Written Answers Nos. 348-367
348. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 122 of 26 November 2019, the specific areas of significant improvement in view of the fact the MHC acknowledged significant improvements regarding all areas of compliance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52682/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
349. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if appropriate stress tests and heart monitoring will be arranged for a person (details supplied) [52684/19]
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.
350. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) is not being referred by their consultant for a scan or treatment for their serious medical condition; if the medical teams at Crumlin Hospital and St. Luke's, Kilkenny will be requested to meet to determine the course of action requested to resolve their health issues; and if a response will be expedited [52689/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Children's Health Ireland to respond to you directly, as soon as possible.
351. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Health the status of changes approved regarding the fair deal scheme for farms and small businesses; when the unqualified three year cap rule will apply to farms and businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52698/19]
View answerThe proposed policy change to the Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS), to cap contributions based on farm and business assets at 3 years where a family successor commits to working the productive asset, has been approved by Government. The Department developed draft Heads of Bill while considering a number of complex ancillary policy and operational matters which may need to be addressed in the proposed legislation.
The General Scheme of Bill for the NHSS was approved by Government on 11 June 2019 and subsequently published. The changes to the Scheme will come into effect as soon as the legislative process is successfully complete. The Department will progress this as quickly as possible, however, the timeline for completion of the legislation will also depend on how it passes through the Houses. The General Scheme was sent to the relevant Joint Committee and the Department participated in pre-legislative scrutiny on 13 November 2019. The Department looks forward to the report of the Committee following from this engagement. In the meantime, engagements with the Office of the Attorney General will continue with a view to progressing the legislative development process.
It is intended that this proposed policy change, the 3 year cap, will be extended to eligible existing participants in long term residential care so that they are not disadvantaged, but that there would be no retrospective recoupment of contributions for those who have paid contributions over and above the 3 year period.
352. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health if an appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52704/19]
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.
353. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter regarding home help (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52706/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
354. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the way in which the gainshare and incentive model for biosimilar prescribing operates; if €500 per patient is being allocated to hospital treatment areas that prescribe biosimilars is taking place as reported; if the HSE or his Department has estimated the overall savings potential of biosimilar prescribing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52711/19]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has operational responsibility for best-value biological medicines, thus the matter has been referred to the HSE for its attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
355. Deputy Niamh Smyth 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. [52713/19]
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.
356. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the legislative and policy measures available to tackle underage drinking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52716/19]
View answerThe primary policy objectives of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act include to delay the initiation of alcohol consumption by children and young people and to reduce the harms caused by the misuse of alcohol.
Three sections of the Act came into operation on November 12th 2019:
- a prohibition on alcohol advertising in or on public service vehicles, at public transport stops or stations and within 200 m of a school, early years centre or a local authority playground.
- a prohibition on alcohol advertising in a cinema except around films with an 18 classification or in a licensed premises in a cinema.
- a prohibition on children’s clothing that promotes alcohol.
These measures will help to create an environment free from alcohol advertising in areas frequented by children and will ensure that they can grow up in circumstances where they are not regularly exposed to alcohol advertising.
From 12 November 2020, the Act will separate and reduce the visibility of alcohol products in mixed retail outlets so that the message will be clear that alcohol is not like other grocery products.
From 12 November 2021, there will be a prohibition on alcohol advertising on a sports area during a sporting event, at events aimed at children or at events in which the majority of participants or competitors are children. Alcohol sponsorship of events aimed at children, events which the majority of participants or competitors are children and events involving driving or racing motor vehicles will also be prohibited. The objective here is to ensure that there is no place for alcohol advertising and alcohol sponsorship in relation to children's sporting events.
Minimum Unit Pricing will help to prevent alcohol being sold at pocket money prices so that it is out of reach of our children. The 2013 Government Decision which approved a minimum pricing regime envisaged its introduction in Northern Ireland and in this jurisdiction simultaneously. It is my intention to seek a revised Government Decision so that minimum unit pricing can be implemented as soon as possible in order to address the very significant health harms and financial costs of the way alcohol is currently consumed here. I also intend to regulate price-based promotions of alcohol products in the future so as ensure that these products become less affordable for young people.
357. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the way in which out-of-hours responses for general adult mental health services have been expanded to date in 2019 by moving to the 7-7 model; the number of new staff appointed in each CHO area, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52733/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
358. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the way in which out-of-hours responses for child and adolescent mental health services have been expanded to date in 2019 by moving to the 7-7 model; the timeline for full transition to a 7/7 model for CAMHS; the details of CAMHS services in each CHO that provide 7-7 services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52734/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
359. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if parents and guardians will be reimbursed for private health spending undertaken as a direct result of the lengthy waiting list times experienced by children with delayed language skills awaiting access to necessary therapies [52737/19]
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.
360. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health if he will address the concerns of a person (details supplied) regarding the upcoming Treatment of Cancer (Advertisements) Bill 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52747/19]
View answerThe Bill referred to is a Private Members Bill initiated by Deputy Kate O'Connell. When the Bill was passing Second Stage, I confirmed my Department would work with Deputy O'Connell on the areas that require further examination.
The intention of the Bill is about safeguarding our citizens and making sure they have accurate information regarding medical and scientific advice on how to cure and treat cancer. Its aim is to ensure no false linkages are made between accessing various therapies and a claim that something is a treatment for cancer.
Under the National Cancer Strategy 2017-26, the primary aim for all cancer services is to provide evidence-based care that is effective, safe, of high quality, patient-centred and fully supported by national standards and clinical guidelines.
361. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the arrangements been made to replace a person (details supplied) in Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin and Temple Street Hospital who is due to leave their position before the end of 2019; the arrangements that will be made for patients while a replacement is being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52749/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Children's Health Ireland to respond to you directly, as soon as possible.
362. Deputy Kate O'Connell asked the Minister for Health the reason the practice to assign a psychologist to patients during the transition period from child and adolescent services in mental health to adult services is not in place; if consideration will be given to such a measure in order to prevent regression for patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52750/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
363. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if suitable home help hours will be allocated to a person (details supplied) [52762/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
364. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if the HSE will provide a person (details supplied) with their discharge notice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52770/19]
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.
365. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if the HSE has entered into litigation with a person (details supplied) in respect of care services and funding allocated to their child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52771/19]
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 matters pertaining to the HSE, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
366. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if the HSE will provide consultant psychiatric consultation notes to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52772/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
367. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health the procedures in place for children in Leixlip and Celbridge, County Kildare who require dental services in the dental system; the location of the nearest treatment centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52781/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
