Niamh Smyth
Question:666. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if a timeframe has been set out for the delivery of a facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30817/18]
View answerPalliative Care Facilities
Questions (666)
Written answers
At present, St. Christopher’s Hospice provides three palliative care support beds as well as residential care for 10 local people with profound disabilities. However, because of increased demand and an expansion of services provided the local specialist palliative care team, there is a need to provide for a dedicated specialist palliative care unit in Cavan.
An options appraisal for St. Christopher’s Hospice is taking place and a report is due in the next two weeks. A meeting between the Head of Primary Care in CHO1, the HSE National Lead for Palliative Care and St Christopher's Hospice is scheduled to take place later this month to discuss the findings of the report. A project board will be established by the HSE and St. Christopher’s Hospice once the options appraisal is completed.
St. Christopher's Hospice is included on the national development plan for new specialist palliative care inpatient units with a view to opening in 2021. The HSE is committed to developing the specialist palliative care unit and will continue to work with St. Christopher’s Hospice to ensure that the development takes place.
Question No. 667 answered with Question No. 373.
Question No. 668 answered with Question No. 555.
Health Care Policy
Questions (669)
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:669. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health when the national dental health plan will be published; the reason it has taken so long to update the 1994 dental health programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30849/18]
View answerWritten answers
A new National Oral Health Policy is currently being finalised and I expect it will be published later this year.
The aim of the policy is to develop a model of care that will enable preventative approaches to be prioritised, improve access, and support interventions appropriate to current and future oral health needs.
The development of the policy has involved a number of working groups and detailed research and surveys and analysis of research findings. It has included a needs assessment, a review of resources and involved consultation with stakeholders, including dental professionals and the public.
Medicinal Products Availability
Questions (670)
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:670. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health when the medical supplement Kuvan will be approved for persons with phenylketonuria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30850/18]
View answerWritten answers
The HSE has statutory responsibility for medicine pricing and reimbursement decisions, in accordance with the 2013 Act. The Act specifies the criteria for decisions on the reimbursement of medicines. The 2013 Act does not give the Minister for Health any powers in this regard. The HSE does not require approval or consent from the Minister or Government when making a reimbursement decision.
This process ensures that treatments that are clinical and cost effective are reimbursed. In circumstances where a company has failed to demonstrate the clinical benefit to support the price that they are seeking for their treatment, the HSE reaches a decision not to reimburse the medicine.
Kuvan (Sapropterin) is a medicinal product for the treatment of PKU Phenylketonuria. It is an expensive medicine and treatment once initiated would be expected to be lifelong.
The NCPE health technology assessment of Sapropterin was completed on the 15th September 2017 and they did not recommend reimbursement as it was not deemed cost effective.
The application was considered in detail by the HSE Drugs Group in January 2018 and it was referred to the Rare Diseases Technology Review Committee for more detailed consideration and consultation with expert clinicians and patients’ groups.
This engagement process is still on-going. It is expected that the Rare Diseases Technology Review Committee will report back to the HSE Drugs Group by July 2018. Following on from these final recommendations, a decision will be made on the reimbursement of Kuvan.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (671)
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:671. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the waiting list to see a consultant cardiologist at Beaumont Hospital; the average waiting time to see the consultant; the steps being taken to reduce waiting times to see the consultant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30868/18]
View answerWritten answers
In relation to the particular queries raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
Hospital Equipment
Questions (672)
Maurice Quinlivan
Question:672. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the average age of lithotripsy machines in use in public hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30874/18]
View answerWritten answers
As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the health care infrastructure estate and equipment, my Department has asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
Hospital Services
Questions (673)
Mary Butler
Question:673. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health if planning permission was necessary for the recent upgrade of cardiac catheterisation laboratory works at St. Vincent's University Hospital; the nature of the work; the timeframe involved; the timeframe in relation to the tendering process; the timeframe in relation to the project design work; the timeframe in relation to the building and construction work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30880/18]
View answerWritten answers
As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of healthcare infrastructure projects, my Department has asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly in relation to this matter.
Nursing Homes Support Scheme Review
Questions (674)
Michael Moynihan
Question:674. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the status of the review of the nursing home support scheme in relation to the financial assessment of farms and businesses; when he expects these proposed changes to take effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30889/18]
View answerWritten answers
A review of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS) was published in July 2015. Arising out of the review, a recommendation was made to examine the treatment of business and farm assets for the purposes of the financial assessment element of the scheme. The Programme for a Partnership Government also committed to reviewing the NHSS to remove any discrimination against small businesses and family farms.
At present, the capital value of an individual's principal private residence is only included in the financial assessment for the first three years of their time in care. This is known as the three year cap. This cap does not apply to productive assets such as farms and businesses, except in cases of sudden illness or disability where specific conditions are met.
It is proposed to amend the scheme to treat farm and business assets in the same manner as the principal private residence where a family successor commits to working the farm or business, i.e. to cap contributions at three years.
