Written Answers Nos. 403-420
403. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the provisional timeline for a second catheterisation laboratory at University Hospital Waterford in order to deal with waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22940/17]
View answerThe Programme for Government committed to the development of a second cath lab at the hospital, subject to a favourable recommendation from an independent clinical review. This independent clinical review was completed by Dr. Niall Herity, a highly respected, Belfast-based NHS cardiologist. Dr Herity concluded that the needs of the effective University Hospital Waterford catchment population could be accommodated from a single cath lab.
However, he recommended investment to enhance cardiac services at the hospital and to provide an additional 8 hours cath lab activity per week to address waiting times and to provide improved access for patients. At the time of the report's publication, I committed to providing additional resources to UHW. In this regard, an additional €500,000 has been allocated to the hospital for 2017.
404. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the reason there is no early intervention psychologist due to staff maternity leave for the assessment of ASD in Nenagh General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22942/17]
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 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.
405. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the position of a person (details supplied) on a waiting list for Mayo University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22943/17]
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.
406. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the reason school-going children are treated differently if they are referred from Nenagh hospital, County Tipperary or South Tipperary General Hospital, Clonmel, County Tipperary in the cost of prescription eye glasses if the child needs a high prescription or a special frame (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22944/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
407. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Health Products Regulatory Authority supports on its website an information leaflet on the medicine fluoxetine (details supplied); if this explanation of thoughts of self-harm or suicide when starting an antidepressant as being due to a delay in onset of action is an evidence based one; if it is contradicted by placebo controlled randomised clinical trials; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22948/17]
View answer408. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Health Products Regulatory Authority supports on its website an information leaflet on the medicine fluoxetine which includes with regard to the way fluoxetine works the statement that (details supplied); if this is evidence based information supported by expert mental health professionals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22949/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 407 and 408 together.
The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is the competent authority for the regulation of medicines in Ireland. The HPRA highlights the fact that all medicines have some risks and a small number of people may develop side effects (also known as adverse reactions). The clinician treating the patient balances the risks associated with a medicine in the context of the overall benefit of the medicine to the health of the patient and the condition being treated.
The packaging of all medicines placed on the market must include a Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) leaflet, which sets out detailed product information intended for healthcare professionals. This information is regularly updated as new data becomes available through various sources of post-marketing experience, including further studies, literature reviews, and evaluation of adverse reaction data. The product information for authorised medicines is based on information submitted in the application dossier supplied by the company marketing the medicine. The application is reviewed by experts assessing the dossier, and the product information is updated as appropriate, to reflect the outcome of that assessment.
All medicines are also supplied with a packaging leaflet intended for the information of the patient/consumer. As the package leaflet is the part of the product information that is intended for patients, it uses patient-accessible language. Product labels and package leaflets play an essential part in the safe and effective use of the medicine by both patient and healthcare professionals.
Fluoxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter chemical in the brain. The mechanism of action is not fully elucidated, but fluoxetine is thought to work by enhancing the availability and activity of serotonin.
The HPRA, in conjunction with European counterparts, continues to review the safety of authorised medicines and takes appropriate regulatory action when necessary.
409. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite heart surgery for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22952/17]
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.
410. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the benefits of treating persons with obesity in reducing mortality, the comorbidities of obesity, reducing disease management costs and improving quality of life; his policy for treating persons with established obesity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22963/17]
View answerIn September 2016 Minister Harris and I launched "A Healthy Weight for Ireland Obesity Policy and Action Plan 2016 – 2025". The key themes of the Policy are Prevention, Care and Management, and Research and Data with the overall aim of reversing the rising levels of overweight and obesity. The World Health Organization has set a global target to halt the rise in obesity by 2025. "A Healthy Weight for Ireland" will cover the ten year period until 2025 and sets targets to be achieved and actions that will produce measurable outcomes. The Policy contains 60 actions which will be implemented, monitored and evaluated; twenty of which have been identified as priority actions and work has commenced on the implementation of the majority of those priority actions already. The timeframes for the other actions will operate over the lifespan of the policy which is 2016 - 2025.
The policy acknowledges that obesity prevention services in the community as well as specialist hospital services will need to be strengthened. Action 7.1 of the Obesity Policy Action Plan makes a clear commitment to the appointment of a Clinical Lead for Obesity in the Health Service Executive (HSE). The process of the recruitment of the Clinical Lead is under way.
411. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health his views on the anomalous situation whereby persons here suffering from Ehlers-Danlos syndrome cannot qualify for assistance under the treatment abroad scheme due to the fact that there are no consultants qualified to sign off on treatment for this disease; if he will direct the HSE to rectify this anomaly in order that these persons can be treated without having to raise funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22970/17]
View answerThe Health Service Executive was asked to examine this matter and I understand that the HSE's Treatment Abroad Scheme office issued a reply to the Deputy on 12 May 2017.
412. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Health when a five-day assisted living service will be provided to a person (details supplied) with special needs. [22971/17]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
413. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the number of new applications for home help that were approved but not allocated due to financial constraints in the south Lee area and in the north Lee area in County Cork, in each of the past six months, in tabular form. [22976/17]
View answer414. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the number of persons approved for home helps who are awaiting allocation of home help, in south Lee and north Lee; and the way in which this compares to the same date in 2016. [22977/17]
View answer417. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the average number of hours per week each home help worker works in south Lee and north Lee in County Cork. [22980/17]
View answer418. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the average number of hours per week each person in receipt of home help receives in south Lee and north Lee in County Cork. [22981/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 413, 414, 417 and 418 together.
As these are service matters they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
415. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the number of applications for home help in each HSE area over the past six months in tabular form. [22978/17]
View answer416. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the number of applications for home help in each HSE area that were approved but not allocated, in each of the past six months, in tabular form. [22979/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 415 and 416 together.
As these are service matters they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
420. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the Cork and Kerry community health organisation home care budgets which may be applicable to young persons being cared for at home. [22999/17]
View answer450. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the funding schemes within HSE social care which may be applicable to young persons with high care needs who wish to remain at home. [23143/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 420 and 450 together.
As the Deputy's questions relate to service matters, I have arranged for the questions to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
