Written Answers Nos. 308-334
308. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if the HSE review of the list of products available to phenylketonuria patients under the reimbursement scheme has been completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9216/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra309. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to expanding the list of products available to phenyltketonuria,PKU, patients under the terms of the HSE reimbursement scheme; if he will update the current list to reflect products that are no longer available to patients; his views on whether the restriction of products available to PKU patients is in contradiction of the HSE's promotion of healthy diet for children and diet for life; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9217/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra310. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to providing additional supports and resources in order to improve the treatment and care of phenylketonuria patients here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9219/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 308 to 310, inclusive, together.
The Long Term Illness Scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act, 1970 (as amended). Under this scheme the HSE may make arrangements for the supply without charge of medicines or medical and surgical appliances to persons suffering from a prescribed disease or disability of a permanent or long-term nature, this includes PKU.
Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medicinal Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug scheme; therefore these matters have been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply.
311. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the reason the early intervention psychologist post in County Offaly, which has been vacant since February 2016, has not been filled; when the vacancy will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9220/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
312. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the number of children in County Offaly who are currently awaiting assessment by a psychologist for early intervention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9221/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.
The particular issue raised by the Deputy is a service matter for the HSE. Accordingly I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
313. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if his Department has introduced a strategy to effectively manage rare diseases; the progress under this plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9223/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraA National Rare Disease Plan for Ireland was launched by the then Minister for Health in July 2014. It made 48 recommendations. It is available on my Department's website at http://health.gov.ie/blog/publications/national-rare-disease-plan-for-ireland-2014-2018/.
The National Rare Disease Plan recommended that an Oversight Implementation Group of relevant stakeholders, including patients' groups, be established to oversee and monitor implementation of the plan's recommendations. This group was established by my Department in 2015 and it has met on a number of occasions.
One of the principal recommendations in the Plan was the establishment of a National Clinical Programme for Rare Diseases. This programme was to be responsible for, over time and among other functions, assisting with mapping and developing care pathways for rare diseases; facilitating timely access to centres of expertise - nationally and internationally; and developing care pathways with European Reference Centres for those ultra-rare disorders where there may not be sufficient expertise in Ireland.
In line with this recommendation, a National Clinical Programme for Rare Diseases was established in 2013 under the National Clinical Strategy and Programmes Division of the HSE. The programme is a joint initiative between the HSE and the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland. This clinical programme is the channel for assisting with the advancement of a number of other recommendations in the plan, such as those on National Centres of Expertise for rare diseases; and in this vein, the programme designed a framework for the designation of Irish Centres of Expertise in cooperation with the HSE Acute Hospitals Division in line with the recommendations stipulated in the national plan.
The Rare Diseases National Plan also recommended that ‘the National Clinical Programme for Rare Diseases through a National Office for Rare Diseases develop the clinical and organisational governance framework that would underpin care pathways and access to treatment for rare disease patients, particularly in the context of transition from paediatric to adult care'. As such the National Clinical Programme has developed a draft transition model of care which is currently in the public consultation stage.
The National Clinical Programme for Rare Diseases and my Department encouraged designated centres of expertise to participate in European Reference Networks (ERNs) for Rare Diseases in line with the national plan. ERNs are European networks connecting health care providers and centres of expertise so that international expertise on specific rare diseases may be pooled together for the benefit of patients. Any centre applying for membership of an ERN must have strategies in place to ensure that care is patient-centred; that patients' rights and preferences are respected; and must show a research component to their work. Hence, the recommendations in the national plan that related to empowering and protecting patients and carers, and research on rare diseases will be fulfilled in part through this process. It is expected that ERNs will have a major structuring effect by linking thematic expert centres across the EU.
With the encouragement of the National Clinical Programme for Rare Diseases and the Department of Health, five centres of expertise were designated in June 2016 during the first round of calls from the European Commission for participation in European Reference Networks. Three of these designated centres applied for membership of ERNs and two were approved.
