Written Answers Nos. 1704-1723
1704. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on outpatient waiting lists at University Hospital Limerick in each month of 2022 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20697/22]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is published monthly by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) on their website. The NTPF provides a breakdown of the Outpatient waiting list by specialty for each hospital, showing the figures for both adults and children separately for each month.
The waiting list reports can be accessed at: www.ntpf.ie/home/nwld.htm
1705. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the progress that is being made in the review of Changing Cardiovascular Health: Cardiovascular Health Policy 2010-2019; when is it expected that a new policy will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20712/22]
View answerThe National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services commenced in January 2018 under the Chairmanship of Professor Phillip Nolan and a Steering Group formed from nominations of interested stakeholders representing medical, professional/technical staff, nursing and patient representatives.
The aim of the Cardiac Services Review is to achieve optimal patient outcomes at population level with particular emphasis on the safety, quality and sustainability of the services that patients receive, by establishing the need for an optimal configuration of a national adult cardiac service. This aligns with the Sláintecare reform programme. In terms of scope, the National Review covers scheduled and unscheduled hospital-based services for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac disease in adults.
The Steering Group is currently working on the development of the proposed recommendations of the draft Report with the next meeting planned for May 2022. The implementation process for the National Cardiac Services Review is also being developed as part of the process to finalise the Report. If new policy decisions are required these will follow the Report and recommendations on the National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services.
1706. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if the targets for percentage of population with healthy weight as set out by the Changing Cardiovascular Health: Cardiovascular Health Policy 2010-2019 have been met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20713/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1707. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to a public consultation process as part of the National Cardiac Services review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20714/22]
View answerThe National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services commenced in January 2018 under the Chairmanship of Professor Phillip Nolan and a Steering Group formed from nominations of interested stakeholders representing medical, professional/technical staff, nursing and patient representatives. Public consultation was an integral part of the review process.
The aim of the Cardiac Services Review is to achieve optimal patient outcomes at population level with particular emphasis on the safety, quality and sustainability of the services that patients receive, by establishing the need for an optimal configuration of a national adult cardiac service. This aligns with the Sláintecare reform programme. In terms of scope, the National Review covers scheduled and unscheduled hospital-based services for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac disease in adults.
The Steering Group most recently met on 24/01/2022 and the next meeting is planned for May, 2022. The Steering Group is currently working on the development of the proposed recommendations of the draft Report. The implementation process for the National Cardiac Services Review is also being developed as part of the process to finalise the Report.
1708. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if consideration would be given in appointing a designated official or unit in his department with the responsibility for national cardiovascular policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20715/22]
View answerThe National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services commenced in January 2018 under the Chairmanship of Professor Phillip Nolan and a Steering Group formed from nominations of interested stakeholders representing medical, professional/technical staff, nursing and patient representatives.
The aim of the Cardiac Services Review is to achieve optimal patient outcomes at population level with particular emphasis on the safety, quality and sustainability of the services that patients receive, by establishing the need for an optimal configuration of a national adult cardiac service. This aligns with the Sláintecare reform programme. In terms of scope, the National Review covers scheduled and unscheduled hospital-based services for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac disease in adults.
The COVID-19 Pandemic impacted on the progress of the review during 2020 and into 2021 as the Chair of the National Review has played a key role in the national COVID-19 response as a member of the NPHET and Chair of the Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group. However, the Cardiac Services Review is now making progress again, and the Steering Group reconvened in September 2021 with a view to finalisation of the Report. The Steering Group most recently met on 24/01/2022 and the next meeting is planned for May, 2022.
The Steering Group is currently working on the development of the proposed recommendations of the draft Report. The implementation process for the National Cardiac Services Review is also being developed as part of the process to finalise the Report. The Minister will await the Report from the National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services and consider the recommendations before making any further decisions on this matter.
