Written Answers Nos 1388-1400
1388. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the procedures in place to encourage manufacturers of medicines to make their products available for sale to the health services at a manageable cost with particular reference to top of the range new products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28201/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2016 Framework Agreement on the Supply and Pricing of Medicines provides for a new and more robust process for the reimbursement of medicines offering greater certainty to manufacturers regarding the reimbursement process.
The revised process now requires that each product seeking reimbursement under the community drugs schemes will undergo an assessment process by the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE). As part of this process the manufacturer must submit the price at which it is seeking reimbursement for its product.
Under Clause 6.2.1 of the Framework Agreement the maximum supplier proposed price shall be no greater than the average of the currency-adjusted relevant price (being the ex- factory price or equivalent thereof and using the applicable exchange rate) applicable in such of the nominated states in which the medicine is available on the date of application. Under Clause 6.2.3 medicines are also subject to an annual price realignment so as to ensure that prices in Ireland fall in line with prices in other basket countries.
Once submitted to the NCPE the product will then be assessed in terms of its safety, clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness at the price submitted. The cost-effectiveness of the drug at the price submitted is factored into the NCPE's recommendation on whether or not the product should be reimbursed.
Following a recommendation from the NCPE, the HSE enters into negotiations with manufacturers, often seeking price reductions. The HSE frequently seeks to address what it may regard as excessive pricing demands around new medicines so as to bring those medicines within the range of affordability.
It is important to point out however that the HSE does not select the prices sought for patented medicines, that is determined by the pharmaceutical industry. Therefore I would urge all pharmaceutical companies to submit pricing proposals which are affordable and sustainable and which represent value for money for the Irish health service, patients and the taxpayer.
In May I attended the third Round Table meeting for European Health Ministers and CEO's/Heads of Europe-based pharmaceutical companies in Malta, where I signed the Valetta Declaration.
The Declaration is in line with my objectives since coming into office to work with other countries to make medicines available to patients at affordable prices.
A technical committee to be established shortly, will explore the possible areas for cooperation including information sharing, horizon scanning and possible price negotiations and joint procurement.
1389. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a procedure for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28226/17]
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.
1390. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health if he will address concerns raised by the mental health service providers concerning the facilities at a site (details supplied); the status of the programmes of renovations promised at the centre; if his attention has been drawn to sub-standard conditions at the site including bare floor boards throughout and no bathroom for staff with co-located toilet and wash hand basin; when existing services will vacate the facilities as promised to allow for the mental health team to offer services; if he will provide the health and safety statement for the new premises including fire evacuation plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28236/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
1391. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Galway will be issued with a date for an orthodontic appointment; the reason for the delay in issuing this appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28244/17]
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.
1392. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has received no home care or other help with their ADHD condition; and the help they can receive in the future. [28248/17]
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.
1393. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if the deadline announced in February 2017 for the publication of an implementation plan for the national neuro-rehabiltation strategy by June 2017 will not now be met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28260/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive (HSE) Social Care Division and the HSE Clinical Programme and Strategy Division are working in tandem to progress the implementation of the National Policy & Strategy for the provision of Neuro-rehabilitation Services in Ireland. This is in line with the commitment to publish an implementation plan as outlined in the Programme for a Partnership Government and the commitment in the HSE National Service Plan 2017 and HSE Social Care Operational Plan for 2017.
I understand that the HSE has endeavoured to achieve an end of June 2017 timeline for the development and publication of an Implementation Plan. However, given the level of feedback received following a consultation process in 2016 and the need to enhance and expand the Implementation Framework to ensure engagement of the whole health system including acute hospital, post-acute and community level, it has not been possible to achieve this timeline. I understand that the HSE is committed to publishing an Implementation Plan as soon as possible.
The enhancement of the Implementation Framework will be completed by members of the National Working Group and overseen by the National Steering Group. I am happy to inform the Deputy that the National Steering Group, which is an oversight group with representatives from the HSE Reform Team - Disability Services, Acute Hospital Services, Primary Care, the Clinical Lead for the Rehabilitation Medicine Programme (Clinical Programme and Strategy) and the Clinical Lead for Social Care, has its first meeting scheduled for 4 July, 2017.
Full terms of reference for both the National Steering Group and National Working groups are in development, which will provide guidance on their roles and functions, to ensure that all members have clarity in terms of accountability and responsibilities.
1394. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting on orthodontic procedures over three months, six months, one year and 18 months by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28275/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
1395. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to ease orthodontic waiting times for children in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28278/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
1396. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28284/17]
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.
1397. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied); and if there are staff shortages in the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital. [28288/17]
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.
1398. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delays experienced by a person (details supplied) who is awaiting an assessment of need since June 2016 and despite receiving assurances to the contrary from the Office of the Disability Appeals Officer that they would receive an assessment of need within three months of January 2017, they are now informed that they will not be assessed until New Year 2018. [28289/17]
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.
1399. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the delays and backlogs which exist under early years intervention within the Office of the Disability Appeals Officer by county, in tabular form; and the number of children that have been assured of a three month assessment following the complaints procedure [28290/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Disability Appeals Officer received 118 appeal applications in 2016 with 12 applications carried over from 2015. The new appeals received represent a three fold increase in the number of appeals received in 2015 (36 applications received). The majority of the appeals received relate to delays in the completion of the Assessment of Need process by the HSE.
Where this is the case and the appeal is upheld, the Disability Appeals Officer issues a letter of Determination. This letter includes a request that assessment of needs be commenced, if not already commenced, and any Final Assessment Report and Service Statement, should they be entitled to one, need to be completed and issued without further delay.
The following table outlines the number and location by County of appeal applications received in 2016.
|
COUNTY |
NUMBER OF APPLICANTS |
|
Cavan |
6 |
|
Cork |
76 |
|
Dublin |
14 |
|
Laois |
2 |
|
Meath |
1 |
|
Monaghan |
2 |
|
Tipperary |
5 |
|
Wexford |
12 |
The number of Determinations made in 2016 amounted to 65 (11 of these were received in 2015). The number of appeals deemed invalid amounted to 11 (including 1 from 2015), the number withdrawn was 6 and the number of applications carried over into 2017 amounted to 48.
1400. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will address the difficulty the Office of the Ombudsman has in pursuing certain complaints by ensuring that the office is no longer prevented from pursuing complaints against private nursing homes or the HSE in situations in which the action complained of relates solely to a clinical judgment decision. [28296/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe functions and powers of the Ombudsman are set out under the Ombudsman Act 1980, and responsibility for the Office of the Ombudsman comes under the aegis of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
The Ombudsman published a report in 2015 entitled "Learning to Get Better - An investigation by the Ombudsman into how public hospitals handle complaints". One of the recommendations in that report was "Consideration should be given on a wider front to amending the statutory complaints process (and the remit of the Ombudsman) to allow for the inclusion of clinical judgement as the subject about which a complaint can be made". Under current legislation the Ombudsman cannot examine complaints which relate to a person acting on behalf of the HSE and which, in his opinion, relate solely to the exercise of clinical judgement in the diagnosis or care or treatment of a patient. However, the Ombudsman can examine the administrative actions of healthcare professionals and administrators taken in the course of clinical work which do not involve clinical judgement.
My Department's National Patient Safety Office is conducting a review of the statutory complaints process and this will include consideration of the recommendations in the Office for the Ombudsman Report of 2015. The review will also examine how the HSE examines complaints in accordance with its obligations under Part 9 of the Health Act 2004. The public consultation phase of this review is now underway and concludes on 22nd June 2017. It is open to the public, patients, users, staff and relevant organisations as an online questionnaire on the Department of Health website.
