Tuesday, 30 Jan 2018

Written Answers Nos. 400-419

Cannabis for Medicinal Use

Ceisteanna (400)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

400. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if there are means by which a person undergoing chemotherapy can access medicinal cannabis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4154/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As the Deputy is aware it is the decision of a clinician, in consultation with their patient, to prescribe or not prescribe a particular treatment, including cannabis for medical use, for a patient under their care. As Minister for Health I have no role in this clinical decision-making process.

Under the Misuse of Drugs Act an Irish registered doctor, wishing to prescribe cannabis treatment for an individual patient under their care, may apply for a Ministerial licence to do so. The Chief Medical Officer has advised that the granting of such a licence 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 Act for a licence for THC-based cannabis for medical purposes must include:

An outline of the treatment the patient has received to date and justification from the prescriber as to why it is appropriate in their patient’s specific circumstances to prescribe cannabis products; Details of the cannabis product which it is proposed to prescribe and administer to the patient;

The source of the cannabis product; and

The arrangements for the ongoing clinical monitoring and care of the patient once the cannabis-based treatment has commenced.

If the patient’s consultant requires further information or clarification in relation to the licence application process, he or she should contact the Department of Health directly.

Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council

Ceisteanna (401)

Kevin O'Keeffe

Ceist:

401. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1116 of 16 January 2018, his views on whether the actions of the Health and Safety Authority and of the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council are unnecessarily disingenuous towards first aid response course instructors (details supplied). [4167/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I have been assured that the Pre Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) is committed to improving its services for all stakeholders. In that regard I am advised that an online portal has been developed for applicants seeking Recognised Institution status and this will significantly aid in the communication and interactions between PHECC and prospective applicants.

I understand that PHECC anticipates that this online portal will be launched by early March. A communication strategy to inform all interested parties, including sole traders currently providing Occupational First Aid courses, is currently being devised. Information sessions will be held throughout the country to ensure that individuals and organisations have the opportunity to learn more about PHECC, its processes and policies relating to the provision of education and training courses as per its standards.

Health Services Staff Recruitment

Ceisteanna (402)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

402. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the full-year cost of recruiting an extra 1,500 nurses; the full-year cost of recruiting an extra 300 hospital consultants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4184/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.

Question No. 403 answered with Question No. 350.

Medicinal Products Reimbursement

Ceisteanna (404)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

404. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the reasons persons with type 1 diabetes are being excluded from the reimbursement of the FreeStyle Libre electronic diabetes blood monitor under the long-term illness reimbursement scheme. [4200/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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.

Mental Health Services

Ceisteanna (405)

James Browne

Ceist:

405. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 810 of 13 July 2017, if the HSE achieved implementation of seven over seven mental health supports across all community healthcare organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4204/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Health Strategies

Ceisteanna (406)

James Browne

Ceist:

406. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 810 of 13 July 2017, if an updated briefing plan is available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4205/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Mental Health Services Staff

Ceisteanna (407)

James Browne

Ceist:

407. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of multidisciplinary community mental health teams working at weekends; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4206/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Mental Health Services Staff

Ceisteanna (408)

James Browne

Ceist:

408. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of multidisciplinary community mental health teams in place; the number that are fully populated; the number and type of teams per community healthcare organisation, CHO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4207/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Mental Health Services Staff

Ceisteanna (409)

James Browne

Ceist:

409. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of multidisciplinary community mental health teams in the areas of general adult, child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS, intellectual disability, old age and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4208/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Questions Nos. 410 to 412, inclusive, answered with Question No. 383.

Medical Inquiries

Ceisteanna (413, 446, 455)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

413. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health his views on the Gardasil HPV vaccine containing thiaminase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4216/18]

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

446. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the Gardasil HPV vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4417/18]

Michael Moynihan

Ceist:

455. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if the Gardasil HPV vaccine contains thiaminase, which is an enzyme used in the manufacture of the vaccine; and if studies have been carried out as to whether thiaminase can destroy or inactivate thiamine and cause a vitamin deficiency disease. [4494/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 413, 446 and 455 together.

The information that the Deputies seek with regard to Thiaminase is not readily available. Therefore, I have asked the Health Products Regulatory Authority to investigate the matter and reply directly to each Deputy.

However I think it is important to reiterate that the Health Products Regulatory Authority and the European Medicines Agency continually monitor adverse events to vaccination. HPV is one of the most closely studied and monitored medicinal products. The vast majority of reports received by the HPRA have been consistent with the expected pattern of short term adverse side effects for the vaccine, as described in the product information. These are usually mild and temporary reactions to any kind of vaccination.

Death Certificates

Ceisteanna (414)

Anne Rabbitte

Ceist:

414. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in releasing a death certificate from Ballinasloe hospital (details supplied.). [4226/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Care Services Provision

Ceisteanna (415, 416, 417)

Lisa Chambers

Ceist:

415. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the home care waiting list in County Mayo; the number of these persons who are in a hospital, nursing home or respite facility; the details of the system of placement or grading of persons on the waiting list based on medical need; the estimated waiting time for persons on the list before they receive home care; the number who were on the home care waiting list in County Mayo from January 2017 to January 2018, by month, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4227/18]

Lisa Chambers

Ceist:

416. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the number of staff employed by the HSE in County Mayo in the home care department; the number of agency staff who are also employed to provide home care through the HSE in County Mayo; the number of HSE and agency staff involved in the direct provision of home care to persons; the average number of persons that HSE and agency staff call to each day; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4228/18]

Lisa Chambers

Ceist:

417. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who are receiving home care services in County Mayo; the number of persons receiving home care seven days per week, five days per week or fewer than five days per week; the number of persons receiving more than one visit per day; the average time allocated to persons for each visit; the criteria used to determine the amount of time in terms of both hours and number of days that each person receives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4229/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 415 to 417, inclusive, together.

As these are service matters I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

State Claims Agency Data

Ceisteanna (418)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

418. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 1018 and 1019 of 17 January 2018, if the State Claims Agency keeps a record of confidential settlements; and if so, the number of such confidential settlements that were made in each of the years 2010 to 2017. [4240/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The State Claims Agency has advised that it settles very few claims which are subject to a confidentiality agreement with the exception of cases settled through mediation. The Agency does not formally record, on its IT system, the fact that any individual settlement is bound by a confidentiality clause. Therefore this information is not readily available.

Healthcare Policy

Ceisteanna (419)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

419. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health when St. Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny, fully implemented the HSE IOG clinical practice guideline on the diagnosis and management of severe pre-eclampsia and eclampsia; and the way in which compliance by staff in the hospital with this guideline is being monitored. [4241/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.