Written Answers Nos. 42-51
42. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health his plans to support the management of Beaumont Hospital in Dublin 9 to plan, urgently build and fully staff a new accident and emergency department; if he will provide a similar facility for citizens with mental health issues in the nearby Aislinn Centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27378/15]
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.
43. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the extent of recent seizures of illegal drugs; and if he will ensure that the Irish Medicines Board acts urgently to address this matter. [27695/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Products Regulatory Authority, formerly the Irish Medicines Board, is the competent authority responsible for the regulation of human medicines in Ireland.
The HPRA cooperates with the Revenue’s Customs Service, An Garda Síochána and other international regulatory and law enforcement agencies. They actively monitor, on an ongoing basis, the illegal supply of prescription, illicit and falsified medicines to Ireland. The HPRA uses a range of enforcement powers to tackle this activity, including seizing product and taking prosecutions.
The HPRA also assists An Garda Síochána in its investigations of, and prosecutions for, the illegal supply of prescription medication, when An Garda Síochána discovers such criminal activity.
The recent Operation Pangea VIII, was a worldwide, enforcement agency action in targeting the supply of falsified and illegal medicines. The operation in Ireland led to the seizure of one hundred and four thousand units of sedative-type medication.
The HPRA, An Garda Síochána and Customs took part in this operation and their work will continue in order to protect the health and wellbeing of the public from these potent and potentially harmful drugs.
44. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health if a meningococcal B vaccine will be included in the primary childhood immunisation programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27671/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). NIAC is a committee of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland comprising of experts in a number of specialties including infectious diseases, paediatrics and public health. The committee's recommendations are informed by public health advice and international best practice.
The Department received a letter from the Chairman of NIAC regarding the introduction of the Meningitis B vaccine into the Primary Childhood Immunisation Schedule. In this letter the committee recommends the inclusion of Meningococcal B vaccine in the primary immunisation programme, if the vaccine can be made available at a cost-effective price.
NIAC has issued guidance in relation to the use of the Meningococcal B vaccine in the control of clusters or outbreaks of the disease. The vaccine has been used in accordance with the NIAC guidance, along with other measures, to control outbreaks of the disease.
I am awaiting further advices from NIAC concerning the administration of the vaccine and how this impacts on the current vaccines in the Primary Childhood Immunisation Schedule. I have asked the HSE to engage with the manufacturer with a view to establishing whether a cost effective and sustainable price is achievable in Ireland without prejudice to the ultimate decision on whether the vaccine should be introduced or not.
The Department of Health in conjunction with the HSE, is examining evidence based changes to the Primary Childhood and Schools Immunisation Schedule. The resource implications of the introduction of any new vaccine will be considered in the context of the Estimates Process, the review of HSE vaccination services, engagement with the manufacturers, and the HSE Service Planning Process.
Immunisation policy is based on providing a safe, sustainable and cost-effective programme of immunisation. The introduction of any new vaccine into the primary childhood immunisation schedule will be considered in the context of recommendations from NIAC, the outcome of cost-effective analysis, the conclusions of the review of HSE vaccination services currently being carried out, and resource availability.
45. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Health if he will request the steering group which is charged with developing the new national cancer strategy 2016 to 2025 to review the operation of Galway University Hospital as a centre of excellence for cancer treatment; and to address the delays some oncology patients in Mayo General Hospital are experiencing in getting a bed and receiving appropriate treatment under a specialist oncology team in a timely manner at Galway University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27374/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Cancer Strategy Steering Group, which I established to provide guidance and advice to my Department on developing a new National Cancer Strategy for the period 2016-2025, will submit a draft Cancer Strategy for consideration by me before the end of 2015 with a view to a new strategy being in place from 2016.
Models of care, designated cancer centres and workforce planning are among the broad range of issues being considered by the Steering Group with the aim of having the optimum structures in place to tackle cancer across all regions of the country for the next 10 years.
46. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health how he will respond to the health needs of those Magdalen laundry survivors living outside Ireland; if he will prioritise those of advanced years with serious health issues; and if there will be a comprehensive accessible guide on health entitlements for all the survivors. [27697/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the primary and community health services under the Redress for Women Resident in Certain Institutions Act 2015 are made available by the HSE only in Ireland. Women who currently reside outside of Ireland can access the health services when they visit Ireland. However, the RWRCI Act is not applicable in other countries and, therefore, it does not provide them with health services outside of Ireland.
