Billy Kelleher
Ceist:148. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if Vimizim will be sanctioned for persons (details supplied) immediately; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53262/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMedicinal Products Availability
Ceisteanna (148)
Freagraí scríofa
Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the pricing and reimbursement of the community drug schemes.
As the particular issue raised relates to an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
Questions Nos. 149 and 150 answered with Question No. 145.
Medical Aids and Appliances Expenditure
Ceisteanna (151)
Tom Neville
Ceist:151. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Health when funding for the provision of diabetes testing devices such as the FreeStyle Libre sensor (details supplied) will be provided. [53271/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under 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.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (152)
Eugene Murphy
Ceist:152. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health the length of time a person (details supplied) will be waiting on an orthopaedic procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53275/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under 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.
Hospital Appointments Administration
Ceisteanna (153)
Robert Troy
Ceist:153. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for a person (details supplied) will be scheduled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53276/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under 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.
As the information requested by you comes under the remit of the Health Service Executive your correspondence has been sent to the HSE who will arrange for a reply to issue to you directly.
Respite Care Services Funding
Ceisteanna (154)
Colm Brophy
Ceist:154. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Health his views on the impact the recently announced €4.5 million fund to reform disability services will have on providing full-time respite care to children and adults in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53296/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The €4.5 million funding is part of the Service Reform Fund which was established by the Department of Health, the Atlantic Philanthropies, the HSE and Genio to support the implementation of reforms in disability and mental health services in Ireland. The Fund represents a total combined investment of €45 million by the Department and Atlantic to reconfigure existing services towards more person- centred supports which are also more transparent, accountable and cost-effective, in line with government policy.
Funding will be allocated under three streams:
- Community Living – supporting people to move from congregated settings or institutions to the community; to have improved living arrangements in the community; and to lead self-directed, meaningful lives, engaged in local and mainstream activity. This will be aimed at those who are moving from an institution or those at risk of institutionalisation.
- Reform of day services to person-centred supports – supporting alternative ways of meeting the work, education, training and recreation needs of people with a disability within mainstream, community settings.
- Alternative Respite – developing a range of non-institutional respite options for individuals and their families.
Regional HSE Community Healthcare Organisations will invite consortia - including people with disabilities, family members, service providers and community groups - to work together to develop proposals for funding. Consultations will take place over the coming months with service users, families and service providers across Ireland to develop realistic, sustainable plans to reconfigure services.
Funding will be subsequently awarded by the Genio Trust through a rigorous application process jointly assessed by the Genio Trust and the HSE.
Medical Card Applications
Ceisteanna (155)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:155. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the status of an application by persons (details supplied) for a medical card; and when they can expect a decision on their case. [53298/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have referred this query to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
Nursing Staff Recruitment
Ceisteanna (156)
Thomas Pringle
Ceist:156. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the number of the 7.5 nursing posts promised for children with life-limiting conditions or complex needs in County Donegal that have been filled; the reason some families cannot avail of nursing care particularly for night cover and end up with agency staff which may jeopardise continuity of care; the way in which he will ensure that every family with a child suffering from life-limiting conditions or complex needs will receive the continuity of care provided for by nursing staff specifically allocated to families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53299/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
Question No. 157 answered with Question No. 145.
Dental Services Provision
Ceisteanna (158)
Robert Troy
Ceist:158. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide a long-term replacement dental service in Ballymahon, County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53315/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (159)
Anne Rabbitte
Ceist:159. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a second carer in Merlin Park in order to be able to transfer them from care in County Wicklow to County Galway. [53317/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Vaccination Programme
Ceisteanna (160)
Tony McLoughlin
Ceist:160. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health if there can be a genetic predisposition in some girls receiving the gardasil human papillomavirus, HPV, vaccine that may mean they are unable to clear out the vaccine chemicals in their system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53321/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
All medicines, including vaccines are subject to ongoing review and evaluation of all available data from a range of sources, including systematic scientific literature review, to consider any impact that their data may have on the overall assessment of the benefits and risks of a medicinal product. Taking into account the totality of the available information, the benefits of the HPV vaccines continue to outweigh their risks. The safety of these vaccines continues to be monitored at EU level through the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and its expert committees, which includes representatives from member state competent authorities such as the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA).
