Written Answers Nos. 843-865
843. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to building further links with an association (details supplied) in order to integrate Ireland's participation in clinical trials with other European partners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14061/22]
View answerInternational evidence shows that patients benefit from having access to high quality clinical trials and overall outcomes are better in health systems that support clinical trials. The COVID-19 pandemic clearly demonstrated the strong link between people’s health, the capacity of our health and social care system, and the economy. My Department, and the Health Research Board (HRB) a statutory body which operates under the aegis of the Department Health, continuously builds linkages with European partners and stakeholders to integrate Ireland’s participation in clinical trials internationally.
Since 2010, the Health Research Board (HRB) has been driving the growth of clinical trials in Ireland and putting in place the supporting research infrastructure with the overall aim of facilitating clinical trials in Ireland that can benefit patients, the healthcare system, and the economy. Facilities are located at hospital sites to enable the conduct of trials and intervention studies, to provide specialist support services and to link with clinical trial networks and to provide trial design and methodology supports. Clinical trial facilities provide a single point of access to resources, knowledge and skills, and are a key part of the national research landscape.
As part of this vision, the Department of Health secured in 2018 Government approval to fund Ireland’s membership of the ECRIN-ERIC network (European Clinical Research Infrastructure Network - a European Research Infrastructure Consortium) to increase access for Irish patients to multi-national clinical trials. ECRIN membership also makes it easier for Irish researchers to extend their own trials internationally and help improve patient safety and quality of care. Membership gives Irish researchers full access to all the tools and services within ECRIN-ERIC, such as trial preparation, protocol review, trial management, data centre certification, capacity building projects, and ECRIN supported trials. The HRB funds Irish membership of the ECRIN-ERIC network.
The HRB also provides the only dedicated funding stream (i.e., Definitive Interventions and Feasibility Awards) for clinical trials and interventions in Ireland, which supports studies evaluating a full scale, definitive trial of an intervention of any appropriate design to provide high quality evidence on the efficacy, effectiveness, cost and broad impact of the intervention. In the previous strategy (2016-2020) HRB made a total investment of €22M across 33 studies. Applicants can apply for HRB funding for trials and interventions for rare diseases and given the importance of international collaboration for rare disease trials, HRB can also support costs for patients outside of Ireland.
Under the current strategy (2021-2025) the HRB will continue to invest in Clinical Research Facilities and centres nationally to improve the quality and quantity of trials in Ireland, to support a single point of access for multi-site clinical trials in Ireland (the National Clinical Trials Office) and to fund Clinical Trials Networks to bring groups of clinicians and patients together to enable trials.
The HRB announced a new investment in a Rare Disease Clinical Trial Network (RD-CTN) on 28th February this year. The RD-CTN will allow people with rare disease greater opportunities for participation in the latest research and more access to innovative new therapies that will improve outcomes and transform treatment and care. The objectives of the RD-CTN are to act as a collaborative hub for trials in rare diseases, facilitate and support the conduct of trials in rare disease and increase the opportunities for patients to access high-quality clinical trials.
This investment builds on prior investments by the HRB to advance research in rare diseases (€14M in the last decade), including through the HRB-HRCI Joint Funding Scheme, our contribution to the work of IPPOSI, the European Joint Programme in Rare Diseases, European Joint Transnational Calls in Rare Diseases.
In January 2022 (Minister Donnelly) welcomed news that Ireland is a new member of 15 European Reference Networks (ERNs), including one dedicated to rare neurological diseases, which supports Huntington’s Disease. ERNs are virtual networks for clinicians and researchers across the EU to share expertise, knowledge and resources on rare diseases. ERNs convene virtual advisory panels of medical specialists across different disciplines, using a dedicated IT platform and telemedicine tools, to review a patient with a rare disease’s diagnosis and treatment. They are important hubs for research on rare diseases and provide a basis for collaborative research across the EU, including for clinical trials.
In parallel with this development the HRB is engaged in the intensive discussions underway in Europe around a proposed Rare Diseases Partnership, which has the stated ambition of improving the health and well-being of people living with a rare disease by making Europe a world leader in innovation to address the unmet needs of 30 million persons living with a rare disease in Europe. An aim of the Partnership is to enable every consenting patient living with a rare disease to be findable and enrolled in a suitable clinical study; generating advances in prevention, diagnosis, understanding of diseases and developing treatments. Emphasis in these discussions has focused on how to overcome challenges associated with rare disease clinical studies and trials, how to create capacity and infrastructure to facilitate this, of the need for European clinical research networks working in this area and in particular networks that could leverage and expand the research capacities of ERNs.
