Thursday, 26 Oct 2017

Written Answers Nos. 156-180

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (156)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

156. 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. [45420/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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.

Primary Medical Certificates

Ceisteanna (157)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

157. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if a copy of a primary medical certificate for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal can be furnished to their parents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45431/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

Hospital Equipment

Ceisteanna (158)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

158. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if the staff and resources required to operate the genomic sequencing equipment at the Mater hospital will be provided by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45435/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive for a direct response

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (159)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

159. 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. [45442/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Vaccination Programme

Ceisteanna (160)

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

160. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will have access to special services as required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45445/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I am aware of claims of an association between HPV vaccination and a number of conditions experienced by a group of young women. An illness that occurs around the time a vaccine is given and is already known to be common in adolescence does not imply the vaccine caused the problem. It appears that some girls first suffered symptoms around the time they received the HPV vaccine, and understandably some parents have connected the vaccine to their daughter’s condition. It is important to reassure people that anyone who is suffering ill health is eligible to seek medical attention, and to access appropriate health and social care services, irrespective of the cause of their symptoms. As there is no scientific evidence that the vaccine causes long term illnesses, the HPV vaccine cannot be held responsible for these illnesses.

The individual nature of the needs of some children may require access to specialist services and the Health Service Executive are currently working to put in place a clinical care pathway appropriate to the medical needs of this group.

Long-Term Illness Scheme Applications

Ceisteanna (161)

Frank O'Rourke

Ceist:

161. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health when the review in respect of the reimbursement of long-term illness medical expenses for a person (details supplied) will be completed; if there is an onus on a medical clinician, pharmacist or other to advise a person regarding their entitlement to avail of the LTI scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45448/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Home Help Service Provision

Ceisteanna (162)

James Browne

Ceist:

162. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health when home help hours for a person (details supplied) will be allocated, in view of their medical needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45449/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

General Medical Services Scheme Payments

Ceisteanna (163)

James Browne

Ceist:

163. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the status of general practitioners charging medical card holders excessive sums of money for blood tests and ear syringing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45450/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Under the terms of the current GMS contract, GPs are required to provide eligible patients with ''all proper and necessary treatment of a kind usually undertaken by a general practitioner and not requiring special skill or experience of a degree or kind which general practitioners cannot reasonably be expected to possess." 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 which are required to either assist in the diagnosis of illness or the treatment of a condition. The removal of wax by ear syringing is also considered to be comprehended by the GMS contract if the removal of wax forms part of the "proper and necessary treatment" required by an eligible patient. Notwithstanding this, I am aware that in recent times some GPs have begun to charge GMS patients for phlebotomy and ear syringing services in some circumstances.

This is a matter of concern for me as it has long been the position of the Government and the Oireachtas that no user charges should apply to GP services provided to GMS and GP visit card patients. If a patient who holds a medical card or GP visit card believes they have been incorrectly charged for routine services by their GP, or the practice nurse on behalf of their GP, they should contact their Local Health Office, who can investigate the matter in accordance with the HSE complaints policy.

In order to achieve clarity on these issues, I have asked that any difference of perspective in relation to the provision of phlebotomy and ear syringing services be addressed in the GP contractual review process, which is currently underway. The aim is to develop a contract which has a population health focus, providing in particular for health promotion and disease prevention and for the structured ongoing care of chronic conditions. I look forward to constructive and positive engagements with a view to achieving a satisfactory outcome.

Health Reports

Ceisteanna (164, 165)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

164. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the recommendations in a report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45451/17]

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

165. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health his views on the finding within a report (details supplied) with particular reference to the concept that providing homely care within the nursing home sector is further compounded by ageism and stigma; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45452/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 164 and 165 together.

The overarching policy of the Government is to support older people to live in dignity and independence in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. Where this is not possible, the Health Service Executive supports access to quality long-term residential care where this is appropriate.

I am familiar with the particular research referred to by the Deputy, and he will be aware having met with me on the day that I was present at its launch in September. The report documents the views, likes, dislikes and wishes of persons living in our nursing homes.

I believe that it is fundamentally important that residents' rights and dignity are respected and valued and that their views are listened to and acted upon. The significant role that a nursing home fulfils in the provision of a “home from home” for its residents must be recognised and acknowledged. Residential services for older people should be person-centred and I am convinced that older people should be the driving force in the design and delivery of those services which are provided to them. Their voices and views should be listened to and they must be allowed play a meaningful role in shaping their own homes and communities.

This is, for example enshrined in the "National Standards for Residential Care Settings for Older People in Ireland" (2016) developed by HIQA. The standards inter alia provide a framework for service providers for the continual development of person - centred services. Standard 1.3 outlines that residents have a right to exercise choice and have their needs and preferences taken into account in relation to services.

