Michael Healy-Rae
Question:482. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9929/18]
View answerHospital Waiting Lists
Questions (482)
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 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.
Treatment Abroad Scheme
Questions (483)
James Browne
Question:483. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of occasions on which persons under 18 years of age with eating disorders received treatment in the United Kingdom in each of the past four years; the legal basis for these treatments; the implications of Brexit for such treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9930/18]
View answerWritten answers
The HSE operates the Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS) for persons entitled to treatment in another EU/EEA Member State or Switzerland under EU Regulation (EC) No. 883/2004, and implementing Regulations (EC) No. 987/2009.
The HSE also operates the EU Directive 2011/24/EU on Patients' Rights in Cross Border Healthcare in Ireland, known as the Cross Border Healthcare Directive (CBD).
As this question requests TAS and CBD data, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
There is no question that Brexit poses very significant and serious challenges to Ireland’s economy and trade, as well as across a range of other sectors, including healthcare. As a committed member of the EU, Ireland has engaged fully in the negotiations, as part of the EU27 team and will continue to do so in phase two, where our approach will be to work towards ensuring that the future EU-UK relationship will be as close to the current arrangements as possible.
It is important to emphasise that at present there are no changes to patient care, as the UK continues to be a full member of the EU. Indeed until the UK formally withdraws from the European Union, it remains a full Member with all of its existing rights and obligations.
Cannabis for Medicinal Use
Questions (484)
Declan Breathnach
Question:484. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that medical practitioners who wish to prescribe cannabis-based products containing THC by applying for a licence under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 are finding it difficult to source the treatment due to the fact that pharmacies are reluctant to stock it as it may affect their licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9931/18]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Misuse of Drugs legislation the Minister for Health may grant a licence to an Irish registered medical practitioner for access to cannabis for a named patient, where the course of cannabis treatment has been endorsed by a consultant who is responsible for the management of the patient and who is prepared to monitor the effects of treatment over time.
Valid licences allow for the importation, possession, supply, prescription and administration of THC-based cannabis products by the licencee. To date, licences have been issued for treatment of five separate individual patients.
The Misuse of Drugs legislation also provides for the granting of a licence to an Irish registered pharmacist for the importation of THC-based cannabis products, and for the supply of such products, on a named patient basis, on foot of a valid prescription written by an Irish registered medical practitioner who has been authorised to prescribe the THC-based products under Ministerial licence.
Medicinal Products Reimbursement
Questions (485)
Clare Daly
Question:485. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if he has issued instructions to the HSE to meet a company (details supplied) in order to restart negotiations on the HSE reimbursement of a drug. [9934/18]
View answerWritten answers
The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on the 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 carefully considered the pricing and reimbursement of human alpha1-proteinase inhibitor (Respreeza). The manufacturer, CSL Behring, was notified in August 2017 that the HSE was unable to recommend reimbursement. The HSE concluded that there was not enough evidence to suggest that patients would derive a clinically meaningful benefit from this treatment and that the current price was not a cost effective use of resources.
A number of patients were on an access scheme for this product, operated by the manufacturer, for the treatment of Alpha-1 deficiency. This scheme was being run independently by the manufacturer. Without reference to the HSE, the company decided that the scheme would end on 30 September 2017. This decision left approximately 20 patients without access to medication.
Subsequently, the company modified its decision and agreed to continue to supply the medication free of charge for the patients on the access scheme for a further six months, or until the next clinical trial commences in 2018, but from October 2017 it would not cover the cost of administering the medicine.
Due to the critical and exceptional circumstances, the HSE decided to facilitate a transitional arrangement, under which it would fund the necessary nursing service to ensure that patients would continue to receive the medicine until a new clinical trial commences in 2018.
The Company anticipates that approximately half of the current access group of patients will be recruited into the next clinical trial in 2018.
The terms of this transitional arrangement, under which the HSE has agreed to fund the administration of the drug, includes a requirement that the lead clinician ensures that appropriate alternative treatment regimes are put in place in good time for those patients not proceeding onto the next trial.
The HSE has written to the consultant for assurance that these conditions are being complied with.
This transitional arrangement does not alter the reimbursement decision of the HSE in relation to Respreeza.
The company is welcome to submit a new reimbursement application, which will be assessed in line with the 2013 Act.
Hospital Appointments Administration
Questions (486)
Peter Burke
Question:486. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9940/18]
View answerWritten 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 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.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (487)
Lisa Chambers
Question:487. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) can be placed on a list for a knee replacement procedure; if a discretion can be exercised in the matter in view of the person's medical circumstances; the relevant policy on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9948/18]
View answerWritten 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 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.
Hospital Procedures
Questions (488)
Joe Carey
Question:488. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health the position in on the delivery of cognitive behavioural therapy, CBT, at a day hospital (details supplied) in County Clare; the waiting lists for CBT across the mid-west region in counties Clare, Limerick and Tipperary; if there is a shortage of staff to provide CBT in the mid-west region; if so, the centres at which these shortages are occurring; the actions that have been taken to address this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9956/18]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Health Services
Questions (489)
Peter Fitzpatrick
Question:489. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health the services, facilities and specialists available to children under 16 years of age suffering with EDS (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9957/18]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Dental Services Staff
Questions (490)
Niamh Smyth
Question:490. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health when a substitute dental nurse will be assigned (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9981/18]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
Treatment Abroad Scheme
Questions (491)
Niamh Smyth
Question:491. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the position of a person (details supplied) on a waiting list for surgery; if an appointment for same will be expedited; if the person is eligible for treatment under the cross-border directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9982/18]
View answerWritten answers
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (492)
Alan Kelly
Question:492. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health his plans to roll out the Sligo post-cataract scheme to help alleviate waiting lists in adult eye care. [9983/18]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Health Services Provision
Questions (493)
Alan Kelly
Question:493. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the gap in eye-care provision for persons aged 12 to 16 years of age (details supplied). [9984/18]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
Health Services Provision
Questions (494)
Alan Kelly
Question:494. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce a free annual eye exam for all children up to 16 years of age (details supplied). [9985/18]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.