1709. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if his Department plans in future national cardiovascular policy to increase the focus on preventing and diagnosing earlier cardiovascular disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20716/22]
View answerThe National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services commenced in January 2018 under the Chairmanship of Professor Phillip Nolan and a Steering Group formed from nominations of interested stakeholders representing medical, professional/technical staff, nursing and patient representatives.
The aim of the Cardiac Services Review is to achieve optimal patient outcomes at population level with particular emphasis on the safety, quality and sustainability of the services that patients receive, by establishing the need for an optimal configuration of a national adult cardiac service. This aligns with the Sláintecare reform programme. In terms of scope, the National Review covers scheduled and unscheduled hospital-based services for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac disease in adults which includes preventative cardiovascular measures.
The COVID-19 Pandemic impacted on the progress of the review during 2020 and into 2021 as the Chair of the National Review has played a key role in the national COVID-19 response as a member of the NPHET and Chair of the Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group. However, the Cardiac Services Review is now making progress again, and the Steering Group reconvened in September 2021 with a view to finalisation of the Report. The Steering Group most recently met on 24/01/2022 and the next meeting is planned for May, 2022. The Steering Group is currently working on the development of the proposed recommendations of the draft Report. The implementation process for the National Cardiac Services Review is also being developed as part of the process to finalise the Report.
1710. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the way that his Department is addressing inequalities in the detection and treatment of cardiovascular disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20717/22]
View answerCardiovascular disease has been declining as a cause of death in Ireland, in line with trends throughout the Western World. This trend was reported in 1999 in Building Healthier Hearts, recording that death rates from CHD declined across all ages from the late 1970s through to the 1990s. This trend was further recorded in Changing Cardiovascular Health, noting that over 30-year period from 1980, age-standardised death rates from diseases of the circulatory system in Ireland had decreased by 67% in those both under and over 65 years of age. This declining trend in Ireland has continued in recent years.
In 2018, the National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services was established by the Minister for Health to review the delivery of cardiac services nationally. The Review seeks to achieve optimal patient outcomes at population level with particular emphasis on the safety, quality and sustainability of the services that patients receive. The National Review covers scheduled and unscheduled hospital-based services for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac disease in adults. Moreover, the Review considers the delivery of cardiac services nationally with a focus on the current detection and treatments of cardiovascular disease.
The COVID-19 Pandemic impacted on the progress of the review during 2020 and into 2021 as the Chair of the National Review has played a key role in the national COVID-19 response as a member of the NPHET and Chair of the Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group. However, the Cardiac Services Review is now making progress again, and the Steering Group reconvened in September 2021 with a view to finalisation of the Report. The Steering Group most recently met on 24/01/2022 and the next meeting is planned for May, 2022. The Steering Group is currently working on the development of the proposed recommendations of the draft Report. The implementation process for the National Cardiac Services Review is also being developed as part of the process to finalise the Report.
1711. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if his Department will look into providing a dedicated dietician in the oncology day unit in Cavan General Hospital given the importance of diet with recovery; if he will ask the RCSI group if it plans to explore this role with a view to putting funding aside for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20719/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1712. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of Vote 38, programme M, subhead 2; if he will list the breakdown of programmes contained within this subhead; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20724/22]
View answerI would like to assure the Deputy that I and my officials and their counterparts in the HSE are working hard to conclude the final details of the 2022 Capital Plan. Work as been ongoing to finalise the pIan, taking into account the immediate emerging needs arising from the pandemic and medium term requirements. I envision publication of the plan very soon.
The Capital Plan 2022 will contain a breakdown of funding and programmes to be used by care setting and that will progressed throughout 2022.
1713. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the programme of services being developed outside of acute healthcare settings to assist those with cardiovascular disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20727/22]
View answerThe National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services commenced in January 2018 under the Chairmanship of Professor Phillip Nolan and a Steering Group formed from nominations of interested stakeholders representing medical, professional/technical staff, nursing and patient representatives.