In relation to ageism in a broader context, the National Positive Ageing Strategy, published in 2013 provides a framework for cooperation to address age-related policy and service delivery across Government and society in the years ahead. The Strategy highlights that ageing is not just a health issue, but rather requires a whole of Government approach to address a range of social, economic and environmental factors that affect the health and well-being of our ageing citizens. Combatting ageism is one of the cross cutting objectives of the strategy. Revised arrangements for the implementation and monitoring of the strategy were approved by the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy and Public Service Reform in October, 2016. The first National Positive Ageing Indicators Report was published in 2016 and is available on the Department's website. Earlier this year the Department facilitated the inaugural stakeholder Forum under the NPAS. The forum provided an opportunity for stakeholders to work collaboratively and to identify key priorities. Those stakeholders have been facilitated with an opportunity to directly engage with relevant Departments in relation to those identified priorities. The Department of Health intends to follow up with the stakeholders in relation to their experience, towards the end of the year.

Medicinal Products Regulation

Ceisteanna (166)

Hildegarde Naughton

Ceist:

166. Deputy Hildegarde Naughton asked the Minister for Health if he will request that the manufacturers of statins sold here to make available the essential underlying research data used by each of the manufacturers regarding the adverse effects associated with statins. [45461/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is the competent authority responsible for the regulation of human medicines in Ireland. Under European and Irish legislation, before a medicine can be placed on the Irish market, the manufacturer must seek an authorisation from the HPRA or, in the case of certain medicinal products, the European Medicines Agency. A determination on an application for authorisation of a medicinal product is based on a rigorous scientific assessment of the application against the criteria of quality, safety and efficacy, legal and regulatory requirements. I have no role in the process of medicinal product authorisation.

All pharmaceutical companies seeking marketing authorisations for their medicines must provide evidence in a dossier which includes information from pre-clinical studies, clinical trials and manufacturing and testing data. The format of the dossier and type of data to be submitted is laid down in EU and national legislation and guidelines. Authorisation thereafter is made on the basis of initial and continuing benefit versus risk balance for specific therapeutic indications, having regard to the quality, safety and efficacy of the product for the proposed conditions of use.

The Summary of Product Characteristics for each medicine includes detailed information on the use, dosing recommendations, precautions for use, and the known side-effects of the medicine concerned. Information on the research data submitted to the competent authority is included in a number of sections, particularly section 5.1. The summaries for all products are accessible from the HPRA website (www.hpra.ie), including those for the statins authorised in Ireland, namely atorvastatin, fluvastatin, pitavastatin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin, and simvastatin, which are authorised under a range of brand names and in various strengths. The package leaflet for patients reflects the information described in the summary, but is required to be presented in an abbreviated and easy-to-read format.

Medicinal Products Prices

Ceisteanna (167)

Hildegarde Naughton

Ceist:

167. Deputy Hildegarde Naughton asked the Minister for Health the cost of statins purchased from the various manufacturers; the amount paid by the HSE; and the names of the manufacturers of same for each of the past five years, in tabular form [45462/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the pricing and reimbursement of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Health Strategies

Ceisteanna (168)

Hildegarde Naughton

Ceist:

168. Deputy Hildegarde Naughton asked the Minister for Health the amount spent by his Department and by the HSE on educating persons to change lifestyle as a preventive measure against chronic disease in tabular form. [45463/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Health and Well-being Programme in my Department is responsible for coordinating the implementation of Healthy Ireland which is the National Framework for Improved Health and Well-being 2013-2025. The Framework is based on evidence and experience from around the world which clearly shows that to create positive changes in health and well-being takes the involvement of the whole of Government and all of society working in unison. Since Healthy Ireland was launched in March 2013, my Department has launched the following health and well-being initiatives:

- The National Sexual Health Strategy 2015 - 2020;

- Tobacco Free Ireland - Report of the Tobacco Policy Review Group;

- The National Positive Ageing Strategy;

- Get Ireland Active - National Physical Activity Plan for Ireland;

- A Healthy Weight for Ireland - Obesity Policy and Action Plan;

- The National Healthy Cities and Counties of Ireland Network; and

- Healthy Food for Life - The Healthy Eating Guidelines and Food Pyramid.

It is not possible to identify in totality how much funding is currently spent on improving health and well-being across all Government Departments and agencies and in wider society.

Since the launch of Healthy Ireland, expenditure on its implementation from within the budget of the Department of Health has amounted to the following:

2013 - €89,315;

2014 - €586,470;

2015 - €607,706.83;

2016 - €1,156,405; and

2017 - €922,109.

In addition to the expenditure noted above, other expenditure arising within the Department could also be described as "Healthy Ireland" depending on classification.

