Written Answers Nos. 475-488
475. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health his plans to create a position for a Minister to oversee issues related to drug abuse and overdose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14026/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016 is a cross-cutting area of public policy and service delivery which requires a coordinated response to tackling the drugs problem. As Minister for Health, I have overall responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy at Government level. The Oversight Forum on Drugs, which I chair, is responsible for the high-level monitoring of the implementation of the Strategy across Government Departments and agencies, and solid progress is being made in delivering on its actions.
I am fully committed to the drugs brief, and am eager to tackle the issues in the area in as comprehensive a way as possible. My Department is beginning work on the development of a new National Drugs Strategy for the period after 2016 and as Minister with lead responsibility for drugs policy, I will play an active role in the development of the new Strategy. I look forward to engaging with all interested parties in this work.
It is a matter for the Taoiseach in the first instance to determine the approach to the allocation of portfolios to Ministers of State.
476. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he will make funding available to provide suicide prevention courses in post-primary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14029/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraStudents’ safety is of immense importance and great care must be taken when deciding on what programmes to be offered within the school setting. Programmes that aim to reduce suicidal behaviour among young people might work for some students but may have an adverse effect on others. A large number of suicide awareness programmes have been developed internationally for use in school settings to address the problem of suicidal behaviour within this cohort. However, there is inconclusive evidence of the efficacy of these programmes and, in the absence of such conclusive evidence, many countries have recommended that schools avoid suicide awareness projects with students. This view has also been incorporated into the Department of Education and Skills Well-Being in Post Primary Schools: Guidelines for Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention. The Guidelines recommend that the safeTALK suicide awareness programme should be targeted at school staff and should not be delivered to students.
Research findings suggest that effective mental health promotion programmes in schools can produce long-term benefits for young people. This is achieved by putting systems and policies in place to make the school a safe and supportive environment.
The research evidence also suggests that the aims of suicide prevention in school-aged groups is best met by engaging in programmes which serve to enhance the factors which protect against suicide (e.g. problem solving, good coping skills, communication skills, self-esteem etc) and reduce the risk factors associated with suicide (e.g. depression, anxiety, poor social networks, low self-esteem etc). The work of schools should be around building resilience so that young people have the skills to deal with adversity when they encounter it. The Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) curriculum taught in post-primary schools has become a vital way to achieve this. Emotional health is set within the context of the SPHE programme.
The Department of Health and the HSE are currently finalising a new National Strategic Framework to Reduce Suicide for the period 2015 – 2020. The Framework, which is expected to be completed shortly, will seek to broaden the response to suicide risk across the health sector, agencies and Government departments. In this regard the Department of Health and the National Office for Suicide Prevention are working closely with the Department of Education and Skills to identify actions and outcomes around suicide prevention for the school sector, to be included in the new Framework.
Having regard to the above, I do not intend to provide funding for suicide prevention courses in post primary schools.
477. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if the Health Information and Quality Authority automatically carry out investigations into care centres, when information emerges that employees have been found guilty of abuse of clients of the care centre, despite having been exonerated in an internal inquiry; and the steps the authority can take in relation to that matter. [14044/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra508. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied with the manner in which the Health Information and Quality Authority is conducting inquiries into cases of alleged abuse in care homes. [14219/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 477 and 508 together.
The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) started to regulate residential services for people with disabilities on 1 November 2013, pursuant to Statutory Instrument No. 366 of 2013 and Statutory Instrument No. 367 of 2013, which assign responsibility to HIQA for registering and inspecting residential services for children and adults with disabilities, including respite services.
HIQA has informed the Department that in respect of suspected or confirmed allegations of abuse of residents responsibility for reporting such incidents lies with the provider of the service. The service provider is responsible for compliance with Regulation 8 of the (Care and Support of Resident in Designated Centres for Persons with Disabilities) Regulations 2013 and to comply with the National Policy and Procedures on Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons at Risk of Abuse. When HIQA receives information in relation to reports of allegations of abuse, the information is used to inform its regulatory engagement with the designated centre. HIQA's processes ensure that there is a response to all information received and that it is risk assessed. Where the information is of a serious nature, HIQA can trigger an inspection of that centre, regardless of any outcome from enquires undertaken by the provider.
If HIQA become aware of an allegation of abuse, the service provider is required to demonstrate that they have responded appropriately to the allegation in a manner that prioritises the safety of residents as clearly outlined within their National Policy and the relevant regulations. If the providers response to allegations is assessed as inadequate, providers are required to take further action to prioritise the safety of residents. Further regulatory action may be taken such as requiring the provider to take specific actions within a specific timeframe, adding a condition to the registration of a centre, cancelling the registration of a centre, or taking a prosecution. HIQA welcomes feedback and views such feedback as an opportunity to improve the quality of its work.
478. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that a person in County Waterford applying for a grant for a wig through the Health Service Executive is entitled to a substantially lower grant than persons applying for the same grant in another county; in view of the fact that in February 2014 his predecessor in a parliamentary question replied that he had committed to ensure that by the end of 2015 the disparity across counties regarding the level of grants available for wigs for patients with cancer would be eradicated, and that the level of grants available would be the same in each county; if this is now the case; if the higher level grant is now being made available in all counties; his views that it is fair to discriminate in terms of the grants available on a county basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14051/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy's questions relate to service delivery matters and accordingly I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him.
If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
479. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14052/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has issued to Oireachtas members.
If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.
480. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update in relation to a project (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14054/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE has responsibility for the provision, maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres. Therefore, this matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
481. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health his views on reports that Bantry General Hospital was closed to ambulance and SouthDoc patients recently; the reason for this closure; if this was a short-term measure or otherwise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14075/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
482. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health the steps that have been taken thus far towards the delivery of a primary care centre (details supplied) in County Cork; the current status of the project; the next steps in the process including the timeframe; the ranking of this project on the Health Service Executive's priority list of primary care centre projects; if funding is in place to progress this plan in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14085/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE has responsibility for the provision, maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres. Therefore, this matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
483. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Health if he will make the necessary appointment at Galway University Hospital to carry out a procedure for a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14087/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraYou will appreciate that it is contrary to the Health Service Executive (Governance) Act 2013 for me to make a direction to the HSE or a hospital to benefit or prioritise any individual person or patient.
The scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she should take the matter up with the consultant and the hospital involved. In relation to the specific case raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
484. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway has been waiting for a long period of time for a hip operation; when it is anticipated that the operation will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14092/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the Health Service Executive, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
485. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Health if he will make available the drug, Regorafenib, to treat patients (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14093/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra493. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health his plans to have the drug, Regorafenib, made available through the Health Service Executive, a drug which is often used in the treatment of bowel cancer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14128/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra504. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the reason Regorafenib Stivarga is not currently available to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22, whose oncologist has recommended this as a potentially life-saving option in that person's cancer treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14212/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 485, 493 and 504 together.
The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicinal products under the community drug schemes in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
The 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 the inclusion of Regorafenib in the GMS and community drugs schemes. The application is being considered in line with the procedures and timescales agreed by the Department of Health and the HSE with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association for the assessment of new medicines.
In accordance with these procedures, the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics conducted a pharmacoeconomic evaluation of Regorafenib. The HSE is currently considering the results of the assessment by the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics as well as the commercial negotiation that they have engaged in with the pharmaceutical company Bayer to seek to address some of the concerns raised in that assessment.
486. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health the progress following a memorandum of understanding between the Health Information and Quality Authority and the Mental Health Commission, on working together in relation to the regulation of health, social care and mental health services. [14094/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraHIQA and the Mental Health Commission signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 23 September 2013. This MOU has underpinned cooperation between the two bodies since then.
HIQA recognises the Mental Health Commission's role in helping to drive improvements to the quality and safety of social care services that are provided for people being cared for in the mental health services. In fulfilling its statutory responsibilities, since September 2013 HIQA has used the MOU to ensure that its work is consistent with its statutory remit and with the terms of the MOU.
HIQA has also used the MOU to inform its regulatory work when that work relates to care settings for which the Mental Health Commission also has a regulatory duty. This results in a complementary approach which ultimately serves the best interests of people who use social care services. HIQA has a strong and positive working relationship with the Mental Health Commission in this regard.
On 25-26 September, 2014, HIQA and the Mental Health Commission jointly hosted a two-day conference of EPSO (European Platform for Supervisory Organisations) in Dublin. This conference facilitated exchange of international information about the use of information in regulation, risk management, indicators of health system coverage and mental health services during economic crisis, and methodological frameworks and models for supervisory organisations. HIQA and the Mental Health Commission also interact through the work of Ireland's Health and Social Care Regulatory Forum.
The most recent meeting of the two organisations was convened on 2nd February and was attended by both CEOs.
487. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive will ensure that twilight premium-time payments are made to social care workers employed by the Brothers of Charity and Ability West in counties Galway and Roscommon, in view of the fact that the Labour Court and a Department circular have confirmed that this payment should be made, but the executive has never funded either of the two organisations; his plans to deal with this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14104/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on the matter. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
488. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health his views that hospital debt collecting agents are understanding of the harsh economic realities for the less well off in society; his further views that many persons feel that these debt collecting agencies are not co-operative, not understanding and can often be very intimidating towards persons within the public health system, who have serious economic and health problems. [14106/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