The Department of Health has been examining the potential for changes to the treatment of business and farm assets under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme.
A Memorandum for Government setting out the details of the proposed policy change and seeking Government approval to draft the General Scheme of a bill to amend the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009 was circulated to other Government Departments for observations in the last few weeks and is expected to be submitted to Government shortly.
Health Services Staff Recruitment
Questions (675)
Niamh Smyth
Question:675. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if a matter (details supplied) will be reviewed; his plans to implement change in this sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30890/18]
View answerWritten answers
My colleague, the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation recognises the fact that there are pressures in the labour market and has asked her Department to review the policies underpinning the current employment permits system. The report of the review group is due shortly. Following on from this Report, it is expected that a review of the ineligible and eligible list of occupations for employment permits will be conducted in the second half of this year.
To remove a skill from the ineligible list, it must be demonstrated that recruitment difficulties are due to shortages and not to factors such as pay and/or working conditions. It is important therefore that a detailed business case, which sets out the necessary data and evidence to justify the need for the nursing home sector to go outside the EEA to find workers, is provided.
Within my own Department, my colleague, Minister Daly, with special responsibility for Older People has already indicated that he is willing to work with the Nursing Home industry on this matter so that the Department of Health, as the lead Department for the sector, can in turn make the case to the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation.
Officials from my Department have agreed to meet with Nursing Homes Ireland, along with officials from the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation. A date will be agreed shortly.
Primary Care Centres
Questions (676)
Catherine Martin
Question:676. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Health the capacity of the psychiatric day hospital in the primary care unit in Balbriggan; the area it serves; and the number of persons waiting to access its services. [30894/18]
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.
Hospital Services
Questions (677)
Catherine Martin
Question:677. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Health the capacity of the Ashlin Centre in Beaumont Hospital; the area it serves; and the number of persons waiting to access its services. [30895/18]
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.
Medicinal Products Availability
Questions (678)
Aindrias Moynihan
Question:678. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if he will engage with an organisation (details supplied) and the pharmaceutical industry with a view to ensure new medicines become available to persons with multiple sclerosis without delay. [30900/18]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Nursing Homes Support Scheme Review
Questions (679, 680)
Pat Deering
Question:679. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when he will publish the review of the fair deal pricing mechanism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30903/18]
View answerPat Deering
Question:680. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce an independent appeals process under the fair deal scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30904/18]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 679 and 680 together.
The Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS), commonly referred to as Fair Deal, is a system of financial support for people who require long-term residential care. Participants contribute to the cost of their care according to their means while the State pays the balance of the cost. The scheme aims to ensure that long-term nursing home care is accessible and affordable for everyone and that people are cared for in the most appropriate settings.
The Report of the NHSS Review published in 2015 identified a number of issues for more detailed consideration, including a review of the pricing mechanism used by the NTPF, with a view to:
- Ensuring value for money and economy, with the lowest possible administrative costs for clients and the State and administrative burden for providers;
- Increasing the transparency of the pricing mechanism so that existing and potential investors can make as informed decisions as possible; and
- Ensuring that there is adequate residential capacity for those residents with more complex needs.
The terms of reference for the review of the pricing mechanism also includes consideration of the appeals mechanism available to nursing homes.
A steering group was established to oversee this review, chaired by the NTPF and including representatives from my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. The NTPF are close to completing the review and will bring a draft of report to the steering group shortly.
Health Services Staff Recruitment
Questions (681)
Pat Deering
Question:681. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health his plans to review the position of the role of healthcare assistants from the ineligible categories of employment for employment permits list and their removal from this list on a controlled basis (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30905/18]
View answerWritten answers
My colleague, the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation recognises the fact that there are pressures in the labour market and has asked her Department to review the policies underpinning the current employment permits system. The report of the review group is due shortly. Following on from this Report, it is expected that a review of the ineligible and eligible list of occupations for employment permits will be conducted in the second half of this year.
To remove a skill from the ineligible list, it must be demonstrated that recruitment difficulties are due to shortages and not to factors such as pay and/or working conditions. It is important therefore that a detailed business case, which sets out the necessary data and evidence to justify the need for the nursing home sector to go outside the EEA to find workers, is provided.
I have indicated my willingness to work with the Nursing Home industry on this matter so that the Department of Health, as the lead Department for the sector, can in turn make the case to the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation.
Officials from my Department have also agreed to meet with Nursing Homes Ireland, along with officials from the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation. A date will be agreed shortly.
Health Services
Questions (682)
Pat Deering
Question:682. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health his plans to review the decision not to implement a full courier service for collection of blood samples from general practitioner surgeries (details supplied) in County Carlow; the reason this is not being considered; the counties which do not have the facility in which blood and samples for laboratory testing are not collected directly from a surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30906/18]
View answerWritten answers
As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.