The Department of Health and the HSE have focused on implementing the Act for the majority of women living in Ireland. In the response to a Question put down by the Deputy on 7th July on the Magdalene Laundry survivors living outside Ireland, I stated that the HSE had corresponded directly with all the women living in Ireland who are eligible to avail of the services. I have since been advised by the HSE that, due to a technical difficulty with the cards, the correspondence did not issue. I have been further advised that correspondence will issue this week. In addition to the RWRCI card, the HSE is providing each woman with comprehensive information on the health services, including contact points in the HSE Community Health Organisation areas to access further information.
However, I would emphasise that my Department and the HSE are also exploring the practical arrangements to be put in place for the overseas women, of whom about 90% reside in the United Kingdom. The Deputy will be aware that all health systems around the world vary in organisation and that each system is practically unique and equally complex. The HSE will be in contact with the women living abroad to advise them that this issue is being examined and, when practical arrangements are in place, they will be contacted further with the details.
While I acknowledge that this important and complex matter is taking longer than anticipated, I am satisfied with the work undertaken by the HSE and my Department. I hope the systems will be in place as soon as possible so that each woman can access the approved health services to address her individual needs.
47. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health when the new cystic fibrosis unit in Cork University Hospital will be fully operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27575/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI welcome the completion of the new 20-bed CF and respiratory unit at Cork University Hospital. This unit, with single bedrooms and state of the art infection control, will be a great boost for CF patients and their families in the region. The construction of new paediatric CF facilities at CUH has also started.
I am aware of concerns about delays in opening the new inpatient unit at the hospital. I am advised that, while it is completed and fitted out, there are difficulties with staffing the unit. Recruitment of nurses is an issue, not just for CUH, but nationally and internationally. I have been assured that CUH is actively recruiting nursing staff and will open the unit as soon as it can be safely and effectively staffed. The National Recruitment Service has been asked to prioritise this issue.
48. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the reason that the Lightfoot report on ambulance services has not been published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27376/15]
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.
49. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health the way he will address the concerns arising from the ending of the pancreas transplant service in Beaumont Hospital in Dublin 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27586/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe consultant who undertook pancreas transplants at Beaumont Hospital retired at the end of 2014. While Beaumont Hospital is making every effort to recruit a suitable replacement, the hospital is also collaborating with St Vincent’s University Hospital in relation to a combined approach to kidney/pancreas transplants. It is proposed that pancreas transplants, of which 6 were performed in 2014, will move to St Vincent’s University Hospital. As St Vincent’s is already established as the National Liver Transplant Centre, and is a designated centre for pancreas cancer services, it is well placed to undertake pancreas transplants.
Most pancreas transplants are combined with a kidney transplant. The arrangements being put in place for such cases will involve transplant surgeons from St Vincent’s University Hospital and Beaumont Hospital working together on the St Vincent’s campus. In addition to working with St Vincent’s Hospital in relation to a combined approach to kidney/pancreas transplants, Beaumont is also collaborating with that hospital in regard to the development of an intra-abdominal organ retrieval service that will facilitate a more effective and cohesive overall procurement and transplant service.
A joint assessment clinic for the 8 patients who are waiting for a pancreas transplant, involving consultants and nurses from both Beaumont and St. Vincent's, will be held on 24th July. Every effort is being made to have all the necessary arrangements and protocols in place to facilitate St. Vincent's being in a position to undertake pancreas transplants from mid-September, should a suitable donor/recipient match occur.
50. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the projections for the average cost-per-person for universal health insurance; if he will report on discussions he has had on this matter; if he is considering reducing levels of cover; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27648/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing publication of the White Paper on Universal Health Insurance, a major costing exercise, involving the Department of Health, the ESRI and others, was initiated. The purpose of the exercise is to examine the cost implications of a change to a multi-payer, universal health insurance model, as proposed in the White Paper. Draft results from the initial phase of the costing exercise were presented to me at the end of May. The research underlying these results is still undergoing peer review and is not yet finalised. However, the draft results are already informing deliberation on next steps, including the necessity for further research and cost modelling.
Ultimately, the UHI costing exercise is a major research project with a number of phases. The next phases in the costing exercise are likely to include deeper analysis of the key issue of unmet need and a more detailed comparative analysis of the relative costs and benefits of alternative funding models using bottom-up costing techniques. The draft results from the initial phase, as well as the plans for the next phase of research, will inform discussions with the Taoiseach and the Cabinet Subcommittee on the best long-term approach to achieving universal healthcare.
51. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will initiate an independent review of the Health Service Executive's handling of independent home-birth midwives. [27583/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy may wish to note that my Department is currently developing a National Maternity Strategy which will set out policy direction for maternity services. A working group, with appropriate stakeholder representation, has been established to develop the strategy and work is progressing. A public consultation is currently underway and will run until 15th July. Publication of the Strategy is one of my priorities for 2015.
I have no plans to initiate an independent review of the Health Service Executive's handling of independent home birth midwives.
