Tuesday, 16 Jan 2018

Pharmacy Services

Questions (1024)

Clare Daly

Question:

1024. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce a pharmacy-based minor ailment scheme. [1369/18]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As the HSE has responsibility for this matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this issue.

Pharmacy Services

Questions (1025)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

1025. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health his plans to review regulations to allow pharmacists to treat common illnesses without the need for a person to attend a doctor's surgery, as a means of easing the pressure on general practitioner offices and accident and emergency departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1371/18]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As the HSE has responsibility for this matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this issue.

Hospital Beds Data

Questions (1026)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

1026. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health when the hospital beds capacity report will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1374/18]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

The Health Service Capacity Review is examining health service capacity across all key areas of primary care, acute care and services for older people.

My Department had direct engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on the terms of reference for the Review early last year. The emerging findings from the process have also been the subject of broader discussions with that Department in relation to health reform and future capital investment in the context of the mid-term review of the current capital plan and the forthcoming ten year National Development Plan.

By October 2017, significant progress had been made on data collection, data analysis, and the development of baseline projections. A public stakeholder consultation process and detailed engagement with health system experts had been carried out and the International Peer Review Group had substantively validated the Review's approach and methodology. Sufficient progress had also been made on modelling the impact of potential policy and productivity changes over the projection period.

Work on the Health Service Capacity Review is at an advanced stage. As previously indicated, the review has a wider scope than previous exercises in that it is examining key elements of primary and community care capacity in addition to acute hospital capacity. This Review will provide a basis for determining both the extent of capacity requirements over the next 15 years and the type of capacity needed. The findings will also inform the development of a new 10 year national development plan.

I expect to receive the final report very shortly and I intend to bring the report to Government and have it published as soon as possible thereafter.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (1027)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1027. 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. [1376/18]

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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 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.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (1028)

Mary Butler

Question:

1028. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for a person (details supplied) will be expedited at the South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital, Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1377/18]

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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 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.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (1029)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

1029. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for surgery for a person (details supplied); if an appointment will be expedited; the reason for the five-year delay for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1381/18]

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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 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.

Home Care Packages Provision

Questions (1030)

Eugene Murphy

Question:

1030. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health if home care hours will be assigned to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1388/18]

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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.

Home Care Packages Provision

Questions (1031)

Eugene Murphy

Question:

1031. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health if home care hours will be assigned to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1389/18]

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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.

Capital Expenditure Programme

Questions (1032)

Brian Stanley

Question:

1032. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health his plans to include the day care centre in Monasterevin for funding in the HSE's capital programme. [1393/18]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As the HSE is responsible for the delivery of health care infrastructure projects, the Executive has been requested to reply directly to you in relation to the day care centre in Monasterevin.

Paediatric Services

Questions (1033, 1034)

Jack Chambers

Question:

1033. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for assessment for paediatric occupational therapy services, by community healthcare organisation, for each of the last three years; the waiting times for delivery of paediatric occupational therapy services, by community healthcare organisation, for each of the last three years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1396/18]

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Jack Chambers

Question:

1034. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the number of persons employed in paediatric occupational therapy services, by community healthcare organisation, for each of the past three years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1397/18]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1033 and 1034 together.

As these questions relate to service matters, I have arranged for them to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (1035)

Barry Cowen

Question:

1035. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect an appointment [1406/18]

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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 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.

Medical Products

Questions (1036)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

1036. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the reason self-adhesive pain relief pads, previously available free of charge to medical card holders, are no longer available and have been replaced by a rub-on pain relief gel, save for the purpose of pain management for persons with shingles; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that older persons and those with reduced mobility have great difficulty when applying this alternative product to sores; if this decision will be revised in view of said difficulties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1449/18]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

Medicines play a vital role in improving the health of Irish patients. Securing access to existing and new and innovative medicines is a key objective of the health service. However, the challenge is to do this in an affordable and sustainable manner. The medicines bill for the community drugs schemes – primarily the GMS, Long Term Illness and Drugs Payment schemes and the High Tech Arrangement – is forecast at just over €1.7 billion in 2017.

To ensure patients receive the highest quality care, resources invested in medicines must be used efficiently and effectively. This requires an integrated approach to secure best value for money for all treatments, greater efficiencies in the supply chain and the use of the most cost-effective treatments.

