Written Answers Nos. 426-445
426. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the number of admissions in each paediatric hospital in each of the years 2014 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48027/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly, as soon as possible.
427. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the number of accident and emergency attendances for each of the hospitals throughout the country; the number in which persons attend on an emergency basis in the paediatric department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48028/18]
View answerI have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
428. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the number of initial assessments of needs for children with disabilities up to 18 years of age that have been carried out in each county in each of the years 2013 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form. [48029/18]
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.
429. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive cardiac surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48031/18]
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.
430. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a date for surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48032/18]
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.
431. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has had their payment reduced from €208.50 to €78 per month; the reason this person was not included in those being paid mobility allowance on an interim basis pending the establishment of a new transport support scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48033/18]
View answerThe Deputy will be familiar with the background to the closure of both the Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Grant schemes in February 2013.
My colleague, the Minister for Health and I brought a Memorandum to Government on proposals for a new Transport Support Payment Scheme towards the end of the last Dáil session. Following consideration of the matter, it was decided to withdraw the Memorandum from the Cabinet Agenda at the time. A new Transport Support Payment Scheme remains a priority and we intend to revert to Government with revised proposals to reflect the discussions at that Cabinet meeting and further discussions between ourselves, in due course.
With regard to the Motorised Transport Grant, this scheme operated as a means-tested grant to assist persons with severe disabilities with the purchase or adaptation of a car, where that car was essential to retain employment. The maximum Motorised Transport Grant, which was payable once in any three-year period, was €5,020. Following closure of the scheme in February 2013, no further Motorised Transport Grants have been payable.
It is important to note that the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers scheme operated by the Revenue Commissioners, remains in place. This scheme provides VRT and VAT relief, an exemption from road tax and a fuel grant to drivers and passengers with a disability, who qualify under the relevant criteria set out in governing regulations made by the Minister for Finance. Specifically adapted vehicles driven by persons with a disability are also exempt from payment of tolls on national roads and toll bridges. Transport Infrastructure Ireland has responsibility for this particular scheme.
There are improvements in access to a range of transport support schemes available to persons with disabilities in the State and on-going work is being carried out by Government Departments, agencies and transport providers to further improve access to public transport services. Under the National Disability Inclusion Strategy, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has responsibility for the continued development of accessibility and availability of public transport for people with a disability.
As the Mobility Allowance is paid by the Health Service Executive (HSE) I have referred this question to the HSE for a direct reply to the Deputy.
432. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if early intervention can be granted for children who have no diagnosis but are on the assessment of need list waiting on a diagnosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48034/18]
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.
433. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the number of children in County Wexford waiting on an initial assessment of needs; and the number waiting longer than three, six and 12 months and two and three years, respectively, for an initial assessment of needs. [48037/18]
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.
434. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the estimated scale of disease-related malnutrition here; the clinical setting in which disease-related malnutrition predominantly exists; the estimated cost impact of disease-related malnutrition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48040/18]
View answer435. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the measures being undertaken to accurately measure the scale of malnutrition in the community setting here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48041/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 434 and 435 together.
Good nutrition is fundamental for good health, healing and recovery from illness and injury. Many factors including illness predispose to malnourishment and indicators of malnutrition can found in community patients.
Nutritional screening is a first-line process in identifying patients who are malnourished or at risk of becoming so; nutritional assessment is a detailed investigation to identify and quantify specific nutritional problems.
The Health Service Executive has a nutrition screening programme in the community setting and I am referring your questions to the HSE for their direct reply to the Deputy.
436. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health his plans to reduce venesection charges for haemochromatosis patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48042/18]
View answerThe issue of the provision of therapeutic phlebotomy services for hereditary haemochromatosis patients, including the issue of charges, is currently under consideration by my Department and the HSE.
It is agreed that such services should be provided at the lowest level of complexity that is clinically and operationally feasible. In time it is envisaged that the majority of this work will be done in a primary care setting.
437. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who required admission to hospital arising from a visit to the accident and emergency department or separately required a transfer to another hospital arising from their visit in respect of accident and emergency admissions in each of the departments in hospitals nationally in each of the years 2014 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48052/18]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
438. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health his plans to install a spinal unit in Beaumont Hospital as part of upcoming development work at the site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48063/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
439. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health if it is still policy to introduce minimum unit pricing simultaneously with Northern Ireland to avoid the negative impact on cross-Border trade with reference to section 11 of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018; if his position on the matter has changed; if so, his plans to introduce minimum unit pricing ahead of Northern Ireland; if so, when he will proceed with same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48066/18]
View answerMy position has always been that I wish to implement Minimum Unit Pricing as soon as possible in order to address the health harms and costs associated with the harmful consumption of alcohol. The original policy intention in relation to the implementation of this measure was contained in a Government Decision from 2013. In view of the changed circumstances since that time I intend to seek a further Government Decision.
440. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in CHO9 who are on the waiting list to receive home support hours as of 9 November 2018; the number of requested hours by persons on the waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48074/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
441. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health the education, training, clinical and emotional support available to carers who are caring for persons with Alzheimer’s disease, particularly for carers who have been refused carer’s allowance and a medical card due to their income levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48091/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
442. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has not been able to avail of a service due to a lack of funds; when funding will be made available to the community healthcare organisation of the HSE for this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48092/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
443. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48093/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
444. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) was treated in a certain manner and received poor care at a hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48096/18]
View answerOur hospitals aim to treat patients with dignity, respect and compassion. When a service user feels that these standards have not been achieved, feedback and complaints can be submitted to the HSE through the “Your Service, Your Say” facility. The HSE is committed to having in place a complaints procedure that is clear and which supports the patient through the process. Further information on providing feedback or making a complaint can be found at https://www.hse.ie/eng/about/qavd/complaints. If a service user is not satisfied with the result of a complaint, the decision can be appealed to the Office of the Ombudsman. Alternatively, complaints can be made to the Office of the Ombudsman in the first instance.
As this is a service matter I have also forwarded your query to the HSE for direct reply.
445. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Health the actions that have been taken to speed up access to new medicines after their authorisation by the European Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48099/18]
View answer475. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to ensure that patients here have the same access to new medicines as patients throughout Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48318/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 445 and 475 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 medicine reimbursement. As Minister for Health, I do not have any statutory power or function in relation to the reimbursement of medicines.
After receiving market authorisation and in line with the 2013 Act, a company which would like a medicine to be reimbursed by the HSE must submit an application for reimbursement approval.
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 ongoing basis. This can lead to a protracted deliberation process.
I am keen to engage with industry and to explore ways in which new medicines might be more easily introduced in Ireland. However, any innovative approaches that may be tabled must be compatible with the statutory provisions in place and must also recognise the context of finite Exchequer resources.
I am aware that, at the recent bi-annual meeting between my Department and the Irish Healthcare Pharmaceutical Association, this proposed dialogue was discussed. It is envisioned that this will take the form of a structured platform of engagement, building a stronger partnership between the State and industry to create better patient access to new treatments.
The challenge of securing affordable access to innovative medicines is not unique to Ireland. Over the past two years, my officials and I have been engaging with a number of voluntary EU forums in an effort to identify solutions to issues of medicine pricing, sustainability and supply.
On 22 June 2018, I signed the Beneluxa Initiative on Pharmaceutical Policy with Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. This Agreement is in line with my objective to work with other European countries to identify workable solutions, in an increasingly challenging environment, to secure timely access for patients to new medicines in an affordable and sustainable way.
The Beneluxa Initiative will have an important role to play in securing faster access to innovative medicines and will provide important platforms to deliver the shared objective of securing access to high cost, innovative treatments at affordable prices.
