Written Answers Nos. 1651-1671
1651. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the records maintained on cases admitted to accident and emergency departments in hospitals; if these records are published; the breakdown of cases under which they are published; the detail involved, for example, heart, alcohol, pregnancy, sports injuries, respiratory and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1212/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1653. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health the rationale for the requirement to renew prescriptions for long-term medical conditions every six months under the medical card and drug refund scheme; if he will consider extending this period for lifelong conditions such as asthma; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1220/22]
View answerThe length or duration of a prescription is at the clinical discretion of the prescriber, but ordinarily a prescription in Ireland is valid for a maximum period of six months and a prescription cannot be issued for a longer than that. The rationale for such time limits is to ensure that appropriate medical care continues to be afforded to persons in receipt of prescriptions.
However, in April 2020, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the then Minister for Health, Simon Harris T.D., introduced temporary, emergency provisions to enable pharmacists to ensure the continuity of care of patients without necessarily requiring a new prescription and to reduce pressures on General Practitioners at that time:
- the maximum period of validity of a prescription for non-controlled drugs was temporarily increased from 6 months to 9 months as of the date specified on the prescription.
- Some temporary changes to the way in which prescriptions can be repeated by pharmacists were introduced to enable pharmacists to ensure the continuity of care of patients without necessarily requiring a new prescription to be obtained from their prescriber. This is enabled in circumstances where:
- it is the professional judgement of the pharmacist that it is safe, appropriate, and necessary for the continued treatment of the person for a further supply to be made, AND
- it is unreasonable at the time for the person to obtain a new prescription.
The amendments in April 2020 also introduced the electronic transfer of prescriptions, whereby an electronic version of a new prescription may be transmitted from the prescriber to a pharmacy of a patient’s choice where it may not be possible or appropriate to attend a clinic or surgery at this time. This mechanism also facilitates individuals to obtain an up-to-date prescription and to enable the pharmacist to continue to dispense their prescription(s).
In light of the ongoing pandemic conditions the temporary provisions introduced continue to apply and have not yet been revoked. It is important to note that none of the temporary amendments impose a duty on a prescriber to issue a prescription beyond a period they consider to be clinically appropriate, or on a pharmacist to dispense any prescription where they do not consider it safe, appropriate and necessary for the continued treatment of a person for a further supply to be made without a new prescription issued by the prescriber.
1654. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 622 of 7 December 2021, the status of negotiations between the National Ambulance Service and the local authorities in County Louth regarding fire service staff being utilised as emergency first responders to cardiac arrest calls across the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1223/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1655. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health the reason haematopoietic stem cell transplantation treatment is not available to patients in Ireland with multiple sclerosis; if there are plans to change this approach; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1226/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1656. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the existing agreements, service level or otherwise, for the treatment of patients from Northern Ireland in Ireland by the HSE or other public healthcare bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1227/22]
View answerIn relation to firms under contract with the Health Service Executive, as this is an operational matter, I have forwarded your query to the HSE and asked that they respond directly to you as soon as possible. Details for other bodies under the aegis of my Department are operational matters for the bodies concerned and the Deputy should contact the relevant Director/CEO/Registrar directly.
1657. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases since 1 March 2020 to 6 January 2022 inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1239/22]
View answerThe total number of confirmed cases Covid-19 cases since 1 March 2020 to 6 January 2022 inclusive is 908,672.
A range of data on COVID-19 cases , hospitalizations and deaths is made available to the public through Ireland's COVID-19 Data hub. This includes information at Local Electoral Area (LEA) level. This information is updated on a weekly basis.
covid19ireland-geohive.hub.arcgis.com/
1659. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health when antiviral drugs to treat Covid-19 are likely to be made available to persons here given the announcement that the Government has agreed to spend €90 million on such drugs; the category of person who will be entitled to receive same; the assessment process that will be put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1252/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1660. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health his views on whether elderly patients should have visitation rights for a dedicated family member or advocate; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that in some cases telephoning is not a viable option due to deafness or poor hearing which leaves families reliant on a daily phone call from overstretched hospital staff to update them on their condition. [1254/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1661. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the action that will be taken against companies which sold antigen tests in cases in which the product was subsequently recalled and proven to be defective; the measures of recourse the purchasers of the tests prior to their recall will have against the company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1255/22]
View answerThe Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), as the competent authority for medical devices in Ireland, is currently investigating a number of reports of false positive results associated with use of the Genrui SARS-COV-2 Rapid Antigen Self-Test.
The manufacturer of this device, Genrui Biotech, has now investigated the high number of reports of false positive results and has advised that an issue relating to contamination of the sample diluent has been identified with two specific batches.
The manufacturer is now recalling these batches from affected retailers and members of the public. The Field Safety Notice (FSN) has now been agreed and published and outlines a product recall for the two batches of the Genrui SARS-CoV-2 Rapid Antigen Self-Test. The FSN has been published , yesterday January 18 2022 and the HPRA has also published a safety notice (a HPRA notice) to raise awareness of this product recall. A statement was also published on HPRA website to highlight the update on this issue.
