Written Answers Nos. 153-164
153. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding a confidential internal Health Service Executive document; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38766/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE has stated clearly that it has no knowledge of any "confidential internal memo" that allegedly "urged employees to manipulate waiting lists to meet health service targets".
The policy of the HSE on this matter is clear. All hospital managers are expected to efficiently manage waiting lists in chronological order, except where clinical need dictates that a patient needs to be prioritised. The HSE does not condone the manipulation of waiting lists and will take appropriate disciplinary action if this can be proved.
In late 2013, a number of patients waiting for a first outpatient appointment were outsourced to the private sector for assessment and were then referred back to the public system for surgical procedures. The HSE has advised that this practice has now ceased.
Patients can be removed from waiting lists as part of the HSE waiting lists validation protocol but GPs and consultants concerned are informed if a patient is being removed from the list and if the GP or consultant considers the patient should be reinstated on the list this is done as part of the protocol.
The HSE continues to implement further measures to tackle waiting lists. These include: increasing the throughput of patients in public outpatient clinic, reducing the number of patients who do not turn up for their appointment, and increasing the number of new patients in the clinic rather than just reviewing previous patients who are often better returned to their GP.
It is important for the Deputy to note that there is no policy to manipulate waiting lists. The only waiting lists that I'm interested in are accurate ones. Accurate waiting lists allows us to plan services. When it comes to negotiating a good budget for health, waiting list figures that make the situation look better than it really is are no benefit to me.
154. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 646 of 15 July 2014, the number of persons on the placement list for the nursing homes support scheme; the time it is taking for funding to issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38768/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn the 24th September (latest figures available) there were 2,007 people on the national placement list for funding, with average waiting times of approximately 15 weeks.
The HSE operates a national placement list for the Nursing Homes Support Scheme to enable it to operate within budget. All applicants who are approved for funding are put on the placement list in chronological order by the date of determination of their application, and funding issues to applicants in this chronological order to ensure equity nationally. Funding is released by the HSE on a weekly basis to ensure those on the placement list receive it as soon as possible.
155. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 453 of 4 March 2014 if he will provide the turnaround times at each acute hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38769/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraA response to the Deputy's original question was issued to him by the HSE on 2nd May 2014. I have asked the HSE to provide the Deputy with an update.
156. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health the services and resources available for neonatology care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38772/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra157. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details on the services and supports available to parents of pre-term babies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38773/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra158. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the national neonatal transport service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38774/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 156 to 158, inclusive, together.
As these are service matters, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
159. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health his views on the 50% increase in its annual retention fee by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland; the steps he will take to reduce the fee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38775/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraA new Nurses and Midwives Act was passed into legislation in 2011. The Act provides, inter alia, for the protection of the public in its dealings with nurses and midwives and the enhancement of their high standards of professional education and competencies. The Department of Health is responsible for oversight of the governance of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI). The Department has no role in setting or approving registration fees.
The Board is an independent body, answerable to the Oireachtas, with the responsibility to ensure that it has the financial capacity to undertake all its legal obligations. The cost of enacting the additional requirements under the Nurses and Midwives Act 20141 was set out in the Regulatory Impact Analysis that was carried out prior to the enactment of the legislation. These costs include an enhanced regulatory process with supporting systems for continued professional development and certain education and training requirements for the professions.
It was also made clear at the time of the legislation that the Board would continue to be self-funding and needed to plan and cost how it would fulfil its legal obligations. Following detailed negotiations with the Executive and Board members in 2013 it was agreed in October 2013 that an initial once-off sum of €1.6m would be granted by the Department to the Board to cover 2013/2014 costs, but that the Board would have to increase its income in 2015 to undertake its commitments in the legislation. The Board of the NMBI made the decision to increase the annual registration fee at its meeting on 17th September, 2014. A helpline, email address and website information page have been made available by the NMBI to provide clarification for registrants who may have queries on this matter.
160. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health if he will provide for the years 2009 to 2013, the amount spent by the State each year on medicinal drugs; and the total savings generated by reference pricing and generic substitution. [38776/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe cost to the HSE of drugs and medicines supplied under the GMS and community drug schemes, including the High Tech Drugs Scheme, between the years 2009 and 2012 are set out as follows:
2012 - €1.547 billion
2011 - €1.465 billion
2010 - €1.538 billion
2009 - €1.589 billion
Corresponding figures for 2013 have not yet been published but are estimated to be in the region of €1.426 billion.
The Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013 introduced a system of generic substitution and reference pricing. Reference pricing involves the setting of a common reimbursement price, or reference price, for a group of interchangeable products. It means that one reference price is set for each group or list of interchangeable medicines, and this is the price the Health Service Executive (HSE) will reimburse to pharmacists for all medicines in the group, regardless of the individual medicine's prices. Reference pricing is expected to generate €50 million savings in 2014.
161. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health his views on developing a national policy on coeliac disease; if he will establish an expert review group to work with his Department and the Health Service Executive to develop such a policy and formulate guidelines for the screening, diagnosis and dietary support for those with coeliac disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38779/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe diagnosis and management of coeliac disease is largely managed by GPs in community services. Screening for coeliac disease is not routinely carried out in Ireland. The simple blood test required is reasonably, but not completely, accurate. This means that routinely, screening the entire population could potentially produce a high number of false-positive results. In effect, people would be diagnosed as having coeliac disease when they did not have it. Thus, screening for coeliac diseases is usually only recommended for people with known risk factors for the condition, such as having a family history of the disease. Case finding by testing family members of patients diagnosed with the disease may be beneficial, particularly if family members manifest gastrointestinal or other symptoms.
The guidelines for coeliac disease diagnosis and management currently in use in Ireland are the UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines, available for download at www.nice.org.uk. This is the policy on which care in Ireland is based and it will be kept under review. Ultimately though, the clinical decision for the care of people with coeliac disease is for clinicians.
162. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the arrangements in place to apply for a back payment of a salary uplift due to the bringing in line of salaries of home help carers in 2005 in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38780/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have no direct role in this matter. These are matters for the HSE and as such, I have asked them to respond to you directly.
163. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the monitoring requirements for the use of Roaccutane; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38792/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra170. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the guidelines issued for the use of a Roaccutane (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38815/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra171. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the guidelines that were in place in 1998 regarding the prescribing of Roaccutane for acne; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38816/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 163, 170 and 171 together.
Roaccutane (containing the active substance, isotretinoin) is authorised in Ireland and the EU for treating severe forms of acne which have been resistant to other standard therapies. It should only be prescribed by or under the supervision of doctors with expertise in using the product and with a full understanding of the risks of therapy and the monitoring requirements.
The guidance to support appropriate use and monitoring of Roaccutane is based on assessment of the currently available data, which changes over time, as new information is generated on an on-going basis from a variety of sources, including post marketing experience, further studies, literature reviews etc. The current product information reflects these recommendations.
Roaccutane (isotretinoin) should only be prescribed by or under the supervision of physicians with expertise in the use of systemic retinoids for the treatment of severe acne and a full understanding of the risks of isotretinoin therapy and monitoring requirements. The requirements for specific monitoring of the patient are described in detail in the Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) in relation to psychiatric disorders, sever skin reactions, allergic reactions, liver enzymes, serum lipids and the pregnancy prevention programme. Monitoring in these circumstances is through ongoing review of the patient by the prescribing doctor, as part of their clinical practice.
I have arranged for copies of the guidelines which were in place in 1998 and the current guidelines to be forwarded to your office.
