Eugene Murphy
Question:163. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health if home help will be provided to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15564/19]
View answerHome Help Service Provision
Questions (163)
Written answers
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Health Services Provision
Questions (164)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:164. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the resources being made available in CHO8 for persons suffering from Parkinson's disease; the available resources and the plans to expand services in this area in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15565/19]
View answerWritten answers
Services are provided by the Health Service Executive based on clinical need and eligibility. The matter raised by the Deputy gives reference to a specific CHO I have referred out to the HSE for attention and direct reply.
Services for People with Disabilities
Questions (165)
Peter Fitzpatrick
Question:165. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce proof of disability as a form of identification (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15566/19]
View answerWritten answers
This issue is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection. However, I understand that that Department does not currently have plans to introduce proof of Disability Allowance card. The Department has responsibility for the Public Services Card (PSC). In this regard, the PSC is designed to replace other cards within the public sector - such as the free travel pass and the social services card of this Department - and to make it easier for providers of public services to verify the identity of customers. The issues raised by the Deputy are acknowledged but it is not the intention to introduce a specific proof of disability card.
Cancer Screening Programmes
Questions (166)
Marc MacSharry
Question:166. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health his plans to remove the BreastCheck unit from County Sligo in the near future; the reason this is the case; the reason patients based in the county are currently not being granted appointments in Sligo and are informed instead to select between Castlebar or Letterkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15571/19]
View answerWritten answers
BreastCheck located one of their mobile screening units in Sligo Town (at Sligo Rovers football ground) from July 2018. This mobile unit recently finished screening in Sligo, having invited all eligible women in the area to attend for a free mammogram during the scheduled screening round.
I would like to reassure women that BreastCheck is not withdrawing any services in Sligo and will return to the area in approximately 12 months time to invite women who are due breast screening to attend as part of the next screening round.
If any woman is unable to attend their screening appointment during the time the mobile unit is located in their area, they are offered an opportunity to attend for a mammogram in the nearest screening location to them. They may opt to do this rather than wait until the mobile unit returns to their area in the next screening round. This allows them to receive a mammogram as close as possible to the time they were scheduled to attend for breast screening.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (167)
Peter Burke
Question:167. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied). [15576/19]
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.
Hospital Services
Questions (168)
Martin Ferris
Question:168. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a bed at University Hospital Limerick in order to undergo further testing and appropriate treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15579/19]
View answerWritten answers
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
Medical Conditions
Questions (169)
Mick Barry
Question:169. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Health if fibromyalgia will be categorised as a chronic, incurable and debilitating condition for the drugs payment scheme or other schemes administered by his Department to assist in covering the costs of medication and treatment. [15580/19]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to advise the Deputy that the only community drug scheme which is illness based is the Long Term Illness Scheme (LTI).
The LTI Scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). The conditions covered by the LTI are: acute leukaemia; mental handicap; cerebral palsy; mental illness (in a person under 16); cystic fibrosis; multiple sclerosis; diabetes insipidus; muscular dystrophies; diabetes mellitus; parkinsonism; epilepsy; phenylketonuria; haemophilia; spina bifida; hydrocephalus; and conditions arising from the use of thalidomide.
Under the LTI Scheme, patients receive drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of their illness, free of charge.
There are no plans to extend the list of conditions covered by the Scheme at this time. However, I wish to inform the Deputy that the LTI Scheme will be included as part of a review of the current eligibility framework, including the basis for existing hospital and medication charges, to be carried out under commitments given in the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy.
For people who are not eligible for the LTI scheme, there are other arrangements which protect them from excessive medicine costs.
Under the Drug Payment Scheme, no individual or family pays more than €124 a month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals with ongoing expenditure on medicines.
People who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be entitled to a medical card. In the assessment process, the HSE can take into account medical costs incurred by an individual or a family.
People who are not eligible for a medical card may still be able to avail of a GP visit card, which covers the cost of GP consultations.
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Provision
Questions (170)
Pat Buckley
Question:170. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the planned date for completion of the cost and implementation plan for providing 7/7 child and adolescent mental health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15581/19]
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.
Mental Health Services Provision
Questions (171)
Pat Buckley
Question:171. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the status of the mental health team for those experiencing homelessness operating at Parkgate Street, Dublin 8; if the service is open to new referrals; the number of persons availing of the service; the number of persons on the waiting list for the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15582/19]
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.
Proposed Legislation
Questions (172)
Pat Buckley
Question:172. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the status of the redrafting of the Mental Health Act 2001; the date the heads of Bill will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15583/19]
View answerWritten answers
The Expert Group Review of the Mental Health Act 2001, which was published in 2015, put forward 165 recommendations. Approximately 70% of these relate to amendments to the 2001 Act. The Deputy will be aware that Government approved plans to proceed with the general scheme of a bill and officials are working on the heads of this comprehensive amending bill which will legislate for the recommendations of the Review.
