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Tuesday, 19 Jun 2018

Written Answers Nos. 320-337

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (320)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

320. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26323/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

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.

The National Waiting List Management Policy, a standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures since 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 (321)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

321. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health if minutes from a meeting (details supplied) will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26324/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I wish to advise the Deputy, regarding the meeting held on the 23 November 2017, no official minutes were taken of the meeting however a note was drawn up by one of my officials following the meeting, a copy of which you will find below.

Minister Harris meeting with iCare, 23 November

iCare representatives gave a history of the organisation and a summary of the services they provide. They currently support 150 families with a person with autism in the Inishowen region, many of whom have been referred to them by the HSE, although without funding.

iCare receives minimal state funding. HSE briefing indicated that iCare received €75,523 in funding in 2017 but iCare said that this is money the HSE pays through iCare to a landlord for the rental of a facility – iCare merely pay out the money but get no benefit from it. The HSE Disability Manager CHO1, Jacinta Lyons, undertook to investigate this. The other state funding received is Lottery funding - €2k in 2017.

Services provided by iCare and primarily community support and day respite – approximately 2 hours a day for 25 children, and another 2 hours a day for over 18s. They also provide services at weekends and summer holidays, including nights away.

iCare is looking for two things:

- A SLA with the HSE providing funding of €100,000 per annum to cover the services it provides to families with autism in the area;

- Capital investment from the HSE to build a permanent centre on land that it has purchased. The operation is currently running out of two pre-fabs which are nearing the end of their usable life

iCare had previously submitted a business case for ongoing funding but it was turned down. They have submitted a new case as part of the 2018 estimates; this has been escalated to HSE National level.

The submission for capital funding needs to be submitted through the CHO. The Disability Manager supports the work of the organisation and will assist with the application.

The Minister undertook to follow up with the HSE regarding service planning and said that he and/or Minister McGrath may visit the facility when they are next in Donegal.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (322)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

322. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26325/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

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.

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 Staff

Ceisteanna (323)

Tony McLoughlin

Ceist:

323. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health if other medical internship places are available at University Hospital Limerick; if the case of a person (details supplied) will be investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26340/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.

Medical Inquiries

Ceisteanna (324)

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

324. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health the number of staff that have been allocated to assist a person (details supplied) with their investigation; if this will be increased to allow them to complete their report sooner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26346/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Scally Inquiry is an independent inquiry. As such, it is operating separately to my Department which is not therefore providing any staff directly to assist Dr Scally. My Department is of course providing Dr. Scally with any assistance he seeks to enable him to complete his work.

Cannabis for Medicinal Use

Ceisteanna (325)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

325. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the process for accessing medicinal cannabis for ongoing chronic disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26349/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí 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 THC-based cannabis for Medical Use via the Ministerial Licence Route

Irish-based 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 patients GP must include written endorsement for the proposed cannabis treatment for the individual patients by the patients’ 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.

Long-Term Illness Scheme

Ceisteanna (326)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

326. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if Crohn's disease will be added to the long term illness list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26350/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The 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.

Health Services Data

Ceisteanna (327)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

327. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the cost per residential place in centres (details supplied) as agreed under the last service level agreement in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26351/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.

Addiction Treatment Services

Ceisteanna (328)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

328. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the cost to the HSE of an addiction treatment facility (details supplied) by year in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26352/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Hospital Services

Ceisteanna (329)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

329. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the average waiting time for an insulin pump at Our Lady's Children’s Hospital, Crumlin, for children with type 1 diabetes; the number of children on the list for a pump at the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26358/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Reducing waiting times for hospital procedures is a key priority of this Government. On April 12 2018 the Minister launched the Inpatient/Day Case Action Plan 2018. This plan was compiled by the Department of Health, the Health Service Executive, and the National Treatment Purchase Fund.

