Written Answers Nos. 123-142
123. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the reason for the new standard operating procedure in the assessment of need process used by the HSE; if he was consulted regarding these changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22908/18]
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.
124. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the concerns expressed by organisations (details supplied) regarding the new standard operating procedure in the assessment of need process; if he will request the HSE to review this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22909/18]
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.
125. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health if further consideration has been given to the development of a service (details supplied) in County Donegal in view of the increasing requests for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22912/18]
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.
126. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if the internal review into the deaths of 74 University Hospital Limerick patients who tested positive for CPE has been published; and if he will provide a copy of same. [22913/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra127. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health when an independent external review by a senior microbiologist from the UK into the deaths of 74 University Hospital Limerick patients who tested positive for CPE will be completed. [22914/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 126 and 127 together.
My understanding is that both of these particular reports were commissioned by the University of Limerick Hospital Group (ULHG) and I have referred your questions to the HSE for direct response to the Deputy.
I wish, however to assure the Deputy that I take the risks of healthcare associated infections very seriously. In this regard I launched Ireland's National Action Plan on AMR last October and declared CPE as a public health emergency and it continues to be managed as such.
128. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting to see their community ophthalmic physician in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22936/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
129. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting to see their community ophthalmic physician in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22937/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
130. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the numbers of children waiting to be seen by their community ophthalmic physician; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22938/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
131. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health the status of the appointment of a second consultant to a service (details supplied); when a clinic will be reinstated at a hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22939/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
132. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the funding allocated in 2018 to provide for the full implementation of national policies and guidelines in regard to antimicrobial resistance and healthcare-acquired infections; and if the funding has been ring-fenced for that purpose. [22942/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe prevention and control of healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is a significant patient safety and public health priority for the Department of Health.
On 25 October last, Ireland’s National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance 2017-2020 (iNAP) was launched by myself and Minister Michael Creed, Minister for Agriculture, Food & the Marine. This Plan was developed in line with the WHO Global Action Plan on AMR (2015). The iNAP activities are prioritised and being implemented across the duration of the Plan.
In response to the emergence of virulent antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains, in particular CPE or CRE, commonly known as 'superbugs', I convened the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) in October 2017, as a public health response to the CPE superbug. CPE has been declared as a public health emergency. The NPHET is chaired by the Chief Medical Officer. It held its first meeting on 02 November 2017 and continues to meet regularly.
The actions arising from iNAP and identified through the NPHET on CPE are being progressed. The Department held back dedicated funding for 2018 and the HSE is prioritising work programmes for this funding in line with CPE risk, which also addresses strategic interventions in iNAP. To date the Department has provided funding to expand the national team on HCAI/AMR, and fund prioritised laboratory posts. This provides a multi-disciplinary team and dedicated implementation leads to tackle the challenge of AMR and CPE in particular across the HSE.
133. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a judgment (details supplied) of the European Court of Justice; and if he will direct the State Claims Agency to cease its defence of cases for damage by a drug on the basis of that judgment. [22944/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe question refers to a Judgement given by the European Court of Justice and I cannot speculate on its possible relevance to litigation in Ireland.
I cannot comment on individual cases or matters that are the subject of litigation but I can provide background information on this litigation and clarify matters that are already in the public domain.
As of 9 May 2018, legal proceedings against the Minister, the Health Service Executive and GlaxoSmithKline Biological SA have been initiated by seventy individuals. The plaintiffs allege personal injury in which they claim the development of narcolepsy resulted from the administration of the H1N1 pandemic vaccine. The management of the cases transferred to the State Claims Agency (SCA) on 15 October 2013 when the Taoiseach signed the National Treasury Management Agency (Delegation of Claims Management Functions) (Amendment) Order 2013. This reflects the greater experience and expertise that the State Claims Agency has in the area of medical litigation.
I have been informed by the Agency that the cases are before the courts in relation to the management of discovery in the lead case. It would not be appropriate to interfere in the courts case management of these claims.
I am continuing to engage with the Minister for Justice and the Minister for Finance on what further improvements can be made to the legal framework governing the management of medical negligence cases.
134. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 810 of 16 January 2018 and 990 of 17 April 2018, the reason no reply has issued from the HSE; and if the replies will be expedited. [22945/18]
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.
135. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied). [22946/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
136. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health when an appointment will be made for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22950/18]
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.
137. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health when the review of the fair deal scheme will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22953/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra139. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the price gap in the cost of State-run HSE nursing homes and private nursing homes; the reason for the difference in costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22956/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 137 and 139 together.
The Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS), commonly referred to as Fair Deal, is a system of financial support for people who require long-term residential care. Participants contribute to the cost of their care according to their means while the State pays the balance of the cost. The Scheme aims to ensure that long-term nursing home care is accessible and affordable for everyone and that people are cared for in the most appropriate settings.
The Report of the NHSS Review published in 2015 identified a number of issues for more detailed consideration, including a review of pricing mechanism by the NTPF, with a view to:
- Ensuring value for money and economy, with the lowest possible administrative costs for clients and the State and administrative burden for providers;
- Increasing the transparency of the pricing mechanism so that existing and potential investors can make as informed decisions as possible; and
- Ensuring that there is adequate residential capacity for those residents with more complex needs.
A Steering Committee has been established to oversee this review which is chaired by the NTPF and includes representatives from my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. The NTPF have responsibility for the development of this report, although Department officials continue to engage with the NTPF regarding the review. The most recent update from the NTPF is that the report will be finalised by mid 2018.
In relation to variations in the cost of care for public and private nursing homes it is acknowledged that public nursing homes have, in general, a higher cost of care. It is understood that a number of factors contribute to this such as higher dependency levels of clients requiring a higher staff skill mix, environmental implications for staffing levels and the geographical provision of residential placements.
That said, there is a need to undertake a deeper analysis of the factors driving the higher costs of care in public units. This is why the 2015 Review of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme identified the need for a Value for Money and Policy (VFM) review of the cost differentials in public and private/voluntary residential facilities. My Department will be working on this VFM throughout the year.
138. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the further steps that can be taken to protect families and communities from intimidation by drug dealers. [22954/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe national drug strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery, acknowledges that criminal activity associated with illicit drug markets can create an intimidating and frightening environment in local communities. In particular, the use of violence or the threats of violence to enforce drug-related debts can impact on the health and wellbeing of families of drug users.
The national drug-related intimidation reporting programme, developed by An Garda Síochána and the Family Support Network, provides a framework to allow reporting of incidents of intimidation to a nominated Garda inspector. An Garda Síochána is currently delivering seminars and briefings to local management and appointed Inspectors in relation to the programme. More information on the programme is available at www.garda.ie/en/Crime/Drugs/The-Drugs-Related-Intimidation-Reporting-Programme.
It is a priority for me that families and communities are protected from drug-related intimidation and I am committed to strengthening the effectiveness of the programme. To this end, An Garda Síochána and the Family Support Network are undertaking evaluations of the programme. These evaluations can inform the development of measures to raise public awareness of the programme.
140. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that children in County Westmeath are waiting up to 12 months to access the community ophthalmic physician, COP; the steps he will take to permit these cases to be dealt with by optometrists which will enable children with more severe problems to be seen sooner and more frequently by the COP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22960/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
141. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to ensure that sixth class visual screening which has been abolished by the HSE in counties Longford and Westmeath is replaced by an alternative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22961/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
142. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to roll out a national scheme to allow children whot do not need medical or surgical management to be examined in the community by an optometrist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22962/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
