Written Answers Nos. 1077-1101
1077. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of full and partial lower limb amputations carried out in each of the years 2016 to 2018; the number of these patients by county who had diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19986/19]
View answerI have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
1078. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of patients by county treated for foot ulcerations that did not require a full or partial limb amputation in 2018; the number of those patients who had diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19987/19]
View answerI have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
1079. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of patients under 65 years of age by county treated for foot ulcerations that did not require a full or partial limb amputation in 2018; the number of those patients who had diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19988/19]
View answerI have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
1080. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of full and partial lower limb amputations carried out in 2018 by county on persons under 65 years of age; the number of these patients who had diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19989/19]
View answerI have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
1081. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of bed days required by patients treated for foot ulcerations that did not require a full or partial limb amputation in each of the years 2016 to 2018; the number of those patients who had diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19990/19]
View answerI have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
1082. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of hospital bed days required by patients by county treated for foot ulcerations that did not require a full or partial limb amputation in each of the years 2016 to 2018; the number of those patients who had diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19991/19]
View answerI have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
1083. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of hospital bed days required by patients undergoing full and partial lower limb amputation procedures in each of the years 2016 to 2018, by county on persons under 65 years of age; the number of these patients who had diabetes, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19992/19]
View answerI have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
1084. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of hospital bed days required by patients by county on persons under 65 years of age treated for foot ulcerations that did not require a full or partial limb amputation in each of the years 2016 to 2018; the number of those patients who had diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19993/19]
View answerI have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
1085. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of patients availing of the type 2 diabetes cycle of care programme in each of the years 2016 to 2018; the cost of the programme to date; his plans to extend it to patients with type 2 diabetes who do not have a medical card or general practitioner-only visit card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19994/19]
View answerPeople 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.
Diabetes is currently listed on the Long Term Illness Scheme which means that patients can get a range of medicines from their community pharmacy free.
As the PQ also refers to the Diabetes cycle of care which is run by the HSE , it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
1086. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of patients with type 2 diabetes who had their feet assessed as part of the HSE type 2 diabetes cycle of care programme in each of the years 2016 to 2018; the number of these who were referred to hospital care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19995/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
1087. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health his plans to restore pay equality for hospital consultants appointed post-2012; if he will put in place a process to deal with this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20000/19]
View answerThe Public Service Pay Commission proposed that the Parties to the Public Service Stability Agreement jointly consider what further measures could be taken, over time, beyond the incremental credit adjustments, to address the pay differential between pre-existing consultants and new entrant consultants which has increased following the settlement of the 2008 Consultant Contract claim.
Last month, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform stated that outstanding matters relating to new entrant pay will be given full consideration either by any pay review mechanism agreed by the relevant parties; or in the context of the next round of pay talks. My Department has been in contact with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to this. Any process involving the matter of pay for any public servant will, by its very nature, require the involvement of that Department.
1088. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health if he has met with an association (details supplied) recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20001/19]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that I have not received a recent request from the Irish Thalidomide Association for a meeting.
1089. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) who applied on 29 May 2018 for an early intervention assessment appointment is still waiting for that appointment and has been told it may not happen until May 2019 in view of the fact that under the Disability Act 2005 children must be assessed within three months of applying; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20002/19]
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.
1090. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if a date for a cataract operation will be arranged for a person (details supplied) at University Hospital Waterford as requested by the person's general practitioner; if the person qualifies for the cross-border scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20008/19]
View answerI am conscious that waiting times are often unacceptably long and of the burden that this places on patients and their families. In this regard I am committed to improving waiting times for hospital appointments and procedures.
Cataract surgery is one of the most common surgical procedures carried out in the Ophthalmology specialty and is one of the targeted high-volume procedures of the Scheduled Care Access Plan for both 2018 and 2019.
Waiting List figures published by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) for the end of March show the total number of patients waiting for a cataract procedure fell from 10,024 in July 2017 to under 6,300, a reduction of almost 38%. The numbers waiting more than 3 months halved in the same period, down from 8,000 to just over 4,000, while those waiting more than 9 months fell from 4,371 to 531, a reduction of 88%.
