Written Answers Nos. 620-643
620. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will consult the head of pharmacy at the HSE to provide Kuvan in view of the fact that Kuvan received EU regulatory approval in 2009 for use and reimbursement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45638/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra641. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health when the medicine Kuvan will be made available to persons with phenylketonuria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45735/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra687. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health if Kuvan will be made available to persons with phenylketonuria, PKU, here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45965/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra797. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if a reply will issue to a query (details supplied) in relation to phenylketonuria, PKU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46755/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 620, 641, 687 and 797 together.
The HSE 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.
In reaching a decision, the HSE examines all the evidence which may be relevant in its view for the decision and will take into account such expert opinions and recommendations which may have been sought by the HSE, including, for example, advice from the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE).
Sapropterin (Kuvan) was previously considered under the national pricing and reimbursement processes in 2009. At that time, insufficient evidence was available to support the pricing and reimbursement application submitted by Merck Serono.
In December 2015, Merck Serono advised the HSE that the market authorisation for sapropterin was transferring to Biomarin in 2016. The HSE met with the new market authorisation holder in May 2016 and was advised that it would be submitting a health technology assessment dossier in relation to sapropterin.
The NCPE assessment of the new dossier was completed on the 15 September 2017 and the NCPE did not recommend sapropterin for reimbursement as it was not deemed cost effective.
The HSE assessment process is ongoing and the HSE will take into account any relevant expert advice when making its decision, in line with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
621. 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. [45641/17]
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 the Deputy directly.
622. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health if his Department will investigate claims that the symptoms of some 650 persons who have received the HPV vaccine here fit in with a recently described phenomenon known as autoimmune inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45643/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAdjuvants (immune potentiators or immunomodulators) have been used for decades to improve the immune response to vaccine antigens. The incorporation of adjuvants into vaccine formulations is aimed at enhancing, accelerating and prolonging the specific immune response towards the desired response to vaccine antigens. Advantages of adjuvants include the enhancement of the immunogenicity of antigens, modification of the nature of the immune response, the reduction of the antigen amount needed for a successful immunisation, the reduction of the frequency of booster immunisations needed and an improved immune response in the elderly and immunocompromised.
Of the approximately 650 reports of suspected adverse reactions that were received by the Health Products Regulatory Authority and classified as serious, in the majority of these cases the medical care required was for the treatment of vaccination related events, such as fainting around the time of vaccination, or treatment for injection site reactions such as headache, rash, itching (or other allergic-type reactions), fever, muscle pain and gastrointestinal effects, such as nausea and vomiting. Such reactions are typically transient in nature and as such do not represent autoimmune and inflammatory conditions.
My Department has no plans to investigate these claims as the safety and efficacy of these vaccines continues to be monitored by regulatory agencies at both national and European level.
623. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the progress which has been made on the provision of an additional 20 beds for Kenmare hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45645/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
624. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) who is on pain medication for scoliosis and who was categorised by a consultant orthopaedic surgeon as urgent in February 2016 will be given an appointment to be assessed for treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45646/17]
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 the Deputy directly.
625. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health the procedure for a person being transferred into the nursing home or fair deal scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45650/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS) is a system of financial support for those in need of long-term nursing home care. Participants contribute to the cost of their care according to their income and assets while the State pays the balance of the cost. The Scheme aims to ensure that long-term nursing home care is accessible and affordable for everyone and that people are cared for in the most appropriate settings.
In line with the legislation there are three main steps to the application process
- Step 1 is an application for a Care Needs Assessment. The Care Needs Assessment identifies whether or not the person needs long-term nursing home care.
- Step 2 is an application for State Support. This is used to complete the Financial Assessment by the HSE which assesses the person’s contribution to care and his/her corresponding level of financial assistance (“State Support”). The Financial Assessment takes account of a person’s income and assets in order to determine the person’s contribution to their care.
- Step 3 is the decision to approve financial support for the applicant under the scheme.
The Nursing Home Loan (Ancillary State Support) is an optional benefit of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme, the purpose of which is to ensure that a person does not have to sell their home during their lifetime to pay for long-term nursing home care. Where a person’s assets include land and property in the State, the contribution based on such assets (7.5% of the value of such assets per annum) may be deferred. The loan can be repaid at any time but will ultimately fall due for repayment upon the applicant’s death.
Applicants to the scheme can choose any public, voluntary or approved private nursing home. However, in order for financial support to be provided, the nursing home must have an available bed and be able to cater for the applicant's particular need. The HSE's Nursing Homes Support Offices can advise an applicant or their family on the options available to them.
626. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health if all front-line staff working in the public health system and related voluntary agencies receive suicide prevention training such as the HSE's SafeTALK suicide alertness for everyone half-day training programme or its equivalent; if suicide prevention training is mandatory across the public health system and related voluntary bodies; and, if not, his plans to make such training mandatory with the provision of a refresher online course available to staff to be completed every three years thereafter. [45653/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
627. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be called for intensive physiotherapy at the Sacred Heart hospital, Carlow, in view of the fact that this was approved over one month ago. [45660/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
628. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the details by project and location of the person or body his Department's 2017 capital budget of €454 million has been spent on or allocated towards; the details of the person or body the €78.8 million in unitary PPP payments were paid to; the projects on which it was spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45664/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra629. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the details by project and location of the person or body his Department's capital budget of €493 million will be allocated towards; the details of the person or body the €8.8 million in unitary PPP payments are planned for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45665/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 628 and 629 together.
The Deputy's question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply as the HSE is responsible for the delivery of health care infrastructure projects.
630. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the amount provided for capital building works at Beaumont hospital in 2018; the specific amount allocated for a new emergency department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45666/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraLast Month, the HSE confirmed that funding of €100,000 will be made available in 2018 for the design phase of the new Beaumont ED project and will be included in the HSE's 2018 Capital Plan.
An EU procurement process will commence in early 2018 to progress the selection and appointment of a design team for the project.
The costs involved in the development of the new Emergency Department will be informed by the work of the successful project team upon their appointment and this work will be undertaken in conjunction with Beaumont Hospital and the HSE.
631. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the payments made by his Department and-or the surgical symphysiotomy ex gratia payment scheme on or after 22 November 2016 out of the €400,000 that was still outstanding in payments on that date; the person or body to which these payments were made; the amounts and dates on which these payments were made; and the total amount paid to these persons by his Department and-or the payment scheme. [45667/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Surgical Symphysiotomy Ex-gratia Payment Scheme, which was approved by Government, concluded with the publication of the Report of its independent Assessor, Judge Maureen Harding Clark, on 22 November 2016. Prior to the commencement of the Scheme it was estimated that the total cost of the Scheme would be around €34 million. My Department paid all costs relating to the Scheme from within its own budget on foot of a request for payment for each item of costs from Judge Clark.
On pages 29 and 30 in her final report, which she submitted to me on 19 October, 2016, Judge Clark had estimated that the total cost of the Scheme would be €33.185 million, comprised of €29.8 million in awards to the women, €2.08 million to solicitors for assisting applicants and for costs incurred for proceedings in the High Court, approximately €105,000 for examination and investigation of the symphysiotomy/pubiotomy claims and around €1.2 million in administrative costs including the salary of the Judge and her team of three Counsel and office expenses. At that time Judge Clark had estimated that around €400,000 of the overall total had yet to be paid. However, on 1 December, 2016, which was the date on which the final payment was made by my Department under the Scheme, it transpired that only €214,965.88 in payments had been outstanding.
The payments made between the date of receipt by me of Judge Clark's report (19 October, 2016) and the date on which the final payment relating to the Scheme was made, (1 December, 2016) and also the overall total amount paid under the Scheme to each payee, are set out in the table:
|
Date |
Amount paid after receipt of Judge Clark's report € |
Payee |
Total amount paid to payee under the Scheme 2014 -2016 € |
|
20-10-16 |
5,943.37 |
Judge Clark, Assessor |
316,272.19 |
|
26-10-16 |
704.04 |
Viking Direct Ltd (office requirements) |
2,837.66 |
|
26-10-16 |
4,305.00 |
MacGeehin Toale Solicitors (Applicants' Solicitor) |
1,098,400.29 |
|
26-10-16 |
1,458.33 |
Health Service Executive (Rental of office) |
23,333.28 |
|
02-11-16 |
10,700.00 |
Dr. Leo Lawler (Clinical Advice) |
58,950.00 |
|
02-11-16 |
1,230.00 |
Dr Barry O'Reilly (Clinical Advice) |
1,230.00 |
|
02-11-16 |
250.00 |
Dr Mary Kearney (Clinical Advice) |
250.00 |
|
03-11-16 |
3,396.21 |
Judge Clark, Assessor |
316,272.19 |
|
09-11-16 |
250.46 |
Electric Ireland |
3,059.83 |
|
9-11-16 |
1,500.00 |
Dr James Cashman (Clinical Advice) |
1,500.00 |
|
09-11-16 |
153.23 |
Bryan S.Ryan Ltd |
153.23 |
|
09-11-16 |
204.30 |
Judge Clark, Assessor |
316,272.19 |
|
16-11-16 |
27,521.25 |
Donal McGuinness, BL |
158,817.60 |
|
16-11-16 |
44,212.35 |
Rebecca Broderick, BL |
187,538.11 |
|
16-11-16 |
110,392.25 |
Denise Brett BL |
415,808.45 |
|
16-11-16 |
1,458.33 |
Health Service Executive (Rental of office) |
23,333.28 |
|
16-11-16 |
861.00 |
MacGeehin Toale Solicitors Applicants' Solicitor) |
1,098,400.29 |
|
16-11-16 |
200.00 |
Dr Leo Lawler (Clinical Advice) |
58,950.00 |
|
23-11-16 |
160.62 |
Eir |
4,719.55 |
|
01-12-16 |
65.14 |
Bord Gais |
706.07 |
632. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the details of efforts being made to minimise, in so far as possible, the number of "did not attends" in respect of scheduled outpatient hospital appointments across the health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45672/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn order to ensure that outpatient services are used to best effect, it is important that the HSE progresses initiatives to reduce the number of people not presenting for outpatient appointments. Consequently, the HSE is investing in digital and technological systems to ensure that patients are appropriately reminded.
