Written Answers Nos. 944-959
944. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the status of an investigation into the death of a person (details supplied); if correspondence sent to HIQA by a person (details supplied) will be investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19775/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) is the statutory independent regulator for the nursing home sector and this responsibility is underpinned by a comprehensive quality framework comprising of Registration Regulations, Care and Welfare Regulations and National Quality Standards.
Nursing homes are monitored and inspected to ensure that they meet the requirements set out by the Health Act 2007, and by the regulations and national standards. As a regulator HIQA has no formal legal role in examining individual complaints, however, the Authority welcomes information about designated centres for dependent persons. If there is a serious risk to the health and welfare of persons accessing the service, HIQA may decide to take appropriate action.
While HIQA does not comment on individual concerns I can advise the Deputy that all persons who contact HIQA with a concern are advised to contact the service provider in the first instance. The provider is required under the Health Act 2007 to have a clear complaints procedure in place. Concerns can also be addressed to the HSE's Your Service Your Say, the HSE National Information Line, the Office of the Ombudsman or a HSE Safeguarding and Protection Team, as appropriate. Further information on how to make a complaint or give feedback about health and social care services in Ireland can be found on www.healthcomplaints.ie.
946. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the targets in place for the uptake of the winter flu vaccine among front line Health Service Executive, HSE, staff; the number of front-line HSE staff that availed of the vaccine in the past three years for which figures are available; the way these compare with targets; the way in which uptake is promoted among staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19786/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HPSC collects data on uptake among Healthcare Workers working in hospitals and long term care facilities annually using web-based surveys sent to each facility. The reports are distributed back to each facility and hospital and HSE management and placed on the HPSC website http://www.hpsc.ie/A-Z/Respiratory/Influenza/SeasonalInfluenza/Vaccination/.
In Q1 2017, the target for influenza vaccine uptake among Healthcare Workers has been set at 40% by the HSE. Although some hospitals and long term care facilities have met the target of 40% uptake, the national average % uptake is below the target, although substantial improvements have been noted in the past three influenza seasons, rising form 21.3% to 30.8%.
The number of Healthcare Workers availing of influenza vaccine for the past three years (note provisional data for 2016-2017 season) is laid out in the following table.
|
Column 1 |
2016-2017* |
2015-2016 |
2014-2015 |
|
|
Hospitals |
No. hospitals participating each season |
50 |
50 |
45 |
|
No. HCWs reported vaccinated in participating hospitals |
19523 |
14833 |
12006 |
|
|
No. eligible for vaccination in responding hospitals |
63445 |
59205 |
51324 |
|
|
Seasonal average % uptake |
30.8* |
22.5 |
21.3 |
|
|
Long term care facilities (LTCFs) |
No. LTCFs participating per season |
85 |
101 |
91 |
|
No. HCWs reported vaccinated in participating LTCFs |
2985 |
2420 |
2739 |
|
|
No. HCWs reported eligible for vaccination in responding LTCFs |
11013 |
9355 |
10658 |
|
|
Seasonal average % uptake |
27.1* |
26.6 |
28.1 |
*2016-2017 season – provisional data mid season (updates as of April 2017)
The National Immunisation Office has developed communication and training materials and provided education sessions for Healthcare Workers both locally and nationally. The updated website includes frequently asked questions for Healthcare Workers. Throughout the winter season, the National Immunisation Office staff answered queries relating to flu vaccination. Pens and bags were provided as incentives to local areas to encourage Healthcare Workers uptake. Local Departments of Public Health supported and lead local initiatives, including work on the peer vaccination programmes.
947. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce regulations to oversee the provision of hearing aids; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19789/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE advises that hearing aids supplied in the public audiology service conform to the highest international standards and are procured using an international procurement process. The HSE Integrated Audiology Programme set up a working group of key stakeholders in 2015, with the aim of assessing the standards that were applied to the fitting of medical devices (i.e. hearing aids) within Ireland. The group has drawn on various good practices that are applied across Audiology and Hearing Aid Audiology and are currently in the final stages of producing a best practice guide to ensure a code of practice for the profession (both public and private) for use within Ireland.
The sale of medical devices, including hearing aids, within the European Union is regulated by EU legislation. All medical devices placed on the market undergo a conformity assessment to confirm that they meet specified safety and performance requirements. Once a medical device is CE marked and is not subject to prescription control it may be sold on the EU market without restriction. There are new distributor requirements that will come into effect with the application of the new EU medical devices regulations which will broaden the scope of the current regulatory framework to address obligations of all economic operators.
The profession of audiologist is not included in the 14 professions currently designated under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005. The Act provides that the Minister for Health may, following a consultation process and with the approval of the Houses of the Oireachtas, make regulations designating a health or social care profession not already designated if the Minister considers it in the public interest to do so and if certain specified criteria have been met.
My Department is proposing, towards the end of this year or early next year, when all registration boards have been established, to ask CORU - the Health and Social Care Professionals Council to undertake a risk assessment, in terms of public protection, of the principal health and social care professions seeking designation under the Act and to make recommendations concerning options for their possible future regulation. The question of designating the professions of audiologist will be considered as part of that process.
948. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position in relation to the approval of a drug (details supplied) under the general medicinal services and the drugs payment schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19793/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drug schemes in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
949. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19799/17]
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.
950. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the action he proposes to take to ensure that cannabis for medicinal use is available via prescription to persons suffering from chronic pain in which there is significant medical evidence of the positive effects of such intervention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19808/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 10 February I published the HPRA’s Report ‘Cannabis for Medicinal Use – A Scientific Review’, and announced the establishment of an access programme for cannabis-based treatments, to be provided for patients under the care of a medical consultant, for the following conditions:
- spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis resistant to all standard therapies and interventions;
- intractable nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy, despite the use of standard anti-emetic regimes; and
- severe, refractory (treatment-resistant) epilepsy that has failed to respond to standard anticonvulsant medications.
The HPRA Report did not recommend the inclusion of chronic pain in the access programme.
Notwithstanding this, and as I have outlined previously, there is no legal impediment preventing an Irish registered consultant from prescribing cannabis products containing THC for a patient with chronic pain, or other serious medical conditions, where the proposed course of treatment has been endorsed by a consultant who is responsible for the management of that patient and is prepared to monitor the effects of the treatment over time. In such circumstances the prescriber would need to apply to my Department for a licence under the Misuse of Drugs Acts.
Ultimately the decision on the appropriate course of treatment for any patient is a matter for the clinician treating the patient and a Minister for Health has no role in the clinical decision making process.
951. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will be able to gain access to the early intervention team services beyond summer 2017 in view of the delays they have experienced in starting treatment. [19813/17]
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.
953. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the reason no financial support is being made available to an organisation (details supplied) when other similar services in County Tipperary are fully funded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19816/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
954. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when persons (details supplied) will receive a decision on a medical card application. [19820/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information was issued to Oireachtas members.
955. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a decision on a medical card application. [19821/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information was issued to Oireachtas members.
956. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a decision on a medical card application. [19822/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information was issued to Oireachtas members.
957. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when persons (details supplied) will receive a decision on a medical card application. [19823/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information was issued to Oireachtas members.
958. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health when his Department will provide the required additional staff for the diabetic unit in Portlaoise hospital. [19833/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
959. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the average waiting time for admission to the National Rehabilitation Hospital for each of the past five years, in tabular form; the number of persons on the waiting list at year end for each of the past five years; the number of persons currently awaiting admission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19838/17]
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 for direct reply to the Deputy.
