Written Answers Nos. 327-342
327. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health when a decision will be made regarding a medical card application by a person (details supplied); his views on whether it is correct for an application to take seven months to be processed despite having received all information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48024/17]
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 Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy directly.
328. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment at Beaumont Hospital; if the appointment can be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48030/17]
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 you directly.
329. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health his plans to bring forward proposals to allow for a nominated person that is part of an unmarried cohabiting couple to make decisions with regard to medical treatment for their partner in instances in which an advance healthcare directive has been provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48036/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraPart 8 of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015, which has yet to be fully commenced, provides a legislative framework for advance healthcare directives (AHDs). An AHD is a statement made by a person with capacity setting out his or her will and preferences regarding treatment decisions that may arise in the future when he or she no longer has capacity.
Part 8 of the Act also provides a mechanism through which an adult with capacity (i.e. the directive-maker) may nominate in his or her AHD a legal representative to be involved in the healthcare decision-making process on his or her behalf if he or she was to subsequently lose capacity. This nominee is known as the designated healthcare representative.
The Act includes specific provisions outlining the functions and scope of authority of a designated healthcare representative. For example, if a directive-maker so wishes, he or she could use his or her AHD to give the designated healthcare representative, the authority to consent to and/or refuse medical treatment on the directive-maker's behalf.
Under section 91 of the Act, which was commenced on 17 October 2016, I established a multidisciplinary working group to prepare a detailed series of recommendations for the Director of the Decision Support Service, in relation to a code of practice for the AHD provisions. The Director will subsequently prepare a code of Practice and will submit it to me for my approval and, with my consent, the Director will then publish the code of practice. The preparation of the code of practice will facilitate the subsequent commencement of Part 8 of the Act, pertaining to AHDs, in its entirety.
330. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the HSE commitment to deliver a new primary care centre in Dundalk that will accommodate the needs of local community mental health services; the action that has been undertaken to advance this delivery; and the action that has been taken to identify and develop the community mental health services. [48058/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra331. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the expressions of interest received in respect of the HSE advertised round of invitations to providers in respect of an operational lease for a Dundalk based primary care centre; if stage three submissions due in June 2017 were completed; and the stage at which the process is now. [48059/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra332. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if the budget 2018 commitment made to fund additional primary care centres will include provision for centres in County Louth. [48060/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 330 to 332, inclusive, together.
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.
333. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health the reason Versatis patches are not covered by a person's (details supplied) medical card; the reason they did not receive notification of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48064/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMedicines play a vital role in improving the health of Irish patients. Securing access to existing and new and innovative medicines is a key objective of the health service. However, the challenge is to do this in an affordable and sustainable manner. The medicines bill for the community drugs schemes – primarily the GMS, Long Term Illness and Drugs Payment schemes and the High Tech Arrangement – is forecast at just over €1.7 billion in 2017.
To ensure patients receive the highest quality care, resources invested in medicines must be used efficiently and effectively. This requires an integrated approach to secure best value for money for all treatments, greater efficiencies in the supply chain and the use of the most cost-effective treatments.
Lidocaine 5% medicated plaster (Versatis) is licensed for the symptomatic relief of neuropathic pain associated with previous herpes zoster (shingles) infection, known as post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), in adults. It was reimbursed in the community drugs schemes from 2010. The projected budget impact was low due to the specific licensed indication but total expenditure has increased significantly, from €9.4 million in 2012 to over €30 million in 2016, mainly from off-license use for pain not associated with shingles. Currently, over 25,000 patients receive this item.
An HSE Medicines Management Programme (MMP) review of Versatis highlighted that the clinical evidence for its use in PHN is limited due to lack of comparative data and its value is uncertain for all other types of pain. The National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics estimated that, in Ireland, between 5-10% of prescribing of this product is for the licensed indication of PHN.
Following the MMP review, the HSE introduced a new reimbursement system for Versatis from 1 September 2017. This process supports the appropriate use of Versatis, ensuring that PHN patients continue to receive this treatment. The HSE estimates that this protocol will reduce expenditure on this product by approximately 90%.
Under the protocol, all patients who receive antivirals for shingles are automatically approved for Versatis for three months. No action is required by GPs and the patient’s pharmacy is notified of his or her approval status.
All patients who currently use Versatis have been identified and automatically registered on the HSE-PCRS system for three months and will continue to receive the treatment from their pharmacy until 30 November 2017. However, from 1 December 2017, non-shingles patients will no longer get Versatis under the community drugs schemes. The HSE has produced information leaflets for patients and advised GPs on treatment alternatives.
In exceptional circumstances, the product may be approved for supply through the community schemes for unlicensed indications. GPs apply for reimbursement for unlicensed indications through the online system. The MMP reviews applications before a decision is made and communicated to the GP.
Full details of the Versatis review are available on the HSE website at http://hse.ie/eng/about/Who/clinical/natclinprog/medicinemanagementprogramme/yourmedicines/lidocaine-plaster/lidocaine-medicated-plaster.html.
This decision is a matter for the HSE. However, I fully support the objectives of the HSE Medicines Management Programme.
334. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health the procedures in place to allow for persons with haemochromatosis that require venesections to access these services free of charge at blood donation clinics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48067/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) operates a haemochromatosis clinic in the Stillorgan Blood Donation Clinic and sees approximately 600 patients there annually. The IBTS also provides a programme for hereditary haemochromatosis patients in their D'Olier Street, Dublin and St. Finbar's Hospital, Cork clinics. These clinics provide phlebotomy free of charge to patients who have a prescription from their treating clinician.
335. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if persons suffering with narcolepsy as a result of the swine flu vaccine that are attending university in the UK are permitted to obtain a medical card here while they are attending university abroad. [48068/17]
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 HSE have advised that if a student with narcolepsy is confirmed by a medical professional to have contracted narcolepsy as a direct consequence of a swine flu injection administered in Ireland, a medical card will be awarded to that student and this card will have no eligibility end date.
It should be noted that if there is no confirmation by a medical professional that narcolepsy is of a consequence of the swine flu injection administered in Ireland the ordinary resident rule for a medical card would apply. This rule states that any person who is considered by the HSE to be “ordinarily resident” in the State may apply for Medical Card eligibility. “Ordinarily resident” means that a person is living in the Republic of Ireland and intends to live here for at least one year. Applicants may be asked to provide proof of property purchase or rental, such as evidence that the property in question is the applicant’s principal residence; evidence of bank accounts; work permits. Students residing abroad for the purpose of study are only considered to be ordinarily resident if they are returning to Ireland at least once a week. It may be necessary to provide evidence of residing in Ireland or proof that they are returning here at least once a week, e.g. airline tickets, etc.
336. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the reason Tullamore hospital has been without a chiropodist for the treatment of diabetic patients; if the HSE plans to recruit for this post; the timeframe for the position to be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48070/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly.
337. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the expenditure on the drugs strategy in County Louth in each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017; the funding sought and approved by each of the programmes for these years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48074/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe North East Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force is responsible for coordinating the implementation of Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery - A health-led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland 2017-2025, which replaced the previous drugs strategy which expired at the end of 2016. The table below shows the Task Force project funding for this Task Force from 2011 to 2013. The Department of Health is not in a position to provide details of funding specifically relating to County Louth in that period.
|
-
|
North East Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
|
NE-1 |
North East Region Family Support Network |
€5,000 |
€5,000 |
€3,508 |
|
NE-2 |
Operational Budget |
€155,651 |
€168,090 |
€160,000 |
|
NE-4 |
Meath Community Drug & Alcohol Response |
€91,000 |
€126,500 |
€126,500 |
|
NE-6 |
Turas Counselling Services Ltd |
€200,000 |
€200,000 |
€200,000 |
|
NE-7 |
Cavan Monaghan Drug Awareness |
€173,750 |
€185,000 |
€185,000 |
|
NE-13 |
ISPCC Prevention Projects |
€50,000 |
€40,000 |
€40,000 |
|
NE-14 |
ISPCC Meath |
€50,000 |
|
|
|
NE-15 |
Louth Community Drug & Alcohol Team |
€91,010 |
€126,500 |
€126,500 |
|
NE-16 |
Turas Counselling Services Ltd |
€15,885 |
€15,358 |
€15,358 |
|
NE-18 |
Needle & Syringe Programme |
€52,500 |
€55,000 |
€55,000 |
|
NE-19 |
Tabor Lodge |
€80,000 |
€20,000 |
€0 |
|
NE-22 |
Cocaine Initiative |
€45,750 |
€44,643 |
€44,642 |
|
|
Total |
€1,010,546 |
€986,091 |
€956,508 |
With effect from 1 January 2014, operational and financial responsibility for all projects supported by the Task Force transferred from the Department of Health to the Health Service Executive. The HSE has been requested to provide the Deputy with details of projects funded through the Task Force from 2014 to date, as well as expenditure on addiction services in County Louth from 2011 onwards. Information is not directly available on expenditure under the Strategy by other departments, agencies or sectors at local level.
338. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the funding that will be allocated from budget 2018 to community drug and alcohol support programmes based in the north-east region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48075/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government’s response to addressing substance misuse in Ireland is set out in Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery -A health-led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland 2017-2025. The strategy emphasises a health-led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland, based on providing person-centred services that promote rehabilitation and recovery. It identifies a set of key actions to be delivered between 2017 and 2020, and provides an opportunity for the development of further actions from 2021 to 2025 to address needs that may emerge later on in the lifetime of the strategy.
The key health-related priorities for 2018 in Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery and associated resource requirements will be determined by my Department, in conjunction with the Health Service Executive, in the context of the development of National Service Plan for 2018. The amount of funding allocated in 2018 to community drug and alcohol support programmes operated by the North East Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force will be determined as part of this process. In addition, I am committed to putting in place additional resources next year to develop a new programme to mobilise community action on alcohol in line with Action 1.1.1 of Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery. This scheme will promote the use of evidence-based approaches by community drug and alcohol support programmes at local level.
339. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the outcome of the meeting held with a disability manager and the HSE in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48078/17]
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.
341. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the names of the persons and organisations on HIQA's standards advisory group in each of the years 2012 to 2016 and to date in 2017. [48088/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter the question has been referred to the Health Information and Quality Authority for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
342. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health his plans to grant pregnant women diagnosed with gestational diabetes temporary long term illness status in order to allow them access free medicines and testing strips to monitor their condition (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48125/17]
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.