Last year also saw the establishment of a dedicated Cataract Centre at Nenagh Hospital. This is a stand-alone high-volume consultant-led cataract theatre facility which, at full capacity, is expected to deliver approximately 2,000 cataract procedures.
Budget 2019 announced that the Government had further increased investment in tackling waiting lists, with funding to the NTPF increasing from €55 million in 2018 to €75 million in 2019.
The joint Department of Health/HSE/NTPF Scheduled Care Access Plan 2019 was published in March and sets out measures to improve care for patients waiting for scheduled care in 2019 by reducing waiting times for inpatient, day case and outpatient appointments. The plan places a strong focus on ten high-volume procedures, including cataracts. When combined with HSE activity it is projected that the NTPF will be in a position to offer treatment to all clinically suitable patients waiting more than 6 months for one of these procedures.
The HSE operates the Cross Border Directive (CBD) in Ireland. Under the terms of the Directive, patients of an EU/EEA Member State who meet the necessary criteria may opt to avail of healthcare provided under the legislation of their Member State of affiliation in another EU/EEA Member State and be reimbursed the lesser of the cost of receiving the treatment abroad, or the cost in their own Member State The HSE provides information for patients on the CBD on its website which can be accessed at http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/1/schemes and also by phone at 056 7784551.
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.
1091. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will be provided an early date for a cataract operation at University Hospital Waterford; and if they qualify for the cross-border healthcare initiative. [20009/19]
View answerReducing waiting time for patients for hospital operations and procedures is a key priority for Government. Budget 2019 announced that the Government has further increased investment in tackling waiting lists, with funding to the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) increasing from €55 million in 2018 to €75 million in 2019.
The joint Department of Health/HSE/NTPF Scheduled Care Access Plan 2019 was published recently and sets out measures to improve care for patients waiting for scheduled care in 2019 by reducing wait times for inpatient/day case treatment and outpatient appointments. The plan will place a strong focus on a number of high-volume procedures, including cataracts. When combined with HSE activity, it is projected that the NTPF will be in a position to offer treatment to all clinically suitable patients waiting more than 6 months for one of these procedures.
The HSE operates the Cross Border Directive (CBD) in Ireland. Under the terms of the Directive, patients of an EU/EEA Member State who meet the necessary criteria may opt to avail of healthcare provided under the legislation of their Member State of affiliation in another EU/EEA Member State and be reimbursed the lesser of the cost of receiving the treatment abroad, or the cost in their own Member State The HSE provides information for patients on the CBD on its website which can be accessed at http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/1/schemes and also by phone at 056 7784551.
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.
1092. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an MRI scan will be arranged for a person (details supplied); the locations such scans are undertaken; if the person will be referred to the next available appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20010/19]
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.
1093. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health his plans to improve the provision of general practitioner services in Leixlip, County Kildare, in view of the fact that there are no doctors available out of hours or on Thursday afternoons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20011/19]
View answerAs this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for it to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
1094. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the costs to nursing homes for general practitioners to call out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20012/19]
View answerGPs contracted by the HSE under the GMS scheme are obliged to provide services to their medical card and GP visit card patients, including those who are residents of nursing homes. Under the terms of the GMS contract, GPs are required to provide eligible patients with all proper and necessary treatment of a kind usually undertaken by a general practitioner and not requiring special skill or experience of a degree or kind which general practitioners cannot reasonably be expected to possess.
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. Currently, an annual capitation payment of €434.15 is payable in respect of each GMS patient over 70 years of age residing in a private nursing home approved by the HSE for periods in excess of 5 weeks. This can include participants in the Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS). Along with most other capitation rates, the nursing home rate will increase by approximately 48% over the next 4 years, under the recent agreement with the IMO on the reform and modernisation of the GMS contract.
If a person or nursing home is concerned that a GP is not providing the required care to a GMS patient as provided for in the GMS contract, they should contact their local HSE Primary Care Unit who will look into the matter.