One of the solutions eHealth Ireland has proposed is to provide a standardised national patient reminder service using SMS or email. This solution has the potential to reduce the number of people who do not show up for appointments and reallocate those appointment slots to other patients. This standardised national text reminder service project has already been initiated.
In addition, under the new Outpatient Reform Programme, the hospital system will be moving to advanced booking systems which will allow patients two choices of appointment time. This process has been shown internationally to dramatically reduce patient failure to attend.
These initiatives are being progressed in conjunction with the HSE's Outpatient Waiting List Action Plan 2017.
633. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of occasions his Department or HSE officials have met the Irish Medical Organisation as part of the talks on a new general practitioners' contract to date in 2017. [45703/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra634. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of occasions his Department or HSE officials have met the National Association of General Practitioners as part of the talks on a new general practitioners' contract to date in 2017. [45704/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 633 and 634 together.
The development of primary care is central to the Government's objective to deliver a high-quality, integrated and cost effective health service. The Programme for Government commits to a decisive shift within the health service towards primary care in order to deliver better care close to home in communities across the country. The development of a new, modernised contract for the provision of general practitioner services will be a key element in facilitating this process. 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.
A process has been put in place for engagement with GP representatives which honours the Framework Agreement in place with the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) and includes formal consultation between the State side and the National Association of General Practitioners (NAGP). This allows the NAGP to have a formal role for the first time and potentially to make a positive and meaningful contribution to the contracts development process. Meetings with the IMO are generally held on a fortnightly basis and consultative meetings with the NAGP on a monthly basis.
To date in 2017, there have been sixteen formal meetings between the HSE/Department of Health and IMO negotiating teams. In addition, there have a number of further informal meetings to discuss technical and clinical issues. There have been eight consultative meetings with the NAGP to date in 2017.
635. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the consultancy contracts his Department and the HSE have entered into since 1 January 2016; and the details of reports arising from such consultancy contracts that have been furnished to date to his Department and the HSE. [45705/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is the policy of my Department only to engage the services of external consultants where it is felt appropriate and cost-effective, taking account of Government decisions and policy including procurement protocols on the matter. Expenditure on the engagement of consultants is paid from the Department's A7 budget. The table details such expenditure for 2016 and up to September 2017. Details of reports published from the engagements of these consultants are available on the Department's website at http://health.gov.ie/publications-research/publications/.
