Thursday, 4 Oct 2018

HIQA Reports

Questions (157)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

157. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health his views on a HIQA report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40509/18]

View answer

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The safety and protection of vulnerable people in the care of the State is paramount. The Government’s primary concern is that their needs are being prioritised and addressed.

Over 23,000 older people and 8,500 people with a disability are currently in receipt of residential care in Ireland from over 1,600 service providers. The Health Information and Quality Authority, HIQA, is the statutory independent regulator for residential services in the Disability and Older Persons sectors.

HIQA has published standards against which it registers residential services for older people and those with a disability. These standards establish the requirements for people living in residential care in order to ensure high-quality, safe and effective services which promote person-centred care, uphold the rights of people, respect privacy and dignity, and protect people living in residential care from abuse and neglect.

Service providers must ensure that all reasonable measures are taken to protect residents from all forms of abuse. They must have policies and procedures in place for the prevention, detection and response to abuse. Furthermore, operators must notify HIQA of any allegation of abuse or serious adverse incidents that occur in a residential centre.

HIQA welcomes information about designated centres for dependent persons, reviews all information about services received and evaluates it against the regulations and standards. If there is a serious risk to the health and welfare of persons accessing the service, HIQA may decide to take appropriate action.

A report by HIQA on the use of information gathered and received in the regulation of services was received by my Department this week and we are currently examining this very useful document.

The report outlines how unsolicited information and mandated monitoring notifications are received and reviewed by an inspector of social services who assesses the related risk and decides on a regulatory response. Every piece of information received, whether unsolicited or mandated, is reviewed in such a manner.

Some concerns were raised recently in the media about the manner in which unsolicited information received by HIQA was dealt with. HIQA reports that in 2017, 820 pieces of unsolicited information were received related to older persons services. In the case of 342 of these pieces of information, further information or a provider-led investigation of the issue identified was requested following initial review and risk rating of the information. Review of the unsolicited information triggered 17 targeted inspections. HIQA concluded that none of the issues raised by the unsolicited information required referral to other organisations.

HIQA reports that in the case of disability services, from 298 pieces of unsolicited information, further investigation or provider-led investigation was requested in 140 cases, 10 targeted inspections were triggered, and none of the issues raised by the unsolicited information required referral to other organisations.

Where referrals are required, they take place. In the case of Children’s Services, 13 of the 108 pieces of unsolicited information received were signposted to Tusla’s complaints process, the Office of the Ombudsman, the Ombudsman for Children's Office and/or the Health and Social Care Professionals Regulator, CORU.

HIQA is very open and transparent in relation to the information it gathers in its regulation of services. It publishes an annual report. The Chief Inspector publishes an overview report detailing the quality and safety of services and areas of high risk. In addition, HIQA publishes every individual report as to the quality and safety of services within its legislative remit. All of these reports are publicly available on the website hiqa.ie. HIQA also has a project underway looking at improving its data sharing agreements and enhancing its memorandums of understanding with other agencies.

Long-Term Illness Scheme Coverage

Questions (158)

Frank O'Rourke

Question:

158. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if haemochromatosis will be added to the long-term illness scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40516/18]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Health

Under the Long Term Illness (LTI) Scheme, patients receive drugs, medicines and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of their illness, free of charge. Medical procedures are not covered by the scheme.

Haemochromatosis is not a condition which is covered under the LTI and there are no plans to extend the list of conditions.

People who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be entitled to a medical card. In the assessment process, the HSE can take into account medical costs incurred by an individual or a family.

People who are not eligible for a medical card may still be able to avail of a GP visit card, which covers the cost of GP consultations.

Autism Support Services

Questions (159)

John McGuinness

Question:

159. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health his views on the use of autism assistance dogs; if his Department or the HSE will engage with an organisation (details supplied) to discuss the possibility of funding a project to the extent of the cost of eliminating the waiting list of 200 children and families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40517/18]

View answer

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.

