Written Answers Nos. 341-362
341. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the amount spent by his Department on photography by photographer and-or agency, public relations or communications advice external to the media officers of his Department, by agency; the use of public relations or communications advice by an agency fully funded by his Department by agency and month, in tabular form since 1 January 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6750/18]
View answerDetails in relation to photography and public relations/communications expenditure by the Department of Health for 2016 and 2017 are set out in the following tables.
I have referred the question to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy in relation to its expenditure. Details for other bodies under the aegis of the Department are operational matters for the bodies concerned and the Deputy should contact the relevant Director/CEO/Registrar directly.
Table 1 Photography
|
Year |
Event |
Agency |
Cost € |
|
2017 |
National Patient Safety Office Conference |
Conor McCabe photography |
1,968 |
|
2017 |
Launch of Ireland’s National Action Plan on Antimicrobial resistance 2017-2020 |
Conor McCabe photography |
369 |
|
2017 |
EU Ambassadors Meeting re European Medicines Agency bid |
Maxwell Photography |
189 |
|
2017 |
Steering Group on the role of Voluntary Organisations in publicly funded health services |
Maxwell Photography |
344 |
|
2017 |
Planning permission lodged for National Maternity Hospital |
Andres Poveda Photography Ltd |
492 |
|
2017 |
Launch of the National Cancer Strategy |
Julien Behal |
646 |
|
2017 |
European Medicines Agency Campaign |
Robbie Reynolds Photography |
615 |
|
2017 |
Healthy Workplace Framework Consultation launch |
Robbie Reynolds Photography |
615 |
|
2017 |
Healthy Ireland Network launch |
Marc O’Sullivan Photography |
861 |
|
2017 |
Healthy Ireland Survey launch |
Barry Cronin Photography |
591 |
|
2016 |
Photo services for the 1st National Patient Safety Conference |
Conor McCabe Photography Ltd |
1,968 |
|
2016 |
Photo services for the launch of the Healthy Cities and Counties Network of Ireland |
Marc O’Sullivan Photography |
707 |
|
2016 |
Photo services for the launch of the Healthy Ireland Survey Wave 2 |
Marc O’Sullivan Photography |
553 |
|
2016 |
Launch of the National Drugs Strategy Public Consultation |
JCP Photography |
492 |
|
2016 |
Photo services for the launch of the Obesity Policy and Action Plan |
Conor McCabe Photography Ltd |
430 |
|
2016 |
Photo services for the launch of the National Physical Activity Plan |
Conor McCabe Photography Ltd |
553 |
|
2016 |
Reaffirming the Values of Nursing and Midwifery |
Stephen Wall Morris |
301 |
Table 2 Public Relations/Communications
|
Year |
Event |
Agency |
Cost € |
|
2017 |
PR and communications support re Ireland's bid for the European Medicines Agency |
Hume Brophy |
114,491 |
|
2017 |
Large cigarette box prop used by Ministers Harris and Byrne in promoting the enactment of Standardised Packaging Legislation |
Sculp |
221 |
|
2016 |
Communications fees for National Drugs Strategy Public Consultation |
RPS Consulting Engineers Ltd |
11,826 |
342. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health if an application by a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will be reassessed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6773/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
343. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time public health nurses in CHO area 9 in each of the years 2014 to 2017 and to date in 2018; the number of such vacancies in each of those years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6776/18]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
344. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the status of his plans to add the FreeStyle Libre blood monitoring sensor to the long-term illness scheme or reimbursement scheme; the details of the report by the expert group set up under the auspices of the health technology assessment group which considered the FreeStyle Libre application by a company (details supplied) for addition to the reimbursement list in line with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6779/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
345. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if a bed in the National Rehabilitation Centre can be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6783/18]
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 issues, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
346. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied); and when an appointment will be decided. [6817/18]
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 the Deputy directly.
347. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 416 of 28 November 2017, the length of time the four vacancies have existed; and the measures that have been taken to fill these vacancies. [6826/18]
View answer348. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 416 of 28 November 2017, the status of both teams in question. [6827/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 347 and 348 together.
As these are a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
349. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if he will discuss with HSE management the need to ensure regular attendance by a HSE representative at the meetings of a board (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6832/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
350. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the reason persons suffering from Huntington's disease are not entitled to a medical card as a right; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6835/18]
View answerA key recommendation of the 2014 Report of the Expert Panel on Medical Need for Medical Card Eligibility was that a person’s means should remain the main qualifier for a medical card. The report also concluded that it is neither feasible nor desirable to list conditions in priority order for medical card eligibility. Therefore, medical card provision is solely based on financial assessment. Under the legislation, having a particular illness, in itself, does not establish eligibility for a medical card.
