Written Answers Nos. 95-114
95. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the €10 charge on medical card holders for bloods taken by general practitioners; the rules regarding charging medical card holders who require routine blood tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37930/18]
View answerUnder the terms of the current GMS contract, GPs are required to provide eligible patients with ''all proper and necessary treatment of a kind usually undertaken by a general practitioner and not requiring special skill or experience of a degree or kind which general practitioners cannot reasonably be expected to possess." There is no provision under the GMS GP contract for persons who hold a medical card or GP visit card to be charged for routine phlebotomy services provided by their GP which are required to either assist in the diagnosis of illness or the treatment of a condition.
The HSE has advised GPs that where a blood test forms part of the investigation or necessary treatment of a patient’s symptoms or conditions, this should be free of charge for patients who hold a medical card or GP visit card. Notwithstanding this, I am aware that some GPs are charging GMS patients for phlebotomy services in some circumstances.
This is a matter of concern for me as it has long been the position, under successive Governments, that no user charges should apply to GP services provided to GMS and GP visit card patients. If a patient who holds a medical card or GP visit card believes he or she has been incorrectly charged for routine phlebotomy services by his or her GP, then that patient should report the matter to their HSE Local Health Office.
96. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) who is now in the final stages of dementia will avail of the national dementia strategy intensive home care package which the person was given approval for in June 2018. [37931/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
97. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the efforts he is making to ensure the future of a health centre (details supplied) in County Waterford; the reason there are no nurses available at the health centre; if a new doctor has been appointed to the centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37933/18]
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.
98. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in his Department, the HSE or other agencies both at official and other levels who received the Scally report before it was leaked to the media on 11 September 2018, before the victims had received a briefing on same; if he plans to investigate the leak; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37935/18]
View answerIt is extremely regrettable that some details of the review became known in advance of the planned briefing for impacted women and families. I viewed it as a priority that representatives of those most affected would be briefed on the content of the report before it was published. Consequently, I and my Department had been working towards a schedule that ensured the patient representatives were being briefed by Dr Scally concurrently with my briefing of Cabinet. This was to be followed by briefings by Dr Scally to medical colleges, patient advocacy groups, the opposition and the press.
Fortunately, Dr Scally was able to make himself available at short notice to provide substantial briefing on the contents of his report to some of those who were most affected, and the other briefings took place as planned.
It is not accurate to say that the report was leaked but, as I have said, I do not know how an aspect of it came into the public domain.
Within my Department, on receipt of the Report of the Scoping Inquiry, a total of nine copies were generated (two copies received and a further seven created). Five copies were issued to officials and others in the Department of Health, three copies were provided to the Office of the Attorney General and one copy was provided to the office of An Taoiseach. Officials' access to the report was for the purposes of seeking the advice of the Attorney General, and of preparing a Memorandum for Government. Those receiving the report were advised in writing as to its confidentiality and that they were not permitted to copy the report.
At this point, in accordance with Dr Scally's report, there are two priority tasks. These are firstly, ensuring that the group of women affected and the relatives of the deceased are given the maximum amount of support in dealing with the difficulties that they now face, and secondly, implementing the 50 recommendations of the Scoping Inquiry, which have been accepted in full by Government.
99. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an operation for a hip replacement at UHW will be arranged for a person (details supplied). [37937/18]
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.
100. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will be scheduled for surgery. [37942/18]
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.
101. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if full-time residential care will be provided for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37943/18]
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.
102. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the wait time for accessing gynaecological services in the Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar; and the number of women waiting for gynaecological services in Mullingar General Hospital in tabular form. [37944/18]
View answerIn response to the question raised regarding the number of women waiting on gynaecology services in Mullingar General Hospital, the following table sets out the inpatient/day case and outpatient waiting list numbers for the Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar as at end August 2018
Midlands Regional Hospital Mullingar Gynaecology Waiting Lists end August 2018
|
Total |
0-3 months |
3-6 months |
6-9 months |
9-12 months |
12-15 months |
15-18 months |
18+ months |
|
|
Outpatient |
1,464 |
457 |
349 |
238 |
200 |
91 |
66 |
63 |
|
Inpatient |
106 |
78 |
24 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
103. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter regarding the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37945/18]
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.
105. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the action he plans to take to deal with the use of social media sites to promote the illegal and dangerous so-called MMS as a purported cure for autism with particular reference to the need for stiffer penalties for those involved who are essentially endangering and abusing children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37949/18]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that matters having regard to internet regulation and governance are a matter for the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment. I trust that this clarifies the matter.
106. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the funding available to provide life-saving treatment to persons with spinal muscular atrophy; the discussions that have taken place between him, his Department and an association (details supplied) regarding the possible availability of such drugs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37958/18]
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 Minister for Health does not have any statutory power or function in relation to reimbursement of medicines
Under the 2013 Act, if a company wishes to have a medicine reimbursed through the community drugs schemes, it must first submit an application to the HSE to have the medicine added to the Reimbursement List. The HSE deals directly with the applicant during this statutory process and not representative bodies, such as the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association.
HSE decisions on which medicines are reimbursed are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds, on the advice of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE). The NCPE conducts health technology assessments 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.
Nusinersen (Spinraza) is for the treatment of 5q spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).
An application for the reimbursement of Nusinersen (Spinraza) is currently being processed by the HSE. No decision has been arrived at as yet as the statutory assessment process is still ongoing.
107. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 614 of 10 July 2018, his views on whether it is acceptable that a person awaiting knee surgery with a referral graded as urgent has been informed the person will have to wait for up to 30 months for treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37961/18]
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.
109. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health further to his replies to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 606 of 12 June 2018 and 275 of 3 July 2018, when a person (details supplied) will have the surgery in view of the fact the person has already been on a waiting list for this procedure for more than two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37966/18]
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.
110. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of an application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37989/18]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that applications for the recognition of non-Irish qualifications in psychology are assessed under Directive 2005/36/EC. Under Statutory Instrument No. 8 of 2017, which transposes the Directive into Irish law, the Minister for Health is the competent authority for the assessment of psychology qualifications and I am advised on applications by the Psychological Society of Ireland. The process is administered by the Validation Unit on my behalf.
Directive 2005/36/EC provides a mechanism under which non-Irish professional qualifications can be considered for recognition but it is considered to be a very complicated piece of legislation. While the intention of the Directive is to make it easier for certain professionals to practise their professions in European countries other than their own, due safeguards are provided in the assessment of the qualification for public health and safety and consumer protection; this is why the process can take a number of months.
The Directive provides that applications must be acknowledged within one month and applicants advised of decisions within four months. For this reason, applicants are advised not to apply for positions until their qualifications have been recognised.
As the applicant was advised in the Validation Unit's letter of 26 June 2018, decisions on applications must be made within four months of acknowledgement of a complete application; accordingly, the applicant will receive a decision on this application before 26 October 2018.
While I appreciate that the applicant is anxious to receive a decision on her application, I trust, however, that the applicant will understand that, in the interest of fairness, applications are dealt with in the order in which they are received.
111. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of a prescription for a person (details supplied); the date on which the items will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38004/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
112. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the financial situation of the HSE; the extent to which spending is ahead of profile; the likely overrun for the year; the way in which HSE income for the year is also comparing to forecasts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38032/18]
View answerAt the end of June, the reported HSE is €341.7m over profile. While made up of offsetting surpluses and deficits, the main drivers are expenditure in acute hospitals, pressures in relation to emergency placements for people with disabilities, costs associated with HIQA compliance, Storm Emma and the State Claims Agency. Income is also below profile and is contributing to the deficit year to date.
My Department is engaging in ongoing dialogue with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to the financial performance of the Health Service Executive year to date, including consideration of the implications for the projected outturn for the year.
These discussions are still progressing and until they are concluded it would not be appropriate for me to anticipate the outcome.
113. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the necessary funding will be provided to Tipperary County Council to employ a horse warden or wardens to ensure the prevention of maltreatment of horses and ponies in the county and to further ensure the microchipping and passporting of all horses and ponies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37900/18]
View answerEach local authority is responsible for enforcing the Control of Horses Act 1996 and any bye-laws made under that Act by the authority within its functional area. The local authority have the power under the acts to appoint authorised officers to enforce the act with in their functional area.
I have no function in relation to staffing matters pertaining to local authorities. My Department will, however, continue to work closely with Local Authorities around the country with a view to promoting horse projects both in terms of infrastructure and education.
114. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of funding issued to a society (details supplied) by way of grants in 2017; the purposes for which it was provided; the reporting obligations on the society attached to the grant of the funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37980/18]
View answerThe Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has approved the Connemara Pony Breeders Society to maintain the studbook for the breed and the Society’s role includes devising and implementing measures to promote, develop and conserve the breed.
In 2017 my Department provided €850,000 in grant supports under projects which support improvements in equine breeding schemes and systems in the non-thoroughbred horse sector. These include training, education, health and promotion initiatives/projects.
From that amount, the Connemara Pony Breeders Society received grant aid towards a number of projects totalling €145,472 in 2017.
All project proposals are assessed by a team of department staff before approval is issued and all approved projects are fully vouched before payment is issued. An annual financial control check is also conducted by Department staff.
The Connemara pony is part of Ireland’s heritage and has rare breed status according to criteria set out by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations. My Department also supports the conservation and preservation of our national rare equine breeds, including the Connemara pony under the Green Low carbon Agri-environmental Scheme (GLAS).
