Written Answers Nos. 361-380
361. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an independent appeals process will be introduced as part of the fair deal scheme review (details supplied); and if an independent appeals avenue will be opened up to deal with such cases. [29188/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra362. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the timeframe for the publication of a review of the fair deal pricing mechanism; the reason the review has not been published in view of the fact that a review carried out in 2015 recommended a further review be carried out within 18 months; and his views on whether changes are needed to the pricing model which has operated unchanged since its introduction in 2009. [29189/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra363. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health his views on whether the pricing model for the fair deal scheme is outdated and does not take into account the extensive cost in providing 24-7 clinical care in certain cases. [29192/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 361 to 363, inclusive, 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 the pricing mechanism used 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.
The terms of reference for the review of the pricing mechanism also includes consideration of the appeals mechanism available to nursing homes.
A steering group was established to oversee this review, chaired by the NTPF and including representatives from my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. The NTPF are close to completing the review and will bring a draft of report to the steering group shortly.
It would not be appropriate for me to comment on my personal views in advance of the completion of the report.
364. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health if he has received communications from a person (details supplied) with regard to being charged €80 each time the person needs to have blood drained due to haemochromatosis; his views on the fact that it is estimated that this procedure takes only 15 to 30 minutes on average; if consideration is being given not to charge patients with this condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29193/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Act 1970 (as amended) provides that all people ordinarily resident in the country are entitled, subject to certain charges, to public in-patient hospital services including consultant services and to public out-patient hospital services. Under s52 of the Health Act 1970, as amended by s12 of the Health (Amendment) Act 2013, a person who has been referred to a hospital for an in-patient service, including that provided on a day case basis, will have to pay the statutory daily charge, currently €80 per day, up to a maximum of €800 per year. On this basis, where venesection is classed as a day case procedure and is not carried out in an out- patient setting, the public in-patient charge applies.
The provision of therapeutic venesection services for medical and GP visit card holders is being considered as part of the consultations with GP representatives on the GMS Contract. Officials from my Department and the HSE met with the Irish Medical Organisation at the beginning of May to set out the State's position. The Department subsequently wrote to the IMO to formally set out the proposals made at that meeting and the Organisation’s response is awaited.
My Department met with the HSE recently to discuss the provision of venesection services for hereditary haemochromatosis patients and a further meeting has been scheduled.
The Deputy's question relates to service delivery matters and accordingly I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him.
365. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for cataract surgery in Cork University Hospital and South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital, Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29194/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraImproving waiting times for hospital procedures is a key commitment in the Programme for Government and in 2018 €50 million was allocated to the NTPF to provide treatment for patients.
The Inpatient/Day Case Action Plan outlines the combined impact of HSE and National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) activity in 2018. The Action Plan places a particular focus on cataract surgery and includes a commitment that the NTPF will provide 5,000 cataract procedures to patients. In addition, the NTPF commits to offer treatment to all clinically suitable patients waiting more than 9 months for a cataract procedure.
Cork University Hospital (CUH) advise that patients requiring Inpatient/Daycase ophthalmology treatment are referred to South Infirmary Hospital Cork and held on their waiting list.
The NTPF advise that the active Inpatient/Daycase waiting list for South Infirmary Hospital Cork shows that there are 539 patients on the waiting list for cataract surgery and of these, 79% of patients are waiting 6 months or less.
366. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for back surgery in CUMH; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29195/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraImproving waiting times for hospital procedures is a key commitment in the Programme for Government and in 2018 €50 million was allocated to the NTPF to provide treatment for patients. The Inpatient/Day Case Action Plan outlines the combined impact of HSE and NTPF activity in 2018.
In 2018 the NTPF will provide 22,000 inpatient day case procedures through both insourcing and outsourcing, while the HSE will deliver 1.14 million hospital operations or procedures.
The NTPF advise that the active Inpatient/Daycase waiting list for Cork University Hospital shows that there are 26 patients on the waiting list for spinal procedures and of these, 23 are waiting 3 months or less.
367. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for hip surgery in the CUMH and South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29196/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraImproving waiting times for hospital procedures is a key commitment in the Programme for Government and in 2018 €50 million was allocated to the NTPF to provide treatment for patients. The Inpatient/Day Case Action Plan outlines the combined impact of HSE and NTPF activity in 2018.
In 2018 the NTPF will provide 22,000 inpatient day case procedures through both insourcing and outsourcing, while the HSE will deliver 1.14 million hospital operations or procedures.
