Written Answers Nos. 279-294
279. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health the assistance and supports in place to assist persons who rely on a nebuliser on a day-to-day basis in the event of a power outage; if an optional back-up or battery-operated device can be accessed in these circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47700/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
280. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the reason St Vincent's University Hospital has ceased to offer spinal review appointments in its orthopaedic department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47708/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
281. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who have been affected due to St Vincent's University Hospital ceasing to offer spinal review appointments in its orthopaedic department; the location to which these persons will be reallocated to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47709/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
282. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the status of an autism therapy appointment for a person (details supplied). [47716/17]
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 service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
283. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health if the HSE will fund the cost of living liver operations abroad in circumstances in which the facility is not available here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47718/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE operates the Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS) for persons entitled to treatment in another EU/EEA Member State or Switzerland under EU Regulation (EC) No. 883/2004, as per the procedures set out in EU Regulations (EC) No. 987/2009. The TAS provides for the cost of approved treatments in another EU/EEA member state or Switzerland 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.
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.
Applications to the 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. Information on the TAS can be accessed on the HSE website at https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/1/schemes/treatmentabroad/ and also by phone at 056 7784551.
284. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health if there are plans for living liver transplant operations to be carried out here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47719/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraOrgan Donation and Transplant Ireland advise that there are no plans to introduce a living donor liver transplant programme. The National Liver Transplant Programme is delivered by St. Vincent's University Hospital and demand for liver transplants in Ireland is being met through deceased donors. A total of 53 liver transplants have been undertaken this year up to the end of October.
285. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health the progress made to transfer a person (details supplied) who requires interaction and stimulation to a suitable facility or day care placement. [47721/17]
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 Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
286. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health if orthodontic treatment for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47724/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
288. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will receive a date for surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47740/17]
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 case raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
289. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 439 of 3 October 2017, the reason a person (details supplied) in County Clare has had surgery cancelled at University Hospital Limerick; when the person will receive a new appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47741/17]
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 case raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
290. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the position regarding medicinal cannabis; his plans to legislate to allow for medicinal cannabis here; the timeframe for the introduction of such legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47744/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraCannabis is strictly controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Acts, 1977 to 2016 and the Regulations made thereunder.
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.
Under the existing legislation it is open to the Minister for Health to grant a licence to an Irish registered medical practitioner for access to medical cannabis containing THC 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 for two separate individuals have 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. As Minister for Health I have no role in the clinical decision making process.
Any consultant requiring information or clarification in relation to the licence application process should contact the Department of Health directly.
As the Deputy may 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. A critical requirement for the successful establishment of the Access Programme is meaningful engagement with representative bodies, clinicians, patients, and pharmacists so that these groups are integral to the drafting of operational clinical guidance. This has involved continuous ongoing dialogue between the Experts and third parties throughout this initiative. The Group conducted a targeted consultation on the draft guidance, which has now been finalised. The Expert Group are 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 and on the logistics of sourcing suitable cannabis-based product supplies for the Irish market place. This work will take a number of months to complete.
291. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health his plans to reverse the decision to charge persons with haemochromatosis that require several venesections yearly €80 per treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47747/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraOutpatient charges are set by S.I. No. 45/2013 - Health (Out-Patient Charges) Regulations 2013. Currently the only charge for an outpatient service is at an Emergency Department (ED). Medical Card holders are exempt from this ED charge.
The €80 charged referred to by the Deputy is the statutory daily charge, up to a maximum of €800, where a person has been referred to a hospital for an in-patient service, including that provided on a day case basis. Medical card holders are also exempt from this charge. On this basis, where venesection is classed as a day case procedure and is not carried out in an out patient setting, the public in-patient charge applies. There are no plans at present to exclude haemochromatosis patients from this charge.
292. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of preparatory works for a new primary care centre (details supplied) in County Monaghan; if a timeframe has been set out for its delivery; the funding that has been secured; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47757/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE proposes to develop a new primary care centre on the St. Davnet's Campus in Monaghan town. The design team engaged are currently preparing the stage 1A report (Feasibility Study).
Based on this early stage of the development it is not possible to give a detailed timeline for its delivery but it is expected that the project could be completed by the end of 2020.
293. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health the number of primary percutaneous coronary interventions carried out in University Hospital Waterford in 2015, 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47765/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly
294. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health the number of primary percutaneous coronary intervention cases that were sent to acute hospital centres in either Cork, Dublin or Limerick, outside of the normal opening hours of the catheterisation laboratory at University Hospital Waterford, that is, after 17:00 and before 09:00 and at weekends in 2015, 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47766/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
