Robert Troy
Question:710. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an appointment will be scheduled for a person (details supplied). [1151/19]
View answerHospital Appointments Status
Questions (710)
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.
Health Screening Programmes
Questions (711)
Stephen Donnelly
Question:711. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the reason those aged 70 years of age and older are refused bowel screening by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1152/19]
View answerWritten answers
BowelScreen, the National Bowel Screening Programme, was introduced in 2012 with a phased implementation plan targeting men and women aged 60 to 69. Initially testing every 3 years was involved and this has moved to 2-year testing intervals.
The intention is to extend the eligible age range for BowelScreen to all aged 55 to 74 years, in line with the National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026. It is envisaged that rollout of the age extension will be on a phased basis from 2021.
Nursing Staff Provision
Questions (712)
Tony McLoughlin
Question:712. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health the reason public health nursing hours were reduced for Drumkeeran, County Leitrim (details supplied); the action he will take to ensure these hours are returned to the service for this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1153/19]
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.
Hospitals Data
Questions (713)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:713. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the number of hospitals for which name changes have been proposed by the HSE; the number of name changes that subsequently took place; the old hospital names and the new alternative names in each case; the public consultation that took place regarding such name changes; the outcome of such consultation; the cost per hospital for each such name change; the person or body that makes the final decision to change or not change the name of the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1155/19]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (714)
Brian Stanley
Question:714. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be scheduled for a knee replacement. [1169/19]
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.
Blood Donations
Questions (715, 716)
Catherine Murphy
Question:715. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if the testing procedures engaged by the Irish Blood Transfusion Service in relation to the testing of all of blood donations it receives are audited or subject to audit by a third party or independent agency; the screening or testing that is conducted on all blood donations the service receives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1181/19]
View answerCatherine Murphy
Question:716. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if the Irish Blood Transfusion Service has considered an individual risk assessment system to be applied to all blood donors when they present to donate at blood donation clinics to assess the actual risk to the national blood supply posed by all blood donors; if the current system takes a full account of all donors who may be a risk to the national blood supply; his views on whether an individual risk assessment system for all donors would represent a best practice approach to the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1182/19]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 715 and 716 together.
The remit of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) is to provide a safe, reliable and robust blood service to the Irish health system. A major objective of the IBTS is to ensure that it always has the necessary programmes and procedures in place to protect both the recipients and the donors of blood and blood products. The IBTS constantly keeps all deferral policies under review to ensure the ongoing safety of blood and the products derived from it.
The IBTS is regulated by the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) which is the designated Competent Authority under Irish and European Law. The testing procedures at the IBTS are therefore subject to regular audit by the HPRA.
The IBTS does not generally utilise individual risk assessment. However, the IBTS performs laboratory tests for multiple disease markers on every donation. Tests for the following infectious agents are done on each occasion a donor gives blood
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) types 1 & 2
- Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)
- Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)
- Hepatitis E virus (HEV)
- Syphilis (Treponema pallidum)
- Human T-Lymphotropic virus (HTLV) type 1 and 2
The testing carried out includes serology, which essentially detects antibodies, and Nucleic Acid testing (NAT) which detects viral genetic material. NAT is very sensitive and is capable of detecting early infections before antibodies are formed. Any donation that is positive for any one of these tests cannot be used for transfusion purposes and is discarded. Further testing is carried out to confirm true infection.
The IBTS also performs selective laboratory tests for certain disease markers based on travel exposure (e.g. West Nile Disease). A certain proportion of the blood supply is tested for Cytomegalovirus (CMV). This is to mitigate the risk of transmission of this common virus to particularly vulnerable patients. All blood is also leucodepleted (i.e. the removal of white blood cells) which adds another layer of protection against CMV infection.
Departmental Agencies Funding
Questions (717)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:717. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the extent of the funding provided either directly or indirectly through agencies controlled by his Department for the provision of advocacy services during 2018; the proposed expenditure figures for 2019; the number of advocacy cases dealt with in 2018 by each of the advocacy organisations so funded; and the number of staff and volunteers in each advocacy organisation in December 2018 [1195/19]
View answerWritten answers
In general, advocacy services are funded directly by the HSE rather than by my Department. I have therefore referred your question to the HSE, so that they may reply directly to you on this matter.
