Maurice Quinlivan
Question:481. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the cost per patient by year of the FreeStyle Libre diabetes monitoring system. [6924/19]
View answerMedicinal Products Expenditure
Questions (481)
Written answers
Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Medicinal Products Expenditure
Questions (482)
Maurice Quinlivan
Question:482. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the cost per patient by year of the aids needed for finger prick blood glucose monitoring, including the testing strips, lancets and electronic glucose meters. [6925/19]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Medicinal Products Availability
Questions (483)
Maurice Quinlivan
Question:483. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health his plans to place the FreeStyle Libre system on the long-term illness scheme for persons with type 1 diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6926/19]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Medical Card Applications
Questions (484)
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:484. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the status of a medical card application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6931/19]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Dental Services Provision
Questions (485)
Frank O'Rourke
Question:485. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the timeline and the anticipated official opening date of the new HSE dental clinic in Celbridge, County Kildare, which is undergoing refurbishment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6936/19]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
General Practitioner Contracts
Questions (486)
Willie O'Dea
Question:486. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the position regarding FEMPI cuts on general practitioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6937/19]
View answerWritten answers
Under the General Medical Services (GMS) contract, GPs are reimbursed for a range of services they provide to medical card and GP visit card holders. GPs are remunerated for these services primarily on a capitation basis, with a range of additional support payments and fees for specific items of service. GPs are also remunerated for services they provide on behalf of the HSE under other public health schemes, such as the Maternity and Infant Care Scheme, Primary Childhood Immunisation Scheme, etc.
The Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (FEMPI) Act 2009 imposed a range of adjustments to health contractor payments. These included different levels of reductions to various GP fees and allowances and the elimination of certain payments.
Despite reductions to the payment rates of health contractors made under FEMPI legislation, the total fees paid to GPs under the GMS scheme have increased from just over €472 million in 2009 to approximately €525 million in 2017. This increase in fees is largely due to significant developments and investment in GP services introduced in recent years, with more services being made available to our citizens and additional financial support provided by the HSE.
The Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017 now allows the setting and varying of contractor payments on a non-emergency statutory basis. It is my intention to put in place a new multi annual approach to fees in return for service improvements and contractual reforms based upon health policy considerations and engagement with representative bodies.
Officials from my Department and the HSE are currently engaged in talks with the Irish Medical Organisation in relation to the reform and modernisation of the GMS contract. Agreement on the delivery of service improvements and contractual reform has the potential to facilitate a substantial increase in the resourcing of general practice on a multi annual basis. Of course, any agreement must benefit patients an provide value for the taxpayer.
In line with the long-established approach to such processes, and by agreement of the parties concerned, I am not in a position to give further details while engagement between the parties is underway.
Home Help Service Provision
Questions (487)
Robert Troy
Question:487. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the status of a panel in CHO area 8 to fill home help positions; the number of positions filled to date from this panel; and when further recruitment will take place. [6939/19]
View answerWritten answers
I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
Medical Aids and Appliances Provision
Questions (488)
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:488. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the repairs policy in place for wheelchair users when repairs are required to their wheelchairs in the Waterford city area; the recommended and average timeframe for repairs to take place at present; if further delays are encountered depending on the monetary value of the estimated repair bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6953/19]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
Primary Care Centres Provision
Questions (489)
James Browne
Question:489. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a development (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6956/19]
View answerWritten answers
As the HSE has responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres and other Primary Care facilities, the Executive has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Provision
Questions (490)
James Browne
Question:490. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health when a building (details supplied) will be opened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6957/19]
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.
Hospital Equipment
Questions (491)
James Browne
Question:491. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a project (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6958/19]
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 at Wexford General Hospital.
Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
Questions (492)
James Browne
Question:492. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the details of each building project contained in the capital plan at each development stage, including new builds, extensions and improvements; the cost of each project by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6959/19]
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.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (493)
Peter Fitzpatrick
Question:493. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6970/19]
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.
National Children's Hospital Expenditure
Questions (494)
Barry Cowen
Question:494. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the amount of money spent to date on the national children’s hospital; the breakdown of money spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6976/19]
View answerWritten answers
The breakdown of capital expenditure on the new children's hospital project from 2013 to 2018 is as follows:
2013 €1.70m
2014 €6.93m
2015 €20.77m
2016 €30.64m
2017 €67.75m
2018 €107.85m
Total €235.64m
As previously advised to the Deputy the total expenditure at September 2018 was €197.80m and the above expenditure is to the end of 2018.
