Thursday, 26 Nov 2015

Written Answers Nos. 165 to 173

Professional Qualifications

Ceisteanna (165)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

165. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the status of determining the appropriate named professional representative body for physical therapists and physiotherapists; the status of ongoing discussions regarding the appropriate representative body; if alternative proposals have been considered; if he is aware that the proposals may militate against the interests of one or either body, if the proposals of CORU - Health and Social Care Professionals are adopted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42156/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

This question refers to the protection of titles that may be used by physiotherapists. The Physiotherapists Registration Board will soon make the necessary bye-laws under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 to allow it to establish its register early next year. The title of physiotherapist will, as a consequence, be protected for the exclusive use of the board's registrants when the register's 2 year transitional period ends in 2018.

I am currently examining the issue of also protecting the title of physical therapist under the Act. In other English speaking countries, the title of physical therapist is often used by physiotherapists. In Ireland, however, the title is used by a number of practitioners who are not physiotherapists but who are competing with physiotherapists in the private sector in the provision of musculoskeletal therapies.

Earlier this year, having consulted with the Health and Social Care Professionals Council, I wrote to a number of relevant organisations regarding my proposal to protect the title of physical therapist as a variant of the title of physiotherapist and invited them to submit their views. The submissions are now being examined and I expect that I will make a decision on the matter before the end of the year that ensures public protection and appropriately addresses the legitimate concerns of all parties.

Question No. 166 withdrawn.

Health Services

Ceisteanna (167)

John Perry

Ceist:

167. Deputy John Perry asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath is provided a Prader Willie Syndrome 24 residential support plan; should the lead time for such a placement be extensive, how the person can be supported in a United Kingdom-Northern Ireland Prader Willie residential unit until a place becomes available here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42161/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, 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, he can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (168)

John McGuinness

Ceist:

168. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [42178/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.

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.

Hospital Appointments Administration

Ceisteanna (169)

John McGuinness

Ceist:

169. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if a date for surgery will be provided to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow. [42179/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.

The 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.

Medicinal Products Prices

Ceisteanna (170)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

170. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the measures introduced in 2015 to reduce the cost of medicines to patients and the taxpayer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42183/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The continued implementation of generic substitution and reference pricing in 2015 is contributing to reducing the cost of medicines. Reference pricing is expected to deliver approximately €25 million in savings in 2015, on top of €47 million in savings in 2014, and its implementation ensures that generic drug prices in Ireland will continue to fall towards European norms.

With regard to patented medicines, the most recent Agreement with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA), which represents proprietary drug manufacturers, was due to expire at the end of October 2015. My Department is working with the HSE, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Office of Government Procurement to ensure that the State achieves the best possible deal in terms of value for money regarding the pricing and supply of medicines. In furtherance of this, initial discussions have taken place with IPHA regarding a potential new Agreement, with detailed engagement expected to begin in early 2016. In the meantime, the 2012 Agreement remains in place.

Obesity Strategy

Ceisteanna (171)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

171. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when his Department will publish a new obesity policy. [42184/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As the Deputy will be aware, I prioritised the development of an Obesity Policy and Action Plan under the Healthy Ireland Framework as major project for 2015. I am pleased to say that the Obesity Policy and Action Plan is now at an advanced stage, and I hope to be in a position to present it to Government in the near future.

Health Care Policy

Ceisteanna (172)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

172. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when his Department will publish a new oral health strategy. [42185/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

A new National Oral Health Policy is currently being developed by the Department of Health. This project has three key parts. The first is a needs assessment, which will inform how new services should be provided. The second part will be a review of resources. Thirdly, it involves ongoing and widespread consultation on new ways of delivering oral health services. The project commenced in 2014 and is due to be completed in 2017.

Maternity Services

Ceisteanna (173)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

173. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when his Department will publish a new maternity care strategy. [42186/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

It is expected that the Strategy will be finalised later this year. The new National Maternity Strategy will put the needs of mothers and babies at its centre and seek to ensure that women have appropriate and informed choice and access to the right level of safe care and support 24 hours a day.