Written Answers Nos. 145-164
145. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health if the implementation plan for the national neurorehabilitation strategy will be submitted to him by the HSE by June 2018 as agreed; the timeframe for implementation; and the investment that will be ringfenced in 2019 to support its implementation [23857/18]
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 a service issue, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
146. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health his plans to place a defibrillator in all schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23863/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue of defibrillators in schools is a matter for individual schools in the education sector.
I am supportive of having increased public access to defibrillation, including in schools and will continue to explore the issue with regard to schools and will engage with my colleague the Minister for Education on it in due course.
A National Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest Steering group was established in 2017.
My Department is committed to improve survival rates of those who suffer an out of hospital cardiac arrest by implementing the recommendations of the out of hospital cardiac arrest strategy which will be completed in the near future.
The purpose of this project is to improve survival rates for those who suffer an out of hospital cardiac arrest through the development and implementation of an out of hospital cardiac arrest strategy up to 2020. This work will support the National Ambulance Service (NAS) and Community First Responder Ireland (CFR Ireland) in their commitment to improve clinical outcomes for Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OHCA). It is also considering how to improve Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest survival by strengthening the ‘Chain of Survival’ across Ireland. National and international evidence and experience will be assessed to see if it can be applied in Ireland. It is anticipated that the report of the OHCA Steering group will provide advice to the HSE and the Department on the most effective ways of improving survival, including the use of defibrillators in community settings and schools and on increasing CPR training. Once the findings of the Steering group have been published, the relevant recommendations will be carefully considered by all parties.
Cardiac First Responders (CFR) Ireland, launched in 2015, is the national umbrella organisation for Community First Responders Groups. CFR Ireland works with the National Ambulance Service, Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council and the Centre for Emergency Medical Science UCD. Both the NAS and CFR Ireland currently support over 145 Community First Responder schemes throughout Ireland, who train community members to provide emergency care support.
147. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Health the number of CAMHS mental health nurses on HSE recruitment panels by county; and the number of mental health nurse CAMHS vacancies nationally by county. [23864/18]
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.
148. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if the HSE followed its own policy and procedure for PPPGs in drawing up the assessment of need standard operating procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23865/18]
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.
149. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce a device (details supplied) under the long-term illness scheme cover for type 1 diabetes; if his attention has been drawn to the device and that it has been introduced in the UK; if research has been carried out on the amount it could save the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23866/18]
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.
150. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 358 of 27 March 2018, the funding required to support the appointment of a national stroke audit manager; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23867/18]
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.
151. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the availability of round the clock CT angiography for stroke patients in South Tipperary General Hospital; the impact of deficiencies in the service on the treatment of stroke patients including assessment for thrombectomy and thrombolysis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23868/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
152. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the infrastructural and equipment deficits across the stroke programme; the details of capital requests for same made in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018; the status of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23869/18]
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.
153. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the action taken since the passing of a motion (details supplied) in Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23871/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraPaediatric Home Care Packages (PHCPs) are in place to support the discharge of seriously ill children from acute hospital into the care of their families. They are designed to maximise a child’s quality of life and developmental opportunities while also helping to keep children out of hospital as much as possible.
The in loco parentis rule reflects the fact that PHCPs are intended to serve as a clinical support and is in place to ensure that a second person will be present in the event of an acute emergency such as respiratory arrest, decannulation of a tracheostomy or status epilepticus.
I would like to reassure the Deputy that I am fully aware of the concerns raised about the operation of the in loco parentis provision and that I recognise that respite can be an issue for parents of children with complex medical needs. I have asked my officials to engage closely with the HSE on this issue, and I am informed that it is currently being examined as part of the Quality Assurance Process for PHCPs. This process will inform how PHCPs should be delivered, including the operation of the in loco parentis provision.
Many parents have already contributed to the Quality Assurance Process, and further engagement will take place in the coming weeks and months. Furthermore, the HSE intends to establish a Parental Reference Group that will help shape how care is delivered to children with complex medical needs.
154. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23873/18]
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.
155. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost to provide annual rheumatology assessment for children with Down's Syndrome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23884/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly, as soon as possible.
156. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23886/18]
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.
157. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment with the ASD services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23887/18]
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.
158. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the reason for excluding persons over 21 years of age with type 1 diabetes from accessing the new FreeStyle Libre glucose monitor; his views on whether it should have been made available to all persons with diabetes based on clinical need at the discretion of their diabetes consultant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23888/18]
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.
159. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if the case of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; the timeframe for an assessment of need to be scheduled; and if an appointment will be expedited. [23890/18]
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.
160. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to reduce the 14 month waiting list for children in CHO9 to access the community ophthalmic physician; his plans to allow those waiting that may be suitable to be treated at a lower level of complexity to see an optometrist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23897/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
161. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the reason the sixth class vision screening has been abolished; his plans to restore the screening programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23898/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
162. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to reduce the waiting lists for cataract surgery for public patients; if a cost-benefit analysis of the spending by the NTPF on the procurement of cataract services from the private system has been carried out; if so, the results of the analysis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23899/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government commits to reducing waiting times for procedures in hospitals and to increase funding to the National Treatment Purchase Fund to deliver on this commitment. In the Budget and Estimates 2018, funding for the NTPF to treat public patients was increased to €50 million.
The Inpatient/Day Case Action Plan is a joint initiative between the HSE, the NTPF and my Department and sets the projected activity and impact that will be delivered in 2018 from within the allocated funding. As outlined in the Action Plan, a projected 1.16 million inpatient and day case procedures will take place in 2018, with NTPF activity accounting for 20,000 procedures and HSE activity 1.14 million procedures.
Cataract surgery is among the most common surgical procedures carried out in the Ophthalmology specialty. Through the work of the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) and the HSE, the overall number of patients waiting for cataract surgery has fallen by 22% since July 2017, while the number of patients waiting more than 12 months has declined by 71% in the same period.
For 2018, under the Inpatient/Day Case Action Plan, all clinically suitable patients waiting for more than 9 months for a Cataract procedure will be offered treatment this year, with 5,000 NTPF funded procedures planned in both public and private hospitals.
Last year funding was allocated to provide additional capacity at the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital as a result and a cataract theatre is now operational three days per week. This year, in line with the Action Plan, the HSE is planning to open a dedicated Cataract theatre in Nenagh Hospital in July.
The NTPF procures capacity for each of the procedures identified in the Action Plan in both private hospitals or public hospitals. In 2018, the NTPF projects that the 4,000 of the 20,000 treatments will be delivered in public hospitals.
No formal cost-benefit analysis was carried out in relation to activity funded through the NTPF, nor indeed in respect of activity funded through the HSE. However, the Action Plan strikes the appropriate balance between maximising the number of patients treated in both public and private capacity, as appropriate, and ensuring the best return for the taxpayer.
163. Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the shortage of care workers to provide services on behalf of the HSE for the elderly in the community (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23931/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe State’s general policy is to promote the sourcing of labour and skills needs from within the workforce of the State and other EEA states. Where specific skills prove difficult to source within the State and EEA, an employment permit may be sought from the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation by an employer to hire a non-EEA national.
Ireland operates a managed employment permits system which maximises the benefits of economic migration while minimising the risk of disrupting Ireland’s labour market. It operates a list system for in-demand occupations (the highly skilled list) and those for whom a ready source of labour is available (the ineligible list).
Care workers are currently included on the ineligible list of employments. Changes to access to the Irish labour market for specific occupations via the employment permits system are made on the basis of evidence which involves research undertaken by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs and the National Skills Council in tandem with an extensive public consultation process with Government Departments, agencies, industry and social partners invited to provide observations.
Retention issues in the State’s labour market should not be addressed through the deployment of the employment permits system. There would need to be a clear demonstration that recruitment difficulties are solely due to shortages and not to other factors such as salary and/or working conditions. Organisations such as Nursing Home Ireland would need to provide the necessary data to substantiate their claims. A detailed business case for removal of care workers from the ineligible list would then need to be put forward by my Department to DBEI.
While I have had various meetings with Nursing Homes Ireland and this matter has been discussed, to date such detailed evidence has not been provided by the sector to my Department. It should be noted that the overall policy is that recruitment of workers from non-EEA countries should be a last resort and all other avenues should be first exhausted. However, I am very willing to work with the industry on this important issue to ensure continuity of service in the best interests of residents.
As part of the Deputy's question relating to the waiting list for home support in Dun Laoghaire is a service matter, I have arranged for that aspect of the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
164. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health if his Department or the HSE has engaged with a company (details supplied) with regard to making Translarna available here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23976/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drug schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. The 2013 Act does not give the Minister for Health any powers in this regard.
The Act specifies the criteria to be applied in the making of reimbursement decisions which include the clinical and cost effectiveness of the product, the opportunity cost and the impact on resources that are available to the HSE.
In July 2017, the HSE informed the Department that, following an intensive process, the HSE decided not to reimburse Ataluren (Translarna) for the treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The HSE in deciding not to reimburse Translarna did not consider the evidence for its clinical benefit to be sufficiently strong, in the context of the proposed cost and budget impact.
The HSE informed the applicant company of this decision, in keeping with the requirements of the 2013 Act. The applicant has appealed the HSE’s decision to the High Court, which is part of the statutory process under Section 27 of the 2013 Act.
A meeting took place on the 11 December 2017 with 2 representatives from Muscular Dystrophy Ireland, Dr O'Rourke and HSE and Departmental officials.
Following on from this meeting, the HSE advised the applicant that it is willing to complete a timely review of any new application. It would be open to the company to make revised proposals in relation to pricing or access in this context.
The HSE has notified the company that is ready and willing to review any new application irrespective of the on-going court proceedings.
