Written Answers Nos. 380-396
380. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the reason HSE funding for dental treatment for all special needs children and adults in south County Dublin has been withdrawn; the way in which special needs children and adults in south County Dublin are expected to receive necessary treatment; if this is a national policy; if the funding will be returned for the 2019 budgetary year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46839/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
381. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46840/18]
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.
382. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the provision of a second cath lab at University Hospital Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46849/18]
View answer412. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the provision of 24-7 cardiac services at University Hospital Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46968/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 382 and 412 together.
I believe there is merit in the proposal for a modular cath laboratory at University Hospital Waterford (UHW) in order to address waiting times at the hospital and to provide a better service for the people of Waterford and the South East. In July, I requested the HSE to proceed with next steps on the provision of a modular cath lab at UHW, and to revert to my Department with proposed timescales and costings.
In early September, the HSE submitted an options appraisal to the Department setting out alternative options for the location and operation of a second cath lab at UHW. Following this, at a meeting with Oireachtas members from the South East, I announced that a second cath lab would be provided at UHW. In late September, upon further examination of the building and service delivery options, the HSE submitted revised costings and a recommended option to the Department.
The HSE has advised that the project will be reviewed at the next HSE National Capital and Property Steering Committee meeting scheduled for the 13 November 2018.
The Herity report recommended that the current 9 to 5 provision of emergency pPCI services should cease in UHW to allow the hospital focus on the much larger volume of planned work. I asked the Department to address the implications of this recommendation by undertaking a National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services. The aim of this Review is to achieve optimal patient outcomes at population level with particular emphasis on the safety, quality and sustainability of the services that patients receive by establishing the need for an optimal configuration of a national adult cardiac service.
As set out in the National Development Plan 2018-2027, investment in cardiac cath labs and other cardiac services infrastructure nationally will be informed by the outcome of the National Review, which is expected to be complete by June 2019.
383. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health when the 60-bed modular unit for University Hospital Limerick will be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46850/18]
View answer384. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the amount the 60-bed modular unit for University Hospital Limerick will cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46851/18]
View answer385. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the number of new staff who will be hired to work in the new 60-bed modular unit for University Hospital Limerick; when the recruitment process will start; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46852/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 383 to 385, inclusive, together.
Increasing capacity is a priority for this Government.
My Department is currently in discussion with the HSE, in the context of the National Service Plan 2019, to identify the sites for investment and the associated number of beds, as part of an agreed capacity programme for 2019.
The selection and opening of beds on specific sites in 2019 and future years will be considered as part of the annual estimates and service planning process, and subject to financial, operation, human resource and policy considerations and priorities.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
386. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will be called for an operation in Letterkenny University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46869/18]
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.
387. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for a person (details supplied) will be expedited. [46870/18]
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.
388. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the creation of the rare disease technology review committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46871/18]
View answerIn June 2018, the HSE Leadership agreed to the appointment of a Technology Review Committee for Rare Diseases which is now operational and has already completed work in relation to orphan products.
The Technology Review Committee for Rare Diseases is responsible for:
1. reviewing proposals received from industry or expert groups in Ireland for funding of new products for rare diseases, or expanded indications for existing products for rare diseases and making recommendations as to the implementation of the relevant recommendations from the National Rare Diseases Plan 2011-2018; and
2. providing contributions to the development of clinical guidelines for relevant Orphan Medicinal Products (OMPs) and supporting the implementation of guidelines in conjunction with the National Drugs Management Programme Office where applicable.
The Committee’s recommendations for reimbursement of Orphan Medicinal Products are not intended to replace any part of the existing medicines appraisal or reimbursement process. The recommendations will be informed by a Health Technology Assessment (HTA) submission, or similar, by the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomic Evaluation (NCPE) or other body, Committee discussion, and guidelines developed by the relevant clinical group/Clinical Lead of Centre of Expertise.
The recommendations of this Committee will be based on the degree of unmet clinical need, clinical effectiveness, alternative therapies available, toxicity (where relevant) and the cost effectiveness of the proposed technology. These criteria are based on Schedule 3, Part 3 of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
The creation of the Technology Review Committee for Rare Diseases is intended to provide a greater balance and transparency to the assessment process. The inclusion of two public/patient representatives from a selected panel of three is in recognition of the concept that there is a value of opportunity to have representation on the Committee from this cohort. As well as examining the methodologies for assessing orphan drugs, it will also consider the views of patients, caregivers and at the wider issues that go into health technology assessments.
389. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health his plans to change the assessment criteria of orphan drugs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46872/18]
View answerThe Oireachtas has put in place a robust legal framework in the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, which gives full statutory powers to the HSE to assess and make decisions on the reimbursement of medicines. The Act specifies the criteria for decisions on the reimbursement of medicines.
The 2013 Act requires the HSE to have regard to both the clinical benefits and cost effectiveness but it does not include provision for a different ruleset when assessing orphan drugs. It would take an act of the Oireachtas to change the current assessment process for medicines. However, both the National Centre of Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE) and the HSE are mindful of the differences and challenges in terms of patient numbers when assessing this type of medicine.
The NCPE conducts health technology assessments (HTAs) 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.
There has been substantial engagement between the Department, the HSE and the NCPE over the last number of months which has resulted in a number of key changes in the HSE assessment process of medicines within the confines of the 2013 Health Act.
Technology Review Committee for Rare Diseases
In June 2018, the HSE leadership appointed a Technology Review Committee for Rare Diseases which is responsible for:
1) reviewing proposals received from industry or expert groups in Ireland for funding of new products for rare diseases, or expanded indications for existing products for rare diseases and making recommendations as to the implementation of the relevant recommendations from the National Rare Diseases Plan 2011-2018; and
2) providing contributions to the development of clinical guidelines for relevant Orphan Medicinal Products (OMPs) and supporting the implementation of guidelines in conjunction with the National Drugs Management Programme Office where applicable.
The Committee’s recommendations for reimbursement of OMPs are not intended to replace any part of the existing medicines appraisal or reimbursement process but rather complement it.
The creation of the Technology Review Committee for Rare Diseases is intended to provide a greater balance and transparency to the assessment process. The inclusion of two public/patient representatives from a selected panel of three is in recognition of the concept that there is a value of opportunity to have patient representation on the Committee. As well as examining the methodologies for assessing orphan drugs, it will also consider the views of patients, caregivers and the wider issues that go into health technology assessments.
This Committee is operational and has already completed work in relation to orphan products.
HSE Drugs Group
The composition of the HSE Drugs Group has recently been expanded to include two representatives from the National Patients Forum and more clinical expertise in the area of rare diseases.
In all of the above circumstances, I do not purpose to bring forward proposals to change the assessment criteria for orphan drugs, which would require the approval of the Oireachtas.
390. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the number of residential care places available for adults with an intellectual disability in County Wexford. [46906/18]
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.
391. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the number of residential respite beds for adults with an intellectual disability available in County Wexford. [46907/18]
View answer392. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the waiting list for residential care for adults with an intellectual disability in County Wexford; and the estimated waiting time for such care. [46908/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 391 and 392 together.
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 service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
393. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the number of residential care places available for children with an intellectual disability in County Wexford. [46909/18]
View answer394. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the number of residential respite beds for children with an intellectual disability available in County Wexford. [46910/18]
View answer395. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the waiting list for residential care for children with an intellectual disability in County Wexford. [46911/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 393 to 395, inclusive, together.
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.
396. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the waiting list for residential respite care for children with an intellectual disability; and the estimated waiting time for such care. [46912/18]
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.
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 service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
