Written Answers Nos. 503-522
503. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health the reason a full refund of medical costs incurred by a person (details supplied) was not refunded by the drugs payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2593/20]
View answerUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
504. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the policy in relation to medicinal cannabis reimbursement as part of the medicinal cannabis access programme; if a guarantee will be provided that no family or person that is granted access under the programme will be expected to incur the substantial cost of using medicinal cannabis as a treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2594/20]
View answerIn June 2019 I signed legislation to underpin the Medical Cannabis Access Programme (MCAP) which, once fully operational, will run on a 5-year pilot basis and is restricted to prescribing of cannabis-based products at medical consultant level, for those patients with certain medical conditions who have exhausted all other available treatment options.
The HSE is currently working on operationalisation of the MCAP. The reimbursement of approved products for patients accepted on the MCAP will be finalised in that context. In the interim, medical practitioners may continue to utilise the Ministerial licensing route to prescribe medical cannabis for their patients, should they wish to do so. Persons in receipt of a Ministerial Licence can apply to the HSE for reimbursement and if approved, will receive same.
The operational side of these applications for reimbursement are a matter for the HSE.
505. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position of a person (details supplied) on the waiting list for a dental appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2600/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
506. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be assessed by a psychologist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2603/20]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to a service issue it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
508. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a copy of the detailed report listing the consultation that took place as part of the process of an assessment carried out leading to the decision to put in place a new model of dermatology care for the Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar and the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2605/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly, as soon as possible.
509. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the number on the dermatology waiting list in the midlands at the end of each of the past five years; the number waiting at each of the hospitals (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2606/20]
View answerReducing waiting time for patients for hospital operations and procedures is a key priority for Government. In this regard, the Government is committed to improving waiting times for hospital appointments and procedures.
Budget 2020 announced further increased investment in tackling waiting lists, with funding to the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) increasing from €75 million in 2019 to €100 million in 2020. The NTPF will work with the hospital system to provide additionality to improve access to inpatient/daycase treatment and with a particular focus on hospital outpatient services. In this regard, I would encourage all hospital groups and individual hospitals to engage with the NTPF to identify waiting list proposals this year.
In regard to the information requested by the Deputy, the number of patients waiting on the outpatient waiting list for dermatology over the past five years at Midlands Regional Hospital Mullingar is set out below:
Midlands Regional Hospital Mullingar Dermatology Outpatient Waiting list 2015 - 2019
|
2019 |
2018 |
2017 |
2016 |
2015 |
|
873 |
1559 |
1827 |
1750 |
1489 |
The HSE advise that there is no dermatology service currently in either Midlands Regional Hospital Tullamore or Midlands Regional Hospital Portlaoise. The service for the Midlands was traditionally delivered from Mullingar, and now the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group have the dermatology specialty services in Tallaght Hospital and St James's Hospital.
The table below sets out the total number of patients with an area of residence in Co. Laois and Co. Offaly waiting on the outpatient waiting list for dermatology over the past five years at Tallaght Hospital and St James's Hospital:
Total Outpatient Waiting List to Dermatology in Tallaght Hospital and St James's Hospital with an area of residence in Co. Laois and Co Offaly 2015-2019
|
2019 |
2018 |
2017 |
2016 |
2015 |
|
692 |
504 |
221 |
180 |
144 |
510. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the reason for the new model for dermatological care and the reconfiguration of the new services in respect of the Midland Regional Hospital and the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital in view of the proposal that Mullingar be included with the other hospitals in the midlands group and with St. James's Hospital under Sláintecare; if this will require a further reconfiguration in due course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2607/20]
View answerThe restructuring of Ireland's health services under Sláintecare will not affect collaborations between hospitals. There is no intention for any geographical realignment to adversely impact existing clinical service collaborations. Any changes would have to be informed by the future approach to the planning of services in a health region.
I am advised by the HSE that the Ireland East Hospital Group (IEHG), in conjunction with the Regional Hospital in Mullingar and the Mater Hospital have recently put in place a comprehensive and sustainable model of dermatology care for the Region. This hub and spoke model of care for Dermatology has three consultant dermatologists appointed to the Mater Hospital, each with a 10-hour sessional commitment to Mullingar. The consultants will deliver outpatient clinics in Mullingar with any patient requiring admission being referred to the Mater Hospital.
The plan has also factored in the care of patients with suspected /diagnosed melanomas – all such patients will be managed by the Multi-disciplinary Team in the Mater where they will receive any ongoing systemic treatment/care which is deemed safe clinical practice.
511. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if existing reconfiguration plans under the health strategy are superseded by Sláintecare; the details of the categories of reconfiguration plans in general hospitals that have been superseded by Sláintecare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2608/20]
View answerI understand that the Deputy is referring to proposals as part of the Sláintecare reform programme to reconfigure the HSE.
A clear governance and accountability framework was identified as a key building block of Sláintecare by the Committee on the Future of Healthcare. As part of its recommendations in this area, the Committee called for the HSE to become a more strategic and patient-focused ‘national centre’ carrying out national level functions, complemented by the establishment of regional bodies with responsibility for the planning and delivery of integrated care at a regional level.
As the Deputy will be aware, there are currently separate regional management structures in place within the HSE for hospital and community services - 6 Hospital Groups and 9 Community Healthcare Organisations. These structures are not aligned geographically and result in separate management and resourcing of acute and community services. This is a clear impediment to moving towards population based planning and integrated care as called for under Sláintecare.
Under Sláintecare proposals, Hospital Groups and CHOs will be replaced with regional bodies which will be responsible for the full spectrum of health and social care services in their region. This will allow care to be planned and delivered at a more local level, based on the needs of local populations.
In July 2019, the Government approved and announced the six geographical areas which proposed regional bodies will serve. The details of these geographical areas are available on the Department's website. Additionally, the Government approved the development by the Department of a detailed policy proposal for the reconfiguration of the HSE supported by a business case, for further consideration by Government in 2020.
The detailed proposal will set out the high level organisational design for the system, including: the respective roles, functions, responsibilities and accountabilities of the Department of Health, HSE centre and new regional bodies; the relationship between these entities; and the overall legal construct for the health service. This will provide the framework for system change and guide development of legislative proposals and detailed operational planning.
The development of the detailed policy proposals and business case will involve significant engagement with key stakeholders across the health and social care sector, including current CHO and HG management structures, to ensure that any structural changes do not unduly cause disruption and loss of focus on service delivery and the roll-out of the broader reform programme. I would also like to reassure you that the new policy proposals will not have any immediate impact on services. Hospital Groups and CHOs currently provide important oversight of services and it is vital that they continue in this role to maintain the provision of safe services across our health and social care services while the design process for the new regions progresses.
This will include continuing to implement service improvements at both Group level and hospital level, as well as important strategies such as, for example, the Cancer and Maternity strategies.
512. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of HSE equipment for a person (details supplied). [2612/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
513. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position in relation to the future of a residential centre (details supplied) in County Cork; the role of the HSE in running the centre; the position in relation to decongregation; the reason staff are unable to obtain P60s; the further reason increment payments have ceased; the person or body that is the employer; the steps being taken to resolve the issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2616/20]
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.
514. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the availability of Spinraza to adults here; his plans to facilitate the provision of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2619/20]
View answerThe HSE has statutory responsibility for medicine pricing and reimbursement decisions, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. The Act specifies the criteria to be applied in the making of reimbursement decisions.
As Minister for Health, I do not have any statutory power or function in relation to the reimbursement of medicines.
On 11 June 2019, the HSE Leadership Team approved access to the drug nusinersen (Spinraza) for children with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type I, II or III on an exceptional and individualised basis.
The HSE decision process in relation to nusinersen involved a full Health Technology Assessment and report issued by the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics. This was followed by detailed consideration by the HSE expert groups on new drug therapies, including the HSE Drugs Group and the Rare Diseases Technology Review Committee (RDTRC). Evidence of the clinical effectiveness of this new drug therapy was also reviewed.
After a thorough review of all the data it was decided to approve access for children with genetically confirmed SMA Type I, II or III, in accordance with the controlled access criteria recommended by the RDTRC.
The RDTRC recommendation was clearly targeted at the youngest and most severely affected SMA patients, and this group is the clear priority for the HSE. The actual patient assessment and approval process will be the means for determining access on an individual case-by-case basis.
515. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) in County Cork will receive an appointment for the child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS, in view of the urgency of the case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2621/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
516. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be called for an operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2622/20]
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.
517. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the status of speech and language therapy services for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2623/20]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to a service issue it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
518. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a date for an operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2624/20]
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.
519. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2628/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
520. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of braces for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2629/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
521. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2633/20]
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.
522. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) in County Cork will undergo an assessment of need; if his attention has been drawn to the urgency of the issue in view of the fact they are due to commence primary school in the 2020 to 2021 school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2648/20]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to a service issue it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
