Written Answers Nos. 60-70
60. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health the status of an initiative he is taking with other countries to negotiate collectively to lower the prices of drugs; the status of meetings that both he and officials from his Department have had with their counterparts on this; the way he will proceed on this; if targets have been set; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4701/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraDecisions on pricing and reimbursement of pharmaceutical products within public health systems are a national competence for EU Member States. However, the issue of pricing and reimbursement of medicines and patient access to affordable medicines has been addressed at European level.
In June 2016 the EU Council adopted conclusions on strengthening the balance in the pharmaceutical systems in the EU and its Member States. Those conclusions invited Member States to explore opportunities for cooperation on pricing and reimbursement of medicines and to identify areas for cooperation which could contribute to higher affordability and better access to medicines. I have indicated my support for these measures and I welcome the opportunity for Member States to cooperate by sharing information so that we can achieve affordable and sustainable access to medicines.
I and my officials have been actively engaged with our international colleagues on the issue of drug pricing. As the Deputy will be aware I have engaged with the Health Ministers in England, Scotland, Canada and Australia regarding the pricing of the medicine Orkambi, and I have also spoken with the Dutch Health Minister on that issue. Collaboration on this issue is now being progressed at official level and I will also be meeting with Ms Shona Robison MSP, Health Minister for Scotland later this month to discuss Orkambi.
On the cost of new medicines generally, I used the opportunity at the second Round Table meeting for European Health Ministers and CEO’s/Heads of Europe-based pharmaceutical companies in Portugal last December and the recent OECD meeting in January to engage with Ministers from other countries on how to address the challenge of securing access to new medicines for citizens at an affordable price.
At the OECD meeting all Ministers agreed that they faced similar challenges and that international collaboration should be explored to enable patients to benefit from these new medicines. I intend to follow up further with the OECD and I am pleased that they are examining this very important issue.
61. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if his Department has evaluated the cost of making diagnostics available in acute hospitals on a seven-day, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. basis; if his Department has considered the impact this could make on waiting times and delays in accident and emergency departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4509/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
62. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health the progress made to date in his Department on investigations into technology being developed in respect of waiting list initiatives; the proposals he has received on a single integrated waiting list initiative; the meetings or briefings he has had on this; if his attention has been drawn to the success of the Portuguese waiting lists system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4551/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn August, following a briefing on electronic referrals, I tasked the HSE's Chief Information Officer with producing a report into how digital solutions could change the way in which waiting lists are managed.
The HSE has responded providing my Department with a detailed set of options that could be explored. This response on the digital challenge for waiting lists includes an overview of innovations and suggested approaches from over 49 suppliers, some of which have deployed successfully in other countries. The HSE has also reviewed a number of international models which will continue to be sources of information and guidance to ensure the project is well designed and delivered. The HSE has been advised to progress this issue during 2017, in conjunction with relevant business units.
The HSE is of the view that significant progress could be achieved from investing around €1.0m in technology supports. Exact expenditure would only be known following clarity on requirements, developing a business case and following the necessary public procurements.
The success of any digital solutions is predicated on high quality data flowing through the health system. The completion of the national rollout of electronic referrals (eReferrals) and its continued growth, will provide a solid data source and foundation for managing the waiting lists at individual hospital level. Also, the rollout of the Individual Health Identifier (IHI) commencing in 2017, will be important in facilitating the management of national or hospital group waiting lists, as the IHI will support the identification of patients who may be on several waiting lists for the same condition.
64. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the various contributory factors currently making it difficult to recruit or retain staff at all levels in the health service, including consultants, doctors and nursing staff; if similar difficulties are being experienced in the private health sector; if any studies have been done to identify the most salient factors affecting the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4640/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter. While there are significant challenges at present in recruiting consultants, nurses and midwives and doctors, due primarily to worldwide shortages and international competition, progress has been made in recent years in growing the consultant and NCHD workforce in particular.
Since the establishment of the HSE, the number of consultants has increased from 1,905 in December 2004 to 2,861 Whole Time Equivalents at the end of 2016. There are some specialties in which there are international shortages and which have been traditionally difficult to fill. Shortages in specialties such as emergency medicine, anaesthesia and psychiatry are a worldwide phenomenon and not specific to the Irish health services. The number of NCHDs has also increased significantly in the past decade, reflecting service demands and ongoing efforts to achieve full compliance with the requirements of the European Working Time Directive. From December 2006 to December 2016 the number increased from 4,679 to 6,060, an increase of 1,381 Whole Time Equivalents.
There are particular difficulties recruiting nurses and midwives at present, notwithstanding an increase of 1,650 Whole Time Equivalents between December 2013 and December 2016. The HSE is pursuing a range of initiatives to support recruitment and retention.
65. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health when the replacement scheme for the mobility allowance and motorised transport grant will be announced in view of the fact that a replacement has been three-plus years in the making and that a commitment was given for this replacement in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4265/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra117. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the status of the review being carried out to replace the motorised transport grant; when policy proposals will be presented to Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4257/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 65 and 117 together.
Conscious of the reports of the Ombudsman in 2011 and 2012 regarding the legal status of both the Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Grant Scheme in the context of the Equal Status Acts, the Government decided to close both schemes in February 2013. The Government decided that the detailed preparatory work required for a new Transport Support Scheme and associated statutory provisions should be progressed by the Minister for Health.
The Government is aware of the continuing needs of people with a disability who rely on individual payments that support choice and independence. In this regard, monthly payments of up to €208.50 have continued to be made by the Health Service Executive to 4,700 people who were in receipt of the Mobility Allowance.
The Programme for a Partnership Government acknowledges the ongoing drafting of primary legislation for a new Transport Support Scheme to assist those with a disability to meet their mobility costs. Detailed preparatory work required for a new Transport Support Scheme and associated statutory provisions are being progressed by my Department. I am pleased to report that work on policy proposals in relation to all matters, are at an advanced stage of development. Once the Government approves the draft Heads of Bill for this new Scheme, they will then be subject to pre-legislative scrutiny.
The Deputies may be interested to note that people who previously benefitted from the now-closed Motorised Transport Grant, may, if they satisfy the criteria under that scheme, be eligible for tax relief under the Drivers and Passengers with Disabilities Tax Relief Scheme. This scheme is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Finance and is operated by the Revenue Commissioners. Details of the scheme can be found on www.revenue.ie.
66. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health the mechanisms in place to ensure that consultants will not be funded by the national treatment purchase fund to privately treat patients that are on their public lists except in exceptional circumstances in which no alternative exists; the body which will carry out this policing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4564/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 2012 as a matter of policy, the National Treatment Purchase Fund ensures that clinicians contracted or employed by private hospitals do not receive remuneration for the treatment of the same patient from both the referring public hospital, by way of salary, and from the treating private hospital, by way of a fee.
I am advised by the NTPF that this is explicitly prohibited in contractual agreements entered into with private hospitals sourced by the NTPF.
69. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health his views on the current absence of respite beds in the Millstreet community area. [4656/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
70. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health the number of beds that have been closed due to staff shortages in each of the past five years; the number of beds closed currently due to staff shortages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4563/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
