Written Answers Nos. 282-302
282. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if his Department is considering a proposal from a private provider (details supplied) in respect of the provision of respite services for persons with disabilities in County Louth and surrounding areas; when a decision will be reached in respect of this proposal; the number of respite places it would provide; the associated cost of this proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41231/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra283. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding which was allocated to County Louth in each of the years 2011 to 2016, inclusive, and to date in 2017 in respect of disability capital funding; the agency or agencies this funding was allocated to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41232/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra284. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding which was allocated to each of the community healthcare organisation areas in each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017 in respect of disability capital funding; the agencies this funding was allocated to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41233/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 282 to 284, inclusive, together.
The Programme for Partnership Government states that the Government wishes to provide more accessible respite care to facilitate full support for people with a disability.
Budget 2017 includes an increased allocation to the Disability Services Programme to address a number of key priorities in the Programme for Partnership Government. Funding of €1.69 billion was allocated by the Health Service Executive, HSE, for disability services in 2017. This represented an increased allocation of €130 million compared to the previous year.
In the Health Service Executive's, HSE's, Social Care Operational Plan for 2017, 6,320 people with a disability are expected to avail of centre based respite services totalling 182,506 overnights. Based on existing levels of service and in addition to the centre-based respite service, it’s planned that between 2,000 and 2,500 persons will avail of respite services such as holiday respite or occasional respite with a host family. It is also planned that based on existing levels of service, a further 41,100 day-only respite sessions will be accessed by people with a disability.
In addition, the HSE has been funded to provide 185 new emergency residential placements and new home support and in-home respite for 210 additional people who require emergency supports has been allocated. This marks a significant change in the way that respite services are delivered.
The HSE continues to work with agencies to explore various ways of responding to this need in line with the budget available. As the Deputy's questions relate to service matters, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him.
285. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the detail of both spinal consultants who are employed in Tallaght hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41239/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra286. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health whether both spinal consultants in Tallaght hospital are on full-time contracts in the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41240/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 285 and 286 together.
In relation to the queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service issues, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
287. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health if a replacement consultant has been found to replace a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41241/17]
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 the Deputy directly.
288. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has been informed that the person's general practitioner card has been withdrawn for a period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41242/17]
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 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.
289. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health if the medicinal cannabis compassionate access programme to be launched soon will allow consultants to prescribe cannabis oil with THC content; and if the scheme will allow a consultant to determine the level of THC content of the oil based on the medical needs of the person in question. [41243/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn foot of the conclusions from the Health Products Regulatory Authority’s, HPRA, report I have undertaken to establish an Access Programme for cannabis-based treatments, for patients under the care of a medical consultant, for the following medical conditions:
- spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis resistant to all standard therapies;
- intractable nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy;
- severe, refractory (treatment-resistant) epilepsy.
In March I established an Expert Group, chaired by Dr. Mairín Ryan from HIQA, to develop the operational, clinical and practice guidelines for the Access Programme. The guidance will include a list of THC and CBD-based cannabis products for use under the access programme, along with general dosage information. As doses will vary depending on the type of product used, individual patient variation, development of tolerance, interaction with other drugs and previous exposure to cannabis, dose adjustments will be a matter for the prescriber based on the patient’s response to treatment.
The Expert Group conducted a targeted consultation on the draft guidelines for prescribers, patients and pharmacists and is due to finalise these guidelines shortly. Officials in my Department are working on secondary legislation to underpin the programme and on the logistics of sourcing suitable cannabis-based product supplies for the Irish market place.
Ultimately it is the decision of clinicians, in consultation with their patient, to prescribe or not prescribe a particular treatment for a patient under their care. As Minister for Health I have no role in this clinical decision-making process.
290. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health his plans to reduce the waiting lists for occupational therapy and psychology appointments for children aged zero to 18 years of age, by county, in tabular form. [41245/17]
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.
291. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the position of a person (details supplied) on the waiting list for the National Rehabilitation Hospital; the estimated timeframe for admission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41251/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Rehabilitation Hospital, NRH, provides specialist rehabilitation services (inpatient, outpatient and day-patient services) to patients with complex needs, who have acquired a physical or cognitive disability as a result of an accident, illness or injury and require specialist medical rehabilitation services. The Government recognises the excellent rehabilitation programme which the National Rehabilitation Hospital delivers and the Hospital's excellent patient outcomes.
The complexity and acuity of patients referred to the NRH for rehabilitation programmes has increased in recent years, resulting in greater challenges for the hospital. I understand that in response to this, the NRH reduced its existing bed capacity to enable the hospital to provide a safe and appropriate level of care from within existing resources.
As the Deputy's question relates to an individual matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for a detailed direct response to the Deputy.
292. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the long waiting times for the psychology assessments needed by children to access speech and language and other early intervention services in north County Dublin, as in the case of a person (details supplied). [41268/17]
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 HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
293. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the waiting list for the National Rehabilitation Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41271/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra294. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of beds in the National Rehabilitation Hospital; the number occupied, empty and closed, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41272/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra295. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health whether funding issues are causing beds at the National Rehabilitation Hospital to remain empty and not staffed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41273/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 293 to 295, inclusive, together.
The National Rehabilitation Hospital, NRH, provides specialist rehabilitation services (inpatient, outpatient and day-patient services) to patients with complex needs, who have acquired a physical or cognitive disability as a result of an accident, illness or injury and require specialist medical rehabilitation services. The Government recognises the excellent rehabilitation programme which the National Rehabilitation Hospital delivers and the Hospital's excellent patient outcomes.
The complexity and acuity of patients referred to the NRH for rehabilitation programmes has increased in recent years, resulting in greater challenges for the hospital. I understand that in response to this, the NRH reduced its existing bed capacity to enable the hospital to provide a safe and appropriate level of care from within existing resources.
As the Deputy's questions relates to service matters, I have arranged for the questions to be referred to the Health Service Executive for a detailed direct response to the Deputy.
296. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health his plans to allow women to access long-acting reversible contraception under the medical card scheme. [41276/17]
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.
297. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will review a matter (details supplied); if he will reconsider this decision not to fund Translarna; if he will address the points made by the persons affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41280/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra318. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health the reason the drug Translarna is not being made available for persons that suffer with Duchenne muscular dystrophy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41347/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 297 and 318 together.
The Health Service Executive has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drug schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
The HSE informed my Department of its decision not to reimburse Ataluren (Translarna) in July 2017. The HSE informed the manufacturer of this decision, in keeping with the requirements of the 2013 Act. The manufacturer has appealed the HSE’s decision to the High Court under Section 27 of the 2013 Act.
As proceedings have now issued against the HSE, this is now subject to the courts process.
It would be inappropriate for me to comment on a matter currently before the courts.
298. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who have been placed on a panel in respect of the recent application for the post of home help for community health organisation area 8; the expected number to be recruited off this panel by county in 2017 and 2018; the length of time this panel will remain in place for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41283/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
299. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health when sonographers will be in place to provide anomaly scans at Cavan General Hospital; if he has set out a timeline for the provision of this scan on site at the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41286/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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. 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 who are skilled in using these machines. 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.
In relation to the specific query regarding Cavan General Hospital, I have asked the HSE to reply to the Deputy directly.
300. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he is considering a proposal from a private provider (details supplied) in respect of the provision of respite services for persons with disabilities in County Louth and the surrounding areas; when a decision will be reached in respect of this proposal; the associated cost of this proposal; the number of respite places it would provide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41290/17]
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 Programme for Partnership Government states that the Government wishes to provide more accessible respite care to facilitate full support for people with a disability.
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
301. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be called for rehab care in the Sacred Heart Hospital, Carlow. [41296/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra302. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive home help hours. [41297/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 301 and 302 together.
As these are a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
