Written Answers Nos. 381-400
381. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health if a consultation process has commenced relating to the Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise, as previously indicated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29307/18]
View answerI am committed to securing and further developing the role of the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise as a constituent hospital within the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group. Since 2014, the focus has been on supporting the hospital to develop and enhance management capability, implementing changes required to address clinical service deficiencies, and incorporating the hospital into the governance structures within the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group.
Significant work has been undertaken to strengthen and stabilise current arrangements for services at the hospital to ensure that services that are not sustainable are discontinued and those that are, are safety assured and adequately resourced. Funding has increased by 35% relative to the 2012 budget and staffing levels have risen by 29% from the 2014 base. Governance and management arrangements in Portlaoise Hospital have been strengthened, additional clinical staff has been appointed and staff training, hospital culture and communications have improved.
As agreed at a meeting with Laois Oireachtas members, I am currently giving consideration to a process for wider consultation and no decision has been made on future changes to services at Portlaoise.
382. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) was not notified that a nursing home was no longer taking respite patients; the reason the person was turned away; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29310/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
383. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of public health nurses employed in CHO area 7; if there is the capacity to deal with infant development checks; if not, if infants are redirected to other areas within the CHO area; the gaps in provision specifically relating to development checks there are; if there are vacancies or if sick or maternity leave is a factor; if there is a plan to remedy this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29312/18]
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.
384. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a person (details supplied) was not approved for lidocaine 5% medicated plasters prescribed by their general practitioner following the changes introduced on 1 December 2017; if the HSE received an appeal from the person's general practitioner; when a decision will be made on the appeal case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29317/18]
View answerMedicines play a vital role in improving the health of Irish patients. Securing access to existing and new and innovative medicines is a key health service objective. However, the challenge is to do this in a safe and sustainable manner. Treatment must be appropriate and proportionate and clinical decision-making, such as prescribing, should be based on both patient needs and sound medical evidence.
Lidocaine 5% medicated plasters are licensed for localised relief of post-shingles pain in adults. This is the patch's only licensed use in Ireland. It has been reimbursed in the community drugs schemes since 2010.
Clinical concern arose when, from 2012 on, usage increased significantly, to the point where more plasters were being used in Ireland than in the entire UK National Health Service. In such situations, it is important and appropriate for clinicians to review usage and, in 2016, the HSE Medicines Management Programme (MMP) reviewed the use of the plasters. The review estimated that only 5-10% of prescribing was for the licensed indication.
From September 2017, following the clinical review, the HSE introduced a new reimbursement approval system for the patches, to support appropriate use and patient care. Under these arrangements, the patient's GP or consultant applies to the MMP for reimbursement approval on behalf of the patient. If an application is refused, the clinician may submit an appeal, making a clear clinical case for the patient, to the MMP. Information for patients and practitioners is on the HSE MMP website at: hse.ie/yourmedicines.
In relation to information on a specific appeal, the patient's clinician should contact the MMP directly.
The decision to introduce a new reimbursement approval process is a matter for the HSE and you will appreciate that, as Minister for Health, I cannot intervene in individual cases. However, I fully support the objectives of the HSE Medicines Management Programme.
385. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be admitted to a hospital for an eating disorder; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29318/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
386. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) who requires treatment for Lyme disease can avail of the treatment abroad scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29320/18]
View answerPatients can seek to access health care in an other EU/EEA member state via two different schemes. Where a service is provided in Ireland but a patient wishes to access care in another EU/EEA Member State, this can be possible by seeking treatment under the Directive on Patients' Rights in Cross Border Healthcare, otherwise known as the Cross Border Directive (CBD).
The HSE operates the CBD in Ireland. Referral for care under the CBD may be made by a GP, a hospital consultant and certain other clinicians. In line with practice in other EU Member States, the HSE through the National Contact Point (NCP) provides information for patients on the CBD on its website which can be accessed at: hse.ie/eng/services/list/1/schemes/cbd/ and also by phone at 056 7784551. The HSE advises where a patient is in any doubt as to the need to seek prior authorization before availing of a consultation or treatment abroad to contact the NCP.
The HSE also 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, as per the procedures set out in EU Regulations (EC) No. 987/2009. The TAS provides for the cost of approved treatments in another EU/EEA member state or Switzerland through the issue of form E112 (IE) where the treatment is:
- Among the benefits provided for by Irish legislation;
- Not available in Ireland; and
- Not available within the time normally necessary for obtaining it in Ireland, taking account of the patient's current state of health and the probable course of the disease.
GPs refer patients to consultants for acute care and it is the treating consultant who, having exhausted all treatment options including tertiary care within the country, refers the patient abroad under the terms of the TAS. The consultant must specify the specific treatment and in making the referral accepts clinical responsibility in relation to the physician and facility abroad where the patient will attend.