However, the Department of Health did provide a small amount of funding to support advocacy services, with a grant funding agreement being put in place in late 2018 with the Irish Cancer Society, acting on behalf of the CervicalCheck Patient Support Group. The Support Group received €150,167 in 2018 to establish a service to provide information, advice and support in a structured and confidential manner to patients and next of kin of those directly affected by the CervicalCheck screening programme and subsequent ongoing official enquiries and investigations. The Support Group had one permanent employee and three voluntary patient representatives as of December 2018.
In addition, the Department of Health commissioned the establishment of a national Patient Safety Advocacy Service in 2018. The service contract was awarded in December 2018. A first payment of €197,100.00 was made in December 2018 to enable the establishment of the service and allow it to commence recruitment and source necessary facilities for the commencement of activities in the second half of 2019.
In May 2018, on an exceptional, once-off basis, funding of €195,000 was provided by the Department to the Irish Deaf Society, an organisation involved in advocacy for the deaf community.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (718)
Robert Troy
Question:718. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if cataract surgery will be expedited for a person (details supplied). [1213/19]
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.
Hospitals Data
Questions (719)
Alan Kelly
Question:719. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the date the new modular bed building in South Tipperary General Hospital will be operational; the details of all other capital and operational improvements he expects in the hospital in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1234/19]
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 (720)
John Brady
Question:720. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health the number on waiting lists for adult mental health services by county; the number waiting zero to three, three to six, six to nine, nine to 12, 12 to 18 and more than 18 months, respectively, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1235/19]
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.
Hospitals Data
Questions (721)
Alan Kelly
Question:721. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health when the new 60-bed modular unit in University Hospital Limerick will be opened in 2019; the other capital and operational improvements that will be made in the hospital during 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1237/19]
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.
Medicinal Products
Questions (722)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:722. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the HPV vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1239/19]
View answerWritten answers
The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is responsible for monitoring the safety and quality of all medicines and vaccines that are licensed in Ireland. While no medicine (including vaccines) is entirely without risk, the safety profile of Gardasil, as with all medicines, is carefully monitored and any new evidence concerning side-effects is taken into account. HPV is one of the most closely studied and monitored medicinal products around. The HPRA and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) continually monitor adverse events to vaccination. The vast majority of reports received by the HPRA have been consistent with the expected pattern of short term adverse side effects for the vaccine, as described in the product information. These are usually mild and temporary reactions to any kind of vaccination.
Pharmaceutical Sector
Questions (723)
Róisín Shortall
Question:723. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the analysis his Department has made of the recent OECD report on pharmaceutical innovation and access to medicines (details supplied); his views on the recommendation to publish authoritative information on industry activities and the risks, costs and returns from research and development to better inform policy decisions such as drug pricing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1247/19]
View answerWritten answers
Medicines play a vital role in improving the overall health of Irish patients. Securing access to new and innovative medicines in a timely manner is a key objective of the Irish Health Service. The OECD report on Pharmaceutical Innovation and Access to Medicines draws on an evidence-based assessment of the current performance of the pharmaceutical innovation system, and presents a critical analysis of policy options for reforms to promote access and sustainability. Officials in the Department are aware of this report.
Ireland is already engaging in a number of the recommendations contained in the report through its international agenda, most notably through its membership of the Beneluxa initiative. The Beneluxa collaboration seeks to enhance patients' access to high quality and affordable treatments, improve the payers' position in the market through joint negotiations, increase transparency on pricing between the collaborating countries, share policy expertise and focus on knowledge building.
Members of the Beneluxa Initiative will work closely together to identify pragmatic solutions to the challenges which we all now face with medicine pricing, sustainability and supply.
The OECD Report also contains recommendations relating to policy options to address the current challenges and advocates for engagement between the State and Industry. I believe that partnership with industry is key to improving access to new medicines. At the last bi-annual meeting between my Department and the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA) a 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.
An Open Policy Forum also took place on Thursday 15 November 2018 with the Department of Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, Department of Health and the IPHA.
I look forward to more engagement over the course of the year with the aim of building a fairer partnership between industry and the State to help ensure that Irish patients get sustainable access to new medicines in as timely a manner as possible.
Hospitals Data
Questions (724)
Pat Deering
Question:724. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when the new 20-bed cystic fibrosis unit at Beaumont Hospital will commence; when it will be completed; and when it will be fully operational in view of the fact it was included in the Programme for a Partnership Government in May 2016. [1262/19]
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.
