIn response to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
399. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the delays for cardiac rehabilitation in Beaumont Hospital, the Mater hospital and Drogheda hospital; the strategies in place to resolve these delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15374/17]
View answerIn response to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
401. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the number of persons currently waiting in County Mayo for a neurological consultant appointment broken down by time waiting of zero to three months, three to six months, six to nine months, nine to 12 months, 12 to 24 months and more than 24 months, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15383/17]
View answerThe National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) has advised that as of 23 March 2017 there were 521 people (including children) on the outpatient waiting list on the Neurology Outpatient waiting list with a patient area of residence of Donegal. The waiting times of those on the list is indicated in the following table.
Neurology Outpatient waiting list with a patient area of residence of Donegal
|
- |
0-3- months |
3-6 months |
6-9 months |
9-12 months |
12-24 months |
24+ months |
Total |
|
Number of Patients |
218 |
105 |
74 |
39 |
76 |
9 |
521 |
As the Deputy may be aware, 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 shortly. The focus of this initiative will be those lists with large numbers of long waiting patients.
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.
402. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Health if he will address the issue of the long waiting list for cataract surgery within the UL Hospitals group; the number that are on the waiting list for surgery; the number that are on the waiting list referred to but yet to be seen by an ophthalmic surgeon; the longest period of time that a person is on a waiting list for cataract surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15386/17]
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.
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.
403. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Health the status of an application for nursing registration in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15387/17]
View answerThe Department has received a report from the NMBI in relation to the matter raised by the Deputy.
The NMBI advised that the applicant applied for registration in the General Nurse Division of the Register on 21 December 2016. The NMBI confirmed that the final supporting document was received on 6 March 2017. A number of clarifications were required from the applicant. Although some clarification have been provided, the NMBI cannot progress the application further until all clarifications have been received.
404. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health his plans to examine the pre-medical condition of girls claiming to be affected by the HPV vaccination in each of the years 2010 to 2016; his views on whether an injustice is being done to such a vulnerable group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15388/17]
View answer405. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health his views on the HPV controversy; his plans to meet the girls affected to discuss a resolution to this situation; his views on the case of these girls and their families and the major cost implications in receiving medical attention within and outside the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15389/17]
View answer406. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health his views on the fact that by continuing with the HPV vaccination programme there will be a further percentage of girls displaying serious medical difficulties if action is not taken now and in view of the fact that it is highlighted to all parties involved and may yet lead to a public inquiry at some date in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15390/17]
View answer407. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health his views on the HPV controversy and the cost implication for the families in addressing their considerable medical needs; the structures he plans to put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15391/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 404 to 407, inclusive, together.
The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). NIAC is a committee of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland comprising of experts in a number of specialties including infectious diseases, paediatrics and public health. The committee's recommendations are informed by public health advice and international best practice. The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in Europe continually monitor adverse events to vaccination. All relevant and appropriate information is taken into account when deciding to make changes to the State's immunisation programmes.
Each year in Ireland around 300 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer. The HPV vaccine protects against two high risk types of HPV (16 & 18) that cause 73% of all cervical cancers. Vaccinated women and girls will still be at risk from other high risk types of HPV that can cause cervical cancer and will therefore need to continue to have regular cervical smear tests. NIAC recommended that the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine be given to all girls aged 12-13 in 2009 and in September 2010 the HPV vaccination programme was introduced for all girls in first year of second level schools.
Gardasil is the HPV vaccine used in Ireland in the context of the HSE schools immunisation programme. In Ireland more than 660,000 doses of Gardasil have been administered and almost 250,000 girls have been vaccinated against HPV. Over 205 million doses of the HPV vaccine Gardasil have been distributed worldwide, either as part of national immunisation programmes or by private doctors. Gardasil is currently used in over 25 European countries, the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
I am aware of claims of an association between HPV vaccination and a number of conditions experienced by a group of young women. An illness that occurs around the time a vaccine is given and is already known to be common in adolescence does not imply the vaccine caused the problem. It appears that some girls first suffered symptoms around the time they received the HPV vaccine, and understandably some parents have connected the vaccine to their daughter’s condition. It is important to reassure people that anyone who is suffering ill health is eligible to seek medical attention, and to access appropriate health and social care services, irrespective of the cause of their symptoms. The diverse nature of these symptoms, which can have both physical and psychological causes, are shared by many conditions which has implications for both diagnostic and treatment services. The individual nature of the needs of some children may require access to specialist services and the HSE are currently working to put in place clinical care pathways appropriate to the differing medical needs of this group. As there is no scientific evidence that the vaccine causes long term illnesses, the HPV vaccine cannot be held responsible for these illnesses.
It is important to counter misinformation in relation to the safety of vaccines, and to increase the uptake rates of all vaccines in the State’s immunisation programmes. The scientific evidence is clear and misinformation is causing real harm to those unvaccinated children and adults who develop vaccine preventable diseases, and to people who seek inappropriate treatments for real conditions that are not caused by vaccines.
The focus for the HPV programme in 2017 is to counter the misinformation in relation to the safety of the HPV vaccine, and to increase the uptake rate in girls as part of the schools immunisation programme. The benefits of HPV vaccines outweigh the known side effects. The safety of these vaccines, as with all medicines, will continue to be carefully monitored and will take into account any future new evidence of side effects that becomes available. I encourage the parents of all eligible girls to ensure that their daughters receive this important cancer preventing vaccine.
