Monday, 11 Sep 2017

Health Services

Questions (974)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

974. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding a transfer list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37459/17]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (975)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

975. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37461/17]

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Written answers

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.

Medicinal Products

Questions (976)

Lisa Chambers

Question:

976. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health if there has been a change in policy for the distribution of medication to persons who receive their monthly prescriptions in blister packs; and the reason monthly prescription holders can only receive blister packs that contain seven days' medication rather than the full months' supply in one visit. [37468/17]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

Under 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.

Health Services

Questions (977)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

977. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter regarding a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37470/17]

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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.

Question No. 978 answered with Question No. 890.

Medical Aids and Appliances Provision

Questions (979)

Pat Deering

Question:

979. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when the freestyle flash glucose monitoring system will be made available to persons here through the medical card scheme or the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37476/17]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Under 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.

Community Care

Questions (980)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

980. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the Maynooth community care unit, County Kildare; and the timeframe for the unit to receive its €1 million investment. [37485/17]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Many public units are housed in buildings that are less than ideal in the modern context, but notwithstanding this, the care delivered to residents is generally of a very high standard. It is important therefore that we upgrade our public bed stock and this is the aim of the 5 year Capital Investment Programme for Community Nursing Units which was announced last year. This provides the framework to allow for an enhanced programme to replace, upgrade and refurbish these care facilities, as appropriate. Significant work was undertaken to determine the most optimum scheduling of projects within the phased provision of funding to achieve compliance with National Standards. Maynooth Community Care Unit is not included under this programme.

I understand that the potential to refurbish Maynooth is being considered by the HSE at present and I further understand that there are no indications that beds will be closed. I have asked the Health Service Executive to provide further information to the Deputy in respect of the unit in question.

Medicinal Products Availability

Questions (981, 1178)

Kevin O'Keeffe

Question:

981. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health the progress made by the HSE following representations by the applicant company to provide a drug (details supplied). [37486/17]

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John Curran

Question:

1178. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the position regarding persons who have been using Respreeza for many years; if this drug will continue to be available to these persons; the position with regard to persons who also might benefit from using this drug; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38218/17]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 981 and 1178 together.

The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drugs schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.

The HSE has considered the issue of reimbursement of Respreeza for maintenance treatment of emphysema in adults with documented severe alpha1-proteinase inhibitor deficiency.

The HSE has decided not to support reimbursement of the medicine at the price sought by the applicant indicating that it did not consider the evidence for its clinical benefit to be sufficiently strong, in the context of the proposed cost and budget impact. I instructed the HSE to engage with patient groups directly in relation to this decision .

In relation to the access scheme, the operation of such schemes is at the discretion of manufacturers. As Minister for Health, I have no role in the operation of these schemes. There is no provision in Irish legislation for the approval of patient access programmes for specific groups of patients with an unmet medical need.

I have previously said that any attempts by manufacturers to link continued access for patients already being treated with a new medicine with decisions under the statutory reimbursement process is both inappropriate and unethical. Manufacturers should operate such schemes in a compassionate and not a commercially-motivated manner. There should be no link between patient access schemes and reimbursement decisions and manufacturers should be open with patients and clinicians from the outset.

Question No. 982 answered with Question No. 863.

Medical Aids and Appliances Provision

Questions (983)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

983. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding liners for prostheses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37497/17]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Ambulance Service

Questions (984)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

984. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the hospitals in the Saolta group are hiring private ambulances for after hours patient transfer call outs rather than using the available national ambulance service ambulances; the reason for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37502/17]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

The National Ambulance Service (NAS) currently manages emergency and intermediate care transport services. Responsibility for the provision of non-emergency patient transport service provision transferred from the NAS to individual service providers such as Hospital Groups and Community Health Organisations in 2012 to better facilitate local decision making with regard to providing for patients needs.

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

Ambulance Service Staff

Questions (985)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

985. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the reason intermediate care operatives in the national ambulance service are not paid double time for overtime, which other health staff receive, and are not entitled to long-service increments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37503/17]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.

Disability Services Provision

Questions (986)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

986. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be assessed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37508/17]

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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 an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (987)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

987. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37509/17]

View answer

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.