Robert Troy
Ceist:656. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) who has been diagnosed with Degos disease is being refused medication based on financial costs. [12818/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraHealth Services Provision
Ceisteanna (656)
Freagraí 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.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked to the HSE to respond to you directly.
Question No. 657 answered with Question No. 652.
Cannabis for Medicinal Use
Ceisteanna (658)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:658. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health his plans to reimburse medication under the long-term illness scheme for medical CBD and THC for persons granted licences for the medication to treat epilepsy; and the scheme under which this medication will be covered in view of the fact that other anti-epilepsy medication is covered under the long-term illness scheme [12839/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department and HSE officials are currently considering funding and access proposals for cannabis-based products for medicinal use including work to establish a reliable and affordable quality controlled cannabis product supply for the Irish market.
In relation to the reimbursement of cannabis-based products in the community drug schemes, I understand that the HSE is currently considering a reimbursement application, in line with the statutory requirements for the schemes.
Question No. 659 answered with Question No. 517.
Speech and Language Therapy Data
Ceisteanna (660)
Charlie McConalogue
Ceist:660. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in categories (details supplied) that are availing of speech and language therapy in each area in County Donegal; the number on a waiting list for speech and language therapy in each area; the number of speech and language therapists for these categories of persons in each area in County Donegal; if new posts have been sanctioned for each area; when these new posts will commence; his plans to recruit additional speech therapists in each area within County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12842/18]
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.
Health Services Provision
Ceisteanna (661)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:661. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if alternative accommodation can be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12856/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My office has been in regular contact with two persons over the last few months regarding the person's ongoing care needs. I understand that a home care package has been agreed with the family. I have asked the HSE to confirm this directly to the Deputy.
Nursing Homes Support Scheme Applications
Ceisteanna (662)
John Brassil
Ceist:662. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the status of a fair deal application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12857/18]
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.
Health Services Provision
Ceisteanna (663)
Paul Kehoe
Ceist:663. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health the status of the development of an adult narcolepsy centre in St. James's Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12860/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Work is under way on setting up a Centre of Excellence for Narcolepsy based in St. James’s Hospital for patients with all forms of narcolepsy in adults and in children transitioning from the paediatric services, as was committed to in the HSE 2018 National Service Plan. The level of funding for the infrastructure, staffing and recruitment required for this centre is under consideration by the HSE.
Health Services Provision
Ceisteanna (664)
John McGuinness
Ceist:664. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if full 24-7 care will be recommenced in the case of a person (details supplied); and the reason they are without a care plan. [12880/18]
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.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (665)
John McGuinness
Ceist:665. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if a bed will be provided at Beaumount Hospital for a person (details supplied). [12881/18]
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 the Deputy directly.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (666)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:666. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if a hospital appointment for surgery for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; if an appointment will be scheduled sooner than December 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12887/18]
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 the Deputy directly.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (667)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:667. 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. [12896/18]
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 the Deputy directly.
Health Services Staff Remuneration
Ceisteanna (668)
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:668. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if he has received the interim report from the HSE on pay restoration for section 39 organisations; the next steps for his Department in this regard; when section 39 organisations will be contacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12897/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
On 9 February 2018, an agreement was reached between my Department, the HSE and health sector Trade Unions in relation to a process aimed at resolving the pay restoration issue for staff employed by section 39 bodies. The HSE will carry out an analysis to establish, with supporting evidence, the following:
- Whether, when and to what extent reductions in pay rates were applied during the crisis in each relevant organisation;
- Whether, when and to what extent restoration of pay reductions has happened;
- Identify the financial implications for each organisation, taking account of all sources of funding, associated with addressing the issues identified and propose an appropriate plan for phased resolution in each case.
The HSE has issued detailed questionnaires to an agreed list of organisations. The interim report, to which the question refers, is expected from the HSE by the end of March 2018.
Drugs Payment Scheme Coverage
Ceisteanna (669)
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:669. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the approval process for the drug Kuvan for persons with phenylketonuria; when persons will be informed of the HSE's decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12898/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drug schemes, under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. In reaching a decision, the HSE examines all the evidence which may be relevant in its view for the decision and will take into account such expert opinions and recommendations which it may have sought, including, for example, advice from the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE). Sapropterin (Kuvan) was considered under the national pricing and reimbursement processes in 2009. At that time, insufficient evidence was available to support the pricing and reimbursement application submitted. In 2016, the HSE was advised that a new health technology assessment dossier would be submitted on sapropterin. The NCPE completed its assessment of the new dossier in September 2017 and did not recommend sapropterin for reimbursement, as it was not deemed cost effective at the price sought by the company. My Department was advised that Sapropterin was discussed at a recent HSE Drugs Group Meeting. The Drugs Group was not in a position to make a recommendation to HSE Leadership following that meeting. It has sought additional information and deliberations are ongoing.
Hospital Waiting Lists Data
Ceisteanna (670)
Seán Crowe
Ceist:670. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties being experienced by a person (details supplied); if his attention has been further drawn to the waiting time for a first appointment; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some patients have been referred to the Mater Hospital; and when a new surgeon will be in place in Tallaght Hospital. [12901/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I continue to support the HSE in its efforts to bring down the waiting times for and improve access to scoliosis services. The long-term strategy to develop sustainable scoliosis services from 2018 has been prioritised by the Department of Health and the HSE in the 2018 HSE National Service Plan.
€9 million funding has been provided in 2018 to improve access to paediatric orthopaedic services including scoliosis. The 2018 HSE National Service Plan includes a commitment from the HSE to continue to improve access to paediatric orthopaedics, including surgery for scoliosis, in conjunction with the Children’s Hospital Group to achieve clinically appropriate waiting times. This will be underpinned by the development of a standardised pathway of care for children and adolescents with scoliosis which will be evidence-based and patient-centred.
The HSE, in their Service Plan, has also committed to the development of a service for young adults with scoliosis in the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, and Cappagh Orthopaedic Hospital for patients transferring from paediatric services.
In addition, a Paediatric Scoliosis Services Co-Design group is in place, which includes clinicians, hospital staff and representatives from the scoliosis advocacy groups, to design a comprehensive contemporary and patient-centred approach to the delivery of scoliosis services.
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.
In relation to the particular queries raised, as these are service matters, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (671)
Seán Fleming
Ceist:671. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if a MRI for an person (details supplied) will be arranged based on correspondence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12910/18]
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 the Deputy directly.
Departmental Meetings
Ceisteanna (672)
Charlie McConalogue
Ceist:672. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a copy of the minutes of a meeting (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12911/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can confirm that a meeting took place between my Department and members of the Donegal Diabetes Action Group on 23 November 2017. I have asked officials from the Department to send a copy of the requested minutes to your office.