Lidocaine 5% medicated plaster is licensed for the symptomatic relief of neuropathic pain associated with previous herpes zoster (shingles) infection, known as post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), in adults. It has been reimbursed in the community drugs schemes from 2010. The projected budget impact was low due to the specific licensed indication but total expenditure has increased significantly, from €9.4 million in 2012 to over €30 million in 2016, mainly from off-license use for pain not associated with shingles.

An HSE Medicines Management Programme (MMP) review of this product highlighted that the clinical evidence for its use in PHN is limited due to lack of comparative data and its value is uncertain for all other types of pain. The National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics estimated that, in Ireland, between 5-10% of prescribing of this product has been for the licensed indication of PHN.

Following the MMP review, the HSE introduced a new reimbursement system for the product from 1 September 2017. This process supports its appropriate use, ensuring that PHN patients continue to receive this treatment. The HSE estimates that this protocol will reduce expenditure on this product by approximately 90%.

Under the protocol, all patients who were receiving antivirals for shingles were automatically approved for the lidocaine medicated plaster for three months. No action was required by GPs and the patient’s pharmacy was notified of his or her approval status. However, from 1 December 2017, non-shingles patients no longer receive this item under the community drugs schemes. The HSE has produced information leaflets for patients and advised GPs on treatment alternatives.

In exceptional circumstances, the product may be approved for supply through the community schemes for unlicensed indications. GPs may apply for reimbursement for unlicensed indications through the online system. The MMP reviews applications before a decision is made and communicated to the GP.

Full details of the review are available on the HSE website at http://hse.ie/eng/about/Who/clinical/natclinprog/medicinemanagementprogramme/yourmedicines/lidocaine-plaster/lidocaine-medicated-plaster.html.

This decision is a matter for the HSE. However, I fully support the objectives of the HSE Medicines Management Programme.

Medical Card Applications

Questions (1037)

Eugene Murphy

Question:

1037. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health if a medical card application by a person (details supplied) can be expedited. [1451/18]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (1038)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1038. 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. [1453/18]

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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 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.

Hospitals Capital Programme

Questions (1039, 1040, 1041, 1042, 1043, 1044)

Pat the Cope Gallagher

Question:

1039. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health if plans or submissions have been made to the national social care division of the HSE on the upgrading of Lifford Community Hospital, County Donegal; when such plans or submissions were made; the details of those proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1454/18]

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Pat the Cope Gallagher

Question:

1040. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health if plans or submissions have been made to the national capital property steering group of the HSE on the upgrading of Lifford Community Hospital, County Donegal; when such proposals were made; the details of those proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1455/18]

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Pat the Cope Gallagher

Question:

1041. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health if plans or submissions have been made to the national social care division of the HSE on upgrading Ramelton Community Hospital, County Donegal; when such plans or submissions were made; the details of those proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1456/18]

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Pat the Cope Gallagher

Question:

1042. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health if plans or submissions have been made to the national capital property steering group of the HSE on the upgrading of Ramelton Community Hospital, County Donegal; when such proposals were made; the details of those proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1457/18]

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Pat the Cope Gallagher

Question:

1043. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health if plans or submissions have been made to the national social care division of the HSE on upgrading St. Joseph’s Community Hospital, Stranorlar, County Donegal; when such plans or submissions were made; the details of those proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1458/18]

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Pat the Cope Gallagher

Question:

1044. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health if plans or submissions have been made to the national capital property steering group of the HSE on the upgrading of St. Joseph’s Community Hospital, Stranorlar, County Donegal; when such proposals were made; the details of those proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1459/18]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1039 to 1044, inclusive, together.

The Deputy will be aware that since the announcement of the 5 year Capital Investment Programme for Community Nursing Units and following discussions with public representatives, Health Forum members and local community groups, local HSE management in CHO 1 agreed to review overall requirements for the area. I understand that a report has been submitted to the HSE National Social Care Division and the HSE National Capital Property Steering Group. The report will be considered by the HSE National Capital Property Steering Group in due course. Any proposals for changes to the approved Capital Investment Programme will be considered in the context of capital funding available to Health, potential revenue implications and compliance with the agreed capital approval process.

Hospital Beds Data

Questions (1045)

Pat the Cope Gallagher

Question:

1045. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health the amount of long-stay residential beds, long-term accommodation beds, step-down assessment beds and dementia long-stay and short-stay beds in County Donegal for each of the years 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2017; his plans to increase bed capacity in the county; his plans to increase staffing numbers to cater for the increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1460/18]

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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.