Written Answers Nos. 235-241
235. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Health his policy on the provision of defibrillators, especially regarding ease of access by the public in emergencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31141/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs noted in a recent Government Decision, the Changing Cardiovascular Health is the national cardiovascular health policy from 2010 - 2019 and this provides an integrated and quality assured approach for the prevention and detection treatment of cardiovascular disease including stroke. Following a recent legislative debate on the Private Members' Bill in the Seanad, the second stage of the Public Health (Availability of Defibrillators) Bill 2013 has been approved.
While it is accepted that defibrillators should be placed in facilities where the incidence of cardiac arrest is likely to be high, this requires further assessment from a cost/health benefit perspective and also that the first responder programme can be delivered in a safe and appropriate manner. For this reason, it is proposed that a Health Technology Assessment is undertaken and this would guide how best to implement our first responder capacity including the requirement to provide defibrillators across many community settings. The Health Information and Quality Authority has agreed to undertake such an assessment. This will inform my subsequent decisions on the design and implementation of a national programme and the necessary legislation which my Department will prepare.
236. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the figures that are available regarding deaths attributable to the use of birth control pills here, especially brands Yaz and Yasmin which have been linked with recent deaths in Canada; if there is any record of these drugs being illegally imported into the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31142/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraYasmin and Yaz are prescription-only combined oral contraceptives which are authorised for use in Ireland and across the EU since 2000 and 2008, respectively.
It is well established for many years that combined contraceptives carry a very small risk of clots, known as venous thromboembolism. Detailed information about the risk of clots is clearly outlined in the product information for healthcare professionals and patients. The Irish Medicines Board (IMB) has highlighted safety issues associated with use of combined contraceptives to healthcare professionals on many occasions, most recently in its Drug Safety Newsletter Edition 42 from June 2011. This risk has also been closely monitored across the EU over the years and has been the subject of a number of reviews. A further review is currently underway and is expected to be concluded in the coming months.
To date, the IMB has received six reports of adverse reactions associated with the use of combined oral contraceptives where the patients concerned were reported to have died due to clotting related complications. Two of these reports involved use of Yasmin and Yaz. For one of those fatalities, the patient was reported to have purchased the contraceptive online and had other risk factors that could have contraindicated the use of any oral contraceptive.
Under the Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) Regulations, 2003, as amended, it is illegal for prescription medicines to be supplied by mail order. This includes ordering prescription medicines through internet sites. The IMB works closely with the Revenue's Customs Service and an Garda Síochána to prevent the illegal sales of prescription only medicines. This co-operation has led to the seizure of many individual packets of medicines and has resulted in a number of prosecutions and other enforcement actions involving website operators.
The IMB has consistently stressed the dangers of buying medicines online and urges consumers not to risk their health by using these illegal medicines. In cooperation with the Customs Service, the IMB follows up with the intended recipient of each of these attempted supplies and explains that the product is illegal and the health risks associated with seeking to source and use such products.
In 2012 there were no seizures of Yaz, 63 seizures of Yasmin, 63 seizures of Yasminelle and 147 seizures of Yarina (both of which are similar products to Yaz and Yasmin).
237. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the centralised ambulance control centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31167/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraA tragic event occurred in Kerry last week which was widely reported. Firstly, I wish to extend my deepest sympathies to the family of the child involved. The loss of a loved one is hard for family and friends at any time, but the sudden and unexpected death of a young child is particularly difficult.
In relation to this incident, the facts are that, at 1.16 am on 18 June 2013, an emergency call was received for a baby who was reported as not breathing. The National Ambulance Service (NAS) was initially unable to obtain sufficient details of where help was needed, which led to a delay in reaching the incident. The first emergency resource arrived at the scene 30 minutes after the initial 999 call. The patient was subsequently pronounced dead.
The incident has been the subject of a systems analysis, as is routine in cases where a death occurs, to ascertain whether call-taking protocols were followed. Following an examination of the facts, the HSE is satisfied that systems and processes operated correctly and there are no plans to carry out any further review. However, interrogation has been strengthened to try and mitigate the impact of a call where the incident location cannot be identified. In addition, HSE Communications has been requested to run a publicity campaign to improve public awareness of the need to communicate precisely the locations of incidents. In the interest of respecting the dignity and grief of the family, I wish to make no further comment on the specific incident.
