Friday, 7 Sep 2018

Services for People with Disabilities

Questions (745)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

745. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a child (details supplied); the reason for the delay in appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35967/18]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

Services for People with Disabilities

Questions (746)

Mary Butler

Question:

746. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive their first appointment from the early intervention team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35971/18]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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 Waiting Lists

Questions (747)

Barry Cowen

Question:

747. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect an appointment [35973/18]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

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.

Ambulance Service

Questions (748)

Seán Fleming

Question:

748. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the details of a matter in relation to the National Ambulance Service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35976/18]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.

Medical Products Supply

Questions (749)

Clare Daly

Question:

749. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health when the drug C1 esterase inhibitor Berinert will be made available by the HSE to persons with hereditary angioedema. [35981/18]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines in the community drugs schemes, under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.

For a medicine to be considered for reimbursement by the HSE, it must first have a marketing authorisation from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), before being assessed under the 2013 Act.

I understand that C1-esterase inhibitor (Berinert) is not licensed for use in Ireland.

Should C1-esterase inhibitor (Berinert) receive marketing authorisation, the company may make an application to the HSE for reimbursement.

HSE Waiting Lists

Questions (750)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

750. 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. [35982/18]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

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.

HSE Waiting Lists

Questions (751)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

751. 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. [35983/18]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

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 Charges

Questions (752)

Peter Fitzpatrick

Question:

752. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) is responsible for the payment of their outstanding bill from the Mater Hospital. [35994/18]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly, as soon as possible.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (753)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

753. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the reason urology appointments in University Hospital Galway, UHG, have a waiting time of two years; the steps he will take to reduce waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36004/18]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

I acknowledge that Outpatient waiting times are often unacceptably long and I am conscious of the burden that this places on patients and their families.

The latest NTPF figures show that 57% of patients are waiting 12 months or less for a Urology Outpatient appointment in University Hospital Galway.

Each year 3.3 million patients attend Hospital Outpatient clinics for appointments, with demand for services growing year-on-year. A key component of the management of waiting lists by hospitals is the categorisation of patients by clinical priority to ensure that all patients receive care in a timely and clinically appropriate matter.

Earlier this year, I approved the establishment of a Central Waiting List Validation function in the NTPF. The new office will consolidate and centralise validation activity for all Inpatient/Daycase and Outpatient waiting lists, thus ensuring a standardisation of approach across all waiting lists and all hospitals.

In addition, the HSE is working with the NTPF and my Department to finalise the Outpatient Action Plan for 2018. This plan will support the HSE’s compliance with their National Service Plan targets, reduce the growth in the number of patients waiting for outpatient services, improve the accuracy of the waiting list, and trial a number of NTPF funded interventions, including weekend and out of hours clinics.

In relation to urology appointments in UHG, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (754)

Seán Fleming

Question:

754. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when a hip operation will be carried out for a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36006/18]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

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.

Disability Services Data

Questions (755)

Michael McGrath

Question:

755. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the multi-disciplinary provision to a school (details supplied) in County Cork for the completed 2017-2018 school year; the planned provision for the 2018-2019 school year; the reason for changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36011/18]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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 service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

Question No. 756 answered with Question No. 594.

Pharmacy Services

Questions (757)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

757. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if agreement will be given to a change in the definition of temporary absence of a pharmacist from a pharmacy; the work that may be done by pharmaceutical assistants as recommended by an organisation (details supplied); his views on whether this will seriously affect the life and work prospects of existing pharmaceutical assistants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36023/18]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

The Pharmacy Act 2007 established the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) and the functions of the Society are set out in the Act. The functions of the PSI are carried out on its behalf by the Council of the Society.

Section 30 of the Act provides for an exception to the general provision in the Act which requires the sale and supply of medicines at a pharmacy to be conducted under the personal supervision of a registered pharmacist, and specifies that no offence is committed where a registered pharmaceutical assistant “acts on behalf of a registered pharmacist during the temporary absence of the registered pharmacist”.

