Written Answers Nos. 889-907
889. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the ear, nose and throat waiting lists for the RCSI hospital group; and the number of children and adults in the Cavan-Monaghan LHO area waiting one to six months, seven to 12 months, 13 to 24 months, 25 to 48 months and over 48 months. [37161/17]
View answerI acknowledge that waiting times are often unacceptably long and I am conscious of the burden that this places on patients and their families.
Reducing 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 order to reduce the numbers of long-waiting patients, I asked the HSE to develop Waiting List Action Plans for 2017 in the areas of Inpatient/Daycase, Scoliosis and Outpatient Services. The Inpatient/Daycase Action Plan is being delivered through a combination of normal hospital activity, as well as insourcing and outsourcing initiatives utilising NTPF funding. Under the Inpatient/Daycase Plan, since early February, almost 22,000 patients have come off the Inpatient/Daycase Waiting List.
The NTPF has advised that to date 5,295 patients have been authorised for treatment in private hospitals under its Day Case Initiative, 2,065 patients have accepted an offer of treatment in a private hospital and that 954 patients have received their procedure. The NTPF has also indicated that 2,496 patients have been authorised for treatment in public hospitals under the Plan’s insourcing initiatives, 558 offers of treatment have been accepted and 104 patients have been treated.
Under the Oupatient Plan, since early February, almost 79,000 patients have come off the Outpatient Waiting List.
In response to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
890. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the HSE's assessment of phase III data relevant to access to Translarna for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37162/17]
View answer891. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the reason for denying HSE funding for the drug Translarna; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37163/17]
View answer978. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if he has had discussions with the HSE regarding the decision to withdraw funding for Duchenne muscular dystrophy medication Translarna; if he has satisfied himself that every effort has been made to provide adequate alternative access to this medication to the small numbers of persons that are currently reliant on this medication; if he will detail the alternatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37473/17]
View answer995. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health his plans to fund Translarna, a medicine for persons with Duchenne muscular dystrophy; his further plans to assist persons with this rare disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37523/17]
View answer1075. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health if he has given consideration to making the Translarna drug available for persons who suffer from Duchenne muscular dystrophy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37775/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 890, 891, 978, 995 and 1075 together.
The Health Service Executive has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drug schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
The HSE informed my Department of its decision not to reimburse Ataluren (Translarna) in July 2017. The HSE informed the manufacturer of this decision, in keeping with the requirements of the 2013 Act. The manufacturer has appealed the HSE’s decision to the High Court under Section 27 of the 2013 Act.
As proceedings have now issued against the HSE, this is now subject to the Courts process.
It would be inappropriate for me to comment on a matter currently before the Courts.
892. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter with regard to the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37166/17]
View answerI understand that the issue of proposed changes arose because the HSE intended to standardise the way in which wigs and hairpieces and post-mastectomy products are provided and to extend the services to a broader cohort of patients. Guidelines were prepared to help establish equal and consistent access but the proposed changes resulted in concerns for patients who are already receiving such supports. When I became aware of the proposed changes I asked the HSE to come back with an enhanced plan that extends the service to a broader group of patients but does not adversely affect patients who are already coping with serious illness. The HSE has confirmed that it has withdrawn the guidelines in order to engage further with the various stakeholders involved, including patients and suppliers. This process is expected to take several months to conduct and no changes to existing services are to be introduced in the meantime. I have asked the HSE to contact you directly regarding the individual concerned.
893. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if his Department has undertaken clinical research into vaping, further to the publication of the Health Information and Quality Authority's health technology assessment of smoking cessation interventions, which highlighted the need for further research; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37167/17]
View answerMy Department, in pursuing the recommendations of Tobacco Free Ireland requested the Health Information and Quality Authority to carry out a health technology assessment of the clinical and cost-effectiveness of pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical smoking cessation products and services.
The results of the assessment will inform the development of national clinical guidelines which are currently being developed by the Health Service Executive in conjunction with the National Clinical Effectiveness Committee.
My Department will continue to monitor the emerging research on these products, so as to inform decisions around any future additional regulation in this area.
894. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a refund for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37170/17]
View answerUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
895. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37172/17]
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 the Deputy directly.
896. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if a means exists whereby a person (details supplied) can obtain a therapy guide dog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37177/17]
View answerThe Department of Health does not commission the provision or training of assistance/service dogs for children or adults with disabilities. The Health Service Executive's (HSE's) focus is on the protection of core activities such as residential, respite, day and core-therapy provision. Provision of assistance/service dogs to people with a disability is not considered a core health service and is not prioritised for funding by the HSE.
However, I would suggest that the Deputy might consider contacting the organisation Irish Dogs for the Disabled at www.dogsfordisabled.ie, which may be able to provide him with additional information on the matter.
897. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37176/17]
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.
898. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37187/17]
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.
899. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 769 and 770 of 26 July 2017, the position regarding the policy paper on newborn screening cards; the timeframe for the completion and publication of the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37191/17]
View answer900. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 769 and 770 of 26 July 2017, if the policy paper on newborn screening cards will only address the prospective future retention, storage and potential secondary uses of the cards; the policy options being prepared for those cards that are already held; the retrospective options that exist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37192/17]
View answer1161. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the policy paper being prepared by his Department regarding options to seal the breach of the data protection legislation regarding Guthrie cards retained without consent and to provide for the future retention, storage and potential secondary uses of the cards; the timeframe for the publication of the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38126/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 899, 900 and 1161 together.
As I outlined in my previous response to Questions Nos. 769 and 770 of 26 July 2017, following a complaint made to the Data Protection Commissioner in 2009 the State remains in breach of both European Union and national data protection legislation in relation to the retention of newborn screening cards without consent. A policy was developed to address the legal and ethical requirement of the National Newborn Bloodspot Screening Programme (the Programme) and implemented in July 2011. This policy provides for parental consent for the baby to be screened and the card retained for a specific period of time (10 years). During this time, the card can only be used to check the baby's results and for other tests the baby may require and for quality assurance.
The Department of Health hosted a Forum in October 2016 to provide participants from a broad range of areas with the opportunity to engage in dialogue with international experts regarding the retention and possible secondary uses, including research using cards from the archive and in the future. The themes in the Forum report together with international evidence are being considered by officials in my Department to inform policy options regarding the cards retained without consent and to provide prospectively for the future retention, storage and potential secondary uses of the cards. Work on this policy paper is well advanced and will be considered in the coming months.
901. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 772 to 774, inclusive, of 26 July 2017, when the report on the validation of the FDI sugar and fat reduction work will be completed and published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37193/17]
View answer1160. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health when a report on validation of the sugar and fat reduction will be published (details supplied); the timeframe for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38125/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 901 and 1160 together.
I propose to take these questions together as they all relate to the FDI/Creme Global Reformulation Project Report.
The food industry body Food Drink Ireland (FDI) meets with FSAI periodically at the industry's request to seek their input into the industry's reformulation work. The FSAI have been validating food industry salt reduction work for many years by sampling foods from the market and having them analysed in the HSE Public Analysts Laboratory in Galway. These data are published annually and are available on the FSAI web site.
The FSAI has only recently started to look at validation of the FDI sugar and fat reduction work and have, in the first instance, been developing baseline data on yogurts and breakfast cereals based on food labelled data.
A report on this labelling work is expected to be published before the end of the year.
902. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the details of Ireland's food improvement plan as required by the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37194/17]
View answerIreland is actively involved in the EU Food Reformulation Project and is represented by my Department on the EU High Level Group on Nutrition and Physical Activity. The EU High Level Group is agreeing EU targets for reformulation of foods and beverages with Member States across Europe.
In line with the relevant actions in the National Obesity Policy and Action Plan 2016-2025, a Food Reformulation Working Group is being established and membership is being determined by my Department. Draft terms of reference are being prepared for this technical Group and it is envisaged that it will be convened in the near future.
903. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health when his Department's new voluntary code of practice for food marketing, promotion and sponsorship will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37195/17]
View answer'A Healthy Weight for Ireland', the Obesity Policy and Action Plan (OPAP), was launched last September under the Healthy Ireland agenda. The OPAP covers a ten year period up to 2025 and aims to reverse obesity trends, prevent health complications and reduce the overall burden for individuals, families, the health system, and the wider society and economy.
I wish to emphasise that every sector of our society has a role in reducing the burden of obesity and the OPAP clearly acknowledges this.
The OPAP prescribes 'Ten Steps Forward' and under each step there are a number of actions, some of which have been identified for early implementation.
Step 3 is to Secure appropriate support from the commercial sector to play its part in obesity prevention. Under this step, a Code of Practice for food and drink promotion, marketing, product placement and sponsorship has been developed by a working group and it will be published shortly.
904. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the status of recommendation 5.16 of the National Cardiovascular Health Policy 2010 to 2019; the status of the service needs review for GUCH patients; the status of the service development plan; the way in which it is progressing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37196/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
905. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the status of recommendations 4.2 and 4.3 of the National Cardiovascular Health Policy 2010 to 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37197/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
906. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the status of recommendations 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.17 and 5.18, respectively, of the National Cardiovascular Health Policy 2010 to 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37198/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
907. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the status of recommendations 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3, respectively, of the National Cardiovascular Health Policy 2010 to 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37199/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
