Peter Fitzpatrick
Question:203. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health when a person (detailed supplied) will receive a hospital appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42791/18]
View answerHospital Appointments Status
Questions (203)
Written 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.
Services for People with Disabilities
Questions (204)
Niamh Smyth
Question:204. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase investment in order for a centre (details supplied) to open 350 days per year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42793/18]
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.
Hospitals Funding
Questions (205)
Michael McGrath
Question:205. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position with regard to a request for capital funding for a hospital project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42798/18]
View answerWritten answers
As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
Mental Health Services
Questions (206)
Paul Kehoe
Question:206. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health the areas in which the proceeds from the sale of a hospital (details supplied) have been or will be spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42800/18]
View answerWritten answers
Government policy as set out in ‘A Vision for Change’ is that proceeds from the sale of older mental health assets, such as St. Senan's, will be reinvested in new developments within mental health.
I understand new replacement accommodation has already been delivered for all the mental health care services provided from St Senan's and the delivery of health services has been discontinued at the St Senan's site.
The use of the sales proceeds from the disposal of St. Senan's will be subject to sanction from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. It would be intended that the proceeds of the sale of this property will be invested in much needed mental health and other facilities in addition to the very significant Exchequer funding required to maintain and improve health infrastructure.
Medicinal Products Reimbursement
Questions (207, 212)
Catherine Murphy
Question:207. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the status of a prescribed medicine (details supplied); his plans to make it available here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42802/18]
View answerNiamh Smyth
Question:212. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision of life-saving treatment here (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42841/18]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 207 and 212 together.
The 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.
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.
Nusinersen (Spinraza) is indicated for the treatment of 5q spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a disorder characterised by progressive muscle atrophy and weakness.
In May 2017, the EMA granted market authorisation for nusinersen and in October 2017, the HSE received a reimbursement application for nusinersen.
In December 2017, the NCPE completed a HTA of nusinersen and did not recommend reimbursement at the price submitted. The application is being considered by the Rare Diseases Medicinal Products/Technology Review Committee and the HSE Drugs Group and is due to be considered by the HSE Leadership Team shortly, following which the final decision will be notified.
Patient Data
Questions (208)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:208. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if an investigation is taking place in regard to the personal medical data found in Baltray, County Louth, relating to accident and emergency patients at Beaumont Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42805/18]
View answerWritten answers
I have asked the Health Service Executive to investigate this matter and to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
Health Services Staff Training
Questions (209)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:209. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the position regarding mandatory training for staff in nursing homes and in hospitals that frequently interact and work with patients suffering with dementia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42806/18]
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.
Question No. 210 withdrawn.
Services for People with Disabilities
Questions (211)
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:211. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the status of the personalised budgets demonstration projects as announced in July 2018; if there is an application process for the projects under way; if the projects will be rolled out in 2018 as was previously indicated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42832/18]
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.
On 17 July 2018, I published the report of the Task Force on Personalised Budgets. In this regard, I have secured funding of €1.3 million from the Department of Health budget for the set up and administration of the demonstration projects recommended by the Task Force on Personalised Budgets.
The Department of Health, NDA and the HSE are in the process of designing demonstration projects, as recommended by the Task Force. Selection criteria for inclusion in the demonstration projects have not yet been finalised. The Department’s website will be kept updated with information on the roll out of the demonstration projects as it becomes available.
Question No. 212 answered with Question No. 207.
Medical Aids and Appliances Provision
Questions (213)
Seán Fleming
Question:213. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be provided with orthotics shoes already made for them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42843/18]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.