HSE Properties
Questions (725)
Niamh Smyth
Question:725. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of a site (details supplied); the provisions being made for the graveyard on site; if it will be part of the sale in process; if these sacred grounds will be preserved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1269/19]
View answerWritten answers
I understand there is no change in the position as outlined by the HSE on 4 December 2018 in response to your previous question on this matter on 20 November 2018 [47862/18]. A copy of the HSE reply to that Parliamentary Question is available at the following link:
Emergency Departments
Questions (726)
Niamh Smyth
Question:726. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of emergency department attendances at Cavan General Hospital in each of the years 2012 to 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1276/19]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to acknowledge the distress overcrowded EDs cause to patients, their families, and frontline staff working in very challenging working conditions in hospitals throughout the country. Hospitals are increasingly operating at or above capacity, with year-round demand pressures that are further challenged over the winter months.
We are coming into a very busy period for our health services, with many sites reporting significant numbers of patent attendances. Hospitals are also reporting a significant increase in the numbers of patients presenting with respiratory and flu-like illness.
Key actions are now underway, as part of the Winter Plan, to support hospitals during this period of peak demand to include: the opening of additional beds, the use of private hospital capacity, frailty intervention teams in EDs, additional homecare packages and transitional care beds, and additional diagnostics in hospitals and for GPs.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
Home Care Packages Provision
Questions (727)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:727. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health the private companies and-or voluntary service providers that are contracted by the HSE to provide home care packages to persons with severe physical and mental disabilities; the qualifications staff working for these agencies are required to have under the law to provide such services; the funding allocated to these providers; the allocation made to each provider; the annual allocation in each of the past ten years; and the complaints mechanism in place in circumstances in which a family is of the view that the level of service being provided or the standard of qualifications of the staff is not appropriate to meet the needs of the person receiving the home care package. [1277/19]
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.
As the Deputy's question relates to a service issue, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
Health Care Infrastructure Provision
Questions (728)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:728. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if the capital requirement and associated methodology pertaining to necessary development of national neurointerventional services at Beaumont Hospital has been provided for as part of the HSE Services Plan 2019 to continue with medical equipment and ambulance replacement and minor capital work programme to deal with prioritised infrastructural risk issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1282/19]
View answerWritten answers
As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management and maintenance of healthcare infrastructure, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you in relation to this matter.
Health and Social Care Professionals
Questions (729)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:729. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health his plans to accept the recommendations to include chiropractors as referrers and practitioners in the upcoming statutory instrument in view of the recommendation by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1283/19]
View answerWritten answers
Having taken on board all the advices received, I recently signed regulations transposing the Basic Safety Standards Directive (BSSD), the purpose of which is to protect the public, patients, workers and others from all forms of ionising radiation. The regulations were published on 15 January 2019.
The regulations designate those who may refer for radiological tests, those who may carry them out and other functions; nurses, doctors, dentists and radiographers are designated as appropriate. Chiropractors are not designated in the regulations.
The issue of statutory regulation raised by chiropractors will be the subject of work facilitated by CORU involving a risk assessment of a number of professions seeking such regulation later this year. Based on this assessment of risk to the public, recommendations will follow regarding professions to be statutorily regulated. It should be noted that not all statutorily regulated professions are designated for the purposes of the BSSD.
Hospital Consultant Recruitment
Questions (730, 731)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:730. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the reason a post for a specialist sarcoma consultant has not been filled since the position was created in July 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1284/19]
View answerLouise O'Reilly
Question:731. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health his views on whether it is acceptable that sarcoma patients have been denied access to a specialist for over two years due to the fact that a post for a specialist sarcoma consultant has not been filled since the position was created in July 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1285/19]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 730 and 731 together.
The sarcoma multidisciplinary team in St. Vincent's University Hospital will be expanded with the appointment of a Consultant Oncologist with a special interest in Sarcoma. Following the advertisement of this post, a successful candidate was identified and an offer of appointment was made. However, the hospital advise that the person involved is not in a position to take up the post until summer 2019.
The new specialist will join the existing team, which has all of the relevant specialties including Surgery, Medical Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Radiology and Pathology, to provide specialist care to patients with sarcoma attending the hospital.