Michael Healy-Rae
Question:214. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29762/18]
View answerHospital Waiting Lists
Questions (214)
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, 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.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (215)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:215. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29764/18]
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, 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.
Disabilities Assessments
Questions (216)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:216. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an assessment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29766/18]
View answerWritten answers
The 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.
HSE Properties
Questions (217)
James Browne
Question:217. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health if the demolition of a HSE building (details supplied) will be halted to enable the building to be used for educational purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29767/18]
View answerWritten answers
As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of health care infrastructure, my Department has asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly in relation to capital developments at Grogan's Road, Wexford.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (218)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:218. 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. [29771/18]
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, 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.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (219)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:219. 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. [29772/18]
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, 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.
Orthodontic Services Waiting Lists
Questions (220)
Joe Carey
Question:220. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on both referral and treatment waiting lists for children's orthodontics by administrative region; the waiting times for both referral and treatment by region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29773/18]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
Medicinal Products Reimbursement
Questions (221, 227)
Noel Rock
Question:221. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health if the concerns of multiple sclerosis patients regarding access to life-changing medicines will be addressed; his plans to introduce changes to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29789/18]
View answer
Jackie Cahill
Question:227. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health if he will engage with an organisation (details supplied) on its concerns regarding the length of the process whereby drugs are brought to the market and multiple sclerosis sufferers can access them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29804/18]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 221 and 227 together.
The HSE has statutory responsibility for medicine pricing and reimbursement decisions, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. As Minister for Health, I do not have any statutory power or function in relation to the reimbursement of medicines. The Act specifies the criteria for decisions on the reimbursement of medicines.
In line with the 2013 Act, if a company would like a medicine to be reimbursed by the HSE pursuant to the Community Drugs scheme, the company must first submit an application to the HSE to have the new medicine added to the Reimbursement List.
As outlined in the IPHA agreement, and in line with the 2013 Act, the HSE will decide, within 180 days of receiving the application (or a longer period if further information is sought from the company), to either add the medicine to the reimbursement list or agree to reimburse it as a hospital medicine, or refuse to reimburse the medicine. 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 conducts health technology assessments (HTAs) for the HSE, and makes recommendations on reimbursement to assist HSE decisions. The NCPE uses a decision framework to systematically assess whether a drug is cost-effective as a health intervention.
The HSE strives to reach a decision in as timely a manner as possible. However, because of the significant monies involved, it must ensure that the best price is achieved, as these commitments are often multi-million euro investments on an on-going basis. This can lead to a protracted deliberation process.
I am keen to engage with Industry and to explore ways in which new medicines might be more easily introduced in Ireland. However, any innovative approaches that may be tabled must be compatible with the statutory provisions which are in place and must also recognise the fundamental pricing/funding issues in the context of finite Exchequer resources.
I have indicated willingness to meet with MS Ireland and my office is in contact with the organisation to arrange a mutually convenient date.
HSE Reports
Questions (222)
Noel Rock
Question:222. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health when the final report of the national out-of-hospital cardiac arrest steering group will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29790/18]
View answerWritten answers
The Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest Steering Group was commissioned by the Health Service Executive and, as such, it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
HSE Reports
Questions (223)
Noel Rock
Question:223. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health the reason no teacher or principal representatives were appointed to the national out-of-hospital cardiac arrest steering group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29791/18]
View answerWritten answers
The Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest Steering Group was commissioned by the Health Service Executive and, as such, it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Medical Card Applications
Questions (224)
Charlie McConalogue
Question:224. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health the reason a medical card application by a person (details supplied) who has submitted certified farm accounts and a social welfare assessment has not been accepted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29792/18]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (225)
John Brassil
Question:225. Deputy John Brassil 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. [29799/18]
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, 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.
Medicinal Products Reimbursement
Questions (226)
Michael Harty
Question:226. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Health the status of the reimbursement of Translarna; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29801/18]
View answerWritten answers
The Health Service Executive has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drug schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. As such I have asked them to reply to the Deputy directly.
Question No. 227 answered with Question No. 221.