Barry Cowen
Ceist:293. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary will receive a hospital appointment. [7398/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraHospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (293)
Freagraí scríofa
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.
Primary Care Centres Provision
Ceisteanna (294)
Jim O'Callaghan
Ceist:294. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health when works will commence at a care centre (details supplied) in Dublin 4; and the estimated time for their completion. [7401/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 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.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (295)
Peter Fitzpatrick
Ceist:295. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details supplied) in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7405/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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 HSE, 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 Availability
Ceisteanna (296)
Michael Moynihan
Ceist:296. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health to investigate the possibility of including the medication Frampya for the treatment of multiple sclerosis on the medical card and long-term illness schemes; the reason this is not already included in such schemes; when a decision will be made on this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7411/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Fampridine (brand name Fampyra) has been reimbursed under the Long Term Illness Scheme on a conditional, responder-only basis since 1 October 2015.
The HSE has provided all Neurology Centres with details of the protocol which must be satisfied to enable a patient to qualify for reimbursement.
Reimbursement will be extended where a demonstration of clinical response (based on objective criteria agreed with clinical experts) is recorded and where that clinical response is shown to persist, based on objective measurement at six-monthly intervals. The HSE extends reimbursement in all cases where the criteria meet the requirements of reimbursement protocol.
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland
Ceisteanna (297)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:297. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding an issue with registering a personal identification number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7414/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I wish to thank the Deputy for the matter raised.
Given that this is an operational matter, it is appropriate that it should be dealt with by the NMBI. I have referred the Deputy's question to the NMBI for attention and direct reply.
If you have not received a reply from the NMBI within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (298)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:298. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital procedure for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7415/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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 HSE, 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.
Home Help Service Data
Ceisteanna (299)
Jim Daly
Ceist:299. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Health the number of persons nationally who are currently listed as waiting for home help hours; the number of hours included in the waiting list; the cost of providing funding to eliminate the waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7427/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply. 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.
Medicinal Products Availability
Ceisteanna (300, 335)
Clare Daly
Ceist:300. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if he has had consultations with the Health Service Executive regarding the possible funding of a drug, eculizumab, for a person (details supplied); the outcome of those consultations, if they have taken place. [7428/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Finian McGrath
Ceist:335. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding Degos disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7577/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 300 and 335 together.
Eculizumab is an ultra-orphan medicine licensed for the treatment of paroxysmal nocturnal haemaglobinurea (PNH) and atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome (aHUS). Eculizumab is reimbursable for the treatment of these two conditions, for which the European Medicines Agency has completed assessments in relation to safety and efficacy.
The drug is not licensed for the treatment of Degos disease by either the European Medicines Agency or the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
It is not in the Minister for Health's power to sanction the unlicensed use of any drug or medicine. Decisions on the use of unlicensed medicines for an individual patient are a matter for the prescribing clinician and the treating hospital. Under the HSE Governance Act 2013, I am barred from making any directions in respect of an individual patient.
Hospital Procedures
Ceisteanna (301)
Gerry Adams
Ceist:301. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the case of persons (details supplied) in County Louth who are scheduled to undergo bariatric surgeries later in 2016; how many bariatric surgeries were performed in 2015 and to date in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7430/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.
In relation to the particular queries 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.
Hospital Facilities
Ceisteanna (302)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:302. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of facilities (details supplied) in University Hospital Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7431/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, 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.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (303)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:303. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of the waiting list for cataract operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7432/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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 HSE, 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.
Health Services Expenditure
Ceisteanna (304)
Thomas Pringle
Ceist:304. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if he will address concerns on behalf of the Donegal Centre for Independent Living in respect of pay cuts and the rise in employers' pay-related social insurance resulting in the loss of €218,000 per year for operation and development costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7440/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As 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.
Medicinal Products Availability
Ceisteanna (305)
Michael Moynihan
Ceist:305. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if he will consider allowing the use of cannabidiol oil to treat a person diagnosed with Dravet syndrome (details supplied) who otherwise faces the prospect of having to travel to the United States to access this treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7442/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Cannabidiol (CBD) oil is not authorised as a medicinal product in Ireland. Under European and Irish legislation, before a medicine can be placed on the Irish market, the manufacturer must seek an authorisation from the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) or, in the case of certain medicinal products, the European Medicines Agency. A determination on an application for authorisation of a medicine is based on a rigorous scientific assessment of the application against the criteria of safety, quality, efficacy, legal and regulatory requirements.
Where a medicine is not authorised in Ireland, a licensed wholesaler may import it if it has been prescribed by a doctor for a patient under his/her care, on his/her direct responsibility and in order to meet the special needs of a patient. The process for this is described in the ‘Guide to the Notification System for Exempt Medicinal Products’ which is available on the HPRA website. For this notification scheme, there are a number of specialist wholesalers which deal with the importation of ‘exempt medicines’ into Ireland, via pharmacies and subject to a prescription.
CBD is derived from cannabis which is a controlled drug. If a CBD oil product does not contain an ingredient which is a controlled substance, it may be feasible to have that product imported and used in Ireland, in accordance with specific conditions, should a patient’s doctor be of the opinion that this is an appropriate treatment.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (306)
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:306. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive a hospital appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7459/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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 HSE, 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.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (307)
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:307. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive a hospital appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7460/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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 Status
Ceisteanna (308, 309)
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:308. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive a hospital appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7465/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraPearse Doherty
Ceist:309. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive the results of a scan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7466/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 308 and 309 together.
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.
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.