Medical Card Reviews

Questions (160)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

160. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when a medical card will be restored in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40537/18]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.

Nursing Staff Recruitment

Hospital Consultant Data

Questions (168)

Stephen Donnelly

Question:

168. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of approved consultant positions in each public and voluntary hospital; the number of those filled on a whole-time equivalent basis; the number of those vacant as of 30 September 2018 or the latest date available; and the number of those filled on locum or non-specialist basis in tabular form. [40574/18]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Health

I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly on this matter.

Medicinal Products Reimbursement

Questions (169)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

169. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the reason medi-plasters are no longer reimbursable on the medical card in view of the effectiveness of these in dealing with chronic pain and the €100 monthly cost involved; if the decision will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40576/18]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Health

Medicines 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.

The decision to introduce a new reimbursement approval process is a matter for the HSE. However, I fully support the objectives of the HSE Medicines Management Programme.

Question No. 170 answered with Question No. 112.

Speech and Language Therapy

Questions (171)

Paul Kehoe

Question:

171. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in forwarding the information in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40581/18]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Health

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

Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Payments

Questions (172)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

172. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an areas of natural constraint, ANC, payment in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40345/18]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The processing of the Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme application by the person named has now been completed and payment has issued to his nominated bank account.

Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Applications

Questions (173)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

173. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an ANC payment in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40346/18]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named submitted a 2018 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraint Schemes application on the 9th May 2018. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases remote sensing (i.e. satellite) inspections, be completed before any payments issue.

The application of the person named was selected for a Remote Sensing eligibility inspection. This inspection is currently being processed with the intention of issuing any payments due as soon as possible. In the event that any queries arise officials in my Department will be in contact with the person named.

Agriculture Scheme Applications

Questions (174)

Pat Breen

Question:

174. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason payments have not issued to persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40376/18]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named submitted a 2018 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraint Schemes application on the 12th May 2018. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases remote sensing (i.e. satellite) inspections, be completed before any payments issue.

The application of the person named was selected for a remote sensing eligibility inspection. This inspection has been processed and the person named was notified of the findings on the 2nd October 2018. The notification issued outlines the options available at this stage, namely to accept the findings or to submit comments to my Department for consideration. On completion of this process, the inspection outcome will be finalised and any payments due will issue to the nominated bank account of the person named as soon as possible.

Organic Farming Scheme Payments

Questions (175)

Pat Breen

Question:

175. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40377/18]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named is a participant in my Department's Organic Farming Scheme (OFS). An issue arose in relation to a parcel of land that was included in their Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS) and the Organic Farming Scheme. The AEOS action selected by the person did not permit payment on that parcel under the Organic Farming Scheme due to the issue of double funding.

In 2016, upon transforming their AEOS contract to the Green Low-Carbon Agri-Environment Scheme (GLAS) different actions were chosen on the parcel in question. This change permitted payments under both the GLAS and Organic Farming schemes. Due to a retrospective AEOS payment issued in respect of 2016, the OFS payment on this parcel was initially blocked.

My Department's staff have now rectified the issue that was preventing the 2016 OFS payment for the land parcel in question. The OFS payment in respect of same will issue this week.

Agriculture Scheme Appeals

Questions (176)

Eamon Scanlon

Question:

176. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied) that has been ongoing for approximately three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40391/18]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The independent Agriculture Appeals Office has confirmed that, following the Appeals Officer's decision on the case, the appellant requested a review of that decision. Such requests are generally dealt with in order of receipt. A number of requests for reviews were received prior to the request concerned. In regard to the case concerned, the Agriculture Appeals Act provides that an Appeals Officer's decision may be revised if it appears to the Director that the decision was erroneous by reason of some mistake having been made in relation to the law or the facts. In the case concerned it was considered necessary as part of the review to seek legal advice on one aspect of the case. That advice has now been received and I am advised that every effort is being made to finalise the review of the case as soon as possible.