Cancer Screening Programmes
Questions (495)
Brendan Griffin
Question:495. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding a cervical smear test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6979/19]
View answerWritten answers
Smear test samples must be sent to the laboratory and made into slides within six weeks of the smear test date. After six weeks, the sample is deemed expired and cannot be processed. Although every effort is made to avoid these situations from happening, it is inevitable that cervical screening programmes will sometimes encounter these issues; in some cases, the increased volume of smear tests in 2018 resulted in a delay transferring samples to slides.
However, in the period April to December 2018, a proportion of overall cervical screening samples were not transferred to slides within the six-week timeframe. Repeat testing was required in 550 cases or 0.25% of total samples. This compares with a rate of 0.23% for the same period in 2017. In line with normal practice where this occurs, CervicalCheck contacted these women, and their GPs, to inform them of this issue and to invite them to attend a repeat smear test in three months’ time (repeat tests can only be carried out three months after the last test to allow time for cells to grow back).
The Deputy will be aware of the increase in the volume of smear tests in 2018. This followed on from a period of significant concern for women. This includes women who have availed of out of cycle tests, following my request to CervicalCheck to make the necessary arrangements to enable them to do so without charge where their GP considered they should have a further test as part of their reassurance. I am advised it also includes a greater number of women presenting for scheduled screening. This increased level of engagement with the programme is welcome.
However, the increased demand has undoubtedly put immense pressure on lab capacity and turnaround times. This is a priority concern for my Department and the HSE. The HSE is currently developing a capacity plan to take account of available capacity and expected demand, with the aim of bringing the programme into stabilisation this year.
The development time for cervical cancer is between ten and fifteen years, so it is important that women of screening age attend for cervical screening each time they are invited to participate. The HSE has advised that in this context, a delay in the return of cervical screening results, whilst undesirable, is not necessarily dangerous and poses a very low risk to women.
Treatment Abroad Scheme
Questions (496)
Jackie Cahill
Question:496. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the number of patients who have utilised the treatment abroad fund in County Tipperary and nationally in 2016, 2017 and 2018, in tabular form; the five main illnesses that were treated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6990/19]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
Question No. 497 answered with Question No. 346.
Health Services
Questions (498)
Niamh Smyth
Question:498. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has not heard from health professionals on the matter; and the reason the health system is failing the person. [7003/19]
View answerWritten answers
I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible in relation to the health elements of this question.
Cancer Screening Programmes
Questions (499)
Niall Collins
Question:499. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has not received test results; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7004/19]
View answerWritten answers
In May 2018, I asked CervicalCheck to make the necessary arrangements to provide that any woman who had had a CervicalCheck smear test, and whose GP considered that they should have a further test, to access such a further test without charge. This decision was made in good faith to address the considerable fears of the many anxious women in Ireland as a result of significant media coverage of the issues that emerged in late April.
In the months since then, there has been a significant increase in the volume of women presenting for smear tests. This includes women who have availed of the out of cycle tests, but also a greater number of women presenting for scheduled screening.
This increased level of engagement with the programme is very welcome. However, the increased demand has undoubtedly put pressure on lab capacity and turnaround times.
The HSE has been working actively with the labs to manage this issue and to improve turnaround times for smear tests. In addition, the HSE is aiming to source additional screening capacity, which would improve the turnaround time of results; however, sourcing capacity and resources is a global challenge as countries start to move to primary HPV screening, which vastly reduces the requirement for cytology screening staff. The HSE is currently developing a capacity plan, which will take account of available capacity and expected demand, with the aim of bringing the programme into stabilisation this year. This is a priority concern for my Department and the HSE.
The HSE advises that the CervicalCheck Programme has recently agreed with laboratories to prioritise those slides which originate from women who attended colposcopy, as this cohort of women are considered to have the most serious need.
In relation to the specific case raised by the Deputy, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him.
Mental Health Policy
Questions (500)
Gerry Adams
Question:500. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 432 of 16 October 2019, the status of the model of care for dual diagnosis the first draft of which was scheduled for discussion during the January 2019 meeting of the national working group; if further consideration has been given to the selection of County Louth as a demonstration site for a dual diagnosis practitioner; the number of demonstration sites that will be selected; and the timeframe for the roll-out of the demonstration sites. [7009/19]
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.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (501)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:501. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7015/19]
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.
Disabilities Assessments
Questions (502)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:502. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an assessment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7017/19]
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.