The aim of the Cardiac Services Review is to achieve optimal patient outcomes at population level with particular emphasis on the safety, quality and sustainability of the services that patients receive, by establishing the need for an optimal configuration of a national adult cardiac service. This aligns with the Sláintecare reform programme. In terms of scope, the National Review covers scheduled and unscheduled hospital-based services for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac disease in adults.
The Steering Group is currently working on the development of the proposed recommendations of the draft Report with the next meeting planned for May 2022 The implementation process for the National Cardiac Services Review is also being developed as part of the process to finalise the Report. Decisions on further service developments will await the final Report and recommendations of the National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services.
1714. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the timeline for the roll-out of a new national rare disease plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20728/22]
View answerA disease or disorder is defined as rare in Europe when it affects less than 1 in 2000 people. There are approximately 8,000 known rare diseases; 80% of rare diseases are of genetic origin and are often chronic and life-threatening. Up to 1 person in 12 in Ireland may have a rare disease at some stage in their life. Approximately 300,000 persons in Ireland are living with a rare disease.
Many of the recommendations of the National Rare Disease Plan for Ireland (2014 – 2018) have already been implemented including the establishment of a National Rare Disease Office (NRDO) and HSE National Clinical Programme for Rare Diseases which has now been operationalised and incorporated into the NRDO which is the main contact point and driver for National HSE rare disease projects and initiatives.
The National Rare Disease Plan elaborates on Ireland’s participation in European Reference Networks (ERN). ERNs are virtual networks involving healthcare providers across Europe where the networking of knowledge and expertise through reference centres and teams of experts takes place. These links are emphasized in the Plan to address the care of patients with rare diseases at both National and European levels. Significant progress has been made with regard to participation in ERNs with Ireland’s 15 applications for entry to ERNs recently being approved from 5 academic hospitals. Entry to these networks commenced on 1 January 2022 and represents a significant achievement for the Irish Health Service which will drive innovation, training and clinical research for highly specialised care. It is also a very positive development for individuals and families affected with rare diseases.
In order to ensure that the input and the voice of the patient is represented in the ongoing work in relation to Rare Diseases, in 2021 I met with the HSE, NRDO and the Rare Diseases Task force which comprises the main rare disease advocacy groups; Rare Disease Ireland (RDI), the Medical Research Charities Group (MRCP), and the Irish Platform for Patient Organisations, Science and Industry (IPPPOSI). At this meeting priority areas for the future were discussed with a view to building further on the significant progress made to date in implementing the Rare Disease Plan. A number, of priority areas for the coming period were agreed including; patient awareness, European Reference Networks, research and registries, access to services, access to medicines, diagnosis, education, legislation and policy.
1715. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the action that is being taken by his Department to increase co-ordination for the provision of genetic testing services in Ireland considering that 72% of rare diseases are genetic; if there are plans to recruit additional consultants specialising in genetics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20729/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1716. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the details of the plans that are in place to reduce the time it takes the Health Products Regulatory Authority to approve a drug for rare disease in Ireland considering that it is currently taking in excess of 1,100 days; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20730/22]
View answerThe HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drugs schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
Reimbursement is for licenced indications which have been granted market authorisation either by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or by the Health Products Regulatory Authority.
The majority of new, innovative medicines are evaluated by the EMA and authorised via the European Commission’s centralised procedure in order to be marketed in the EU.
In line with the 2013 Health Act and the national framework agreed with industry, once a new medicine has received marketing authorisation, a company must submit an application to the HSE to have the product added to the reimbursement list.
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 final decision-making authority in the HSE is the HSE Executive Management Team (EMT). The HSE EMT decides on the basis of all the demands with which it is faced (across all services) whether it can fund a new medicine, or new uses of an existing medicine, from the resources that have been provided to it in line with the 2013 Health Act.
