Written Answers Nos. 170 - 180
170. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health if he will bring forward the date for a follow-up meeting with a group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21184/17]
View answerMy office have scheduled a further meeting with the Donegal Diabetes Branch in early June.
In the meantime, my Department continues to seek updates from the HSE regarding the provision of diabetes services in Donegal, and are preparing a further update for the Group.
171. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health the status of a surgery date for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21186/17]
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.
172. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Health if a reply will issue for a query (details supplied) which was sent to his office in February; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21187/17]
View answerThe Department of Health no longer operates a National Lottery Fund. However, the HSE operates a National Lottery funded scheme under which it provides grants to health agencies and other organisations. Details of the scheme are available on the HSE website at: http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/1/schemes/natlotterygrants/.
My Department is currently working on finalising the National Cancer Strategy which will set the policy direction for cancer control for the next decade. The Strategy envisages the development and implementation of dedicated survivorship programmes. Such programmes will address both the physical and psychosocial aspects of survivorship, and will include the provision of practical support in areas such as prevention of future cancers and healthy lifestyles.
173. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health if there are negotiations taking place with the relevant drug company for the supply of a drug (details supplied) which is licensed here but not reimbursed by the HSE and which is the treatment recommended for a person (details supplied); if not, the reason therefor; and if he will consider making the drug available to the person on a trial basis until a decision to approve reimbursement is made. [21196/17]
View answerThe HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines 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.
174. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the amount he plans to inject into respite services in Mullingar in 2017. [21204/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
175. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the independent clinical review of scoliosis services in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21206/17]
View answerI have asked officials in my Department to consider the matter of an Independent clinical review of scoliosis services. I understand that the scoliosis co-design group which will provide an important and useful forum in which to address issues relating to the services currently provided, held its first meeting on 25 April at which, inter alia, it agreed its terms of reference and schedule of meetings.
176. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when the action plan on scoliosis will be released; if there has been engagement with surgeons as part of the development of this plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21207/17]
View answerThe Waiting List Action Plan for Scoliosis has now been finalised and will be communicated shortly. The Children's Hospital Group has confirmed that all parties have agreed the plan.
177. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive an appointment for an operation at Galway University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21211/17]
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.
178. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding funding. [21212/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
179. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the status of the availability of non-drug therapies for schizophrenia within the public health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21213/17]
View answerAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
180. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the reason there is no back up or upgrade plan in place for persons who have lost or damaged their BAHA hearing aids beyond repair (details supplied). [21216/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
