Written Answers Nos 469-487
469. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 470 of 27 February 2018, the technical and legal issues which require clarification to allow Parts 2 and 3 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 to be commenced. [12038/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials in my Department are undertaking the work necessary to facilitate the commencement of Parts 2 & 3 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015. A small number of technical and legal issues have arisen which require clarification, and it is important that these are resolved before Parts 2 & 3 of the Act are commenced. I hope to be in a position to lay the Regulations before the Houses of the Oireachtas as early as possible in 2018.
470. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of funding for a service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12039/18]
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.
471. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of persons with diabetes who required a lower limb amputation in each of the years 2014 to 2016, by county in tabular form. [12045/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy Directly.
472. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health the reason for the exclusion of the patient information leaflet in the patient information pack for the HPV vaccination administered in schools. [12047/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE is committed to providing accurate information for parents about diseases, the vaccines to prevent them and side effects to allow them to choose whether or not to give consent to vaccination. All the information provided to parents about vaccination is prepared from the available licensed documentation for each vaccine, the Summary of Products Characteristics and Patient Information Leaflet. The information is presented in clear simple language and approved by the National Adult Literacy Agency so that it can be understood by all adults. The Health Information and Quality Authority Guide ‘Communicating in plain English’ (2015) developed in partnership with NALA states that “One in six people find reading and understanding everyday texts difficult: for example, reading a health leaflet, bus timetable or medicine instructions”. Therefore, like other countries providing school immunisation programmes, the Patient Information Leaflet is replaced by this information leaflet and like other countries the HSE information leaflet provides the same information on side effects of the vaccine.
Prior to all school immunisations, parents receive an information pack in a sealed package with an information leaflet, consent form and cover letter. The information packs for all immunisations are standardised nationally. The information booklets include information on all the known side effects that can occur after each vaccination. All the known side effects of the HPV vaccine Gardasil are outlined in the information booklet given to parents. Parents are also given contact details for their local immunisation office and advised to speak to a member of the school immunisation team if they have any further questions.
Parents are not being denied the information on the Patient Information Leaflet. The HSE parent information leaflet refers parents to the website www.hpv.ie where links to additional information including the licensing documentation, the Summary of Products Characteristics and the Patient Information Leaflet for each vaccine can be found.
473. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the status of a place for a person (details supplied). [12051/18]
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 query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
474. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter regarding the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12053/18]
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 the Deputy directly.
475. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the podiatrist and chiropodist service in south County Leitrim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12066/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
477. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health his plans to intervene in the ongoing critical staff shortages in a service (details supplied) in view of the fact that these issues have remained unresolved over the past two years. [12093/18]
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.
478. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the number of residential care places in County Mayo; the number of persons on the waiting list for residential care in the county; the estimated waiting time and cost per place for residential care in the county; the way in which these figures compare to other counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12101/18]
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.
479. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health his plans to create new places for residential care in County Mayo; if not, the reason therefor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12102/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraPublic residential care units are an essential part of our healthcare infrastructure. They provide about 5,000 long stay beds, amounting to approximately 20% of the total stock of nursing home beds nationally. There are also about 2,000 short stay community public beds.
While the care delivered to residents in our community hospitals is generally of a very high standard, many of these services are delivered in buildings that are less than ideal in the modern context. It is important therefore that we upgrade our public bed stock and this is the aim of the 5 year Capital Investment Programme for Community Nursing Units which was announced in 2016. This provides the framework to allow for an enhanced programme to replace, upgrade and refurbish these care facilities, as appropriate. Significant work was undertaken to determine the most optimum scheduling of projects within the phased provision of funding to achieve compliance and registration with the Health Information and Quality Authority. The investment programme includes a number of facilities in Mayo.
The National Development Plan acknowledges the need for additional capacity requirements for the period to 2031 and that it expected that 4,500 additional short-term and long-term beds will be required provided across the public system in Community Nursing Units and other step-down facilities, as identified by the Health Capacity Review. Appraisal and planning across all Community Healthcare Organisations in line with health strategies and demographic needs will inform the selection of projects for delivery of these new beds and additional capacity.
480. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the number of appeals that have been lodged due to the removal of the Versatis pain patch as a pain treatment for certain persons; the number of these appeals that have been denied and successful, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12103/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2016, the HSE Medicines Management Programme reviewed the use of the plasters. The review estimated that only 5-10% of prescribing had been for the licensed indication.
Following the clinical review, and in the interest of ensuring appropriate patient care, the HSE introduced a new reimbursement approval system for the patches from 1 September 2017. This process supports their appropriate use, ensuring that post-shingles patients continue to receive this treatment.
As of 16 March 2018, there have been 5,504 online applications from GPs requesting the reimbursement of Versatis. Of these applications, 1,059 patients (over 19%) have been approved.
526 online appeals have been made, and over 69% of these patients have been approved. The MMP has sought further information on 38 appeals before a recommendation on reimbursement can be made.
Since 1 September 2017, some 1,421 patients have been approved for the reimbursement of lidocaine plasters, based on the clinical case made by the GP.
It is clear that this new process supports appropriate use and prescribing and both post-shingles patients and other appropriate cases can continue to be treated with lidocaine plasters.
The introduction of the new approval system was flagged in August 2017, when details of the proposed changes were circulated by the HSE to prescribers and pharmacies. This advice has been re-issued recently, and information for patients and practitioners is on the HSE Medicines Management Programme website. (www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/cspd/ncps/medicines-management/lidocaine-plaster/).
This reimbursement decision is a matter for the HSE. However, I fully support the objectives of the HSE Medicines Management Programme
481. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that internationally, March is endometriosis awareness month; if it is recognised here; if not, the reason therefor; his plans to change same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12104/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra482. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health his plans for investment in highlighting and informing the public regarding endometriosis. which is estimated to affect one in ten women worldwide; if not, the reason therefor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12106/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra485. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the number of excision surgeons here who can carry out the necessary surgery on a person with endometriosis by hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12109/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra486. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the supports and care plans in place for persons with endometriosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12110/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra487. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the funds allocated to the research and treatment of endometriosis here over the past decade by amount and location in which funding was spent, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12111/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 481, 482 and 485 to 487, inclusive, together.
The National Women and Infants Health Programme has been established within the HSE to lead the management, organisation and delivery of maternity, gynaecological and neonatal services across primary, community and acute care.
In relation to the queries raised regarding endometriosis, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
483. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the number of women here who have been diagnosed with endometriosis by the different stages of endometriosis; the number of patients in each county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12107/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
484. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the number of women in the health care system awaiting treatment for endometriosis; the wait time for such treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12108/18]
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.
