Barry Cowen
Ceist:403. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect an appointment for orthodontic treatment under the midlands Health Service Executive. [22434/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraOrthodontic Services Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (403)
Freagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
Health Services Provision
Ceisteanna (404)
Gino Kenny
Ceist:404. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health his plans to authorise eye care for children aged 12 to 16 years of age who have medical cards in mid-western areas of Dublin and other areas throughout the country; his further plans to reinstate the sixth class screening programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22450/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
Services for People with Disabilities
Ceisteanna (405)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:405. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of persons aged 18 years of age and over who have been assessed as having a need for residential aftercare services; the number of those over 18 years of age who have been referred and are awaiting access to a residential aftercare service in each region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22489/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 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.
Primary Care Centres
Ceisteanna (406, 407)
Imelda Munster
Ceist:406. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health the status of the development of the Castlebellingham health centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22504/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraImelda Munster
Ceist:407. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health the capital allocation to commence the build of Castlebellingham health centre; the tender process; the contract award process; the likely opening date of the centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22505/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 406 and 407 together.
As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of health care infrastructure projects, the Executive has been requested to reply directly to you in relation to the development of Castlebellingham health centre.
HSE Staff Data
Ceisteanna (408)
Imelda Munster
Ceist:408. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health the number of chief operations officers, COOs; the pay scale of each COO; the number of staff attached to the COOs' offices by grade and annual salary cost of same; the number of heads of service, HOS, by pillar, that is, mental health, health and well-being, social care and primary care; the annual salary cost of same by grade; the number of support staff attached to each HOS by grade; the annual salary cost of same; the number and grade of staff who support the corporate CHO 8 function in the areas of risk, human resources, finance and estates; and the level of non-pay expenditure in CHO 8 by line item as required by his Department and HSE financial regulations as would be reported to the Committee of Public Accounts in tabular form. [22506/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (409)
Robert Troy
Ceist:409. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied). [22510/18]
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.
HSE Staff Data
Ceisteanna (410)
Robert Troy
Ceist:410. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the number of administrative and clerical positions in the HSE in each year since 2011, in tabular form. [22511/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
Disabilities Assessments
Ceisteanna (411)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:411. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will be given an early date for an assessment with the HSE's early intervention team. [22525/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 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 an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
Home Care Packages Provision
Ceisteanna (412)
Eugene Murphy
Ceist:412. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive home care support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22527/18]
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.
Patient Data
Ceisteanna (413)
Joan Collins
Ceist:413. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health if the central patient data project has been finalised; if it is at full operational capacity in St. James's Hospital; the name of the information technology company that installed it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22528/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is an operational matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services
Ceisteanna (414)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:414. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the services available in respect of child mental health in CHO area 7; the locations of the services; his plans to create new posts in line with a growing population and a growing need; the detail of the posts; the timeframe in which is it intended to fill them; if the absence of a psychologist in north County Kildare has specifically been considered in that context; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22531/18]
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 (415)
Kevin O'Keeffe
Ceist:415. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if an assessment can be arranged for a person (details supplied). [22532/18]
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.
Cancer Screening Programmes
Ceisteanna (416)
Joan Collins
Ceist:416. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter relating to a person (details supplied). [22534/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Any woman who has previously had a CervicalCheck smear test, and who following consultation with her GP determines that she wishes to have a further test, may do so without charge. An agreement was reached between the HSE and GPs on the reimbursement arrangements that will apply in such cases.
Approximately 50% of smear tests are allocated to laboratories in Ireland for analysis. This is done to a large extent on a geographic basis.
I have been advised by the HSE that there is no evidence that the clinical and technical aspects of the programme have performed outside or below international standards or the quality guidelines set for the programme. All laboratories currently contracted by CervicalCheck meet the programme’s standards and have ISO accreditation, certified by the relevant national authorities.
Cancer Screening Programmes
Ceisteanna (417)
Marc MacSharry
Ceist:417. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health if he will address a series of queries further to the cervical screening crisis (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22539/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
There is no comparable formal audit process in place with either the BreastCheck or BowelScreen programmes.
In line with its Terms of Reference, the Scoping Inquiry, led by Dr Gabriel Scally, will examine the other screening programmes operated by the National Cancer Screening Service, particularly in relation to quality assurance and clinical audit, open disclosure and governance.
National Cancer Strategy
Ceisteanna (418)
Gino Kenny
Ceist:418. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the significant delay between screening, diagnosis and treatment of persons with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, PJS, and that this is putting their lives in jeopardy; his plans to eliminate the delay between diagnosing pre-cancerous polyps in persons with PJS and the treatment of same to prevent the development of cancer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22542/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In line with the National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026, I am advised by the HSE's National Cancer Control Programme that they are currently establishing a clinical reference group to develop pathways and guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and ongoing surveillance for Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome (PJS).
When the pathways and guidelines are established the infrastructure and investment needed to ensure a robust referral and surveillance process for Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome will be assessed.
Cannabis for Medicinal Use
Ceisteanna (419)
Shane Cassells
Ceist:419. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Health the process for a person to receive access to a medical product (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22543/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Cannabis is strictly controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Acts 1977 to 2016, and the Regulations and Orders made thereunder.
The two most common active components found in cannabis oil are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).
- THC is the principal psychoactive constituent of cannabis. Under the Misuse of Drugs legislation products containing THC are strictly controlled and possession is unlawful except under licence.
- CBD is derived from cannabis. However, since it is not psychoactive it is not controlled under the Misuse of Drugs legislation, and does not require a Ministerial Licence.
Access to Medical Cannabis via the Ministerial Licence Route
- Currently medical practitioners who wish to prescribe cannabis products containing THC may apply to the Minister for Health, for a licence under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
- 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.
How to apply for a Ministerial licence
A medical cannabis licence application submitted to the Minister for Health, in line with the Misuse of Drugs Acts, must include:
- An outline of the treatment the patient has received to date and justification from the doctor as to why it is appropriate in their patient’s specific circumstances to prescribe cannabis.
- Details of the cannabis product which it is proposed to prescribe and administer to the patient.
- The source of the cannabis product.
- The arrangements for the ongoing monitoring and care of the patient once the cannabis-based treatment has commenced.
The application must be submitted either by the patient’s medical consultant, or by their General Practitioner (GP). Applications from the patient's GP must include written endorsement for the proposed cannabis treatment for the individual patient by the patient's consultant.
The decision to prescribe or not prescribe any treatment, including cannabis treatment, for an individual patient is strictly a decision for the treating clinician, in consultation with their patient. The Minister for Health has no role in this clinical decision-making process.
Consultants or GPs requiring further information or clarification in relation to the licence application process are advised to contact the Department of Health directly. Valid applications received are assessed without delay.
A patient who is eligible under the Long Term Illness Scheme has automatic access to all of the products on the core list of products for that condition. This list is published on the HSE website. Medical cannabis is not listed as one of the approved products currently. Where a patient seeks reimbursement of a product outside the core list, there is an individual reimbursement application process.
The patient's treating clinician should complete the individual reimbursement request application form and return it to the HSE Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS). Where such an application is approved, the HSE will then determine how the patient may be assisted, where they hold a Ministerial License.
Health Strategies
Ceisteanna (420)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:420. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of the roll-out of a national oral health policy. [22544/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The new National Oral Health Policy is currently being finalised and will be published later this year.
HSE Properties
Ceisteanna (421)
Peter Burke
Ceist:421. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the status of the proposed development of the new car park at a centre (details supplied); when the works will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22545/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the health care infrastructure estate, the Executive has been requested to reply directly to you in relation to development at Áras Mhuire Day Care Centre, Nenagh.