A significant reform programme has been underway to totally reconfigure the way the HSE manages and delivers pre-hospital care services, to ensure a clinically driven, nationally co-ordinated system, supported by improved technology. The National Control Centre Reconfiguration Project, which is endorsed by HIQA and which represents international best practice, will reduce the number of ambulance control centres to a single national control system, with significant investment in new voice, data and mapping technologies. The project is also a key element of Future Health: A Strategic Framework for Health Reform in Ireland 2012-2015.
Both HIQA and the NAS have had concerns over control and dispatch structures at some control centres leading up to the development of the national control system. Accordingly, the NAS moved the Cork and Tralee centres to its Townsend Street centre on an interim basis in May, to mitigate such concerns pending completion of the national centre. Detailed preparations took place to ensure the safety of services during the move of the Cork and Kerry operations. The NAS provided additional staff, training, technology and equipment to assist this process. 112/999 calls from those areas are now answered in Dublin using improved technology. The NAS is satisfied that Townsend St, while not appropriate to the needs of the overall reconfiguration project, is nevertheless suitable and infrastructurally sound for the interim accommodation of these centres.
238. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health in respect of the national asthma programme, if the resolution of the general practitioner contract negotiations will take place as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31170/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government provides for the introduction of a new General Medical Services (GMS) General Practitioner (GP) contract with an increased emphasis on the management of chronic conditions, such as asthma, diabetes and cardiovascular conditions. It is envisaged that the new contract, when finalised, will focus on prevention and will include a requirement for GPs to provide care as part of integrated multidisciplinary Primary Care Teams.
Officials in my Department are in consultation with the HSE with a view to drawing up a new contract. They are currently examining the changes that need to be made to the contract to facilitate the introduction of Universal Primary Care. There have also been preliminary discussions with the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) to outline policy in relation to free GP care. I would expect to engage in further discussions with the IMO as the legislation progresses.
239. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health in respect of the national asthma programme, his views on whether cohesive public respiratory health policy is required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31171/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE is developing integrated chronic disease management programmes to improve patient access and to manage patient care in an integrated manner across service settings, resulting in best health outcomes, enhanced clinical decision making and the most effective use of resources. The Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Clinical Care Programmes are of particular relevance to respiratory health. These programmes combined with measures to reduce smoking will have a positive impact on the nation's respiratory health in the years ahead. In addition, the Minister for Health intends to bring to Government very shortly a new tobacco policy which sets out a number of measures relating to tobacco control.
240. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding a walking and cycling strategy for the town of Newcastle West, County Limerick that was submitted by Limerick County Council to the National Sustainable Transport office in December 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30933/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Active Travel Towns programme was launched in 2012 to provide funding to local authorities for the development of plans and infrastructure to support walking and cycling in small and medium sized towns outside of the Greater Dublin Area. Two funding calls have been held to date, under which local authorities have competed for available funding.
Limerick County Council received a grant of €14,700 under the Active Travel Towns programme to develop a walking and cycling strategy for Newcastle West. The strategy was received by the Department in December 2012.
The Department is currently reviewing all strategies received. Additional funding for the implementation of selected strategies will be made available under a funding call to be issued later this year.
241. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the tourism performance to date in 2013; his expectations for the remainder of 2013; and if he is satisfied that regions such as the north west are attracting increasing numbers in view of the fact that in previous years the north west region was well below other regions in terms of visitor numbers comparable to the south west and the south east parts of Ireland. [30974/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am encouraged by the growth in both overseas visits and revenue to date this year. The most recent CSO figures for February to April showed a 4% increase in trips to Ireland compared to the same three months in 2012. Overseas revenue figures (excluding fares) for the first three months of 2013 rose by 12% from 2012 to €541 million. While a regional breakdown of these figures is not available, I am satisfied that the initiatives being taken by this Government are impacting positively on tourism in all of Ireland’s regions. These initiatives include reductions in VAT and employers’ PRSI and the short term visa waiver programme. More recently the Government extended the Employment and Incentive Investment Scheme to include tourism accommodation and introduced a diesel fuel rebate which will benefit coach operators.
Fáilte Ireland has funded a range of capital projects in the North West including the Sliabh Liag cliffs project and the redevelopment of Bundoran Waterworld. The route of the Wild Atlantic Way was announced recently and will provide a compelling reason for visitors to spend their holiday along the Western seaboard. Fáilte Ireland has also invested in a new state-of-the-art Discover Ireland Centre in the centre of Sligo.
In promoting the island of Ireland as a visitor destination, Tourism Ireland also highlight the many attractions and experiences available to visitors right across the country.
As regional development and overseas promotion are matters for the tourism agencies, I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland for further information and direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten days.