|
Consultancy |
Brief description |
2016 Full Year Expenditure |
2017 Expenditure - to September |
|
Milliman Ltd. |
Actuarial, accounting, insurance and economic advice services as and when required. |
€55,081 |
€5,126 |
|
Metis Consulting |
Technical advisor on pharmacy issues and tasks in respect of key priorities |
€3,813 |
€369 |
|
Trutz Haase, OCC Ltd & Uni of Sheffield |
Development & Implementation of an evidence based National Oral Health Policy |
€29,202 |
|
|
ICF Consulting Services Ltd |
Research on the Economic Costs of Smoking in Ireland |
€27,564 |
|
|
DCU |
Complete pediatric guideline |
€19,178 |
|
|
UCC |
Clinical Guideline 2 (NEWS update, NCG No.1) |
€9,100 |
|
|
NUIG |
Commissioning, Development and Quality Assurance of 4 x National Clinical Guidelines |
€111,751 |
€47,893 |
|
DCU |
Support - development of a National Clinical Audit through the National Clinical Effectiveness Committee |
€13,897 |
|
|
UCD |
Policy paper and policy options on the future role and direction of advanced and specialist nursing and midwifery practice within the Irish health service |
€11,119 |
|
|
UCC/UCD/NUIG collaborative team |
Literature review and stakeholder evaluation to inform a policy on future community nursing and midwifery, public health nursing and related support grades |
€104,355 |
|
|
Skills for Health |
Research and stakeholder engagement to inform the further development of Nursing and Midwifery Key Performance Indicators |
€24,750 |
|
|
Prospectus Management Consultants |
Support in the development of a policy on a major trauma network for Ireland |
€2,448 |
|
|
Amárach Research |
Alcohol Labelling requirements - research, design of mock labels and piloting of mock labels through targeted focus groups |
€96,125 |
|
|
Mr Trutz Haase |
Development of a performance measurement framework for Drug and Alcohol Task Forces |
€19,680 |
€54,040 |
|
Aurion |
Support a framework for the implementation of clinical practice guidance |
€9,606 |
|
|
Centre for Effective Services |
Support a framework for the implementation of clinical practice guidance |
€6,225 |
€9,960 |
|
The Performance Partnership |
Development of a Learning Development Strategy/Plan for the Department and an approach and guidelines for mentoring and coaching. |
€29,520 |
|
|
Alpha Healthcare |
Undertaking a series of internal and external consultation engagements |
€39,426 |
|
|
DCU |
Support a framework for supporting patients and their advocates in the governance and development of National Clinical Guidelines and National Clinical Audit |
€7,561 |
€15,123 |
|
UCC |
Baseline Research National Clinical Guidelines 2 & 3 Healthcare Associated Infections |
€4,711 |
€20,959 |
|
UCC |
Clinical Practice Guidelines Research on Evidence based practice in Ireland |
€6,175 |
€18,524 |
|
Prospectus Consultants |
Trauma Policy Communications |
€74,291 |
€29,951 |
|
RPS Group |
Services to assist with drawing up a report on the consultation process on a new National Drugs Strategy |
€11,826 |
€116,683 |
|
IPA |
Establishment of a new integrated business and risk management system |
€21,525 |
|
|
Crowe Horwath |
Report on current and future role of Public Health Specialists in Ireland |
€15,785 |
€15,785 |
|
Alpha Healthcare |
Independent Evaluation of Physician Associate Pilot – Beaumont Hospital – pathfinder for the National Integrated Strategic Framework for Health Workforce Planning |
€7,380 |
€9,840 |
|
KPMG |
Consultation exercise on performance dialogue with and performance management of the HSE |
€14,145 |
|
|
Alcohol Action Ireland |
Joint participation in European study Participation into alcohol marketing during Euro 2016 |
€1,575 |
|
|
Alpha Healthcare |
Support - Implementation Planning Workshop |
€4,381 |
|
|
Treacy Consultancy |
Management Board development programme |
€9,376 |
€34,664 |
|
Prospectus Ltd. |
Develop and establish a network in relation to the Healthy Ireland Framework |
€16,749 |
€42,414 |
|
work research centre |
Expert evidence & review of mental health services (in relation to review of A vision for Change |
€33,210 |
|
|
Mazars |
Assist in the development of fee models under the EU Tobacco Products Directive |
€24,564 |
|
|
Research Matters |
Support for Newboarn Screening Card Archive Forum |
€12,116 |
|
|
Hume Brophy |
Public Relations & Communications Support for European Medicines Agency (EMA) bid |
€114,491 |
|
|
P A Consulting |
Capacity Review across the health sector |
|
€114,279 |
|
Expert Group |
Taskforce on Staffing & Skill Mix Phase 11 review of national reports |
€4,295 |
|
|
Alpha Healthcare |
Task Force on Personalised Budgets |
€14,750 |
I have also forwarded the Deputy's question to the HSE for direct reply.
636. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health the status of the Rowlagh primary care centre, Clondalkin, Dublin 22; the status of project discussions with a college (details supplied) for a shared campus; the timeframe for submission of a planning application; the services that will be transferred from Rowlagh health centre to the new campus; and the new services being considered or agreed for the new primary care centre. [45710/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE advises that agreement has been reached with the adjacent college in relation to the details of the application, and it is expected that the planning application will be lodged by the end of the year. As the HSE has responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres and other Primary Care facilities, the Executive has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy in relation to services provided in the new centre.
637. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if a hip replacement procedure for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45711/17]
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 the Deputy directly.
638. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health the reason, further to an order to require discovery in November 2016 by the High Court, his Department has not complied with this order as of 9 October 2017; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that persons are suffering as a result of alleged mistreatment by way of the administration of the pandemrix vaccine without full information being made available to them at the time and who now suffer from narcolepsy and are waiting for the full discovery of information as ordered by the High Court in November 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45723/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis 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. As Deputies would be aware, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on individual cases or matters that are the subject of litigation. However, I can provide background information on this litigation and clarify matters that are already in the public domain.
