Written Answers Nos. 425 - 440
425. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the post-operative support available for children with selective dorsal rhizotomy; and the financial support the Health Service Executive offers towards aftercare costs. [10376/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe particular issue raised by the Deputy is a service matter for the Health Service Executive. Accordingly I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days will he please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
426. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when the assisted technology equipment recommended in respect of a child (details supplied) suffering from juvenile arthritis who was put on a priority list when assessed in 2013 will be provided. [10384/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, he can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
427. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of the number of persons to whom each advocacy service provided a service; if he will provide a list of the issues addressed by each advocacy service for the year ended 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10389/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra428. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a list of the organisations, funded by the Health Service Executive, which provided advocacy services; the total amount of funding to each organisation for the year ended 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10390/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra431. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health the total expenditure on advocacy services funded by the Health Service Executive for 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10393/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 427, 428 and 431 together.
As these are service matters, the questions have been referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
If no reply has been received from the HSE within 15 working days will the Deputy please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with the Executive.
429. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health the Health Service Executive's plans for a day centre (details supplied) in County Kerry; the way the executive plans to cater for patients and staff in the event that the facility closes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10391/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If the Deputy has not received a reply within 15 working days, will he please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
430. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if a child (details supplied) in County Monaghan, with amelia of the arm will have funding provided to have a prosthetic arm fitted as suitable for the child's needs and after, as necessary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10392/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE operates the Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS) for persons entitled to treatment in another EU/EEA member state or Switzerland under EU Regulation (EC) No. 883/2004, as per the procedures set out in EU Regulations (EC) No. 987/2009, and in accordance with Department of Health Guidelines. Patients have the ability to apply to the HSE TAS seeking access to public healthcare outside the state through model form E112. The application requires the patient's Irish based public referring hospital consultant, following clinical assessment, to certify, among other things, that the treatment is medically necessary and will meet the patient’s needs. The treatment must not be available within the State or not available within a time normally necessary for obtaining it.
The TAS allows for an Irish based medical consultant to refer a patient who is normally resident in Ireland, for treatment in a public hospital in another EU/EEA member state or Switzerland, where the treatment in question meets the following criteria:
(a) The application to refer a patient abroad has been assessed and a determination given before that patient goes abroad.
(b) Following clinical assessment, the referring Consultant certifies the following:
They recommend the patient be treated in another EU/EEA country or Switzerland;
The treatment is medically necessary and will meet the patient’s needs;
The treatment is a proven form of medical treatment and is not experimental or test treatment;
The treatment is in a recognised hospital or other institution and is under the control of a registered medical practitioner;
The hospital outside the state will accept EU/EEA form E112 (IE).
Each application to the HSE TAS is reviewed individually on its own merits and there are no restrictions, regarding age or otherwise, on a person making an application to the HSE TAS for review and decision. Each application is for an individual episode of care unless otherwise specified by the consultant on the application form. Each application to TAS is processed and given a formal written decision. If that decision is one of decline, the reason for that decision is clearly outlined and the option of an appeal is afforded. Full details of the Treatment Abroad Scheme and how to make an application may be found on the HSE website at http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/1/schemes/treatmentabroad/ or by contacting the office by phone at (056) 7784554.
432. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health if male cancer sufferers who donate sperm samples for future use will be offered such treatment free of charge if it becomes a medical necessity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10394/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the query raised, as this is a service matter I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days will he please contact my private office and my officials will follow the matter up.
433. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the issuance of an invoice to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if the invoice will be retracted considering the unusual cause of the need for the medical attention involved. [10414/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly. If he has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days will he please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
434. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if dental services will be provided at a primary health care centre (details supplied) in County Kildare, currently under construction; if such services are not included in the plans for the centre if this will be reconsidered as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10424/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days will he please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
435. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if Sativex® will be included under the community drugs scheme’s high technical arrangements, in view of fact that the medication has been licensed for the treatment of spasticity in persons with multiple sclerosis where other treatments have failed to provide adequate benefits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10433/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 18 July 2014 the Health Products Regulatory Authority granted a marketing authorisation for cannabis based medicinal product Sativex® to be marketed in Ireland. The remaining timeframe for making the product available for prescribing in Ireland is the responsibility of the holder of the product authorisation, GW Pharmaceuticals PLC and their European partner Almirall.
The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicinal products under the GMS and community drug schemes in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. Decisions on which medicines are reimbursed by the taxpayer are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds by the HSE on the advice of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics. They are not political or ministerial decisions.
The HSE received an application for inclusion of Sativex® under the Community Drugs Schemes High Tech Arrangements in early September 2014. Sativex® is indicated for the relief of symptoms of spasticity for people with multiple sclerosis where other conservative treatments have failed to provide adequate benefits.
A Health Technology Assessment on Sativex® has been completed by the National Centre for Pharmaceoeconomics which did not recommend reimbursement of Sativex® at the submitted price.
The Report by the National Centre for Pharmaceoeconomics is an important input to assist the HSE in its decision making process and informs further discussions between the HSE and the supplier. No further comment can be provided at this time as the assessment process is on-going.
436. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the number of patients on the ear, nose and throat waiting list at University Hospital, Galway; the number categorised as urgent, soon and routine, respectively; the current longest waiting time under each category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10442/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days will he please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up with them.
437. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health further to recommendation No. 18 of the Oireachtas Joint Committee Report on Childhood Immunisation of July 2001, if he will establish a no fault vaccine compensation scheme in line with best practice across the European Union; the specific reasons for the delay in establishing such a scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10443/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Joint Oireachtas Committee Report on Childhood Immunisation made recommendations in relation to the development of vaccination services for children in Ireland. Since that time the majority of the recommendations made in the report have been addressed and implemented. In relation to the recommendation regarding a no fault vaccine damage compensation scheme my Department convened an expert group to examine this issue. The report from this Group is available on my Department's website (www.health.gov.ie). There are no plans to introduce a vaccine damage compensation scheme at this time.
438. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding improvements in the acute hospital services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10445/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days will he please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
439. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding improvements in the non-acute hospital services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10446/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days will he please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
440. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to ensure the nursing homes support scheme or fair deal scheme are able to process applications as quickly as possible to ensure persons requiring residential care are able to transfer from acute hospitals as soon as practicable. [10451/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe budget for the Nursing Homes Support Scheme in 2015 is €948.8m which reflects an increase of €10m from the 2014 position. The additional €10m was allocated to the Scheme as part of a wider initiative to alleviate the problem of delayed discharges in acute hospitals and has resulted in 300 extra approvals under the Scheme. This additional €10m has reduced the wait time for funding under the Scheme from circa 15 weeks late in 2014 to 11 weeks now.
The HSE operates a national placement list for the 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 balance the position across the full year.