As outlined in the Framework Agreement with industry on the pricing and supply of medicines, and in line with the 2013 Act, the HSE will decide, within 180 days of receiving a company’s pricing/reimbursement application (or a longer period if further information is sought from the company), whether to approve a new medicine for reimbursement.
The HSE must ensure that the best possible price is achieved for new medicines as these commitments often represent multimillion-euro investments over several years. This can lead to protracted commercial negotiations.
The fundamental challenge that applies to consideration of almost all new medicines in Ireland is their price and affordability in a budget-limited health service. However, the allocation of dedicated funding for new medicines has had a positive impact on the reimbursement of orphan drugs.
The allocation of €50m for new medicines in 2021 enabled the HSE to approve 52 new medicines/expanded uses of existing medicines in 2021, 19 of which were for the treatment of rare diseases. Budget 2022 has allocated a further €30m for new medicines next year which will provide access to new innovative medicines for patients, including those with rare diseases.
1717. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a date for surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20738/22]
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.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1718. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if a hospital appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20742/22]
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.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1719. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health when a hospital appointment for surgery will issue to a person (details supplied); if they are on the waiting list in Beaumont Hospital for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20743/22]
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.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1720. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health if there is a pathway to a discretionary medical card for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20744/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1721. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the eligibility criteria for a discretionary medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20745/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1722. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health further to parliamentary question No. 230 of 9 March 2022, the details of the positions held by his departmental officials who are working with Ireland's permanent representation to the United Nations in Geneva, who are engaging with the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body; the number of engagements that have taken place to date including through webinar, conferencing or in person meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20750/22]
View answerOn 1 December 2021, the members of the World Health Organisation reached consensus to begin the process to negotiate a convention, agreement or other international instrument to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. Put simply, the aim of such an instrument is to protect public health and to help save lives in the event of future pandemics.
An Intergovernmental Negotiating Body has been established and met for the first time on 24 February 2022 to agree on ways of working and timelines; this first session resumed in March for a further two days. The Intergovernmental Negotiating Body is due to meet again by 1 August 2022 to discuss progress on a working draft of an agreement. A progress report is expected to be delivered to the 76th World Health Assembly in 2023, with the aim of adopting the instrument by 2024.
A March 2022 Council Decision authorises the European Commission, for matters falling within Union competence, to negotiate an international agreement on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response based on the Council's negotiating directives.
My Department’s North-South, EU and International Unit is leading coordination on Ireland’s position, working with the relevant policy units in my Department, Ireland's Permanent Representation to the UN in Geneva and EU partners. As the negotiations begin on the substantive elements of an agreement my Department will engage with other Departments as required. Between my Department and the Permanent Representation to the UN, Ireland will be represented at the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body meetings; the first session was a hybrid event in person and online.
1723. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of medical cards that have been issued to Ukrainian refugees since the conflict began; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20760/22]
View answerPeople fleeing conflict in Ukraine are granted temporary protection status. Under this measure, they are considered ordinarily resident in Ireland for a limited time period and therefore will be entitled to access health care services, in line with other refugee groups and Irish citizens.
There is a simplified and streamlined process apply for and receive a medical card. The HSE Ukrainian webpage (Healthcare services for Ukrainian nationals in Ireland - HSE.ie) outlines this process and states that applicants will automatically qualify for a medical card. Not having a GP is NOT an obstacle to applying for the card, as one can be assigned afterwards.
* As of Thursday 24 April, 10,342 UKR medical cards have been issued by the HSE. This is an increase of 30 (%) since this day last week.
The HSE has arrangements in place to ensure that people arriving from Ukraine have access to the services they require pending their applications for Medical Cards:
- The HSE has generated a series of temporary Generic Medical Card numbers which enable Ukrainians to receive prescribed medications (reimbursement of pharmacies for medicines dispensed).
- Bespoke GP arrangements are in place to meet immediate health needs of those in emergency accommodation settings.
- Interim arrangements are in place with Out of Hours GP services which means that Ukrainians do not require a medical card to be able to access services.
