Written Answers Nos. 145-166
145. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the status of a home care package application by a person (details supplied); if the application will be expedited in view of the person's impending discharge from Kerry University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47174/17]
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.
146. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health the supports and services that are available to persons with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome to help them to manage their condition and ongoing care that is required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47175/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra147. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health if financial assistance is available to persons with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47177/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 146 and 147 together.
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
148. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health if funding or part-funding will be provided for an upright MRI neuro imaging of the craniocervical junction and cervical spine in flexion and extension for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47176/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE operates the Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS) for persons entitled to treatment in another EU/EEA Member State under EU Regulation (EC) No. 883/2004, as per the procedures set out in EU Regulations (EC) No. 987/2009. Patients apply to the HSE TAS seeking access to public healthcare outside the State through model form E112. Subject to the EU Regulations and Guidelines, the TAS provides for the cost of approved treatments in another EU/EEA member state through the issue of form E112 (IE) where the treatment is:
- Among the benefits provided for by Irish legislation;
- Not available in Ireland; and
- Not available within the time normally necessary for obtaining it in Ireland, taking account of the patient's current state of health and the probable course of the disease.
Applications to TAS are processed and a determination given in accordance with the statutory framework prior to a patient travelling to avail of treatment. The statutory framework stipulates the patient must be a public patient and is required to have followed public patient pathways. GPs refer patients to consultants for acute care and it is the treating consultant who, having exhausted all treatment options including tertiary care within the country, refers the patient abroad under the terms of the TAS. The consultant must specify the specific treatment and in making the referral accepts clinical responsibility in relation to the physician and facility abroad where the patient will attend.
Each application is reviewed individually and a decision is made in accordance with the legislation and guidelines and on the basis of a review by clinical experts. Each application is given a formal written decision and where a decision is one of decline, the reason for that decision is clearly outlined and the option of an appeal is afforded. Previous approvals or declines are not used as an influencing factor on subsequent applications. The appeals process is outlined in each decline letter without exception. Where on appeal a decline decision is upheld, the appeal decision letter advises that the applicant can make a further appeal to the Office of the Ombudsman. Full details on the scheme can be found on the HSE website at www.hse.ie/treatmentabroadscheme.
The HSE has confirmed that no application has been received in relation to this individual.
149. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when an operation will be provided for a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay in issuing a date for this procedure; if the person can undergo the procedure on the National Treatment Purchase Fund or in another way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47179/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
The National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
150. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if consideration has or will be given to providing an allowance to polio survivors for physiotherapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47185/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of the impact of the late effects of polio on survivors and I acknowledge the valuable work of the organisation, Polio Survivors Ireland, formerly the Post Polio Support Group, which was established nearly 25 years ago to provide support to polio survivors and their families. The organisation's awareness raising and information provision along with their support of polio survivors at work and in the home, is recognised as a vital support to survivors. In 2017, the organisation received funding in the region of €356,000 from the HSE under Section 39 of the Health Act, 2004, to support the work of the organisation.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) funds a range of health and personal social services and supports, incorporating hospital, primary care and community services, to enable each individual with a disability, including polio survivors, to achieve their full potential and maximise independence, including living as independently as possible. Services are accessed based on need and delivered in a variety of community and residential settings, in partnership with service users, their families and carers, and a range of statutory, non-statutory, voluntary and community groups.
My Department has no plans to introduce an allowance for polio survivors to access physiotherapy services. However, physiotherapy services form part of the services provided by many Primary Care Teams and, in particular, physiotherapists play a key role in chronic disease management, especially in instructing and guiding patients through safe and appropriate exercise regimes. Physiotherapy services for adults are also delivered through specialist disability providers. I have asked the Health Service Executive to provide the Deputy with details regarding the health and personal social services provided to polio survivors.
151. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Health if funding will be made available for children diagnosed with Irlen syndrome to offset the cost of assessment for and purchase of special lenses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47186/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
152. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the reason Crohn's disease is not covered under the long-term illness scheme; and the steps he is taking to address same. [47195/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe LTI Scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). The conditions covered by the LTI are: acute leukaemia; mental handicap; cerebral palsy; mental illness (in a person under 16); cystic fibrosis; multiple sclerosis; diabetes insipidus; muscular dystrophies; diabetes mellitus; parkinsonism; epilepsy; phenylketonuria; haemophilia; spina bifida; hydrocephalus; and conditions arising from the use of Thalidomide. Under the LTI Scheme, patients receive drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of their illness, free of charge.
There are no plans to extend the list of conditions covered by the Scheme.
153. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Health the action he plans to take to combat the increased incidents of hospital acquired infections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47200/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe prevention and control of healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) has been a significant patient safety and public health priority for the Department of Health for numerous years. The Department supports the WHO Global Action Plan on AMR (2015) and the European Commission One Health Action Plan against Antimicrobial Resistance (June 2017).
