Written Answers Nos. 606-18
606. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health the number of home help hours to be allocated to the Dublin 15 and Dublin 7 areas under the HSE’s 2017 work programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10182/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
607. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the process that must be followed when a doctor is prescribing an exempt medicinal product, that is, a medicine that is not licensed by the HPRA; and the additional prescribing protocols that must be followed, such as informed, oral and written consent, on the basis that if the medicine is unregulated then the prescribing doctor must have a higher duty of care with regard to patient consent and patient safety. [10190/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder European and Irish legislation, before a medicine can be placed on the market the manufacturer must seek an authorisation from the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), or in the case of certain medicines, the European Medicines Agency.
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 website of the HPRA. 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.
The responsibility for the clinical use of exempt medicinal products lies with the prescriber. In accordance with the Medical Council’s Guide to Professional Conduct and Ethics, medical practitioners must ensure as far as possible that any treatment, medication or therapy prescribed for a patient is safe, evidence-based and in the patient’s best interests. This applies equally to licensed and unlicensed medicinal products.
608. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the countries for which the WHO does not recommend terminal prophylaxis to kill the hypnozoite phase of the malaria parasite. [10192/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialised agency of the United Nations that is concerned with international public health. It would not be appropriate for me to comment on WHO policy in other countries.
609. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of beds for close observation for persons with intellectual disability in mental health services in each catchment area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10193/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra610. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of beds for persons with intellectual disability for general mental health services in each catchment area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10194/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra621. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health if there is a mental health national secure unit for persons with an intellectual disability; if so, the location and number of beds in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10212/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra622. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of mental health inpatient beds nationally for persons with an intellectual disability; the locations and number of beds in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10214/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 609, 610, 621 and 622 together.
As these are service issues, these questions have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
611. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of beds for mental health services for persons with eating disorders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10195/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
612. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of crisis houses in use; the location of same; the number of places in each house; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10196/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
613. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of care rehabilitation units in each region; the number of beds in each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10197/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
614. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of multidisciplinary liaison teams; the locations of same; the staff make-up; the geographical area they are responsible for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10199/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra615. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of multidisciplinary teams providing a national neuropsychiatry service; the locations of same; the staff make-up; the geographical area they are responsible for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10201/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra616. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health if there is a national neuropsychiatric unit; if so, the location of same; the number of beds within it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10202/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 614 to 616, inclusive, together.
As these are service issues, these questions have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
618. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of beds for close observations for adult mental health services in each catchment area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10209/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