In October 2013, the Government approved (S180/46/01/0005B) the delegation to the State Claims Agency (SCA) of the management of claims in relation to individuals alleging the development of narcolepsy resulting from the administration of the pandemic vaccine. The management of the cases transferred to the SCA when the National Treasury Management Agency (Delegation of Claims Management Functions) (Amendment) Order 2013 (S.I. no. 405 of 2013) was signed by the Taoiseach on 15 October 2013. This reflects the greater experience and expertise that the State Claims Agency has in the area of medical litigation.
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. There have been a number of High Court Motion hearings concerning this matter since then and the Department of Health and the HSE continue to comply with all Orders made by the Courts.
The Department of Health is working assiduously to complete its Discovery and has kept the Court fully appraised as to its progress in that regard. However, the sheer size and complexity of the Discovery which requires to be made means that this is not a trivial or quick process. The Department undertook a full access review of the entire email, database and shared network drive which serves the whole Department of Health with a dedicated team undertaking the appropriate searches against vast sources of data supported by both internal and external IT experts. The Department has identified over 627,000 records, all which must be examined and scheduled by the State’s legal team. To that end, the Department put in place a dedicated team of 8 discovery personnel to carry out this work with support from solicitors, to ensure that the terms of any Orders are fully complied with.
639. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 230 of 12 October 2016 and 372 of 17 October 2017, if his attention has been drawn to the fact that persons suffering from narcolepsy alleged to be caused by the pandemrix vaccine are not assured of access to rapid diagnosis treatment, multidisciplinary assessments led by clinical experts and have access only to a dysfunctional centre in St. James’s hospital insufficiently staffed with inadequate resources and without the rapid access to multidisciplinary clinical experts (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45724/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department, the HSE and the Department of Education and Skills continue to work together to provide a wide range of services and supports for those affected by narcolepsy following pandemic influenza. These include discretionary medical cards, reimbursement of expenses associated with diagnosis and treatment, home tuition and learning supports. The HSE’s Advocacy Unit acts as liaison with service and support providers and other Government Departments to facilitate access to required services. It is in regular contact with individuals affected and regularly meets with representatives of the SOUND (sufferers of unique narcolepsy disorder). Regional co-ordinators have been appointed to assist individuals by providing advice, information and access to local services.
The ex-gratia health supports include clinical care pathways to ensure access to diagnosis and treatment, multi-disciplinary assessments led by clinical experts, counselling services for both the individuals and their families, discretionary medical cards for those who have been diagnosed have been provided to allow unlimited access to GP care and any prescribed medication, ex-gratia reimbursement of vouched expenses incurred in the process of diagnosis and treatment, including travel expenses for attending medical appointments; physiotherapy, occupational therapy assessments, dental assessments and dietary services all on a needs basis.
The development of a national service for patients with all forms of narcolepsy in adults, and in children transitioning from paediatric services, in St James Hospital is being prioritised in the 2018 Estimates process. In the interim, the HSE will continue to pay for access to services, such as dietician and psychology services, that would have been provided in the Centre of Excellence from private providers to so that none of the affected individuals miss out on receiving these supports.
640. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health the measures he will take to reduce the level of suicide and mental health problems in the Traveller community in view of recent research (details supplied) showing 82% being directly affected by suicide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45731/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
642. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health his views on a recent report (details supplied) that persons under 20 years of age at Beaumont Hospital waited less than ten hours for admission while the wait was as high as 24 hours for persons aged 90 years and over and that 6,000 older persons were made wait for more than 24 hours in emergency departments to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45736/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can assure the Deputy that officials in my Department are aware of this report and its content.
This report highlights the need for the system to plan for the current and future healthcare needs of elderly patients within and beyond acute hospitals. Latest HSE data indicates that, to date this year, persons over 75 years old accounted for 11.8% of all presentations at Emergency Departments (EDs), and at the end of September, approximately 25% of patients over 75 years who presented at EDs were admitted.
Planning effectively for this growing demand is a priority for my Department, and I look forward to the findings of the Health Capacity Review, due by the end of 2017, in this regard.
A key finding of this report was that EDs are busy all year round, not just in winter, for different seasonal reasons. This was also a key learning from last year’s Winter Initiative, and has been used by the HSE to develop and identity measures to improve access for patients in the short to medium term, both in terms of emergency care and waiting lists.
643. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45741/17]
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 the Deputy directly.