A wide range of initiatives has been put in place in the Irish health system over several years including improved surveillance of infections and prescribing, infection prevention and control processes, antimicrobial stewardship initiatives, public and professional awareness raising and with a significant emphasis on the education and training of healthcare professionals.
In response to the emergence of virulent antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains, in particular CPE or CRE, commonly known as 'superbugs', the HSE National Taskforce on HCAI AMR, established in late 2015, identified an urgent need to develop a comprehensive plan in response to the on-going and developing situation in relation to management of CPE within the healthcare system. A national response team was established and a new National Clinical Lead for HCAI AMR was appointed to direct the work of the response team.
In addition, on the considered advice of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) I activated the Public Health Emergency Plan on 25 October 2017 to further address CPE in our health system. The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) on CPE, chaired by the CMO, has been convened and had its first meeting on 2 November last. Membership of the team will include key stakeholders from the Department of Health, the Health Service Executive (HSE) management with responsibility for public health, surveillance, operations and quality assurance and patient representatives. NPHET will meet on a weekly basis and continually evaluate the readiness of the health service to manage and sustain the containment of CPE as part of ordinary operations with a view to standing down the National Public Health Emergency Team at the appropriate time. The National Public Health Emergency Team will direct and ensure an effective communications system at local, regional and national levels. Regular updates including summary minutes of meetings will be via a dedicated web page, hosted on the Department of Health website.
Ireland's National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance 2017-2020 (iNAP) was launched on Wednesday, 25 October last. The Plan, jointly launched by myself as Minister for Health and Minister Michael Creed TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine has been a cross-Departmental initiative, requiring a cross sectorial and whole of Government approach to addressing the world wide threat of AMR.
iNAP was developed following the WHO Global Action Plan on AMR which required all countries to have in place a national action plan by mid-2017 and by the European Commission which also required Member States to develop a national action plan by mid-2017. The Plan has been prepared by both Government Departments, with the guidance of the National Interdepartmental AMR Consultative Committee. This ambitious 3-year Plan has been developed in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders and covers the use of antimicrobial medicines in animal health and agriculture, as well as human health - taking a 'One Health' approach to tackling AMR, encompassing all sectors. The Plan lists Strategic Interventions and Activities, responsible bodies and priority rankings of timelines for implementation. An implementation plan will be developed separately which will address means of tackling AMR as appropriate to each sector. The National Patient Safety Office (NPSO) will discuss arrangements for progressing this body of work with the HSE's HCAI National Lead and relevant others; DAFM are establishing an AMR implementation plan team to oversee its body of work in addressing the interventions and activities listed proper to the agriculture and environment sectors.
iNAP aims to ensure the development and implementation of multifaceted interventions which will safeguard against inappropriate prescribing, dispensing and consumption of medicines, while simultaneously promoting rational use in patients and animals that are expected to benefit from treatment.
Ireland is fully committed to and engaged in addressing resolution of the problem of AMR and will continue to collaborate at national, European and International levels to this end.
154. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health the status of stroke unit services available in Dundalk and Drogheda, County Louth, due to the higher volumes of stroke patients in these areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47212/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
155. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health when transvaginal mesh (details supplied) was first used by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47236/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 10 working days, I ask her to contact my Private Office and it will follow up with the HSE.
156. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the reason 20 persons in Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, County Meath, (details supplied) are clinically discharged but due to blocked treatment pathways are prevented from proceeding to the next step of their treatment. [47247/17]
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.
157. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47248/17]
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 is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient’s general practitioner consider the patient’s condition warrants and 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.
158. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the status of a request by Letterkenny University Hospital to reopen its short-stay ward and 20 beds to alleviate the pressure on the accident and emergency department at the hospital; if the hospital's related request for additional staff to operate the ward will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47249/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to contact you with regard to the project.
159. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of persons accessing services at a centre (details supplied); the range of services provided; his plans to extend such services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47266/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra160. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health his plans to upgrade or replace existing inadequate accommodation at a centre (details supplied); the timeframe for the provision of modern and appropriate accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47267/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 159 and 160 together.
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 questions relate to service matters, I have arranged for the questions to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
161. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health his plans to consider funding the drug Kuvan for persons suffering from phenylketonuria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47270/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drug schemes, in accordance with the 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.
162. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be allocated a date for surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47272/17]
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.
163. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the number of young children and teenagers currently being treated for anorexia as inpatients in paediatric hospitals. [47296/17]
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.
164. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the number of young children and teenagers being treated for anorexia as inpatients in adult mental health units. [47297/17]
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.
165. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the number of young children and teenagers being treated abroad in specialist eating disorder units, for example, in the UK. [47298/17]
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.
166. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if all the beds in HSE units (details supplied) are fully utilised; and if not, if some are lying empty due to staff shortages. [47299/17]
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.