Every effort is made by the HSE, within the framework of the legislation, to support applicants in applying for a medical card and, in particular, to take full account of the difficult circumstances in the case of applicants who may be in excess of the income guidelines. It should be noted, in certain circumstances, the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds his or her income threshold, where he or she faces difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from an illness. Social and medical issues are considered when determining whether undue hardship exists for an individual accessing general practitioner or other medical services. The HSE affords applicants the opportunity to furnish supporting information documentation to fully take account of all the relevant circumstances that may benefit them in the assessment, including medical evidence of cost and necessary expenses.
351. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health the amount spent by the HSE on private ambulance services in 2016 and 2017; the individual contractors involved; the value of each contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6840/18]
View answerAs the question raised by the Deputy relates to a service issue, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
352. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the value of drugs under the control of the HSE but the whereabouts of which are unknown, missing or unaccounted for at the end of each of the years 2013 to 2017, inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6841/18]
View answerAs this is an operational matter for the HSE I have referred the matter to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
353. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of children with medical cards on anti-depressant medication by local health area at the end of each of the years 2011 to 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6842/18]
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.
354. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of medical card holders who were prescribed anti-depressant medication by local health area in each of the years 2011 to 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6843/18]
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.
355. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the number of persons awaiting cataract procedures on national public waiting lists in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018; the average waiting time to undergo required cataract procedures; his plans to further reduce the waiting times in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6846/18]
View answerI acknowledge that waiting times for Ophthalmology patients are often unacceptably long and I am conscious of the impact of this on people's lives.
Reducing waiting times for the longest waiting patients is one this Government's key priorities. October's Budget announced a total 2018 allocation of €55m for the NTPF for 2018. This significant increase in funding more than doubles the 2017 total allocation of €20m. The NTPF and HSE are in the process of finalising Waiting List Action Plans and Initiatives for 2018. This will include ambitious targets for both the HSE and NTPF to reduce the overall number of patients waiting for treatment, including those patients awaiting Ophthalmology procedures.
I hope to publish the 2018 Inpatient Day Case Waiting List Action Plan at the end of February.
In response to this particular query, data from the NTPF indicates that there was a total of 9,260 patients awaiting a cataract procedure in December 2016. Of these, 44% patients (4,085) were waiting less than 6 months for a cataracts procedure and 77% patients (7,133) were waiting less than 12 months.
NTPF data also indicates there was a total of 8,027 patients awaiting a cataract procedure in December 2017. Of these, 53% patients (4,274) were waiting less than 6 months for a cataracts procedure and 88% patients (7,043) were waiting less than 12 months.
The NTPF publishes the Inpatient/Daycase and Outpatient waiting list figures by specialty for each hospital on its website each month. The January 2018 waiting list figures for Ophthalmology procedures are yet to be published. This information will be available at www.NTPF.ie in the coming days.
356. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) can no longer purchase Versatis medicated plasters on the medical card; if this decision will be reconsidered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6847/18]
View answer364. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if the decision to withdraw the Versatis patch from the long-term illness scheme will be reversed. [6881/18]
View answer396. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the reason for the withdrawal of medical items (details supplied) from the drugs payment scheme; if the decision will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7077/18]
View answer405. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if the criteria for the availability of the Versatis patch can be reviewed in view of the number of persons who require same as in the case of persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7161/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 356, 364, 396 and 405 together.
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 – was approximately €1.8 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 since 2010. The projected budget impact on introduction was low due to the specific licensed indication but total expenditure trebled between 2012 and 2016, from €9.4 million to over €30 million, 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 other types of pain. The National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics estimated that, in Ireland, only 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 annual 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. No action was required by GPs and the patient’s pharmacy was notified of his or her approval status.
However, since 1 December 2017, non-shingles patients no longer receive this item under the community drugs schemes. In August 2017 the HSE advised GPs of the changes and of treatment alternatives.
It is possible for non-shingles patients to be approved for the patch through the community drug schemes. The patient's GP should apply to the Medicines Management Programme through the online system, and the MMP will review the application and inform the GP of its decision.
I am advised that the MMP has received over 4,500 applications from GPs, of which some 10% have been approved. For many of the conditions applied for, prescribing of the patch was inappropriate, for example for conditions such as deep venous thrombosis, angina, gout and endometriosis.
Where a GP’s application is rejected, it may be appealed. Of some 200 appeals to date, the HSE advises that over 50% have been accepted on clinical grounds.
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.
357. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the State subsidy provided to the gay men’s health service for 2017 and 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6850/18]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
358. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the additional funding provided by the sexual health and crisis pregnancy programme to the GMHS in 2016 and 2017; his plans to continue this funding in its current form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6851/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
359. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the funding of the STI clinics at the GUIDE clinic at St. James's hospital, Dublin, since 2006, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6852/18]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
360. 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. [6859/18]
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.
361. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the level of investment for refurbishment works at a campus (details supplied); and the timeframe for the provision of this funding. [6876/18]
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.
362. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if a date for surgery in the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital for a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath will be expedited. [6877/18]
View answer374. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if a date for surgery in the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital for a person (details supplied) will be expedited. [6964/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 362 and 374 together.
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 the Deputy directly.