The Action Plan includes a particular focus on hip and knee replacements, and commits to offering procedures to all patients waiting more than 9 months for a hip and/or knee replacement in 2018, if clinically suitable for treatment in an outsourced facility.
The NTPF advises that the active Inpatient/Daycase waiting list for South Infirmary Hospital Cork shows that there are 92 patients on the waiting list for hip surgery and of these, 87% are waiting 6 months or less. Currently, there no waiters for hip surgery at CUMH.
368. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health the waiting lists and times for those waiting for speech and language therapies in each of the areas in Cork city and county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29197/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
369. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to remove the role of healthcare assistants from the ineligible categories of employment for employment permits on a controlled basis (details supplied). [29198/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy colleague, the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation recognises the fact that there are pressures in the labour market and has asked her Department to review the policies underpinning the current employment permits system. The report of the review group is due shortly. Following on from this Report, it is expected that a review of the ineligible and eligible list of occupations for employment permits will be conducted in the second half of this year.
To remove a skill from the ineligible list, it must be demonstrated that recruitment difficulties are due to shortages and not to factors such as pay and/or working conditions. It is important therefore that a detailed business case, which sets out the necessary data and evidence to justify the need for the nursing home sector to go outside the EEA to find workers, is provided.
Within my own Department, my colleague, Minister Daly, with special responsibility for Older People has already indicated that he is willing to work with the Nursing Home industry on this matter so that the Department of Health, as the lead Department for the sector, can in turn make the case to the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation.
In this regard, Minster Daly has met with Nursing Homes Ireland and has received some data from them about this issue. Officials from my Department have also agreed to meet with Nursing Homes Ireland, along with officials from the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation. A date will be agreed shortly.
370. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding his engagement with the advocacy groups and families representing the young women who claim to have suffered adverse health effects shortly after having received a vaccine (details supplied); the steps he has taken to ensure a clinical care pathway appropriate to the medical needs of this group in line with previous commitments; the number of doses of vaccine administered to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29205/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is responsible for monitoring the safety and quality of all medicines including vaccines that are licensed in Ireland. It operates a national adverse reaction reporting system, which members of the public and healthcare professionals are encouraged to submit any suspected adverse reactions through this system. All Reports received by the HPRA are routinely transmitted to the European Medicines Agency’s adverse reaction database for inclusion in global signal detection and monitoring activities.
The HPRA and the European Medicines Agency continually monitor adverse events to vaccination. HPV is one of the most closely studied and monitored medicinal products. The vast majority of reports received by the HPRA have been consistent with the expected pattern of short term adverse side effects for the vaccine, as described in the product information. Mild and temporary reactions to any kind of vaccination are not unusual.
Over 230,000 Irish girls have safely received the HPV vaccine and over 227 million doses of the HPV vaccine have been given around the world. No serious side effects in any country can be scientifically attributed to this vaccine. Furthermore the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine is endorsed by all national and international regulatory bodies including the HPRA in this country.
As information concerning the number of doses of HPV vaccine administered to date is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy. I have also asked the HSE to respond in relation to providing a clinical care pathway for this cohort and on any engagement they have had with advocacy groups.
371. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive treatment for cataracts. [29240/18]
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, 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.
372. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the length of time a person (details supplied) will have to wait for an appointment to see a consultant in orthopaedics in University Hospital Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29242/18]
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, 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.
373. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a medical card will be provided to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29243/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
374. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health when an assessment of needs officer will be appointed, further to recent correspondence (details supplied) that the vacant post would be filled by 28 May 2018; the reason this has not occurred; and the interim measures in place to carry out assessments whilst there is no officer in post. [29245/18]
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.
375. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the wait times for an assessment of needs for children aged 0 to 18 years of age by the Cavan and Monaghan disability services child development team for each of the past five years. [29247/18]
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.
376. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) was advised that the waiting list for a CT scan was 12 months; if a national plan is in place to address the matter; his plans to ensure that all cancer patients are catered for as a matter of urgency; when the shortage of qualified radiographers, new equipment and resources will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29248/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy's question relates to service delivery matters and accordingly I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him.
378. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health when the lenses for a specific machine at Roscommon HSE eye clinic will be replaced in order to allow field eye tests resume in view of the fact that patients are forced to travel to University Hospital Galway for the test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29299/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
379. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health if FreeStyle Libre sensors will be made available to persons with type 1 diabetes under the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29300/18]
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.
380. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 146 of 18 April 2018, if the second occupational therapist has commenced the role in County Kildare. [29306/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
