Tuesday, 19 Jun 2018

Dental Services Provision

Ceisteanna (374)

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

374. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when children at a school (details supplied) can expect to be called for routine dental check ups under the Health Service Executive. [26604/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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

Ambulance Service Provision

Ceisteanna (375)

Pat Buckley

Ceist:

375. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is no ambulance unit attached to the ambulance base in east County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26605/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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

Hospital Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (376)

Timmy Dooley

Ceist:

376. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will receive an appointment for surgery in University Hospital Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26627/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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.

Psychological Services

Ceisteanna (377)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

377. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase the provision of primary care psychology services in Maynooth, County Kildare, with particular reference to the importance of early intervention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26628/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Finian McGrath)

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.

Medicinal Products Reimbursement

Ceisteanna (378, 420)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

378. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the level of engagement that has or will take place between the HSE, an organisation (details supplied) and the pharmaceutical industry to ensure new medicines are available to persons with MS as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26633/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

420. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to the need to provide access to new medicines for patients (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26835/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 378 and 420 together.

The HSE has statutory responsibility for medicine pricing and reimbursement decisions, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. As Minister for Health, I do not have any statutory power or function in relation to the reimbursement of medicines. The Act specifies the criteria for decisions on the reimbursement of medicines.

In line with the 2013 Act, if a company would like a medicine to be reimbursed by the HSE pursuant to the Community Drugs scheme, the company must first submit an application to the HSE to have the new medicine added to the Reimbursement List.

As outlined in the IPHA agreement, and in line with the 2013 Act, the HSE will decide, within 180 days of receiving the application (or a longer period if further information is sought from the company), to either add the medicine to the reimbursement list or agree to reimburse it as a hospital medicine, or refuse to reimburse the medicine. HSE decisions on which medicines are reimbursed by the taxpayer are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds, on the advice of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE). The NCPE conducts health technology assessments (HTAs) for the HSE, and makes recommendations on reimbursement to assist HSE decisions. The NCPE uses a decision framework to systematically assess whether a drug is cost-effective as a health intervention. The HSE strives to reach a decision in as timely a manner as possible. However, because of the significant monies involved, it must ensure that the best price is achieved, as these commitments are often multi-million euro investments on an on-going basis. This can lead to a protracted deliberation process.

I am keen to engage with Industry and to explore ways in which new medicines might be more easily introduced in Ireland. However, any innovative approaches that may be tabled must be compatible with the statutory provisions which are in place and must also recognise the fundamental pricing/funding issues in the context of finite Exchequer resources.

I have indicated willingness to meet with MS Ireland and my office is in contact with the organisation to arrange a mutually convenient date.

Industrial Disputes

Ceisteanna (379)

Bobby Aylward

Ceist:

379. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to avert imminent industrial action at the department of psychiatry in a hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26634/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Jim Daly)

Further to the threat of industrial action by SIPTU staff concerning overcapacity at the Department of Psychiatry (DOP) in St. Luke’s Hospital Kilkenny, local management have been in regular contact with the staff associations. Management were already engaged with the Psychiatric Nurses Association concerning limited action it commenced in December 2017 in relation to capacity issues at the hospital.

In April, SIPTU indicated to management through the Workplace Relations Commission that they were concerned with the level of overcrowding, believing it impacts on patient safety.

Since then, local management have introduced several measures to address the issues raised by the staff associations. These measures include: the provision of additional nursing staff resources when overcapacity arises; daily communication of in-patient activity and weekly “bed management” meetings. Regular delayed discharge meetings are held and measures taken to progress patient discharges. In order to address any potential risks a quality and patient safety committee has been established to deal with any risks highlighted in a positive, solution focussed and timely manner.

A dedicated recruitment campaign for CHO 5 commenced on the 28th May to source additional staff. For the longer term, work has commenced to include the development of two new units in the HSE Capital Plan.

It is hoped that these measures will go some way to address the concerns raised by the unions. While SIPTU have served notice of industrial action to commence on 26th June, local management remain actively engaged with the staff associations with a view to averting the proposed action. I have requested the management of CHO 5 to attend a meeting on Tuesday to up date me on progress on this issue.

Hospitals Data

Ceisteanna (380, 381)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Ceist:

380. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the number of times An Garda Síochána has been called or attended the psychiatric unit in Roscommon Hospital in each of the years 2012 to 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26643/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Michael Fitzmaurice

Ceist:

381. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the number of serious medical incidents in the psychiatric unit in Roscommon Hospital in each of the years 2012 to 2017, in tabular form, in which a patient either suffered loss of life or had to be transferred to another hospital for treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26644/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Jim Daly)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 380 and 381 together.

As these are a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Services for People with Disabilities

Ceisteanna (382)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

382. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if the required service via the Kildare network disability team will be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26650/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Finian McGrath)

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.

Services for People with Disabilities

Ceisteanna (383)

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

383. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the number of children and adults diagnosed with intellectual disability, autism, mental health difficulties or a dual diagnosis of mental health and intellectual disability who have been placed in specialist care facilities outside of the State by the Health Services Executive in 2017, by the nine CHO areas; the number of children or adults in out of State care; the type of care provided for the person; the corresponding funding allocated to each of the nine CHO areas itemised on an individual basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26655/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Finian McGrath)

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.

Ceisteanna (390)

Gerry Adams

Ceist:

390. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of medical card holders who had an oral examination in each of the years 2015 to 2017 and to date in 2018. [26676/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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

Medical Card Data

Ceisteanna (391)

Gerry Adams

Ceist:

391. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of medical card holders who received one filling in each of the years 2015 to 2017 and to date in 2018. [26677/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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