In summary, the HRB-supported RD-CTN can build on the prior significant investment by the HRB in specialist clinical trial facilities, support services and networks, develop strong collaborative links through the European Reference Networks to further develop and support the research agenda in rare diseases and can support and complement the strategic agenda of the EU Rare Disease Partnership and all associated stakeholders and organisations.
844. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if the HSE is planning on an external recruitment drive, as in the past, in order to progress the clinical programme on eating disorders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14063/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
845. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the podiatry waiting list by location and waiting time by month in County Donegal in January 2021 and January 2022; the number of HSE podiatry clinics held within the county; the number of podiatry staff employed; the number of vacancies for podiatrists by location, acute and community; when these vacancies will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14071/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
846. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health if the HSE will re-instate the medical officer to a nursing home (details supplied); and the reason for the withdrawal of the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14079/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
847. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will review the situation regarding melatonin not being covered by the medical card scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14080/22]
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.
In line with the 2013 Health Act and the national framework agreed with industry, a company must submit an application to the HSE to have a 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.
In making a relevant reimbursement decision, the HSE is required under the Act to have regard to a number of criteria including efficacy, the health needs of the public, cost effectiveness and potential or actual budget impact. 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 Minister for Health has no role in these decisions.
The HSE Corporate Pharmaceutical Unit (CPU) is the interface between the HSE and the Pharmaceutical Industry in relation to medicine pricing and reimbursement applications. The HSE CPU received an application for pricing / reimbursement of Melatonin (Slenyto® Prolonged-Release Tablets) on the 3rd July 2019 from Flynn Pharma for the treatment of insomnia in children and adolescents aged 2-18 with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and / or Smith-Magenis syndrome, where sleep hygiene measures have been insufficient.
On the 31st July 2019, the HSE CPU requested that Flynn Pharma submit a rapid review dossier to the NCPE for assessment. To date Flynn Pharma has not submitted a rapid review dossier to the NCPE for assessment. As it currently stands, submission of a completed rapid review dossier to the NCPE is required to progress this application, as per the formal processes governing the pricing and reimbursement of medicines.
In relation to the reimbursement of Melatonin (Circadin), the HSE advise that Melatonin (Circadin) has never been available through the Reimbursement List under the Community Drug Schemes. Melatonin (Circadin) underwent a review in 2008 and reimbursement was not recommended by the NCPE as there was insufficient evidence to support the reimbursement of this product under the Community Drug Schemes (available at www.ncpe.ie/drugs/melatonin-circadin/).
However, the HSE advise that exceptional arrangements are considered for Melatonin (Circadin) under Section 23 of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013 - Supply of items not on Reimbursement List. The HSE must be satisfied that:
(a) The patient requires that item for clinical reasons, and
(b) There is no listed item which is a suitable alternative for that item in so far as that patient is concerned.
All applications for Melatonin (Circadin) under Discretionary Hardship Arrangements are reviewed on an individual patient basis under Section 23.
The medical decision to prescribe or not prescribe any treatment for an individual patient is strictly a decision for the treating clinician, in consultation with their patient. The Minister for Health has no role in this clinical decision-making process and 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.
848. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will approve the reimbursement of melatonin for a person (details supplied). [14081/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
849. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health if the once-off payment of €1,000 to healthcare workers will be paid to front-line staff at Cancer Care West (details supplied); if not, the reason therefor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14082/22]
View answerFirstly I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
The Government announced a COVID-19 recognition payment for frontline public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. The payment of €1,000 will not be subject to income tax, USC, or PRSI. The measure will be ring fenced to staff ordinarily onsite in COVID-19 exposed healthcare environments within the period between 1 March 2020 and 30 June 2021.
This payment will be made to those eligible public sector frontline healthcare staff (inclusive of agency staff working for the HSE) who worked in clinical settings (e.g. – and noting this list is not exhaustive: those Doctors / Nurses / Health Care Assistants / Porters / Cleaners etc. that work in clinical settings. The measure encompasses Health Care Support Assistants (also known as Home Carers / Home Help) employed by or carrying out duties contracted to the HSE.
The Department of Health will also introduce a measure for making a similar payment to staff in private sector nursing homes and hospices that were affected by Covid-19.
The Department of Health appreciates the levels of interest this announcement has generated. We are working together with the HSE to provide additional details on this measure including full eligibility criteria, particulars and terms and conditions that apply. This will be published as soon as possible.
It is important that this measure is applied fairly as intended and I welcome the work that is ongoing to ensure this is so.
850. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health the status of the planned provision of a new ambulance base for Kilrush, County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14085/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
851. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the guidance note, circular, memo or document which sets out the approach for handling queries or applications for assessment of need or referrals to the children's disability network team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14092/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
852. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a report (details supplied) in relation to the marketing practices of the formula milk industry; his plans to act upon the findings of this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14099/22]
View answerI welcome the very recent publication of the World Health Organization report “How the Marketing of Formula Milk Influences Our Decisions on Infant Feeding”. The report covers eight countries: Bangladesh, China, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, the UK and Vietnam.