The HPRA has advised affected retailers to continue the voluntary suspension from sale of all of the Genrui self-test while the recall is ongoing (i.e. not just affected batches being recalled via this FSN.) The manufacturer has also agreed to continue to temporarily suspend the sale of the Genrui self-test to Ireland while the recall is ongoing.
HPRA will be continuing to investigate the root cause to identify whether other batches are impacted and to ensure that a comprehensive investigation is completed and will keep DOH informed of any developments in this regard.
By way of information, all rapid antigen self-tests are regulated under EU Directive 98/79/EC on in vitro diagnostic medical devices. As per the requirements of this Directive, manufacturers are required to evaluate the performance parameters of their devices prior to placing them on the market, including the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity. Rapid antigen tests, like all diagnostic tests, have the potential to provide false negative or false positive results. However, due to the rapid rise in the number of reports of false positive results relating to this specific device, the HPRA is actively following up with the manufacturer to further investigate this issue. The outcome of this investigation will help inform if further action is required. In the interim, retailers are advised, as a precautionary measure, to remove these devices from sale and consumers are advised to avoid purchasing them online while this issue is under investigation.
1663. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the grants or funding available via the HSE for a group that wishes to set up a meals on wheels service in an area of County Kerry in which there is currently no service available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1269/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible
1664. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health his views in relation to the recognition of fibromyalgia and other associated conditions as a long-term disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1273/22]
View answerFibromyalgia is a condition characterized by severe pain, fatigue and stiffness, among many other symptoms. Fibromyalgia can be a difficult condition to diagnose because there is no specific test and the symptoms can be similar to those of other conditions. Treatment often requires interventions from various medical specialists for management of symptoms as they arise.
There are schemes in place to assist individuals and families avoid excessive medical costs. Under the Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS), no individual or family pays more than €100 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 eligible for a medical card. In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE. In certain circumstances the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds the income guidelines, where he or she faces difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from illness.
In circumstances where an applicant is still over the income limit for a medical card, they are then assessed for a GP visit card, which entitles the applicant to GP visits without charge. Further information regarding these schemes is available at: www2.hse.ie/costs-schemes-allowances/.
Individuals may also be entitled to claim tax relief on the cost of their medical expenses. This includes medicines prescribed by a doctor, dentist, or consultant. Relief is at the standard tax rate of 20% and details on how to claim are at www.revenue.ie.
1665. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health the number of antigen tests acquired by the Government and the HSE since March 2020; the total spent on acquiring these antigen tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1278/22]
View answerThe Deputy may wish to note that questions relating to procurement carried out by other Government Departments should be directed to the relevant Minister. In relation to procurement by the HSE, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1666. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health the procurement agreement in place for the acquisition of antigen tests; if consideration will be given to issuing a tender to Irish companies for the supply of EU-approved antigen tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1279/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1667. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the provisions that will be made in respect of the EU Digital COVID Certificate for those persons unable to receive the booster vaccination due to medical reasons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1283/22]
View answerThe current high level of COVID-19 infection poses a very substantial threat, particularly to those who are not fully protected through vaccination. Public health advice remains that those who are not fully vaccinated should avoid congregated indoor settings for their own and others safety.
As the Deputy will be aware, new EU rules will come into effect from 1 February 2022, with a new 9-month maximum validity period for EU Digital COVID Certificates based on a completed primary vaccination regime. Updated Digital COVID Certificates are being issued to those who have received an additional vaccine dose. It is important to note that the change from the 1 February is in relation to international travel, no decision has been taken in relation to vaccination certificates for domestic use.
The Department of Health is considering the issues arising for those people that cannot receive a COVID-19 vaccine for medical reasons.
It is important to note that the number of people with an absolute contraindication to COVID-19 vaccination is very small. There are very few people who cannot receive one of the current vaccines due to pre-existing allergies or history of anaphylaxis. Further information, and details of the options available to those who have had a reaction to their first vaccine dose, is available in the Immunisation Guidelines www.hse.ie/eng/health/immunisation/hcpinfo/guidelines/covid19.pdf and in the document Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 vaccines for people with pre-existing allergic conditions www.rcpi.ie/news/releases/frequently-asked-questions-about-covid-19-vaccines-for-people-with-pre-existing-allergic-conditions/
1668. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an assessment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1289/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1670. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a child psychologist will be appointed for south County Kerry as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1298/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1671. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Health if those who have received the first two Covid-19 vaccines and who have then been infected and have recovered from Covid-19 will be able to avail of an EU Digital COVID Certificate if they have not yet received their third dose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1299/22]
View answerThe EU Digital COVID Certificate is a document which is issued to help facilitate the safe and free international movement of people across the EU during the COVID-19 pandemic. The EU Digital COVID Certificate is proof that you have either been vaccinated against COVID-19 or received a negative COVID-19 test result or recovered from COVID-19 in the last 6 months.
Certificates of Recovery can be issued upon request through the online portal following a positive COVID-19 test (RT-PCR or ‘NAAT’) taken more than 11 days ago in Ireland. The certificate will remain valid for 180 days after the day of the positive test result.
