Written Answers Nos. 446-467
446. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health the HSE's position on the reimbursement of a drug (details supplied); the reason for the delay in engagement as per correspondence from the manufacturer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25520/17]
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.
447. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health if he will prioritise the provision of capital funding for the new endoscopy unit and other ancillary services at Naas General Hospital, Naas, County Kildare, under the review of the capital plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25531/17]
View answerI can confirm that the Department has forwarded its submission under the mid-term review of the capital programme to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. The submission is based on the projected funding requirement arising from exiting commitments, strategies, demand led service needs and commitments contained in the Programme for Partnership Government. At this stage in the process it is not proposed to specify the individual project details contained in the Department's submission.
As with all healthcare projects, including this project, further investment in hospitals must be considered within the overall acute hospital sector infrastructure programme, the prioritised needs of the hospital groups and within the overall capital envelope available to the health service. The HSE will continue to apply the available funding for infrastructure development in the most effective way possible to meet current and future needs, having regard to the level of commitments and the costs to completion already in place.
448. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be called for a cataract operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25537/17]
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.
449. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health if he will consider lowering the monthly contribution payment made by single persons under the drugs payment scheme in the next budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25540/17]
View answerThe Programme for Partnership Government contains a commitment to reduce the cost of medicines by reducing the annual co-payment on the Drugs Payment Scheme and reducing prescription charges for medical card holders. I intend to consider the Drugs Payment Scheme threshold in the context of the health commitments in the Programme for Government, and having regard to the funding available.
450. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a consultant placed a person (details supplied) on the waiting list for surgery in Beaumont Hospital in July 2015; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that the person is still waiting to be called for surgery; the length of time public patients are usually expected to remain on such a waiting list before undergoing surgery; when the person can expect to be called for surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25555/17]
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.
451. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the reason an application for autism spectrum disorder, ASD, assessment by a person (details supplied) has not yet been carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25556/17]
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 an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
452. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health the processing times for applications to the treatment abroad scheme; if there has been an increase or decrease in the average processing times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25573/17]
View answerThe HSE operates the Treatment Abroad Scheme for persons entitled to treatment in another EU/EEA Member State or Switzerland under EU Regulation (EC) No. 883/2004, as per the procedures set out in EU Regulations (EC) No. 987/2009, and in accordance with Department of Health Guidelines.
The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
453. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation treatment for multiple sclerosis will be made available here; if not, the reason for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25581/17]
View answerAutologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation treatment is a potentially promising treatment for a small subset of patients with multiple sclerosis. It is considered a highly aggressive treatment with very significant side-effects. Decisions, therefore relating to appropriate treatment for multiple sclerosis are a matter for clinicians in consultation with patients and their families.
I have asked the HSE to report directly to the Deputy regarding this treatment.
454. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the staffing levels in child and adolescent mental health services; the way in which this compares to recommended levels, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25582/17]
View answerAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
455. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the staffing levels in adult mental health services; the way in which this compares to recommended levels, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25583/17]
View answerAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
456. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the detail of the €5 million funding announced for Healthy Ireland; the way in which the fund will be allocated in terms of selection criteria, distribution and evaluation; when use of the fund will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25584/17]
View answerIn July 2016 Government approved the creation of a Healthy Ireland Fund and subsequently provided an initial allocation of €5 million in Budget 2017 to kick-start its establishment.
The Healthy Ireland Fund will help drive the cross-governmental approach as set out in the Healthy Ireland Framework to improve the mental and physical health and wellbeing of the population.
The main aim of the Fund is to support innovative, cross-sectoral, evidence based projects, programmes and initiatives that support the implementation of the key national policies in areas such as Obesity, Smoking, Alcohol, Physical Activity and Sexual Health. In particular the Fund will be for projects and programmes aimed at children and young people and their families, and supporting communities and vulnerable groups who are at most risk of experiencing health inequalities.
The Fund will support actions towards the achievement of the goals of the Healthy Ireland Framework, which are:
1. Increase the proportion of people who are healthy at all stages of life;
2. Reduce health inequalities;
3. Protect the public from threats to health and wellbeing; and
4. Create an environment where every individual and sector of society can play their part in achieving a healthy Ireland.
Work by my Department on the establishment of the Fund is at an advanced stage, and upon the commencement of the Fund I will make an announcement that will provide further detail.
457. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some general practitioners in County Limerick are charging for the taking of bloods; the steps he will take to enforce the provisions of the Health Act 1970 to ensure that persons covered by the general medical services scheme are not being incorrectly charged for routine phlebotomy services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25586/17]
View answerThere is no provision under the GP GMS contract for persons who hold a medical card or GP visit card to be charged for routine phlebotomy services provided by their GP, or the Practice Nurse on behalf of the GP, which are required to either assist in the diagnosis of illness or the treatment of a condition. The HSE has advised GPs that where a blood test forms part of the investigation or necessary treatment of a patient’s symptoms or conditions, this should be free of charge for patients who hold a medical card or GP visit card. Notwithstanding this, I understand that in recent times, some GPs are charging GMS patients for these services.
If a patient who holds a medical card or GP visit card believes he or she has been incorrectly charged for routine phlebotomy services by his or her GP, then that patient may make a complaint to the HSE Local Health Office, who will deal with the matter in accordance with the HSE's Complaints Policy.
In order to achieve clarity on this issue, I have asked that any difference of perspective in relation to the provision of phlebotomy services be addressed in the GP contractual review. I am pleased that engagement with GP representative bodies to progress this process has commenced and I look forward to constructive and positive engagements in the coming months.
458. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the date the new emergency department at University Hospital Limerick will be open and operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25587/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
459. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the supports a person with a foetal alcohol spectrum disorder can avail of on a county basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25588/17]
View answerAs this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
460. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health when funding will be approved to supply residential care for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25589/17]
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.
461. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health his view on whether the disability complaints section of the HSE national complaints governance and learning team is adequately staffed to deal with the complaints that are currently being received in view of the fact there were 1,119 complaints in 2016 of which 655 were still outstanding by the end of March 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25661/17]
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 an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
462. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that no psychiatrist is available to a person (details supplied). [25662/17]
View answerAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
463. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health if funding will be made available for the drug, Nivolamub, for a person (details supplied) in County Sligo, which their oncologist has recommended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25666/17]
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.
464. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the application for reimbursement for the drug Entresto; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25667/17]
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.
465. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of applications for home care packages for persons aged 65 to 74 years of age, 75 to 84 years of age and 85 years of age and older received in each of the years 2011 to 2016. [25670/17]
View answer466. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of applications for home help hours for persons aged 65 to 74 years of age, 75 to 84 years of age and 85 years of age and older received in each of the years 2011 to 2016. [25671/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 465 and 466 together.
As these are service matters they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
467. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the specific actions he has undertaken under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 to contribute to the national mitigation plan. [25696/17]
View answerUnder the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 the Department of Health will be required to submit a Sectoral Adaptation Plan for the Health Sector, for approval by government. Preparation of sectoral plans will require consultation with other Ministers, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Climate Change Advisory Council and be cognisant of the National Adaptation Framework which is being developed by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment.
My Department is continuing to examine how it will meet its requirements in accordance with the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act.