Encouraging mothers to breastfeed is a priority for the Department of Health. To deliver on this priority, the HSE is working to achieve the aims and objectives of “Breastfeeding in a Healthy Ireland – HSE Action Plan 2016-2021”. Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the delivery of some actions, the HSE has extended the implementation of the Breastfeeding Action Plan into 2022 and continue to work on priority outstanding actions.
In 2021, significant investment towards implementing the HSE Breastfeeding Action Plan was announced, with €1.58 million of funding to provide an additional 24 lactation consultants across hospital and community settings. These additional lactation consultants will help ensure timely skilled assistance for mothers who wish to breastfeed and support enhanced training, skills and knowledge to frontline staff.
Officials in the Department will consider in detail the recommendations in the report.
853. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the reason general nurses cross over to work in the different disciplines such as mental health and intellectual disability but the opposite does not happen (details supplied). [14107/22]
View answer987. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if his Department plans to allow nurses (details supplied) work in hospice care or community palliative care. [14624/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 853 and 987 together.
As the issue raised by the Deputies is an operational matter for the NMBI, I have asked NMBI to respond directly to the Deputies in that regard.
854. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health his views that it is fair for the HSE to have a policy of only hiring general nurses for clinical nurse specialist roles; the reason highly trained intellectual disability nurses are being overlooked for these roles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14108/22]
View answerThis is an operational matter and one on which the Deputy will receive a direct response.
855. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of persons currently awaiting appointments for podiatry services in County Wexford; the number of persons on the waiting list in January 2021; the number of persons on the waiting list in January 2022; the number of persons waiting for an appointment for a period of time greater than 12 months; the number of persons waiting for an appointment for a period of time greater than 24 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14112/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
856. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of vacancies for podiatrists in County Wexford; when these vacancies will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14113/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
857. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive the support and services required from the HSE. [14114/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
858. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a report (details supplied); the measures he is implementing to reduce waiting lists and times to access primary care psychology services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14116/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
859. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health the action his Department is taking to ensure the provision of full and timely services to children with disabilities in an area (details supplied). [14118/22]
View answer860. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health the number of HSE services providing occupational therapy and speech and language therapy to children in an area (details supplied); the number of children on the waiting list for these therapies in the area; and the action his Department is taking to increase service provision in this area. [14119/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 859 and 860 together.
As these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
861. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if the canteen staff in the National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street, Dublin and other hospitals are included in the €1,000 bonus for front-line workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14123/22]
View answerFirstly I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
The Government announced a COVID-19 recognition payment for frontline public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. The payment of €1,000 will not be subject to income tax, USC, or PRSI. The measure will be ring fenced to staff ordinarily onsite in COVID-19 exposed healthcare environments within the period between 1 March 2020 and 30 June 2021.
This payment will be made to those eligible public sector frontline healthcare staff (inclusive of agency staff working for the HSE) who worked in clinical settings (e.g. – and noting this list is not exhaustive: those Doctors / Nurses / Health Care Assistants / Porters / Cleaners etc. that work in clinical settings. The measure encompasses Health Care Support Assistants (also known as Home Carers / Home Help) employed by or carrying out duties contracted to the HSE.
The Department of Health will also introduce a measure for making a similar payment to staff in private sector nursing homes and hospices that were affected by Covid-19.
The Department of Health appreciates the levels of interest this announcement has generated. We are working together with the HSE to provide additional details on this measure including full eligibility criteria, particulars and terms and conditions that apply. This will be published as soon as possible.
It is important that this measure is applied fairly as intended and I welcome the work that is ongoing to ensure this is so.
862. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health when front-line workers can expect to receive the €1,000 bonus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14124/22]
View answerFirstly I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
The Department and the HSE are currently consulting with health sector trade unions on this matter. This consultation is part of the Department and HSE’s objective to finalise the application of this measure fairly. Upon conclusion of consultations with the trade unions, full details of the application process, FAQs and other particulars including how the pro-rata shall apply shall be published by the HSE.
Though noting the above work is still ongoing, it is envisaged that the process for paying eligible public sector healthcare workers will commence this month. For eligible healthcare workers in private sector nursing homes and hospices, noting the additional complexities involved, it is envisaged the process will commence in the second quarter of this year.
863. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a medical card application by a person will be processed (details supplied); the specific outstanding documentation that is required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14134/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
864. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a medical card application by a person (details supplied) will issue; the specific documentation that is required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14135/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
865. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of beds in child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS, that are filled or unfilled on a weekly basis from January 2020 to date in 2022 by community health organisation, CHO, area in tabular form: the reason for the empty beds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14137/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
