Written Answers Nos. 177-188
177. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 444 of 3 October 2017 if a phased opening of closed beds at the inpatient unit at Linn Dara, Cherry Orchard, Dublin 10 took place in the week beginning 30 October 2017; the timeframe for opening all beds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47480/17]
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.
178. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health to outline the way in which he will address the failures in reporting and managing incidents of sexualised behaviour within Roscommon mental health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47481/17]
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.
179. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health to outline his views on the cultural issues highlighted in the recent report into County Roscommon’s mental health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47482/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra190. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health to outline his plans to introduce regulations for all mental health services in view of the Roscommon mental health services report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47501/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra191. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health to outline his views on the finding of the report into Roscommon mental health services, which found that the service’s funding returned €17.6 million unspent over three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47502/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 179, 190 and 191 together.
I am familiar with the recently published Report by the HSE referred to by the Deputy, including concerns around funding or other serious issues highlighted in the report. I also visited Roscommon earlier this year and met with HSE officials to discuss the implementation of the recommendations strategy. I have referred the question of the Executive for a more detailed reply to the Deputy. The Deputy can rest assured that the Department of Health and I will continue to closely monitor the progress of the Implementation Team.
180. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health to outline the measures in place to ensure that staff members within the HSE’s mental health services make decisions based on a clinical focus rather than cost containment in view of the report into Roscommon mental health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47483/17]
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.
181. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health if a strategic plan or nursing strategy will be developed for mental health nursing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47484/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe development of all aspects of mental health policies and services, including that relating to nursing, remains a priority for both the Government, and the HSE. The HSE has statutory responsibility for the planning and delivery of mental health services, particularly in the context of priorities agreed under its Annual Service Plan. A strategic priority under its Service Plan 2017 relates to the provision of mental health services by highly trained and engaged staff. As this is an operational matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the Executive for direct reply.
182. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health if he will delegate budget authority further down the structure of mental health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47485/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFunding is provided to the HSE for mental health services in accordance with the letter of determination which sets out the approved level of overall HSE expenditure to resource the National Service Plan. The Executive has responsibility for implementing the Mental Health Services budget as part of the Service Plan which must under legislation, set out the type and volume of health and personal social services, to be provided during the year in question. The Executive is accountable to the Oireachtas for this budget as part of its overall expenditure. Further delegation within the HSE is then a matter for the Executive. I have therefore asked the Executive to respond directly to the Deputy on this aspect of the matter raised.
183. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health to outline the options available to chemotherapy patients who request THC cannabis oil; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47486/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder existing legislation it is open to the Minister for Health to consider granting a licence to an Irish registered medical practitioner, under the Misuse of Drugs Acts, for access to medical cannabis for named patients. In line with the Chief Medical Officer's advice, the granting of a licence for cannabis for medical purposes must be premised on an appropriate application being submitted to the Department of Health, which is endorsed by a consultant who is responsible for the management of the patient and who is prepared to monitor the effects of the treatment over time.
The main elements of an application submitted under the Misuse of Drugs legislation for a licence for cannabis for medicinal use must include:
- An outline of the treatment the patient has received to date and justification from the doctor as to why it is appropriate in their patient’s specific circumstances to prescribe a Schedule 1 drug.
- Details of the cannabis-based product which it is proposed to prescribe and administer to the patient.
- The source of the cannabis-based product.
- The arrangements for the ongoing monitoring and care of the patient once the cannabis-based treatment has commenced.
Valid applications received by the Department are assessed and responded to without delay.
Any consultant requiring further information or clarification in relation to the licence application process should contact the Department of Health directly.
184. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter regarding a person's (details supplied) long-term illness card. [47488/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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.
185. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter regarding the death of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47489/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the particular case raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
186. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if an assessment can be rearranged in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the person in question wishes to live independently and is not suitable for long-term nursing home care and that the person is in respite care in a nursing home facility. [47490/17]
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.
187. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) can access a programme. [47495/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFor the purposes of clarity the following information may be helpful.
The two most common active components found in cannabis oil are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).
- CBD is derived from cannabis. However, since CBD is not psychoactive it is not controlled under the Misuse of Drugs legislation, therefore does not require a licence. CBD oil is not authorised as a medicinal product, however, it is sometimes marketed as a nutritional or dietary supplement.
- THC is the principal psychoactive constituent of cannabis. Under the Misuse of Drugs legislation products containing THC are strictly controlled and possession is unlawful except under licence.
As the Deputy will be aware, in March 2017, on foot of the conclusions from the Health Products Regulatory Authority’s report ‘Cannabis for Medical Use – A Scientific Review’, I established an Expert Reference Group to advise on the development of a Cannabis for Medical Use Access Programme.
The Expert Group is tasked with the development of clinical guidance for healthcare professionals treating patients through the Access Programme. The Expert Group is also considering other operational aspects for the implementation of the Access Programme. Officials in my Department are working on secondary legislation to underpin the programme. This work is well advanced but will take a number of months to complete.
The Deputy will be aware that under the Misuse of Drugs legislation it is open to the Minister for Health to grant a licence to an Irish registered medical practitioner for access to medical THC-based cannabis for a named patient. The granting of a licence is based on submission of an application to the Minister which is endorsed by a consultant who is responsible for the management of the patient and who is prepared to monitor the effects of treatment over time. To date two such applications has been successful.
Ultimately it is the decision of the prescribing clinician, in consultation with their patient, to prescribe or not prescribe any particular treatment, including cannabis, for a patient under their care.
188. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health to describe the relationship between the report with his Department from the HSE on the future of accident and emergency services at the Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise and the document entitled Dublin Midlands Hospital Group Strategy 2018 - 2023, which was scheduled to be discussed by the regional management of the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47499/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraA priority in the HSE's 2017 Service Plan is the development of Hospital Group strategic plans. The Dublin Midland Hospital Group is concluding the development of its multi-year strategic plan (Dublin Midlands Hospital Group Strategy 2018-2023) which focuses on developing clinical networks and pathways across hospitals and between hospitals and their primary and community care partners.
The Dublin Midlands Hospital Group has also been working for some time on a draft plan for a new model of clinical service delivery at Portlaoise Hospital which takes account of the need to develop services at Portlaoise in the context of developing the model of service provision for the entire Hospital Group. This draft plan has been submitted to my Department and it is being reviewed in detail. Once there is an agreed position on the draft plan, there will be further engagement with all interested parties, to ensure that the needs of patients, staff, the local and wider community are addressed.
