Seán Fleming
Question:453. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when a medical card application by a person (details supplied) will be approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42238/18]
View answerMedical Card Applications
Questions (453)
Written answers
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Blood Donations
Questions (454)
Catherine Connolly
Question:454. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the screening process in place to detect Lyme disease in blood donations; the consequences for a positive identification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42245/18]
View answerWritten answers
The Irish Blood Transfusion Service does not currently test for Lyme disease (B. burgdorferi infection) and has advised that there are no plans to do so in the short term. Lyme disease was risk-assessed as a transfusion risk by the United Kingdom Standing Advisory Committee on Transfusion Transmitted Diseases and the findings approved by the Joint United Kingdom Blood Transfusion Services Professional Advisory Committee in 2016. The Committee concluded that “no specific measures are needed for B. burgdorferi infection in potential blood donors in view of the lack of evidence of transfusion-transmitted infection".
The Irish Blood Transfusion Service has advised that a donor who has had Lyme disease can donate two weeks after complete recovery (and a minimum of one week after completing antibiotics - which are prescribed for a three week course). A donor who has symptoms of chronic Lyme disease cannot donate blood.
I am informed that the Irish Blood Transfusion Service will keep developments in this area under review.
Infectious Diseases
Questions (455, 457)
Catherine Connolly
Question:455. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to ensure that general practitioners and other health professionals have adequate training for the early testing and diagnosis of Lyme disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42246/18]
View answerCatherine Connolly
Question:457. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health his plans to develop specialist services for Lyme disease patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42248/18]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 455 and 457 together.
Lyme disease (also known as Lyme borreliosis) is an infection caused by a spiral-shaped bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi. It is the commonest cause of tick-borne infection in Europe. Lyme neuroborreliosis was made statutorily notifiable in Ireland by the Infectious Diseases (Amendment) Regulations 2011 (S.I. no 452 of 2011).
Testing and treatment for Lyme borreliosis is widely available in Ireland in all major hospitals. Lyme borreliosis is diagnosed by medical history and a physical examination. Lyme disease may be treated by infectious diseases specialists (of which there are 12 nationally) or by general internal medicine available in all acute hospitals. Medical training programmes at undergraduate or postgraduate level in Ireland provide specialist training in infectious diseases, including Lyme disease.
The Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) of the HPSC established a Lyme Borreliosis Subcommittee, the aim of which is to develop strategies to undertake primary prevention with a view to minimising the harm caused by Lyme Borreliosis in Ireland.
The Subcommittee will shortly be meeting to consider its final report to the SAC. During the report’s preparation, the HPSC learned that the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in the UK was undertaking a systematic review of Lyme disease which resulted in the NICE Lyme disease guidelines. These guidelines are based on the most exhaustive systematic review yet undertaken of the evidence around Lyme disease and focused on producing recommendations based on best available evidence relating to diagnosis, management and public awareness of Lyme disease.
The HPSC delayed the final production of the Subcommittee report to ensure that the findings of these guidelines could be considered for inclusion into the final report. The report is in the final stages of preparation and it is planned to circulate the report to members of the Lyme Subcommittee with a view to having a final sign-off meeting of the Subcommittee in November, at which point it will be sent for consideration to the SAC. At this juncture, it would be inappropriate to consider making changes to the testing, treatment and/or management of the condition until this deliberative process has been completed.
Infectious Disease Incidence
Questions (456)
Catherine Connolly
Question:456. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the number of persons with Lyme disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42247/18]
View answerWritten answers
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) of the HSE is responsible for the surveillance of notifiable infectious diseases such as Lyme disease.
The HPSC collects and collates surveillance data on a specific set of infectious diseases that are statutorily notifiable as a consequence of their clinical or public health importance. The number of cases of Lyme neuroborreliosis is included in the Annual Infectious Disease Statistics and the Weekly Infectious Disease Report published on the HPSC website (available at www.hpsc.ie/notifiablediseases/weeklyidreports/).
The table shows the annual totals of cases of neuroborreliosis notified to the HPSC:
|
Year |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018* |
|
Total |
13 |
18 |
11 |
21 |
12 |
7 |
* Figures for 2018 are incomplete and provisional, and will only become official statistics following validation in early 2019.
Question No. 457 answered with Question No. 455.
Nursing Home Services
Questions (458)
Willie O'Dea
Question:458. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) who is resident in a nursing home cannot avail of services such as ulcer dressing at primary care centres when required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42259/18]
View answerWritten answers
As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
Question No. 459 answered with Question No. 423.
Protected Disclosures Data
Questions (460)
Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Question:460. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the number of HSE staff who have made a protected disclosure to him in 2018. [42267/18]
View answerWritten answers
All protected disclosures submitted to my Department are given due attention in keeping with my Department's protected disclosures policy and procedures and in accordance with the requirements under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014. Given that all protected disclosures must be treated as confidential, it would not be appropriate for me to provide this information.
The Annual Report for 2018, detailing the number of protected disclosures received by me will be published on the Department's website not later than 30th June 2019, in accordance with Section 22 of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014.
Home Care Packages Data
Questions (461)
Stephen Donnelly
Question:461. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the additional home support hours required by 2031 (details supplied). [42269/18]
View answerWritten answers
The HSE has begun streamlining home care services by introducing a single funded home support service in 2018. This brings together the funding for home help and standard home care packages which now operates as a single home support service from 2018 onwards. The HSE’s 2018 National Service Plan provides for a target of some:
- 17.094m home support hours to be provided to 50,500 people, which compares with last year’s 16.34m hours delivered to 50,000 people (home help and home hours combined). This is an increase on the 2017 provision of 754,000 hours to 500 more people;
- 235 intensive home support packages will provide 360,000 home support hours for people with complex needs.
