Written Answers Nos. 775-791
775. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health his plans to resolve the issues raised by the family of a person (details supplied) regarding the care of the person and the high level of medication the person is taking; if a second opinion on the person's care will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15585/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
776. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Health the reason pharmacists are obliged to ask patients to return weekly to collect regular medication when it is deemed necessary for safety and compliance reasons to have their medication blisters packed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15586/18]
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.
777. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a hospital appointment. [15593/18]
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.
778. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be called for an appointment at University Hospital Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15594/18]
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.
779. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health his views on a difference which exists in the cost of medications purchased on prescription through the drug payment scheme and the same medication purchased over the counter (details supplied); if this is a widespread practice; the percentage of drugs affected by a disparity in pricing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15603/18]
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.
781. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce an information campaign on the contribution calcification testing could play in reducing the incidence of heart attacks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15605/18]
View answerAs this P.Q. relates to a service issue, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for a direct reply.
782. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide cannabis-based medicine for epilepsy under the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15606/18]
View answerMy Department and HSE officials are currently considering funding and access proposals for cannabis-based products for medicinal use, including work to establish a reliable and affordable quality controlled cannabis product supply for the Irish market.
783. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who failed to attend new and review hospital appointments in 2017, by hospital; if this was an increase or decrease in numbers from 2016 in both numbers and percentage terms; the cost of these non-attendances in 2017, by hospital; if this was an increase or decrease in amounts from 2016; the way in which this figure was arrived at; and the regional, county or other locational breakdown of non-attendees for both new and review appointments for 2017. [15609/18]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
784. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the approved annual budget of Cavan-Monaghan HSE and Meath-Louth HSE; and the amount spent by Cavan-Monaghan HSE and Meath-Louth HSE on transport for patient appointments. [15610/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
785. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that decades of underinvestment in neurological services have resulted in Ireland having the lowest ratio of consultant neurologists per head of population in the developed world and that while Ireland should have one neurologist for every 72,000 persons this is exceeded in each hospital group; his plans to address same; and the timeframe to achieve a 1:72,000 ratio of neurologists to population. [15615/18]
View answerThe Model of Care for Neurology was launched by the Director General of the HSE in late 2016. This was developed by the HSE’s National Clinical Programme for Neurology in collaboration with consultants, nurses, health and social care professionals and patient support groups. It aims to address the need for strategic development of neurology services in the provision of better care for these patients.
In relation to the particular queries raised, as these are service matters, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
786. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health his plans to create multidisciplinary centres to help in the management of neurological conditions such as Huntington's disease and advanced Alzheimer's disease; and the timeframe for same. [15616/18]
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 a service issue, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
787. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 517 of 20 March 2018, the current position with the development of the neurolink service at St. Vincent's University Hospital. [15617/18]
View answerAs the matter relates to a service issue it has been referred to the HSE for a direct response.
788. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 517 of 20 March 2018, the stage of development of condition-specific OPD clinics; the geographical spread of the clinics; and the number of hospitals currently offering condition-specific outpatients department, OPD, clinics. [15618/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly.
789. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 517 of 20 March 2018, the stage the development of nurse-led clinics is at; the geographical spread of the clinics; and the number of hospitals currently offering nurse-led clinics. [15619/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly.
790. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health the medical supports and services in place for multiple sclerosis, MS, sufferers here; the medications included on the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15623/18]
View answerThe particular issues raised by the Deputy are service matters for the Health Service Executive (HSE). Accordingly, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
791. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the progress made in implementing the recommendations of the National Cardiovascular Health Policy 2010–2019, in tabular form. [15626/18]
View answerAs this PQ relates to approximately 70 recommendations, dealing with all aspects of cardiovascular care comprehended by the 2010-2019 Policy and involving a range of organisations, my Department will provide the deputy with a comprehensive report in tabular format within 2 weeks.
