Bernard Durkan
Ceist:353. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the status of an application for a medical card by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29632/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMedical Card Applications
Ceisteanna (353)
Freagraí scríofa
The 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.
Hospital Charges
Ceisteanna (354)
Lisa Chambers
Ceist:354. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) is receiving a bill from University Hospital Galway in view of the fact they have a medical card. [29637/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, the Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this query and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Medical Card Administration
Ceisteanna (355)
Paul Kehoe
Ceist:355. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the increasing delays in processing medical card applications especially if additional information is requested; the efforts being made to reduce the processing times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29653/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Medical cards and GP visit cards are processed by the National Medical Card Unit (NMCU) in the HSE. I am aware that the processing times for medical cards increased in recent months. The HSE has informed my Department that this is primarily due to a reduction in the number of processing staff within the NMCU at present.
Processing times for applications/reviews can also be affected where supporting documentation required is not supplied or is incomplete. In such circumstances the HSE will correspond with applicants specifying the additional information required to progress the assessment of their application.
I have asked the HSE to respond directly on the measures being taken to address the current processing times.
The HSE provides weekly statistics on turnaround times on its website http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/schemes/mc.
Home Help Service
Ceisteanna (356)
Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Ceist:356. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health if there is a vacancy in the position of home help organiser for South Lee; if so, how long the vacancy has existed; the way these responsibilities have been handled in the interim; and the plans that exist to fill this vacancy. [29655/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
General Medical Services Scheme
Ceisteanna (357)
Brendan Howlin
Ceist:357. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health the action that will be taken by the HSE to address the situation whereby general practitioners are charging GMS patients for diagnostic and routine blood tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29664/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
There is no provision under the GMS GP contract for persons who hold a medical card or GP visit card to be charged for routine phlebotomy services provided by their GP, or the Practice Nurse on behalf of the GP, which are required to either assist in the diagnosis of illness or the treatment of a condition. The HSE has advised GPs that where a blood test forms part of the investigation or necessary treatment of a patient’s symptoms or conditions, this should be free of charge for patients who hold a medical card or GP visit card. Notwithstanding this, I am aware that in recent times some GPs have begun to charge GMS patients for phlebotomy services in some circumstances.
This is a matter of concern for me as it has long been the position of Government and the Oireachtas that no user charges should apply to GP services provided to GMS and GP visit care patients.
If a patient who holds a medical card or GP visit card believes he or she has been incorrectly charged for routine phlebotomy services by his or her GP, then that patient may make a complaint to the HSE Local Health Office, who will deal with the matter in accordance with the HSE's Complaints Policy.
In order to achieve clarity on this issue, I have asked that any difference of perspective in relation to the provision of phlebotomy services be addressed in the GP contractual review process, which is currently underway. I look forward to constructive and positive engagements with a view to achieving a satisfactory outcome.
Care of the Elderly Provision
Ceisteanna (358)
Jackie Cahill
Ceist:358. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the status of the approved funding of €10 million to facilitate a 60 bed extension, the retention of the rehabilitation centre and the provision of a specialised dementia unit in a hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29673/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Many public units are housed in buildings that are less than ideal in the modern context, but notwithstanding this, the care delivered to residents is generally of a very high standard. It is important therefore that we upgrade our public bed stock and this is the aim of the 5 year Capital Investment Programme for Community Nursing Units which was announced last year. This provides the framework to allow for an enhanced programme to replace, upgrade and refurbish these care facilities, as appropriate. Significant work was undertaken to determine the most optimum scheduling of projects within the phased provision of funding to achieve compliance with National Standards. By the end of 2016 I understand that 14 projects were operational and a further 12 are expected to be operational by the end of this year.
Under this Programme it is proposed to build a 100 bed community nursing unit in Cashel by the end of 2021, through a Public Private Partnership or alternative funding model, to replace St Patrick’s Hospital.
Operational responsibility for delivering the programme is a matter for the HSE. The Executive has advised that a project team has just been set up for the Cashel project.
Hospital Facilities
Ceisteanna (359)
Jackie Cahill
Ceist:359. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the status of an application by a hospital (details supplied) for a replacement mini bus with wheelchair access; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29674/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Vaccination Programme
Ceisteanna (360, 361, 362, 363, 364)
Marc MacSharry
Ceist:360. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health the date on which the HSE and the Government were advised by a company (details supplied) that there was an issue with the Pandemrix swine influenza vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29677/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMarc MacSharry
Ceist:361. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health the issue specifically a company (details supplied) outlined with the Pandemrix swine influenza vaccine in terms of side effects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29678/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMarc MacSharry
Ceist:362. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health the date on which the Government and HSE took appropriate action following being informed of the issues with the Pandemrix swine influenza vaccine; the action which was taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29679/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMarc MacSharry
Ceist:363. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health the date on which the HSE ceased promoting the use of the Pandemrix swine influenza vaccine as essential in the prevention of swine influenza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29680/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMarc MacSharry
Ceist:364. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health when the HSE will release information regarding the side effects of the Pandemrix swine influenza vaccine to the legal representatives of the families of the children affected by the vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29681/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 360 to 364, inclusive, together.
As you are aware, this matter is the subject of litigation in which plaintiffs allege personal injury in which they claim the development of narcolepsy (cataplexy) resulted from the administration of the H1N1 pandemic vaccine. An Order requiring the defendants to make Discovery was made in the High Court on 28 November 2016 in the most advanced case. Discovery is a legal process which must be carried out in accordance with Orders made by the Courts and both the Department of Health and the HSE are working to comply with the Order made in this case. However, the size and complexity of the Discovery means that this is not a trivial or quick process and, to date, the HSE has identified 300,000 records and the Department over 465,000 records, all which must be examined and scheduled by Counsel. Consequently, I am currently not in a position to release all the information requested by the Deputy.