The HPRA is responsible for monitoring the safety and quality of all medicines including vaccines that are licensed in Ireland and operates a national adverse reaction reporting system, which members of the public and healthcare professionals are encouraged to submit any suspected adverse reactions through this system. All Reports received by the HPRA are routinely transmitted to the EMA's adverse reaction database for inclusion in global signal detection and monitoring activities. It is not appropriate for me to speculate on the interaction between a persons genetic make-up and how this impacts on their metabolising of licensed medicines. The Patient Information Leaflet provides information on the vaccine, its uses and on any precautions that require advice from a healthcare professional before it is administered
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (161)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:161. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the 20-month waiting lists for transgender persons awaiting appointments with a hormone replacement therapy, HRT, specialist endocrinologist; his views on the waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53360/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In response to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (162)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:162. 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. [53373/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under 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 you directly.
Drug Treatment Programmes Data
Ceisteanna (163)
Maureen O'Sullivan
Ceist:163. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the number of beds available and the locations of each for those wanting to detox from tablets such as Z-drugs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53375/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Local Drugs Task Forces Funding
Ceisteanna (164, 165)
Maurice Quinlivan
Ceist:164. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the funding provided to the mid-west regional drug and alcohol forum, formerly known as drugs task force, per annum in each of the years 2008 to 2016, and to date in 2017; the amount budgeted for 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53378/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMaurice Quinlivan
Ceist:165. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the funding provided to the mid-west regional drug and alcohol forum, formerly known as drugs task force, budgeted for 2018; when this funding is expected to be confirmed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53379/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 164 and 165 together.
Local and Regional Drug and Alcohol Task forces are funded by both the Department of Health and the HSE. The table shows the funding for the Drug and Alcohol Forum from 2008 to 2017. It should be noted that from 2008 to 2013 the Mid West Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force/Forum was funded by my Department under the Drugs Initiative Fund. The reduction in the budget allocated from the Drugs Initiative Fund in the years 2014 to 2017 reflects the fact that my Department transferred funding of approximately €1.26 million in respect of a number of projects in the Mid West Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force/Forum to the HSE in 2014. The HSE maintained this allocation in 2015, 2016 and 2017.
|
Year |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
|
DoH Allocation |
1,537,241 |
1,548,888 |
1,576,095 |
1,533,540 |
1,496,428 |
1,451,535 |
147,982 |
147,982 |
147,982 |
147,982 |
|
HSE Allocation |
|
1,260,007 |
1,260,007 |
1,260,007 |
1,260,007 |
|||||
|
Total |
1,537,241 |
1,548,888 |
1,576,095 |
1,533,540 |
1,496,428 |
1,451,535 |
1,407,989 |
1,407,989 |
1,407,989 |
1,407,989 |
It is intended that all Local and Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Forces will be notified of their 2018 funding allocations by the Department and the HSE as soon as the HSE National Service Plan for 2018 has been approved by the Minister for Health.
Drugs Payment Scheme Coverage
Ceisteanna (166)
Bríd Smith
Ceist:166. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the reason Versatis 5% medicated plaster, Lidocaine, has been removed from the drugs payment scheme and the medical card (details supplied) [53386/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Medicines 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 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 this product 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 the product 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 were receiving antivirals for shingles were automatically approved for the lidocaine medicated plaster for three months. No action was required by GPs and the patient’s pharmacy was notified of his or her approval status.
These patients were identified and automatically registered on the HSE-PCRS system for three months and continued to receive the treatment from their pharmacy until 30 November 2017. However, from 1 December 2017, non-shingles patients will no longer get this item 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 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.
Capital Expenditure Programme
Ceisteanna (167)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:167. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the detail of the pre-committed funding for planned future capital projects relating to health in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53387/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Health capital funding was outlined in the recently published Public Service Estimates for 2018 and the HSE is currently developing its Capital Plan for 2018 - 2021.
The Government is also preparing a new 10 year National Investment Plan for the period 2018-2027, which will be published alongside and in support of the forthcoming new National Planning Framework, to sustain national economic and social progress over the long term.