In 2014, the Minister for Health announced €850,000 for investment into charity-led research priorities, which particularly benefits rare disease research. Five charities were to provide matching funding bringing the total investment to €1.9 million. They were to share €850,000 in State funding to take part in international research into rare medical conditions. In 2016, the next cohort of projects was funded by the State with €1.686M, matched by charity funding of €1.224M. The total funding of €2.91M is shared between 11 charities. Six of the 15 projects with a total value of €1.1M address rare diseases. The next round of this joint funding initiative will open in autumn 2017. The EU commission now intends to explore the possibility to further strengthen the collaboration between Member States and the Commission in the area of research on rare diseases.
The establishment of a National Rare Disease Office (NRDO) featured prominently in the recommendations of the Rare Disease plan. The national office has now been established by the HSE. Its work is currently led by the NCPRD Clinical Lead supported by an Information Scientist, part-time Administrative Officer, part-time Genetic Counsellor and by a 0.2FTE Consultant Geneticist. It is, among other functions, providing up-to-date information regarding new treatment and management options, including clinical trials. In addition, the post of Information Scientist for the office is being funded jointly by the HSE and the EU Commission. The NRDO has already performed a preliminary situation analysis of the existing rare disease registries and is in the process of assigning these known registries on our national Orphanet site, which is the international rare disease reference and information portal funded by the EU.
A number of recommendations about access to appropriate drugs and technologies were contained in the plan. One chief recommendation in this regard refers to the HSE developing a Working Group to bring forward appropriate decision criteria for the reimbursement of orphan medicines and technologies; and that the approach should include an assessment system similar to that for cancer therapies established under the National Cancer Control Programme. The HSE Acute Hospitals Division is developing the terms of reference, required membership and reporting relationship for this committee. The Committee will also be supported by the National Clinical Programme for Rare Diseases Clinical Advisory Group.
The national plan for rare diseases recommended that the Health Identifiers Bill and the Health and Patient Safety Bill be published. The former was published in 2013 and enacted in 2014. The Individual Health Identifier part of the project is now being implemented by the HSE. A revised and much expanded General Scheme of a Health Information and Patient Safety Bill was approved by the government in November 2015 and published on the Department's website. It is currently with the Attorney-General's Office for formal drafting and with the Oireachtas Committee on Health for Pre-Legislative Scrutiny.
Two recommendations referred to training in rare diseases for healthcare professionals. The Department of Health has contacted formally the various healthcare representative and professional bodies about implementing these recommendations.
Finally, rare diseases have already been tabled on the agenda for North-South meetings. Therefore, future work to deepen cooperation between both jurisdictions on rare diseases is anticipated.
314. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a cataract operation in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9224/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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.
315. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a formal occupational therapy assessment for a person (details supplied), in view of the fact that educational resources for the person are dependent upon the report being available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9226/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.
As the Deputy's question relates to an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
316. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a policy change or a directive sent from the HSE to pharmacies advising that persons are to collect their medications on a weekly basis, rather than a monthly basis, despite the fact that most prescriptions are monthly; if pharmacies can charge for four dispensing fees a month under this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9228/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medicinal Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug scheme; therefore this matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply.
317. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the status of an application for a nursing personal identification number in respect of a person (details supplied). [9229/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) has provided a report on the matter raised which is outlined below.
I am advised that the person in question has sought registration with the Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI). As the person presents non-Irish nurse qualifications, they must be first recognised under Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications.
The NMBI is assessing this application under the General System of the Directive. which provides for an assessment, on a case-by-case basis, of the qualifications of an applicant against the reference standards in Ireland. The NMBI has sought further information/clarification from the applicant which has not yet been furnished. Unfortunately until this is received, the NMBI is unable to complete its assessment of the application. When this information is received the NMBI will assess the application forthwith.
318. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Health the overall spend by his Department on health and well-being initiatives each year since 2012, in tabular form; the individual initiatives in health and well-being supported by the Government for the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9269/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health and Well-being Programme in my Department is responsible for coordinating the implementation of Healthy Ireland which is the National Framework for Improved Health and Well-being 2013-2025. The Framework is based on evidence and experience from around the world which clearly shows that to create positive changes in health and well-being takes the involvement of the whole of Government and all of society working in unison. Since Healthy Ireland was launched in March 2013, my Department has launched the following health and well-being initiatives:
The National Sexual Health Strategy 2015 - 2020;
Tobacco Free Ireland - Report of the Tobacco Policy Review Group;
The National Positive Ageing Strategy;
Get Ireland Active - National Physical Activity Plan for Ireland;
A Healthy Weight for Ireland - Obesity Policy and Action Plan;
The National Healthy Cities and Counties of Ireland Network; and
Healthy Food for Life - The Healthy Eating Guidelines and Food Pyramid.
It is not possible to identify in totality how much funding is currently spent on improving health and well-being across all Government Departments and agencies and in wider society.
Since the launch of Healthy Ireland, expenditure on its implementation from within the budget of the Department of Health has amounted to the following:
|
Year |
Amount € |
|
2013 |
€89,315.07 |
|
2014 |
€586,470.90 |
|
2015 |
€607,706.83.02 |
|
2016 |
€1,156,405.67 |
|
2017 |
€69,959.03. |
In addition to the expenditure noted above, other expenditure arising within the Department could also be described as "Healthy Ireland" depending on classification.
As the Deputy is aware, operational responsibility for the delivery of specific initiatives promoting health and well-being by the health services is a matter for the HSE. Expenditure arising in the HSE, particularly in the Health and Well-being Division, could also be described as implementation of Healthy Ireland. However, it is not possible to disaggregate expenditure on promoting and improving health and well-being generally from overall HSE expenditure. Again, for example, within overall HSE expenditure, and in addition to work which is an integral part of the Health and Well-being Division, a large component of health promotion and improvement work takes place across the acute and primary care services as part of normal day to day activity. There is also expenditure arising in relation to communications campaigns by the HSE.
319. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that 105 children in the HSE Dublin west area, under five years of age are waiting more than six months for first time assessment for occupational therapy and that 38 of these are waiting over a year for a first time assessment; the actions and provisions he plans to implement in order to reduce these figures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9274/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
320. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that 356 children in the HSE Dublin west area, between five and 18 years of age are waiting more than six months for first time assessment for occupational therapy and that 177 of these are waiting over a year for first time assessment; the actions and provisions he plans to implement in order to reduce these figures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9275/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
321. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the number of children currently waiting for occupational services since having had their first time assessment and that have been diagnosed in need of occupational services by area in tabular form; the number of these children that are waiting more than six months, more than one year and more than two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9276/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
322. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9281/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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.
323. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the policy of his Department and the HSE on the provision of home-based supports to assist families to meet the care needs at home of severely disabled children who are completely dependent on their parents; the supports or schemes available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9282/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive (HSE) provides a range of services, including home support hours to people with disabilities. In their National Service Plan for 2017, the HSE expects to deliver 2.75 million Home Support Hours to over 7,400 people with a disability. This is an increase of 150,000 hours over last year's target.
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for a direct reply to the Deputy.
325. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health if there is a consultant paediatric psychiatrist at Cork University Hospital; if not, his plans to ensure this is replaced; the paediatric psychiatry services that exist in the wider Cork city area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9295/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
327. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health if there is a psychiatrist designated in a full-time capacity specifically for the Togher and Ballyphehane areas of Cork city, South Lee. [9297/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
328. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be provided a date for an assessment of needs appointment under the Disability Act 2005. [9299/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.
As the Deputy's question relates to an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
329. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the cost per year for the past three years for the retrieval and return of hard copy files stored at off site locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9309/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has a contract with a records management company for storage of the Department’s inactive files along with retrieval services for these files.