Applications to the TAS are processed and a determination given in accordance with the statutory framework prior to a patient travelling to avail of treatment. The statutory framework stipulates the patient must be a public patient and is required to have followed public patient pathways. Information on the TAS can be accessed on the HSE website at: hse.ie/eng/services/list/1/schemes/treatmentabroad/ and also by phone at 056 7784551.
387. 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. [29326/18]
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.
388. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health if a capital submission plan for the upgrade of St. Joseph's Community Hospital, Stranorlar, Lifford Community Hospital and Ramelton Community Hospital was received in March 2018 from area 1 of the HSE; if a final decision has been made regarding the proposals contained in that submission; if the capital plan has been amended to allow for the new proposals contained in the March 2018 submission; the timeline to address the proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29332/18]
View answer389. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health if a copy of the March 2018 submission concerning three community hospitals in County Donegal was received from area 1 of the HSE; the timeframe to address the proposals within the existing lifetime of the current capital plan; if a supplementary budget has been prepared in order to deal with the proposals of the submission in the capital plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29333/18]
View answer390. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health the proposals contained in the capital submission plan forwarded by HSE area 1 for Lifford Community Hospital; the proposals contained in the existing plan; the timeline for the hospital in terms of the current capital plan; the new or additional proposals contained in the March 2018 submission from HSE area 1; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29334/18]
View answer392. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health if the current capital plan for community hospitals is sufficiently funded and can meet the proposals contained in the additional capital plan submission from the HSE area 1 as applied for in March 2018; if not, his plans for additional funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29336/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 388 to 390, inclusive, and 392 together.
As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of health capital in respect of individual capital projects, my Department has asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly in relation to the current position regarding the development of community nursing units in Donegal.
391. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health if the issues surrounding the Church of Ireland chapel in St Joseph's Community Hospital, Stranorlar, have been resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29335/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
393. 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. [29337/18]
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.
394. 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. [29349/18]
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.
395. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health when a second speech and language therapist will be allocated to a school (details supplied) for learning disabilities in County Sligo; when a behavioural therapist will be reappointed; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is only one speech and language therapist serving 44 children in the school and 100 adults in a centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29399/18]
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.
396. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health when Fampyra will be approved to treat MS for medical card holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29436/18]
View answerOfficials in my Department have sought clarification from the Deputy, on receipt of same I will arrange for a reply to issue.
397. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide stem cell treatment for MS patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29437/18]
View answerStem cell treatment can be a promising treatment for a small subset of patients with multiple sclerosis.
It is considered a highly aggressive treatment with very significant side-effects. Decisions, therefore relating to appropriate treatment for multiple sclerosis are a matter for clinicians in consultation with patients and their families.
398. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he has taken to ensure that local authorities have the necessary resources to prevent cruelty to animals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28637/18]
View answerMy Department works closely with local authorities in the animal welfare sphere. The Control of Horses Act 1996 details powers available to local authorities for the control and welfare of horses. Section 15 of the Act provides that the Minister for Agriculture, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, may make grants towards the expenses of a local authority incurred under the Act. In this regard my Department provided funding of €533,839 to local authorities in 2017 to assist with their work in control of stray and abandoned horses.
In addition to funding from Central Government such as the above and funding received from the Local Government Fund, local authorities receive the money from dog licensing to directly sub vent the work of their dog wardens.
Animal cruelty is a matter that is dealt with by a wider range of organisations, in particular my department, An Garda Síochána and authorised officers of the ISPCA and DSPCA. The latter are some of the many recipients of the considerable ex-gratia funding which my department provides to underpin important work done by many organisations in the area of supporting animal welfare. I announced in December 2017 the largest ever Department allocation of funding to animal welfare organisations of €2,560,000. A total of 111 organisations will benefit under these arrangements.
My Department has also taken a proactive approach to reducing problems in the horse area by developing facilities for urban and traveller horse populations and in educating young people among these communities in the care and welfare of horses. Again this work is done in close collaboration with local authorities involved.
399. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay of a young farmer in a partnership payment for 2017 for a person (details supplied); when they will receive the payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28642/18]
View answerMy Department received an application under the Young Farmers Scheme from the Registered Farm Partnership in this case, with the person named as the young farmer. All issues in relation to finalising the processing of the Partnership application have now been resolved and it is expected that payment will issue shortly.
400. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a farm payment application by a person (details supplied) will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28643/18]
View answerA 2017 Basic Payment Application in respect of the person named was received on 05 May 2017 and the relevant payments issued in October and December to the nominated bank account.
An issue arose post payment where a number of land parcels declared by the person named were also declared by another applicant. In order to resolve this issue the Department issued a dual claim letter on 23 February 2018 and a reminder on 09 May 2018. These letters outlined the issue and invited the applicant to substantiate their claim.
As you had indicated that the person named did not receive the correspondence issued by my Department I arranged for these letters to be reissued.
The dual claim in respect of the person named and the subsequently submitted documentation is still being examined. It is likely at this stage that a land verification visit will be required. My Department is currently arranging same.