Draft heads of Bill are expected to be finalised in the coming weeks and submitted to the Mental Health Commission for detailed review. It is essential that the Mental Health Commission, which has a very significant and important role in overseeing the safeguards provided in the Act, has full input into the framing of the many amendments to be included in revised mental health legislation.
Since the Expert Group Review was published three mental health amendment acts have been enacted. The first was the Mental Health (Amendment) Act 2015 which updated the provisions of the 2001 Act regarding treatment, in particular ECT. The second was the more recent enactment of the Mental Health (Amendment) Act 2018 which makes changes to the 2001 Act regarding the definition of voluntary patient and which introduces guiding principles for adults instead of the principle of best interests. The Act also introduces guiding principles for children and refers to capacity within the meaning of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015. It is important to point out, however, that the provisions of the 2018 amending act cannot be commenced until further legislative changes are made and the Decision Support Service, established under the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act is operational. The changes in these two acts are based on a number of different recommendations of the Expert Group Review.
The third amending act is the Mental Health (Renewal Orders) Act 2018, which amended Section 15 of the 2001 Act following on from a Court of Appeal finding of unconstitutionality.
In addition, changes to, or that have an effect on, the 2001 Act will be introduced as part of the new Deprivation of Liberty provisions currently being developed by my Department and also through changes proposed for the Child Care Act 1991. Finally, there are four Private Member's Bills published which seek to make changes to or that have an effect on the 2001 Act.
Many of the changes proposed in the various private members bills replicate recommendations of the Expert Group Review.
Mental Health Policy
Questions (173)
Pat Buckley
Question:173. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the status of the redrafting of the A Vision for Change mental health policy; the timeline for the development and implementation of the new policy; when a clear cost plan is expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15584/19]
View answerWritten answers
The review process of 'A Vision for Change' policy in now nearing its completion.
The review has been overseen by an expert committee, and the recommendations of the committee will be presented for Departmental and Ministerial approval in Quarter 2, 2019.
The final policy document will be published after these approvals have been obtained.
In parallel with this approvals process, an implementation framework is currently being developed to realise the objectives of the reviewed policy over a ten year timeframe.
Completion of the implementation framework will be dependent on a full analysis of the feedback from stakeholders and will include an estimation of costs following consultation with relevant stakeholders.
A date for publication of this implementation framework has not yet been decided.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (174)
Tony McLoughlin
Question:174. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health the reason a planned operation for a person (details supplied) has been continually cancelled; when a new date will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15585/19]
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.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (175)
Niamh Smyth
Question:175. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has not received an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15588/19]
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 service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
Hospital Services
Questions (176)
Eugene Murphy
Question:176. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health if a lumbar MRI scan will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15590/19]
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.
Pharmaceutical Sector
Questions (177)
Michael McGrath
Question:177. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health when a decision will issue in relation to the proposed regulations governing the work practices of qualified pharmaceutical assistants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15603/19]
View answerWritten answers
The Pharmacy Act 2007 established the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) and the functions of the Society are set out in the Act. The functions of the PSI are carried out on its behalf by the Council of the Society.
Section 30 of the Pharmacy Act 2007 provides for an exception to the general provision in the Act which requires the sale and supply of medicines at a pharmacy to be conducted under the personal supervision of a registered pharmacist and specifies that no offence is committed where a registered pharmaceutical assistant “acts on behalf of a registered pharmacist during the temporary absence of the registered pharmacist”.
The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (Temporary Absence of Pharmacist from Pharmacy) Rules 2019 were developed by the PSI in accordance with Section 30 of the Pharmacy Act 2007, which also permits the Council to make rules as to:
1. What may or may not be done by a registered pharmaceutical assistant when acting on behalf of a registered pharmacist; and
2. What constitutes the temporary absence of a registered pharmacist.
On 8 March 2019, the PSI submitted the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (Temporary Absence of Pharmacist from Pharmacy) Rules 2019 to me for my consent, in accordance with the requirements of the Pharmacy Act 2007.
Under the Pharmacy Act 2007, my role in relation to this process is limited to the consideration of any such Rules once submitted for my consent.
As the Rules submitted to me are currently subject to legal challenge and I am a party to the proceedings I will not be commenting further on the matter.
