Written Answers Nos. 674-695
674. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health his plans to improve the outpatient building at Connolly Hospital used by diabetes patients, which requires upgrade works under a capital investment programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13085/19]
View answerAs 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.
675. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13091/19]
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.
676. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health if funding is available for a couple to have IVF treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13136/19]
View answerIn October 2017, the Government approved the drafting of a Bill on assisted human reproduction (AHR) and associated areas of research, based on the published General Scheme. The process of drafting this Bill will be completed in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General. In addition, the Joint Committee on Health is currently conducting a review of the General Scheme of the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill 2017 as part of the pre-legislative scrutiny process, which began in January of last year. The review is ongoing and the Joint Committee intends to report thereon before the summer recess. However, it is not possible at this time to give a definitive timeline for the completion of the draft Bill and its subsequent passage through the Houses of the Oireachtas.
Interlinked with the legislation, officials in my Department, in conjunction with the HSE, are developing a model of care for infertility and an associated public fund for AHR. This work includes developing proposals on the allocation approved by Government for a €1 million fund for use in relation to providing public AHR treatment during 2019.
The development of a model of care for infertility will help to ensure the provision of safe, effective and accessible services through the public health system as part of the full range of services available in obstetrics and gynaecology. Once the funding proposals have been submitted and approved by me, there will be an announcement regarding the commencement of this fund.
While AHR treatment is not currently funded by the Irish Public Health Service there is some support available in that patients who access IVF treatment privately may claim tax relief on the costs involved under the tax relief for medical expenses scheme. In addition, a defined list of fertility medicines needed for fertility treatment is covered under the High Tech Arrangements administered by the HSE. Medicines covered by the High Tech Arrangements must be prescribed by a consultant/specialist and authorised for supply to the client’s nominated community pharmacy by the High Tech Hub managed by the Primary Care Reimbursement Service. The cost of the medicines is then covered, as appropriate, under the client’s eligibility i.e. Medical Card or Drugs Payment Scheme.
677. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Health when a bed will be made available for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13137/19]
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.
678. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Health the commissioning plans and funding for the 60-bed modular unit at University Hospital Limerick; the length of time commissioning will take once construction is completed by mid 2020; the timeframe for admission of the first patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13138/19]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for operational matters I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
679. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Health the model of development that will be used to provide the proposed primary care centre at Tulla Road, Ennis, County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13139/19]
View answer680. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Health the model of development that will be used to provide the proposed primary care centre at Station Road, Ennis, County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13140/19]
View answer681. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Health the model of development that will be used to provide the proposed primary care centre at Kilrush, County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13141/19]
View answer682. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Health the model of development that will be used to provide the proposed primary care centre at Ennistymon, County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13142/19]
View answer683. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Health the model of development that will be used to provide the proposed primary care centre at Killaloe, County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13143/19]
View answer684. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Health the model of development will be used to provide the proposed primary care centre at Sixmilebridge, County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13144/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 679 to 684, inclusive, together.
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.
685. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied). [13146/19]
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.
686. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Health when a bed will be made available for a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13155/19]
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.
688. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the status of the measures he is taking to reduce the risks to public health from continuing to utilise ageing and obsolete medical equipment in hospitals and other healthcare facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13166/19]
View answer689. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reports commissioned by the HSE from companies (details supplied) regarding the use of obsolete or ageing medical equipment in the health sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13167/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 688 and 689 together.
Both reports referred to by the Deputy were commissioned by the Health Service Executive and relate to an audit of the status of medical equipment in the public health service and research that supports the health service in planning and prioritising equipment replacement to facilitate quality, safe care and the best use of capital resources.
The Health Service Executive operates an Equipment Replacement Programme as part of its capital planning process each year. This is based on a risk analysis of existing devices including medical, diagnostic and radiology equipment.
The Health Service Executive is currently developing its Capital Plan for 2019. Once the HSE has finalised its Capital Plan for 2019, it will then be submitted to me for consideration.
I have asked the HSE to provide the Deputy with details of the programme.
690. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health the status of the proposed primary care centres for Clondalkin village, Rowlagh, north Clondalkin and Lucan; the timeline for commencement and completion of these services; and the services to be provided in each of these locations. [13171/19]
View answerAs 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.
691. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter with regard to the cross-border directive scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13191/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
692. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health if funding will be provided for a defibrillator to a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13192/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
693. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for home help services in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13193/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
694. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the reimbursement status of the drug Tagrisso; if it has been discussed by the HSE drugs leadership group; when he expects it to be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13194/19]
View answerThe HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on medicine pricing and reimbursement in the community drugs schemes, 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 has no role or powers in relation to such matters.
I am advised by the HSE that following detailed consideration of an application for the reimbursement of Tagrisso and lengthy engagement with the company, HSE Leadership decided that it was unable to reimburse Tagrisso. The HSE concluded that the evidence for clinical meaningful benefit was insufficiently robust and could not support reimbursement on the basis that reimbursement was not likely to represent a cost efficient use of resources.
On the 22 February, the HSE wrote to the company involved and informed it of the proposal to refuse to reimburse Tagrisso. Under the terms of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the company has 28 days from the 22 February to respond or make representations to the HSE’s proposed decision.
The HSE remains open to considering any new evidence or information which emerges regarding this medicine during this 28 day timeframe.
695. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if a matter will be investigated in the case of a person (details supplied). [13195/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly, as soon as possible.