A further initiative saw 324 people being provided with Home Support services in the context of the adverse weather earlier this year.
I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy in relation to the projected converted hours required by 2031.
Hospital Appointments Delays
Questions (462)
Micheál Martin
Question:462. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in a person (details supplied) receiving reconstructive surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42280/18]
View answerWritten answers
The Deputy's question refers to service delivery matters and accordingly, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him.
Hospital Appointments Delays
Questions (463)
Kevin O'Keeffe
Question:463. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will be called for assessment; and if his attention has been drawn to the hardship this person is enduring as a consequence of not being called for urgent assessment. [42284/18]
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 Waiting Lists
Questions (464)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:464. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if hip replacement operations have come to a halt or slowed in number in Our Lady's Hospital, Navan; the number of hip replacement operations carried out at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, in each month in the past two years; and if persons who are on the Navan hip replacement list are having their operations carried out in other hospitals here or outside the State under the National Treatment Purchase Fund. [42286/18]
View answerWritten answers
Reducing waiting time for patients for hospital operations and procedures is a key priority for the Government. This year has seen ongoing improvements with the number of patients waiting for inpatient and daycase procedures (IPDC), now at 72,700 from the peak of 86,100 in July 2017. This represents a 16% reduction in the overall number of patients waiting for an inpatient or day case procedure.
In addition, the waiting list figures show that since July 2017, the number of patients waiting for a hip/knee replacement has reduced from 3,500 to 2,800 at the end of September 2018 equating to a reduction of 21% while the number of patients waiting over 9 months has more than halved from 1,019 to 444 in the same period.
In Budget 2019 the Government has further increased investment in this area, with funding to the NTPF to increase from €55m in 2018 to €75m in 2019. My Department is working closely with the National Treatment Purchase Fund and the HSE to finalise the 2019 Waiting List Initiatives before the end of this year. This approach is to ensure a seamless continuation of the considerable progress made this year into next year.
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 (465)
Róisín Shortall
Question:465. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health his views on a campaign by a society (details supplied); his further views on the society’s call to abolish inpatient charges for all patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42290/18]
View answerWritten answers
The Health Act 1970 (as amended) provides that all persons ordinarily resident in the country are eligible, subject to certain charges, to public in-patient hospital services. The current public hospital statutory in-patient charge is €80 per night, subject to a maximum of €800 in any period of twelve consecutive months. All persons accessing public in-patient services in a public hospital are liable for the statutory public in-patient charge, subject to a number of exemptions, including where a person is a medical cardholder. There are currently no plans to exempt further categories of patients from the public in-patient charge.
Hospital charges represent a nominal yet important contribution towards the cost of providing hospital services. Any curtailment of this funding stream would put further pressure on the Exchequer and the taxpayer in order to maintain service levels.
Respite Care Services Funding
Questions (466)
Róisín Shortall
Question:466. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a request by an organisation (details supplied); if a request for a further €600,000 annual investment will be granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42291/18]
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.
The Programme for Partnership Government states that the Government wishes to provide more accessible respite care to facilitate full support for people with a disability.
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.
Maternity Services
Questions (467)
Joan Burton
Question:467. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health the amount spent on baby formula by each maternity hospital or hospital with a maternity function; the amount spent in each of the years 2012 to 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42292/18]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to the Deputy directly.
Maternity Services
Questions (468)
Joan Burton
Question:468. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health the amount spent on breastfeeding supports in each of the years 2012 to 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42293/18]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy's 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.
HSE Staff Recruitment
Questions (469)
Stephen Donnelly
Question:469. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health when a new director general and-or chief executive officer of the HSE will be appointed. [42316/18]
View answerWritten answers
The recruitment process for the appointment of a new Director General for the HSE is at an advanced stage. The recruitment is being carried out by the Public Appointments Service, who have advised that preliminary interviews are scheduled for the end of this month. No date has yet been set for the final interviews but I understand that they are likely to be held in early December.
Assisted Human Reproduction
Questions (470)
Noel Rock
Question:470. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health when plans will be put in place to assist families with the cost of IVF; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42317/18]
View answerWritten answers
Currently, patients who access IVF treatment privately may claim tax relief on the costs involved under the tax relief for medical expenses scheme. In addition, a defined list of fertility medicines needed for fertility treatment is covered under the High Tech Scheme administered by the HSE. Medicines covered by the High Tech Scheme must be prescribed by a consultant/specialist and approved by the HSE ‘High Tech Liaison Officers’. The cost of the medicines is then covered, as appropriate, under the Medical Card or Drugs Payment Scheme. There is also a limited specialist AHR service available through the HSE, which provides funding for fertility preservation for cancer patients whose treatment is likely to impact on their future fertility.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Government approved the drafting of a Bill on assisted human reproduction (AHR) and associated areas of research in October last year. The introduction of legislation in relation to AHR and associated research is a priority for me, and officials in my Department are engaging with the Office of the Attorney General in relation to the process of drafting this Bill. The General Scheme is published on my Department’s website and the Joint Committee on Health is currently conducting a review of the General Scheme of the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill 2017 as part of the pre-legislative scrutiny process, which began in January of this year.
In order to support the commencement of the legislation, officials in my Department are working with the HSE over the course of this year in developing a model of care for infertility to ensure the provision of safe, effective and accessible services through the public health system as part of the full range of services available in obstetrics and gynaecology.
Part of this work includes identifying policy options for a public funding model for AHR treatment. Once I have had the opportunity to consider these policy options I will bring a Memorandum to Government in relation to a model of care for infertility, including public funding for AHR treatment, for the Government's consideration.
It should be noted that any funding model that may ultimately be introduced would need to operate within the broader regulatory framework set out in the AHR Bill and a model of care for infertility.