Separate to the expenditure detailed above, the Government, in July 2016, approved the creation of a Healthy Ireland Fund and subsequently provided an initial allocation of €5 million in Budget 2017 to kick-start its establishment. The Fund was announced by An Taoiseach on Monday the 2 of October 2017.

The Healthy Ireland Fund will help drive the cross-governmental approach as set out in the Healthy Ireland Framework to improve the mental and physical health and well-being of the population. The main aim of the Fund is to support innovative, cross-sectoral, evidence based projects, programmes and initiatives that support the implementation of the key national policies in areas such as Obesity, Smoking, Alcohol, Physical Activity and Sexual Health. In particular the Fund will be for projects and programmes aimed at children and young people and their families, and supporting communities and vulnerable groups who are at most risk of experiencing health inequalities.

The Healthy Ireland Fund is managed and administered by Pobal on behalf of the Department and a further €5m has been made available for the Fund in Budget 2018.

As the Deputy is aware, operational responsibility for the delivery of specific initiatives promoting health and well-being by the health services is a matter for the HSE. Expenditure arising in the HSE, particularly in the Health and Well-being Division, could also be described as implementation of Healthy Ireland. However, it is not possible to disaggregate expenditure on promoting and improving health and well-being generally from overall HSE expenditure. Again, for example, within overall HSE expenditure, and in addition to work which is an integral part of the Health and Well-being Division, a large component of health promotion and improvement work takes place across the acute and primary care services as part of normal day to day activity. There is also expenditure arising in relation to communications campaigns by the HSE.

Radon Gas Levels

Ceisteanna (169)

John Brassil

Ceist:

169. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the way in which a newly built €13 million mental health unit (details supplied) can now be found to have radon levels exceeding the recommended 200 becquerels per cubic meter; if the building regulations provision for radon gas as outlined by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, that requires that all buildings built since 1 July 1998 be fitted with a stand by radon sump was adhered to; the person or group that now has financial responsibility to rectify same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45465/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Dental Services Provision

Ceisteanna (170)

John Brassil

Ceist:

170. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health his plans to allow for dental screening and treatment of persons under 16 years of age through the medical card scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45466/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The National Oral Health Policy, which the Department of Health is currently developing will inform future provision of oral health services. This is a 3-year project led by the Chief Dental Officer and is due to be completed later this year. The project includes a needs assessment, a review of resources and involves consultation with stakeholders, including dental professionals and the public.

Health Services Provision

Ceisteanna (171)

Joan Collins

Ceist:

171. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) can be transferred to a more suitable HSE area in view of the fact that the area they are in does not provide the required level of service for their needs. [45467/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Hospitals Building Programme

Ceisteanna (172)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

172. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of refurbishments to a hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45473/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The new Capital Envelope announced in the context of Budget 2018 is being used by the HSE to revise the Capital Plan and also in preparing the National Service Plan for 2018. Therefore I am not yet in a position to say what projects will be funded next year.

Medical Card Applications Data

Ceisteanna (173)

Gerry Adams

Ceist:

173. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1201 of 11 September 2017, if the central medical card unit collate figures for applications received, processed, refused and awarded from individual CHOs or counties; the reason figures for individual CHOs or counties are not collated; and if he has given consideration to doing so for future sharing of information with Teachtaí Dála. [45491/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has responsibility for the processing of Medical Cards and I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy regarding the collation of Medical Card figures as described.

Home Care Packages Data

Ceisteanna (174, 175, 176)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

174. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of home care packages being provided in each local health office area, in tabular form. [45497/17]

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

175. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of intensive home care packages being provided in each local health office area, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45498/17]

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

176. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of home help hours being provided in each local health office area, in tabular form. [45499/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 174 to 176, inclusive, together.

As these are service matters I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Nursing Staff Recruitment

Ceisteanna (177)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

177. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of nurses newly recruited to date in 2017 across all sectors of the health service; and the net increase in nursing numbers resulting from this recruitment. [45500/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.

Health Services Staff Data

Ceisteanna (178, 179, 180)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

178. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of speech and language therapists recruited to date in 2017; the sectors of the health service under which they have been recruited, that is, primary care, acute and disability services; and the net increase in speech and language therapist numbers resulting from this recruitment. [45501/17]

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

179. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of occupational therapists newly recruited to date in 2017; the sectors of the health service under which they have been recruited, that is, primary care, acute and disability services; and the net increase in occupational therapist numbers resulting from this recruitment. [45502/17]

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

180. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of physiotherapists newly recruited to date in 2017; the sectors of the health service under which they have been recruited, that is, primary care, acute and disability services; and the net increase in physiotherapist numbers resulting from this recruitment. [45503/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 178 to 180, inclusive, together.

I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.