The contract is due for renewal now and my Department is engaged with the Office of Government Procurement in seeking tenders from suitable providers. As this process is ongoing it would not be appropriate at this point, to release the details requested. However, as soon as the new contract is signed, I will arrange for the information to be provided directly to the Deputy.
330. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans to reduce the number of acute beds in the department of psychiatry at University Hospital Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9315/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn February 3rd 2017 the Mental Health Commission notified the HSE of its proposal to register the Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Waterford as an Approved Centre with conditions.
The HSE has until Friday 24th of February to make representations to the Commission to either modify or remove those proposed conditions based on evidence that the Waterford is, or will be compliant with the regulations to which the proposed conditions relate. The HSE intends to request the Commission does not, as a condition of registration, require the HSE to reduce the number of beds operating in Waterford.
Under section 64(6)(b)(iii) of the Mental Health Act 2001 the Commission can specify the maximum number of residents in an Approved Centre, or within an area of an Approved Centre. In this instance this is proposed because in the view of the inspectors:
- there is insufficient space for the total number of residents;
- there is a lack of dining, recreational and quiet spaces for residents;
- the previously proposed programme of works would not have addressed the above;
- and these points together pose a risk to service user safety.
The HSE will make representations to the Commission before February 24th detailing how the HSE intends to address the points above, including a revised programme of works with associated timelines.
The HSE will outline how, on balance, a bed reduction is less safe for the service user population of CHO 5 than maintaining the current bed base – with the controls and improvement plans to be provided.
331. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the status of an assessment and operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9317/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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 query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
332. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision of a prosthesis for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9318/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the particular issue raised relates to an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to you.
333. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of health insurance policies offered in the market here as at December 2011, December 2012, December 2013, December 2014, December 2015 and December 2016, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9332/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe table below provides data received from the Health Insurance Authority regarding the number of inpatient health insurance policies available on the market for each end-year requested. This information is compiled in respect of the commercial health insurers.
|
Date |
Number of plans |
|
December 2011 |
199 |
|
December 2012 |
234 |
|
December 2013 |
293 |
|
December 2014 |
355 |
|
December 2015 |
360 |
|
December 2016 |
373 |
The Health Insurance (Amendment) Act 2016 sets out the circumstances when a health insurer can withdraw products from the market and ensures that members must be offered a replacement contract with the same level of benefits, subject to small differences in excess amounts. The number of products on the market as of today is 309.
334. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the status of the cross-Border health care directive; to make the details of this scheme more widely available particularly for persons who are on long waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9344/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Directive on Patients' Rights in Cross Border Healthcare provides rules for the reimbursement of patients' of the cost of receiving treatment abroad, where the patient would be entitled to such treatment in their home Member State (Member State of Affiliation) and supplements the rights that patients already have at EU level through the legislation on the coordination of social security schemes (Regulation 883/04).
The Directive seeks to ensure a clear and transparent framework for the provision of cross- border healthcare within the EU, for those occasions where the care patients seek is provided in another Member State rather than in their home country.
It is important to note that patients are not funded up front for their treatment abroad under Directive, rather they are reimbursed the lower of, either the cost of treatment in Ireland, or the cost of treatment abroad. Furthermore, travel, accommodation and general living costs before, and following, the treatment, are not reimbursed. It is also important to note that treatment which requires an overnight stay must be approved in advance. This facilitates the provision of the patient of an estimate of the costs which will be reimbursed and allows a period of reflection regarding the decision to access treatment abroad.
All hospitals have been provided by the HSE with text on the Directive to be included in waiting list correspondence. This text advises patients of the provisions of the Directive, and their entitlement to access healthcare under it in another EU/EEA country if they so choose. Information sessions with hospitals on the Directive continue to be offered, and promoted, by the acute hospital division of the HSE.
