Monday, 11 Sep 2017

Medicinal Products Reimbursement

Questions (1188)

James Browne

Question:

1188. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the procedure for approval of new drugs for reimbursement by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38277/17]

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Written answers

The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. The Act specifies the criteria to be applied in decisions on the reimbursement of medicines. The Act does not confer any powers on the Minister for Health in this regard and the HSE does not require the approval or consent of the Minister or Government when making a decision.

A new Framework Agreement on the Supply and Pricing of Medicines 2016-2020 was signed on 20 July 2016. This Framework Agreement incorporates the statutory requirements of the 2013 Act for reimbursement decisions on new medicines. In addition as set out in section 6.1 of the agreement the addition of new medicines to the Reimbursement List will be made in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013 and by reference to Schedule 1, the Principle and Processes for the Assessment of New Medicines in Ireland. A copy of this agreement is available at http://www.ipha.ie/alist/ipha-hse-agreement.aspx.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (1189)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1189. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38278/17]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

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 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.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (1190)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1190. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a medical assessment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38279/17]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

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 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.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (1191)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1191. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38280/17]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

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 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.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (1192)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1192. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an appointment for surgery for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38281/17]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

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 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.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (1193)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1193. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an appointment for surgery for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38282/17]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

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 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.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (1194)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1194. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an appointment for surgery for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38283/17]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

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 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.

Long-Term Illness Scheme Coverage

Questions (1195)

Tony McLoughlin

Question:

1195. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health the reason chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is not included on the long-term illness benefit list; his plans to change the status regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38284/17]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

The LTI Scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). The conditions covered by the LTI 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 Scheme.

Medical Card Applications Data

Questions (1196, 1197, 1198, 1199, 1200, 1201)

Gerry Adams

Question:

1196. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1197 of 20 June 2017, the number of new medical card applications awaiting processing; the date on which these applications were received; and the number of these applications that have exceeded the 15-day turnaround target. [38318/17]

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Gerry Adams

Question:

1197. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1197 of 20 June 2017, the number of medical card review applications awaiting processing; the date on which these applications were received; and the number of these applications that have exceeded the 15-day turnaround target. [38319/17]

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Gerry Adams

Question:

1198. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1197 of 20 June 2017, if persons who are subject to medical card reviews will maintain their eligibility status and access to their medical cards or GP-only cards pending the completion of their reviews; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38320/17]

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Gerry Adams

Question:

1199. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of new medical card applications awaiting processing in each community healthcare organisation, CHO, area; the date on which these applications were received in each CHO area; and the number of these applications that have exceeded the 15-day turnaround target. [38321/17]

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Gerry Adams

Question:

1200. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of persons that hold a full medical card and GP-only card, respectively, in County Louth. [38322/17]

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Gerry Adams

Question:

1201. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of medical card applications received from persons in County Louth in each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017; the number of these applications which were refused; and the number of these applications which resulted in provision of a medical card. [38323/17]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1196 to 1201, inclusive, together.

The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine these matters 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.

Drugs Payment Scheme Coverage

Questions (1202)

Michael McGrath

Question:

1202. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the addition of a drug (details supplied) to the general medical services, GMS, scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38337/17]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

The 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.

Hospital Services

Questions (1203)

Pat the Cope Gallagher

Question:

1203. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health the reason a decision was taken to close the chapel at St. Joseph's Hospital, Stranorlar, which served the Church of Ireland community and other minority faiths; the further reason no consultation took place with the minority faith groups before the plan was published and the decision taken; his views on whether this practice is acceptable on the part of an agency of State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38338/17]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Hospital Overcrowding

Questions (1204)

Pat the Cope Gallagher

Question:

1204. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health the number of times the full capacity protocol was exercised at Letterkenny University Hospital between 1 January 2017 and 31 August 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38340/17]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

In response to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Disability Services Data

Questions (1205)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

1205. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the number of applications before disability service providers by persons requesting respite and full-time residential care for family members that cannot be fulfilled due to budgetary constraints. [38341/17]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The 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.

State Bodies Data

Questions (1206)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

1206. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the annual percentage of staff of non-commercial State-sponsored bodies under the remit of his Department that were women in each of the years 2010 to 2016, and to date in 2017, in tabular form. [38364/17]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

This information is being sought from the Non-Commercial State Agencies under the aegis of the Department, and will be forwarded to the Deputy when collated.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (1207)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1207. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38370/17]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

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 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.