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Tuesday, 10 Dec 2019

Written Answers Nos. 307-326

Healthcare Policy

Questions (307)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

307. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health the financial supports in place to assist those who have additional costs as a result of having chronic lung conditions such as cystic fibrosis and COPD; if he will consider providing additional payments to assist with the day-to-day living costs (details supplied) associated with same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51083/19]

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Written answers

I wish to advise the Deputy that supports are in place in order to assist eligible persons with their healthcare expenses associated with the referenced chronic conditions through the General Medical Services Scheme, the Drugs Payment Scheme and the Long Term Illness Scheme where applicable.

Applications for eligibility should be made to the HSE for the applicable scheme.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (308)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

308. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when an operation will be provided for a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay in issuing a date for surgery in view of the exceptional circumstances in the case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51091/19]

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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.

Hospital Staff Recruitment

Questions (309)

John Brassil

Question:

309. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the status of the locum oncologist at University Hospital Kerry; if the person occupying the role at present is expected to remain in the role; his plans to fill the position on a permanent basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51095/19]

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Written answers

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible

Respite Care Services Provision

Questions (310)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

310. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if a service provider (details supplied) sought additional funding for the continuance of a service; if his attention has been drawn to the effect its closure will have on respite service users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51096/19]

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Written 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.

The Programme for Partnership Government states that the Government wishes to provide more accessible respite care to facilitate full support for people with a disability.

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.

Medicinal Products Reimbursement

Questions (311)

Anne Rabbitte

Question:

311. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the reason the combined immunotherapy treatment of ipilimumab and nivolumab is not funded as a first line treatment option for advanced renal cell carcinoma but appears to be funded for melanoma cancer; his plans to fund such a combined immunotherapy treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51099/19]

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Written answers

The HSE has statutory responsibility for medicine pricing and reimbursement decisions, under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. The Act specifies criteria for decisions on the reimbursement of medicines.

In line with the 2013 Act and the national framework agreed with industry, if a company would like a medicine to be reimbursed by the HSE, the company must submit an application to the HSE to have the new medicine added to the reimbursement list.

Reimbursement is for licensed indications which have been granted market authorisation by the European Medicines Agency or the Health Products Regulatory Authority.

HSE decisions on which medicines are reimbursed by the taxpayer are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds, on the advice of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE). The NCPE conducts health technology assessments (HTAs) for the HSE and makes recommendations on reimbursement to assist HSE decisions. The NCPE uses a decision framework to systematically assess whether a drug is cost-effective as a health intervention for each specific indication.

I am advised by the HSE that it has received an application for the reimbursement of nivolumab in combination with ipilimumab for the first-line treatment of adult patients with intermediate/poor-risk advanced renal cell carcinoma.

A rapid review for this indication was completed by the NCPE on 11 December 2018. A full pharmacoeconomic assessment was commissioned by the HSE on 19 December 2018 and the NCPE received a submission from the applicant on 1 April 2019. The NCPE assessment is ongoing.

HSE Staff Recruitment

Questions (312)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

312. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when the psychologist vacancy in respect of the early intervention service in Spiddal, County Galway, will be filled; the reason for the delay in filling the vacancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51126/19]

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Written answers

As the Deputy's question relates to a service issue it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (313)

John Curran

Question:

313. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an assessment appointment for a hip operation in Cappagh Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51128/19]

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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.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (314)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

314. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when an appointment will be provided for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51130/19]

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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.

Paediatric Services

Questions (315)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

315. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 147 of 21 November 2019, the person or body that will care for the children attending the pain management clinic at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin once the paediatric pain specialist departs from their post; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51132/19]

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Written answers

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Children's Health Ireland to respond to you directly, as soon as possible.

Primary Care Centres Provision

Questions (316)

Denis Naughten

Question:

316. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health when a health centre (details supplied) in County Galway which was closed on a temporary basis will be reopened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51147/19]

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Written 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.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (317)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

317. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when an operation will be provided for a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the reason for the delay in issuing a date for the procedure in view of the significant length of time the person has spent on the waiting list to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51151/19]

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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 Services Provision

Questions (318)

Kevin O'Keeffe

Question:

318. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if a long-term stay bed will be provided for a person (details supplied). [51153/19]

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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.

Home Care Packages Data

Questions (319)

James Browne

Question:

319. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of persons by county awaiting home care support at 30 November 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51155/19]

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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.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (320)

John Brassil

Question:

320. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 326 of 1 October 2019, the status of the appointment of a person to the oncologist post at University Hospital Kerry by the South/South West Hospital Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51156/19]

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Written answers

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.

Substance Abuse Prevention Education

Questions (321)

Gerry Adams

Question:

321. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Midlands Louth Meath CHO Healthy Ireland Implementation Plan 2018-2022 does not contain specific measures to address substance misuse or support those suffering addiction and their families; the reason this is the case; if the matter will be addressed in future plans; and the measures he will take in the interim. [51158/19]

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Written answers

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Addiction Treatment Services

Questions (322, 323)

Gerry Adams

Question:

322. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the groups in receipt of core funding from the HSE to deliver supports to family members of persons suffering addiction. [51159/19]

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Gerry Adams

Question:

323. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the service provided by a group (details supplied) in County Louth; and if the lack of resources available to the group to enable it to remain operational will be addressed. [51160/19]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 322 and 323 together.

As these are service matters, they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (324)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

324. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51164/19]

View answer

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.

Hospital Waiting Lists Data

Questions (325)

Maurice Quinlivan

Question:

325. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the length of time a person (details supplied) will have to wait for a MRI scan at University Hospital Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51165/19]

View answer

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.

Primary Medical Certificates Applications

Questions (326)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

326. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if a decision has been made on a primary medical certificate application by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51175/19]

View answer

Written answers

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

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