Health Services Funding
Questions (178)
Maria Bailey
Question:178. Deputy Maria Bailey asked the Minister for Health the funding provided by his Department and the HSE since 2016 for the treatment of Parkinson's disease; the payments made to an association (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15604/19]
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 service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
Cannabis for Medicinal Use
Questions (179)
Carol Nolan
Question:179. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health when the compassionate access programme will be in place. [15616/19]
View answerWritten answers
Good progress is being made in establishing the Cannabis for Medical Use Access Programme:
- clinical guidelines have been drawn up and published,
- secondary legislation is being drafted to underpin the Programme,
- cannabis products for use under the programme, once reviewed for suitable for medical use, will be published on an ‘approved list’
Background
The Health Products Regulatory Authority’s (HPRA) report ‘Cannabis for Medical Use – A Scientific Review’ recommended that if access to cannabis is to be permitted for medical purposes, it's use should only be initiated as part of a structured process of formal on-going clinical evaluation, in a limited number of clearly defined medical conditions, which have failed to respond to all other previous treatments, and where there is at least modest evidence that cannabis may be effective.
All such patients should be under the direct supervision of an appropriately trained and experienced medical consultant. The specified medical conditions (medical indications) are:
- Spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis;
- Intractable nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy;
- Severe, refractory (treatment-resistant) epilepsy.
The purpose of the Access Programme is to facilitate access to cannabis-based products or preparations that are of a standardised quality and which meet an acceptable level of quality assurance during the manufacturing process.
Quality Standards for medical cannabis products
The Programme aims to facilitate access to certain ‘acceptable’ cannabis products which have not been authorised as medicines by a statutory Medicines Competent Authority. Such products are not subject to the same rigorous safety, quality and efficacy standards that are in place for medicines, nor are the producers subject to the same responsibilities as the marketing authorisation holders for authorised medicines. Therefore, whilst efficacy and safety data are not available for these products, it is crucially important to be assured, as far as possible, of the quality standards of these products.
Access to Medical Cannabis products
Availability of cannabis products that are of an appropriate quality standard and are affordable to patients is critical in establishing the access programme. The Department is aware of only two countries, Canada and the Netherlands, who currently permit commercial export of cannabis products which meet acceptable quality control standards, beyond their borders. The Netherlands permits exports of cannabis dried herb products only, it does not permit commercial export of oil-based cannabis formulations. Canada permits commercial export of all formulations of cannabis products for medical use.
Department officials are working intensively on finding solutions to the supply of appropriate products for Irish patients and maintain regular contact with their counterparts in Denmark and Canada.
Ministerial Licence Access Route
Pending full operation of the Access Programme, doctors may continue to utilise the Ministerial licencing route to prescribe medical cannabis for their patients. Until suitable medical cannabis products are made available in Ireland, prescribers and their patients are sourcing the prescribed product from a pharmacy in The Netherlands, on foot of their medical prescription. It is intended that the Ministerial licence application scheme will continue to operate in parallel with the Cannabis for Medical Use Access Programme, after the programme becomes operational, for exceptional cases only where there is an unmet clinical need.
Department of Health Website
The Department of Health website contains detailed information on medical cannabis, including clinical guidance on the use of medical cannabis. It is updated in the event of new developments on the issue.
Cannabis for Medicinal Use
Questions (180)
Carol Nolan
Question:180. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if there will be changes to the licensing system to allow ill persons, under the guidance of general practitioners, to receive CBD. [15617/19]
View answerWritten answers
Cannabis is strictly controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Acts 1977 to 2016, and the Regulations and Orders made thereunder.
The two most common active components found in cannabis oil are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).
- THC is the principal psychoactive constituent of cannabis. Under the Misuse of Drugs legislation products containing THC are strictly controlled and possession is unlawful except under licence.
- CBD is derived from cannabis. However, since it is not psychoactive it is not controlled under the Misuse of Drugs legislation, and does not require a Ministerial Licence. CBD oil is sometimes marketed as a nutritional or dietary supplement, however it should be noted that it is not authorised as a medicinal product in Ireland.
If a doctor wishes for a patient to access medicines containing CBD the products can be prescribed by the doctor for use by their individual patients under their direct personal responsibility and supplied as unlicensed medicines. Once in receipt of a prescription, a pharmacy can than assist a patient in sourcing the CBD product through a wholesaler authorised to import unlicensed medicines.
Cannabis products for use under the Cannabis for Medical Use Access Programme, once reviewed as suitable for medical use, will be published on an ‘approved list. This will include certain CBD products as outlined in the Department of Health's Clinical Guidelines on Cannabis for Medical use, which is available on the Department's website.
Department of Health Website
The Department of Health website contains detailed information on medical cannabis, including clinical guidance on the use of medical cannabis and details on how a medical practitioner may apply for a Ministerial licence.
Services for People with Disabilities
Questions (181)
Brendan Griffin
Question:181. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his plans to include a branch (details supplied) in the personalised budgets pilot project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15642/19]
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.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (182)
Timmy Dooley
Question:182. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) who has been graded as an urgent case will have hip surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15645/19]
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.