Written Answers Nos 387-404
387. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Health to set out the number of prescriptions written over the past five years for opiate painkillers (details supplied) in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20983/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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.
388. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Health to outline the detoxification treatment provision for those who have become dependent on opiate painkillers (details supplied); the detail of the inpatient detoxification treatment for complex cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20984/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
389. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if pulmonary hypertension will be included on the long-term illness card scheme (details supplied). [20989/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Long Term Illness (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.
390. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health to outline the guidelines and supports (details supplied) in place for voluntary cardiac first responders community groups that operate schemes under the guidance of the National Ambulance Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20999/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
391. Deputy Dara Murphy asked the Minister for Health if there has been an audit or an assessment of the supply and demand for nursing home beds carried out in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21007/18]
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.
392. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health when the vaccine compensation scheme, as included in A Programme for a Partnership Government, will be implemented; the reason for the delay in its delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21008/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra393. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health to outline the reason the interim report of the medical expert group set up in 1977 to examine persons that it was claimed had been permanently damaged by the whooping cough vaccination was never published; if the report will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21009/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra394. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health to outline the consideration he has given to the request from a group (details supplied) to have an inquiry into the vaccine reactions, subsequent injury and early death of some children that received the DPT vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21010/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 392 to 394, inclusive, together.
The Programme for a Partnership Government includes a commitment to “put in place a scheme, on a no-fault basis, that will respond to the needs of people with disability arising from vaccination.” The policy objectives in putting in place a scheme to meet the needs of people with disability arising from vaccination are to provide fair and just compensation for those who may have been injured by a vaccine, to reduce the costs to the State by providing an alternative to litigation and to maintaining public confidence in immunisation. This matter is under consideration by the Department with a view to developing a proposal regarding a vaccine damage scheme based on evidence concerning, vaccine damage schemes, legal advices and consultation with other Government bodies.
395. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if he will recommend to the HSE that a dedicated unit be set up within the medical card division to deal specifically with applicants diagnosed with cancer with a view to expediting their applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21011/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government recently announced a comprehensive package of healthcare supports for to the 209 women diagnosed with cervical cancer since 2008 and for whom cytology review recommendations following clinical audit differed from the original test, and their families, including those of the 17 women within the group and who are known to have died.
These supports will also be provided to women who may be identified by the International Clinical Expert Review Panel as having been diagnosed with cervical cancer since 2008 and for whom cytology review recommendations following clinical audit also differ from the original test.
I have requested the HSE to immediately establish a central function which will be tasked with leading the delivery of this suite of supports, which includes the provision of discretionary medical cards. The centralised function will also serve as a contact point to facilitate women and their families to avail of the supports to be provided. This will be combined with dedicated local supports and arrangements to enable women and their families to discuss their needs and be facilitated in accessing services locally without delay and with the minimum of administrative process.
Separately, it is important to note that the HSE’s National Medical Card Unit has implemented a number of new measures to ensure that the assessment of all medical card applications are processed in a more compassionate and efficient manner. These measures include the development of a burden of illness questionnaire which is now being rolled out in selective circumstances where the assessing doctor in the National Medical Card Unit requires a more comprehensive assessment of an applicant's medical and social circumstances and any resulting undue financial hardship.
In addition, in January this year, the new streamlined online medical card application system was launched. This enables applicants to find out immediately if they are eligible for a medical card and will bring considerable benefits for people in turnaround times, convenience and security.
Implementation of these measures will aid the National Medical Card Unit in providing an enhanced service to applicants, ensuring that the application process is as efficient and timely as possible.
396. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the threat of closure facing a facility (details supplied) for adults with disabilities in County Donegal owing to its financial situation and lack of available funds; if an additional subvention will be made available to the facility in view of the risk this situation now poses to the continuation of service provision locally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21033/18]
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.
397. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a psychological appointment. [21034/18]
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.
398. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment for speech therapy. [21037/18]
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.
399. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health to set out the number of cancellations for CAMHS appointments at the HSE James Joyce Centre, James Joyce Street, Dublin 1 in each of the years 2014 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and the annual number of appointments scheduled for the same period. [21038/18]
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.
400. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health if he will change the in loco parentis rule for respite care (details supplied) in order that care givers can have effective respite; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21041/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
401. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will publish the report into the death of a person (details supplied) which was conducted by the Midlands Health Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21043/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has searched for records in relation to the report mentioned by the Deputy. However no such report has been found.
I have asked the Health Service Executive to search for records in relation to the report mentioned and respond to you directly, as soon as possible.
402. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health to outline the steps being taken to ensure that appropriate long-term care is put in place for a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [21047/18]
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.
403. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health to set out the number of dentists, dental nurses and surgeries in counties Longford and Westmeath offering children's dental services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21092/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
404. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health to outline his plans to introduce a new oral decay prevention strategy similar to the SOAP programme in the UK in view of the increasing number of children presenting with oral decay and the long-term money saving benefits that would ensue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21093/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Oral Health Policy, which is currently being finalised by my Department will inform the future provision of dental services. The aim of the policy, which is being led by the Chief Dental Officer, is to develop a model of care that will enable preventative approaches to be prioritised, improve access, and support interventions appropriate to the current needs of children and adults. In developing the policy cognisance has been taken of international evidence and best practice.