Section 30 also permits the Council to make rules as to:

1. what may or may not be done by a registered pharmaceutical assistant when acting on behalf of a registered pharmacist; and

2. what constitutes the temporary absence of a registered pharmacist.

On June 21 the Council of the Society approved for issuance for public consultation the proposed draft Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (Temporary Absence of Pharmacist from Pharmacy) Rules 2018. This public consultation commenced on 17 July and ran until 14 August and afforded any interested party the opportunity to make representations on the matter directly to the PSI.

Following completion of the public consultation phase, any Rules made by the Council of the PSI are subject to Ministerial consent as per the Act. My role in relation to this process is limited to the consideration of any such Rules once submitted for my approval. No rules have as yet been submitted to me by the PSI.

I must consider any Rules presented to me from a fair and impartial perspective, without prejudice or prejudgement. I await the receipt of the Rules for my consideration from the PSI on completion of the public consultation phase and until that time I am unfortunately not in a position to comment any further on the matter raised.

HSE Waiting Lists

Questions (758)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

758. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of treatment being proposed for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36027/18]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

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.

Pharmaceutical Sector

Questions (759)

Seán Fleming

Question:

759. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the position regarding new draft rules proposed by an organisation (details supplied); if they have been signed off on to date; the timeframe for the statutory instrument to implement these changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36030/18]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As you may be aware, the Pharmacy Act 2007 established the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) and the functions of the Society are set out in the Act. The functions of the PSI are carried out on its behalf by the Council of the Society.

Section 30 of the Act provides for an exception to the general provision in the Act which requires the sale and supply of medicines at a pharmacy to be conducted under the personal supervision of a registered pharmacist, and specifies that no offence is committed where a registered pharmaceutical assistant “acts on behalf of a registered pharmacist during the temporary absence of the registered pharmacist”.

Section 30 also permits the Council to make rules as to:

1. what may or may not be done by a registered pharmaceutical assistant when acting on behalf of a registered pharmacist; and

2. what constitutes the temporary absence of a registered pharmacist.

On June 21 the Council of the Society approved for issuance for public consultation the proposed draft Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (Temporary Absence of Pharmacist from Pharmacy) Rules 2018. This public consultation commenced on 17 July and ran until 14 August and afforded any interested party the opportunity to make representations on the matter directly to the PSI.

Following completion of the public consultation phase I understand that the Council of the PSI will consider the proposed draft Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (Temporary Absence of Pharmacist from Pharmacy) Rules 2018 at its next meeting scheduled on the 20th September 2018. The results of the public consultation undertaken in this regard will be available to the Council. In circumstances where the Council approve these draft rules (with/without amendment) these will then be forwarded to me for my consideration and consent in line with requirements of Section 30 of the Act.

I must consider any Rules presented to me from a fair and impartial perspective, without prejudice or prejudgement. I await the receipt of the Rules and possible commencement date for my consideration from the PSI and until that time I am unfortunately not in a position to comment any further on the matter raised.

Hospital Services

Questions (760)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

760. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the provision of services at Monaghan Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36035/18]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.

Home Care Packages

Questions (761, 762, 763, 764, 765, 767)

Mary Butler

Question:

761. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health the number of intensive home care packages by county and by CHO in each of the years 2015 to 2017; the number in place in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36036/18]

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Mary Butler

Question:

762. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health the number of intensive home care packages for persons with dementia by county and by CHO in each of the years 2015 to 2017; the number in place in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36037/18]

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Mary Butler

Question:

763. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health the number of intensive home care packages being provided by county and CHO in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36038/18]

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Mary Butler

Question:

764. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health the number of home care packages being provided by county and CHO in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36039/18]

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Mary Butler

Question:

765. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health the number of home help hours being provided by county and CHO in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36040/18]

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Mary Butler

Question:

767. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding home care packages and other services for older persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36042/18]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 761 to 765, inclusive, and 767 together.

As these are service matters I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A