Written Answers Nos. 381-396
381. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting for hospital appointments in the CHO 2 area by county and wait time in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31815/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraImproving waiting times for hospital procedures and outpatient appointments is a key commitment in the Programme for Government.
My Department is working with the HSE and the NTPF to finalise an Outpatient Action Plan for 2018. This plan will support the HSE’s compliance with their National Service Plan targets, reduce the growth in the number of patients waiting for outpatient services, improve the accuracy of the waiting list, and trial a number of NTPF funded interventions, including weekend and out of hours clinics.
More broadly and in order to tackle long waiting times for patients, the NTPF and the HSE are currently reviewing proposals from hospitals for outpatient initiatives and I would encourage all Hospitals to submit proposals.
The information requested by the Deputy can be found in the attached spreadsheet
Total Number of Children Waiting for an Outpatient Appointment by Hospital by Wait Time Band as at 05/07/2018
|
0-3 months |
3-6 months |
6-9 months |
9-12 months |
12-15 months |
15-18 months |
18 months + |
Grand Total |
|
|
Saolta University Health Care Group |
3551 |
21`74 |
1237 |
899 |
818 |
576 |
1176 |
10431 |
|
Galway University Hospital |
1551 |
916 |
531 |
449 |
376 |
242 |
461 |
4526 |
|
Letterkenny General Hospital |
544 |
450 |
222 |
129 |
178 |
129 |
316 |
1968 |
|
Mayo General Hospital |
510 |
232 |
142 |
141 |
127 |
86 |
280 |
1518 |
|
Portiuncula Hospital |
320 |
180 |
113 |
75 |
18 |
13 |
39 |
758 |
|
Roscommon Hospital |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Sligo Regional Hospital |
625 |
396 |
229 |
105 |
119 |
106 |
80 |
1660 |
|
Grand Total |
3551 |
2174 |
1237 |
899 |
818 |
576 |
1176 |
10431 |
382. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health if follow-up appointments have been granted to the women affected by the CervicalCheck scandal; the number of women seen in these appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31816/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is a range of contacts ongoing with women and families, including next of kin, affected by the CervicalCheck issues.
Contact has been made with 208 of the 209 women or families affected by the CervicalCheck issues, in relation to disclosure of the results of clinical audit. Clinical consultations for these women with their treating clinician in the relevant acute hospitals have occurred or are scheduled. Attempts to contact the one remaining woman, who it is understood has emigrated, are ongoing.
Clinical audit results for a further 12 women, which had been underway, are now complete and disclosure is ongoing in relation to these.
On 11 May, the Government approved provision of a package of primary and social care supports, including medical cards, reimbursement for out of pocket expenses and other supports. As of 06 July last, Liaison Officers had held 157 face-to-face meetings with women and families to discuss their needs in this regard.
Separately, it would be expected that women who are currently receiving treatment will have scheduled appointments in that context.
383. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Mayo University Hospital spent €5.3 million on agency staff in 2017; the funds spent on agency staff in each of the past five years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31817/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
384. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for surgical procedures in the CHO 2 area by number for each of counties Mayo, Galway and Roscommon; the length of time persons have been on the waiting list in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31818/18]
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 to reduce the number of patients waiting for treatment.
In 2018 the NTPF will outsource 22,000 inpatient day cases, while the HSE will deliver 1.14 million hospital operations or procedures This will mean that by the end of 2018 we will expect to see a significant reduction in the number waiting for a procedure.
The attached document provides a breakdown of the active inpatient/daycase waiting list for Saolta Hospital Group as at the end of June 2018. It also shows a reduction in the numbers waiting for an inpatient/daycase procedure of more than 10% year on year (22,886 end of June 2018 versus 25,456 for June 2017).
|
Saolta University Health Care Group |
0-3 Mths |
3-6 Mths |
6-9 Mths |
9-12 Mths |
12-15 Mths |
15-18 Mths |
18-24 Mths |
24-36 Mths |
36-48 Mths |
48+ Mths |
Grand Total |
|
Latest |
8579 |
4876 |
3086 |
2183 |
1466 |
883 |
827 |
811 |
167 |
8 |
22886 |
|
Last Week |
8469 |
4828 |
3298 |
2133 |
1427 |
796 |
823 |
794 |
156 |
7 |
22731 |
|
Lastest Publication |
8469 |
4828 |
3298 |
2133 |
1427 |
796 |
823 |
794 |
156 |
7 |
22731 |
|
Last Year |
8309 |
5461 |
3316 |
2838 |
2219 |
1456 |
1334 |
491 |
32 |
0 |
25456 |
|
Var WoW |
110 |
48 |
-212 |
50 |
39 |
87 |
4 |
17 |
11 |
1 |
155 |
|
Var WoW % |
1.30% |
0.99% |
-6.43% |
2.34% |
2.73% |
10.93% |
0.49% |
2.14% |
7.05% |
14.29% |
0.68% |
|
YoY Var |
270 |
-585 |
-230 |
-655 |
-753 |
-573 |
-507 |
320 |
135 |
8 |
-2570 |
|
YoY Var % |
3.25% |
-10.71% |
-6.94% |
-23.08% |
-33.93% |
-39.35% |
-38.01% |
65.17% |
421.88% |
-10.10% |
385. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the home care package waiting list in County Mayo; the length of time each is on the waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31825/18]
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.
386. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the reason the drug pembrolizumab is available for some and not for others; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31826/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE has statutory responsibility for medicine pricing and reimbursement decisions, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. The Minister for Health does 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 and the national framework agreed with industry, if a company would like a medicine to be reimbursed by the HSE, the company must submit an application to the HSE to have the new medicine added to the reimbursement list.
Reimbursement is for licensed indications which have been granted market authorisation by the European Medicines Agency or the Health Products Regulatory Authority.
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).
Pembrolizumab is currently reimbursed for the following indications.
- As monotherapy for the treatment of advanced (unresectable or metastatic) melanoma in adults.
- As monotherapy for first-line treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) in adults whose tumours express PD-L1 with a 50% tumour proportion score (TPS) with no EGFR or ALK positive tumour mutations.
The Department has been informed by the HSE that it is currently deliberating on the following indications for reimbursement.
- As monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma who have failed autologous stem cell transplant and brentuximab vedotin (BV), or who are transplant-ineligible and have failed BV.
- As monotherapy for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC in adults whose tumours express PD-L1 with a 1% TPS and who have received at least one prior chemotherapy regimen. Patients with EGFR or ALK positive tumour mutations should also have received targeted therapy before receiving Pembrolizumab.
The National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE) completed a health technology assessment on 28 May 2018 for this indication. It recommended that pembrolizumab be considered for reimbursement if cost-effectiveness can be improved relative to existing treatments. The HSE will now evaluate this application for reimbursement in line with criteria laid out within the 2013 Act before making a final reimbursement decision.
In addition to this, the HSE has commissioned HTAs on the following indications.
- For first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma who are not eligible for cisplatin-containing chemotherapy.
- As monotherapy for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma in adults who have received prior platinum-containing chemotherapy.
There are no other indications for pembrolizumab approved in the European Union at this time. Clinical trials are ongoing globally in relation to a range of other possible uses (indications) which may receive marketing authorisation in the EU over the next number of years. Each of those indications will be considered for reimbursement as market authorisations are received.
387. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the number of persons awaiting home help hours in County Mayo; the length of time they been on the waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31827/18]
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.
388. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the supplementary budget he expects will be needed in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31830/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is engaging in ongoing dialogue with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to the financial performance of the Health Service Executive year to date, including consideration of the implications for the projected outturn for the year.
These discussions are still progressing and until they are concluded it would not be appropriate for me to anticipate the outcome.
389. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31855/18]
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.
390. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for cataract procedures on national public waiting lists in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018; the average waiting time to undergo required cataract procedures; his plans to further reduce the waiting times in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31859/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraImproving waiting times for hospital procedures is a key commitment in the Programme for Government and there are a number of waiting list initiatives currently underway to improve access this year. In particular, the Inpatient and Day Case Action Plan which was launched in April 2018 and the allocation of €50 million to the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) in Budget 2018 to secure treatment for patients and reduce waiting times.
The Action Plan targets a reduction in the waiting list for inpatient and day case treatment to below 70,000 by the end of 2018. Under the Plan, the HSE will deliver 1.14 million hospital procedures. The NTPF will deliver additionality to the health system with the provision of 22,000 Inpatient Day Case treatments through both outsourcing and HSE insourcing.
The Action Plan, building on the progress achieved last year, again places a strong focus on cataract surgery and commits to offering treatment to all cataract patients who are clinically suitable for treatment in an outsourced facility and who have been waiting more than 9 months for treatment. As part of the Action Plan, the NTPF is committed to providing 5,000 cataract procedures. NTPF authorisations are made in respect of the longest waiting patients first.
The NTPF advises that since December 2016 both the numbers waiting for cataract procedures and the average waiting time for treatment has fallen.
NTPF figures show that in December 2016 there were 9,260 people waiting for a cataract procedure and the average wait time was 235 days. By December 2017 this had reduced to 8,027 waiting and an average wait time of 195 days. respectively.
This downward trend has been maintained to date this year and the cataract waiting list this month shows 7,575 waiting and an average waiting time of 176 days.
391. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health the number of houses that are in receipt of an intensive home care package in tabular form. [31861/18]
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.
392. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision of respite care in County Louth following the recent announcement of €10 million in funding in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31862/18]
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.
The Programme for Partnership Government states that the Government wishes to provide more accessible respite care to facilitate full support for people with a disability.
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.
393. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the progress of the recently announced review of hospital car park charges; the estimated date of completion; the details that relate to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31863/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn March, I requested that the HSE carry out a review of hospital car parking charges, with the aim of establishing clear national guidelines in this area. The review will involve the relevant stakeholders and will take account of the income generated by charges, the impact of any reduction in car parking income on hospital services and the views of patient advocacy groups.
Following this, the HSE established a review group which first met in April 2018. The group is currently compiling information in relation to current charging arrangements countrywide. On 27 June 2018, the HSE held a public consultation forum with key stakeholders invited, including patient advocacy groups. The HSE has advised that it expects that a report will be finalised, including conclusions and recommendations, in August 2018.
394. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the status of the primary care centre for east County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31871/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the HSE has responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres and other Primary Care facilities, the Executive has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.
395. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of referrals received by CAMHS to date in 2018, for each CHO area in tabular form; and the number of referrals seen by CAMHS over the same period. [31872/18]
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.
396. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the status of the recruitment for and development of three multidisciplinary ADHD clinics. [31873/18]
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.