As part of the plan the HSE will deliver 1.14 million hospital operations or procedures and the NTPF will deliver 20,000 Inpatient Day Case treatments. Under the plan there will be a significant reduction in the overall number of people waiting for a procedure. The target is that the waiting list numbers will fall to 70,000 by the end of the year, from a peak of 86,100 in July 2017.

In relation to your particular query, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (330)

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

330. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the chronic delays for cataract surgery and limited eye care services for children particularly in County Donegal (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26363/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Reducing waiting time for patients for hospital operations and procedures is a key priority for the Government.

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 and as a result 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.

I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on eye care services for children in County Donegal.

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Provision

Ceisteanna (331)

Maurice Quinlivan

Ceist:

331. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health his views on whether it is acceptable that the early intervention service in County Limerick has now written to parents in the region to state that only children in extreme urgent cases can be dealt with due to a lack of psychology staff and resources and all other children are to be put on waiting lists; if additional resources will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26364/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí 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.

Hospital Services

Ceisteanna (332)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

332. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health the status of a shared diabetes centre of excellence for Letterkenny University Hospital and Sligo University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26369/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Hospital Staff Data

Ceisteanna (333)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

333. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health the number of advanced nurse practitioner posts that will be allocated in 2018; if a previous commitment that two advanced nurse practitioner posts will be allocated to a hospital (details supplied) will be adhered to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26371/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I approved the Policy on Graduate, Specialist and Advanced Nursing Practice in 2017. The primary purpose of this policy is to show through a series of demonstrator projects how a critical mass of Advance Nurse Practitioners (ANP) can contribute to providing a solution to a number of challenges facing the health service including access to services, avoiding unnecessary hospital attendance, supporting early discharge and contributing to addressing waiting lists.

The first 120 ANP commenced the programme in October 2017 and a further 30 will commence in October 2018. The selection criterion for nurses to be appointed to this programme are clearly set out in the letters requesting expression of interest. The ANP programme is one of many initiatives to enhance the educational qualifications and improve career paths of nurses.

I understand that one ANP post was assigned to the hospital mentioned by the Deputy in 2017 as part of the central ANP programme. However it is important to note that this central ANP programme is only one pathway to becoming an ANP. One of the benefits of the programme is that in recognising the importance and benefits of having ANPs on their staff, approval to attend ANP or equivalent courses can be give at CHO or Hospital Group level provided costs can be met from within their existing resources.

Ambulance Service Provision

Ceisteanna (334)

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

334. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the reason the ambulance stationed in Killybegs, County Donegal has no crew leaving a single ambulance to cover the area from Dunkineely to Glencolumbcille, County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26378/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.

Disabilities Assessments

Ceisteanna (335)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

335. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an assessment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26379/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí 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.

Primary Care Centres

Ceisteanna (336)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

336. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the services available at a centre (details supplied). [26380/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí 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.

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (337)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

337. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the amount paid per project to a company (details supplied) since 1 January 2016 to date by year, amount and project name; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26392/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Department uses the OGP National Framework for Media Strategy, Planning and buying services framework contract in respect of requirements for advertising public notices. The contract service provider Mediavest changed its name during 2017 to Spark Foundry. My Department's expenditure with this entity since 2016 is outlined in the following table.

Year

Service

Cost

(incl VAT)

2018

Public Consultation on Private Practice in Public Hospitals

€7,465

2018

Public Consultation on Deprivation of Liberty

€5,193

2017

Public Consultation Task Force on Personalised Budgets for People with Disabilities.

€6,167

2017

Prompt Payment Interest

€0,077

2017

Press Notice re SI 227 February 17

€0,984

2017

Patient Safety Advocacy Policy

€3,244

2017

Public Consultation Human Tissue Legislation, Newspaper Ads

€6,167

2017

Public Consultation Home care, Newspaper Ads

€5,518

2016

Public Consultation National Drugs Strategy

€11,699

2016

Public Consultation Taskforce on Personalised Budgets

€4,011

2016

Invite submission on the regulation of counsellors and psychotherapists

€6,167

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