Written Answers Nos. 301-320
301. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health if a decision has been made regarding the provision of a modular laboratory at University Hospital Waterford that would provide both diagnostic and intervention treatment for patients with cardiac issues; if not, when the decision will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28919/18]
View answerFollowing an independent review of the need for a second cath lab in University Hospital Waterford, the Herity report concluded that the needs of the effective catchment population for Waterford University Hospital could be accommodated within a single cath lab. Funding has been provided to support extension of the existing cath lab operating hours to 12 weekly sessions per week, or by 20%, as recommended in the Herity Report.
Approval and funding has been provided for the posts required to facilitate this service expansion and recruitment is currently being progressed by local management and the HSE’s National Recruitment Service. A mobile cath lab has been deployed since October 2017, initially for a period of 20 weeks but since extended to allow time for University Hospital Waterford to complete recruitment of the additional staff required for the service extension to the existing cath lab.
The Herity report also recommended that the current 9 to 5 provision of emergency pPCI services should cease to allow the hospital focus on the much larger volume of planned work. I asked my Department to address the implications of this recommendation by undertaking a National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services. The aim of this Review is to achieve optimal patient outcomes at population level with particular emphasis on the safety, quality and sustainability of the services that patients receive by establishing the need for an optimal configuration of a national adult cardiac service. As set out in the National Development Plan 2018-2027, investment in cardiac catheterisation laboratories and other cardiac services infrastructure nationally will be informed by the outcome of the National Review, which is expected to be complete by June 2019.
When I met with South East Oireachtas members on 14 February last, I indicated that I would give some consideration to the various issues raised by the group, including the potential for the deployment of a modular cath lab, as an interim solution, pending the outcome of the National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services. I requested my Department to examine the matter in conjunction with the HSE. I have now considered a submission from my Department on the matter. I believe there is merit in the proposal for a modular cardiac cath lab at UHW, and I have requested my Department to proceed without delay to engage with the HSE on the necessary next steps, as I set out in an email to the Deputy yesterday.
302. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the status of HSE cost evaluation processes on making pre-exposure prophylaxis available free at the point of use; his views on HIV diagnosis rates: his plans to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28920/18]
View answerThe HSE has statutory responsibility for medicine pricing and reimbursement decisions, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. The Act specifies the criteria for decisions on the reimbursement of medicines.
The HSE does not require approval or consent from the Minister or Government when making a reimbursement decision.
HSE decisions on which medicines are reimbursed by the taxpayer are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds, on the advice of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE). The NCPE uses a decision framework to systematically assess whether a drug is cost-effective as a health intervention.
The NCPE has informed me that a HTA was commissioned by the HSE on Emtricitabine / tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (Truvada) on 19 July 2017. However, to date the manufacturer has not submitted the information necessary to progress the assessment.
In the absence of the company's submission, and in the interest of moving forward, the HSE has asked HIQA to carry out the HTA. I understand that this request is being dealt with at the HIQA board meeting in early July as a priority request.
Once the HTA is complete, the application will be processed in line with the 2013 Act.
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) currently has marketing authorisation in the EU and as such is available from pharmacies with a private prescription.
303. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 327 of 8 May 2018, if reports of the reformulation sub-group in line with its terms of reference will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28922/18]
View answer304. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 327 of 8 May 2018, the timeline for the development of a roadmap by the sub-group on reformulation for progressing its work within its terms of reference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28923/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 303 and 304 together.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the development of a Roadmap for Reformulation by the Obesity Policy Oversight Implementation sub-group on reformulation is progressing its work within its terms of reference and plans to complete its work within one year. The sub-group has met on a number of occasions since its first meeting in January.
The next meeting, together with a workshop to engage with the food industry, is planned for late September.
At this early stage it is envisaged that any report of the reformulation sub-group in line with its terms of reference may be finalised early next year.
305. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 329 of 8 May 2018, the status of the work being undertaken in developing proposals for the purposes of conducting an evaluation of the SSD tax; the timeframe for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28924/18]
View answerMy Department is developing an evaluation framework for the purposes of drafting a request for tenders to undertake an evaluation of the Sugar Sweetened Drinks Tax. This evaluation framework will firstly inform the process of identifying both the data and other requirements for such an evaluation. At this juncture it is envisaged that an evaluation will commence before the end of the year.
306. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the European Commission hosted joint meeting on front-of-pack nutrition labelling on 22 June 2018; the response by his Department to the survey sent in the context of the REFIT evaluation of the nutrition and health claims regulation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28925/18]
View answerThe European Commission convened a joint meeting on front-of-pack (FOP) nutrition labelling between the Working Group of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed in the context of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers (FIC) and the Advisory Group on the Food chain, Animal and Plant Health on 22 June 2018 in Brussels.
The meeting mainly consisted of presentations on current FOP labelling schemes and some limited discussion on their usefulness. The Joint Research Centre (JRC) provided an update on the literature review of research regarding the development of FOP schemes and their impact on consumers.
Other presentations on consumer understanding and behaviour in regard to FOP schemes were given by the European Food Information Council (EUFIC), the Dutch consumer organisation, Professor Rayner, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford and Dr Chantal Julia, University of Paris. Italy presented a proposed development of a FOP label based on Reference Intakes with a ‘battery type’ graphic to indicate the contribution of the particular food product to Reference Intakes.
The European Commission’s minutes of the meeting will be made publicly available on the following website: https://ec.europa.eu/food/expert-groups/ag-ap/adv-grp_fchaph/wg_2018_en.
Following the Better Regulation Communication of 19 May 2015, the Commission announced that, as part of its REFIT programme it would carry out an evaluation of the Nutrition and Health Claims (NHC) Regulation with regard to:
1. Nutrient profiles for determining whether products high in certain nutrients (in particular, salt, sugar and fat) can bear claims; and
2. Claims made on plants and their preparations, as well as the general regulatory framework for their use in foods.
The reason for the evaluation was that the aspects at 1 and 2 above had not been applied as foreseen in the NHC Regulation.
A study was commissioned to the Food Chain Evaluation Consortium (FCEC) in May 2016 and resulted in a survey of Member States in the form of a questionnaire comprising some 148 questions. A response to the survey was prepared by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI). Later, the Commission asked Member States to advise if there was any update concerning Front of Pack (FOP) nutrition labelling since the original survey questionnaire. Ireland has advised the Commission that there have been no new developments in this context since the survey was carried out.
The data from the survey across all Member States was to be analysed and presented in the form of a report to the Commission. It is my understanding that the report has not yet been finalised for circulation by the Commission. When circulated, the report will be examined.
I have asked the FSAI to provide the Deputy with a copy of the response to the survey questionnaire which was sent to the Commission (subject to FOI and Data Protection considerations).
307. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the status of the development and publication of nutrient profiles to avoid misleading the public on the health claims of food products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28926/18]
View answerThe establishment of nutrient profiles is foreseen in Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No. 1924/2006 on nutrition and health claims, which states: “By 19 January 2009, the Commission shall, in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 24(2), establish specific nutrient profiles and the conditions, including exemptions, which shall be respected for the use of nutrition and health claims on foods and/or categories of foods”.
As Article 4 clearly makes provision for the establishment and implementation of nutrient profiles at EU level, a harmonised approach is the preferred solution. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland has advised that in its opinion developing nutrient profiles at national level is not considered a practical approach given the nature and extent of the food supply in Ireland.
To date, this aspect of the Regulation remains incomplete. Following the Better Regulation Communication of 19 May 2015, the Commission announced that, as part of its REFIT programme, it would carry out an evaluation of the Nutrition and Health Claims (NHC) Regulation with regard to, inter alia, nutrient profiles for determining whether products high in certain nutrients (in particular, salt, sugar and fat) can bear claims.
A study was commissioned to the Food Chain Evaluation Consortium (FCEC) in May 2016 and Member States were subsequently surveyed. The data from the survey across all Member States was to be analysed and presented in the form of a report to the Commission. It is my understanding that the report has not yet been finalised for circulation by the Commission.
308. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the detail of the data mapping of all services offered by the HSE, including voluntary and community groups in Dublin 8. [28927/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy.
309. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the data sharing arrangements between the Revenue Commissioners and the medical card section for the purposes of establishing means; the reason the HSE seeks certified accounts and notices of assessments in instances in which a person is self-employed but whose earnings are so low that tax returns do not need to be filed with the Revenue Commissioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28936/18]
View answerCurrent data sharing arrangements between the HSE and the Revenue Commissioners are governed by Part 3 of the Health (Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Act 2013.
As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
310. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the person or body that owns the lease for Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin; the HSE and the hospital board's plans for the building after the new national children's hospital opens; and if there will be public consultation on the future of the property once the hospital winds down its operations. [28944/18]
View answerOur Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin, a company limited by guarantee, owns the site and hospital at Crumlin. The new children's hospital on the campus shared with St James's Hospital, is scheduled to become operational in 2022. Until such time as all inpatient services transfer to the new hospital, they will continue to be provided in the facilities on the site of Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin.
The potential future uses of the land and buildings to which the Crumlin Children's Hospital, or the proceeds of same, can be put for the benefit of children’s services is under consideration. No decision has been taken on this as yet.
311. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if Dublin City Council will have a representative on the board of the new national children's hospital in continuity of its representation on the board of Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28945/18]
View answerThe General Scheme of the Children's Health Bill 2017, published in August 2017 and based on which the Bill is being drafted, prohibits members of the Oireachtas, European Parliament or local authorities from membership of the Board of the body to be established to run the new children's hospital.
312. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number and location of medically supervised detox beds in Cork city and county; the HSE's plans to increase the number of such detox beds; the services provided in a situation in which a detox bed is not available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28950/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
313. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the steps the HSE has taken to address the issues raised in the 2006 report Drug and Alcohol Detoxification: A Needs Assessment for Cork and Kerry, by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28951/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
314. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Health the status of the HSE report, Alleged HSE Maladministration and Corporate Fraud, which was commissioned in March 2016 by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28952/18]
View answerThis question relates to a report commissioned by the Director General of the HSE and so it is a matter for the HSE to reply. I have therefore forwarded it to the HSE for direct reply.
315. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the specific investment planned in 2019 to target understaffing in the neurology centres of counties Limerick, Waterford and Sligo in which the number of consultant neurologists continues to be less than the three required at minimum to provide a safe and effective level of service. [28957/18]
View answerThe Model of Care for Neurology was launched in late 2016. The model was developed by the HSE’s National Clinical Programme for Neurology in collaboration with patient support groups, consultants, nurses and health and social care professionals. It aims to address the need for strategic development of neurology services in the provision of better care for these patients. Progress is being made in this area. For example, this year funding has been allocated to commence development of peri- and post-operative services to support patients with Parkinson's Disease receiving Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS).
As the query raised is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly with further detail in regard to the specific hospitals mentioned.
316. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health if funding has been allocated for the recruitment of a clinical nurse specialist in multiple sclerosis at University Hospital Limerick; and when recruitment will commence. [28958/18]
View answerAs this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
317. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health when he will receive the implementation plan for the national neuro-rehabilitation strategy from the HSE; and the timeframe for the publication of the plan. [28959/18]
View answerThe Programme for a Partnership Government includes a commitment to publish "a plan for advancing Neuro-rehabilitation services in the community". The development of an implementation framework for the National Policy & Strategy for the provision of Neuro-rehabilitation Services in Ireland is a matter for the Health Service Executive (HSE). I am advised by the HSE that the implementation framework is currently awaiting sign-off by its management team.
As the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
318. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health when parking facilities and improved sight lines will commence at a health centre (details supplied). [28969/18]
View answerAs this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
319. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will be called for a hip operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28974/18]
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, since 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.
320. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if an outpatient appointment for a person (details supplied) will be expedited. [28975/18]
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, since 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.