Nevertheless, it is important to remember the context in which vaccination against influenza type A (H1N1) was introduced. On 11 June 2009, following consideration by its Emergency Committee, the WHO raised the Influenza type A (H1N1) alert to Pandemic level 6 which officially declares a pandemic. My Department activated the National Plan for pandemic influenza and, based on the advices of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee, ‘at risk’ groups were prioritised for vaccination. Vaccination of children was prioritised as the rates of influenza were highest in those groups at that time. The public pandemic vaccination campaign ended on 31 March 2010.
The first reports of a link between pandemic influenza vaccination and narcolepsy came in the second half of 2010. In August 2010, the Swedish pharmacovigilance authority reported that it was investigating six cases of narcolepsy reported by health care professionals as a possible adverse event following the use of Pandemrix vaccine during the pandemic. This was followed later that month by reports from the Finnish National Institute for Health and Welfare noting there had been a more than expected number of cases of narcolepsy in children and adolescents that year. On 23 September 2010, the Committee on Human Medicinal Products of the European Medicines Agency concluded in its initial review of available data that the available evidence did not confirm a link but that more research was needed. By the end of March 2011 the Irish Medicines Board, now the Health Products Regulatory Authority, had received reports of two confirmed cases of narcolepsy following vaccination with pandemic vaccines. My Department and the HSE agreed that the Health Protection Surveillance Centre would work with the Irish Medicines Board and Irish clinical experts in narcolepsy to examine the Irish data and report back the findings. The Final Report of National Narcolepsy Study Steering Committee was published on 19 April 2012. It found a 13-fold higher risk of narcolepsy in vaccinated compared to unvaccinated individuals and the absolute increased risk associated with the vaccine was five narcolepsy cases per 100,000 vaccinated children and adolescents.
Finally, since the 2010/2011 influenza season H1N1 has been incorporated in the seasonal flu vaccine used in Ireland.
Traveller Community
Ceisteanna (365)
Fergus O'Dowd
Ceist:365. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the position regarding Traveller support and services provided by his Department in each county; the groups, agencies and voluntary bodies involved; the cost of same for each county for the past three years and to date in 2017; his plans to set up an advisory group to report on the minimum levels of support and services from his Department that should be available in each county to address the needs and the rights of Travellers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29695/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The information sought by the Deputy is not immediately available. However, my Department is currently collating the information and will contact the Deputy directly in this matter.
My Department is a member of the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy Steering Group, which will monitor the implementation and progress of the new Inclusion Strategy, including any health-related actions.
Hospital Services
Ceisteanna (366)
Kathleen Funchion
Ceist:366. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health the reason 20 week anomaly scans are not offered as standard to women in the public maternity system in St. Luke's Hospital in County Kilkenny which services the counties of Carlow and Kilkenny. [29703/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am advised that foetal anomaly scans are available in all Hospital Groups. Those hospitals/maternity units currently providing anomaly scans accept referrals from other maternity units, if requested. This occurs where the medical team in the referring maternity unit consider that an anomaly scan is clinically indicated.
The National Maternity Strategy is very clear that all women must have equal access to standardised ultrasound services. The Strategy will be implemented on a phased basis and this work will be led by the HSE National Women & Infants Health Programme. Indeed, the issue of anomaly scanning is a priority issue for the Programme and, accordingly, it will develop clinical guidance regarding routine detailed scans at 20 weeks. In the meantime, the Programme will continue to work with the six Hospital Groups to assist in increasing access to anomaly scans for those units with limited availability.
One of the current challenges to increase access to anomaly scans is the recruitment of ultrasonographers. In this context, it is expected that the establishment of Maternity Networks across Hospital Groups will assist in developing a sustainable model that ensures that all women within each Hospital Group can access anomaly scans.
Hospital Beds Data
Ceisteanna (367)
Kathleen Funchion
Ceist:367. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health the measures which are being taken to address the increasing trolley crisis in St. Luke's Hospital, County Kilkenny. [29704/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
St. Luke’s Hospital Kilkenny has seen a 5% increase in ED attendances this May, as compared to May 2016. In addition, a CRE outbreak is currently impacting 18 beds at this site.
The Special Delivery Unit (SDU) of the HSE continues to provide support to all hospitals including St. Luke’s Hospital Kilkenny to alleviate pressure on EDs. For example in June 2017, 12 new in-patients beds were opened at this hospital. St. Luke’s Hospital Kilkenny was also selected under the Winter Initiative 2016-2017 as a pilot site to develop an integrated case management approach between acute hospitals and the community organisations to the provision of healthcare services to our Frail and Elderly population. This pilot is part of a wider HSE Integrated Care Programme for Older People (ICPOP) and work is on-going.
The Department and the HSE are currently engaged in a process to commence winter planning for next year, and to achieve an improvement trajectory in ED performance.
Hospital Appointments Administration
Ceisteanna (368)
Sean Fleming
Ceist:368. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a hospital appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29708/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under 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.
Disabilities Assessments
Ceisteanna (369)
Mattie McGrath
Ceist:369. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health when an assessment of needs will be provided for a person (details supplied) in south County Tipperary; the actions he will take against the HSE for failing to meet its requirements under the Disability Act 2005 to provide an assessment of needs within three months of referral; if children waiting for an assessment of needs for more than three months can be provided with a private assessment in view of the backlogs in south County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29711/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 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.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (370)
Seán Sherlock
Ceist:370. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health when funding will be provided for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare to accommodate their urgent needs. [29721/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
HSE Staff
Ceisteanna (371)
Carol Nolan
Ceist:371. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the reason the adult clinical psychologist post for County Offaly remains vacant; the length of time this post has remained vacant; if the HSE plans to fill the post; the timeframe for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29728/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.