1095. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health when a child with ASD (details supplied) in County Cork will receive specific intervention services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20018/19]
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.
1096. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) in County Cork will receive intervention services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20024/19]
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.
1097. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if assistance will be provided to a person (details supplied) in being called for an urgent surgical procedure. [20031/19]
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.
1098. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health his plans to support and-or co-sponsor a resolution (details supplied) aimed at improving the transparency of markets for medicines, vaccines and other health-related technologies at the upcoming 72nd session of the World Health Assembly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20033/19]
View answerIn March 2019, Italy presented a draft resolution on improving the transparency of markets for medicines, vaccines and other health related technologies which will be discussed at the 72nd session of the WHA to be held on the 20-28 May 2019.
The draft resolution proposes a number of actions relating to pharmaceutical policy including that the World Health Organisation (WHO) would:
- support Member States in collecting, analysing and creating standards for information on prices, reimbursement costs, clinical trials outcome data and costs of relevant policy developments;
- create a web-based tool for governments to share information on medicines prices, revenues, R&D costs, public sector investments and subsidies;
- create a forum with suitable options for alternative incentive frameworks to patent monopolies for new medicines and vaccines that could better serve the need of Member States;
- Encourage further progress through meetings and forums on transparency.
My Department and I are currently reviewing the resolution and I will notify the Deputy of my position in due course.
1099. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the projections and commitment for the number of bariatric surgeries up to 2022; and if the service will be available in all of the hospital groups in view of the rapidly increasing prevalence of obesity here (details supplied) [20034/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
1100. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if vaccination for varicella zoster virus and chicken pox will be included as part of the national childhood immunisation programme in view of the fact that it is available privately here. [20035/19]
View answerThe National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) is an independent committee of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland which is comprised of experts from several specialties, including infectious diseases, paediatrics, and public health, which makes recommendations to my Department on vaccination policy in Ireland. Its recommendations are based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practice in relation to immunisation. NIAC continues to revise recommendations to allow for the introduction of new vaccines in Ireland and to keep abreast of changes in the patterns of disease.
There is no recommendation from NIAC concerning the inclusion of varicella-zoster vaccine (chicken pox) in the primary childhood immunisation schedule. However, parents may choose to have their child immunised privately.
1101. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the role of the State in the indemnification of medical professionals (details supplied); and the cost of same in each of the years 2011 to 2018, in tabular form. [20036/19]
View answerThe State Claims Agency has a statutory remit to manage personal injury claims, including claims in respect of clinical negligence, on behalf of Delegated State Authorities (DSA’s) including the Health Service Executive.
Clinical indemnity cover in respect of clinical negligence claims occurring in public hospitals and HSE facilities is provided by the State’s Clinical Indemnity Scheme (CIS). All consultants practising in the public system are covered by the Clinical Indemnity Scheme (CIS). Depending on whether a doctor in a public healthcare enterprise is permitted by his/her contract to have a private practice, such private practice is covered by the Clinical Indemnity Scheme.
Consultants working in full-time private practice and those with a contract that permits off-site private practice must purchase professional indemnity cover for this private work from medical defence organisations or from commercial insurers up to a certain level. Above this level, the State meets the costs of claims for adverse clinical incidents for those consultants in wholly private practice in non-public funded hospitals.
The State Claims Agency’s remit provides indemnification to Healthcare Enterprises in respect of healthcare-related personal injury and third-party property damage claims. This indemnity is provided on an Enterprise Liability basis whereby the health enterprise assumes liability, on a vicarious basis, for the acts and omissions of its practitioners. The Agency, therefore, does not hold information pertaining to claims made against individual medical professionals, whether, doctor, nurse, midwife or allied healthcare professional. Doctors are rarely sued in their own right, and claimants are required only to sue the health enterprise. In addition, claims are rarely based on the negligence of an individual or an individual act or omission but relate more broadly to a combination of contributory and complex factors.
My Department has requested that the SCA provide details of the costs of the Indemnity for the period requested by the Deputy, and I will forward this information to the Deputy when it becomes available.
