Written Answers Nos. 1500-1519
1500. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health his plans to extend the flu vaccine programme in 2018 in view of the fact that over 1,000 children under 15 years of age were hospitalised with flu and that a number of children died from flu; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33186/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) is an independent committee which makes recommendations on vaccination policy in Ireland. Their recommendations are based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practice in relation to immunisation. NIAC is considering the need to expand the current recommendations for influenza vaccine, including the potential community wide benefit of extending recommendations to include all children. The 2018-19 seasonal influenza programme will be implemented in accordance with NIAC recommendations.
It is currently recommended that the people in the following groups receive the vaccine:
- 65 years of age and over
- pregnant women
- people who have a long-term health condition
- people working in healthcare
- carers for people in 'at risk' groups
- people who live in a nursing home or other long-term care facility
- people in regular contact with pigs, poultry or water fowl.
The HSE will launch their 2018/19 influenza vaccination campaign in September 2018.
1501. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the ambulance response times for County Louth. [33191/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
1502. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33195/18]
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.
1503. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of home help hours for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33206/18]
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.
1504. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of the national rare disease plan's recommendations that have been implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33217/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2017 the Department published a progress report on the National Rare Disease Plan and this is available on the Department’s website under ‘Publications’. An update is also provided on all 48 recommendations of the Plan and on progress to date.
Establishment of a National Clinical Programme for Rare Diseases was one of the principal recommendations in the Plan. The Programme is responsible for assisting with mapping and developing care pathways for rare diseases; facilitating timely access to centres of expertise- nationally and internationally; and developing care pathways with European Reference Centres for those ultra-rare disorders where there may not be sufficient expertise in Ireland.
In line with the National Rare Diseases Plan, the National Clinical Programme for Rare Diseases and the Department of Health, encouraged designated centres of expertise in Ireland to apply for membership of European Reference Networks (ERNs) during the first round of calls from the European Commission for participation in European Reference Networks. Three of these centres are now represented on ERN network.
Membership of ERNs will bring opportunities for engaging in research relating to Rare Diseases in keeping with the National Rare Diseases Plan. Further centres are expected to apply for membership or affiliated membership of ERNs when the next call takes place in early 2018.
The establishment of a National Rare Disease Office (NRDO) was a key recommendation of the Rare Disease plan. The office provides current and reliable information about rare diseases to the general public, health care professionals, researchers and policy makers. The National Rare Diseases Office is responsible for updating Orphanet Ireland. Orphanet is the international rare disease reference and information portal funded by the EU. The office also manages the National Rare Diseases Information Line (a Freephone service) and provides online information about rare diseases on their website.
A number of recommendations about access to appropriate drugs and technologies were contained in the plan. One chief recommendation in this regard refers to the HSE developing a Working Group to bring forward appropriate decision criteria for the reimbursement of orphan medicines and technologies; and that the approach should include an assessment system similar to that for cancer therapies established under the National Cancer Control Programme. The HSE Acute Hospitals Division has developed the terms of reference, required membership and reporting relationship for this committee. A Chairperson has been appointed and the Group met in March 2018 to start the process of identifying interested stakeholders and considering the remit of the Committee in relation to the assessment of drugs for rare diseases.
One of the recommendations of the National Plan for Rare Diseases was that the Health Identifiers Bill and the Health & Patient Safety Bill be published. The former was published in 2013 and enacted in 2014. The Individual Health Identifier part of the project is now being implemented by the HSE. A revised and much expanded General Scheme of a Health Information and Patient Safety Bill was approved by the government in November 2015 and published on the Department's website.
Two recommendations referred to training in rare diseases for healthcare professionals. The Department of Health has contacted formally the various healthcare representative and professional bodies about implementing these recommendations. The National Rare Diseases Office developed eLearning modules for healthcare professionals. These modules are available on HSE website.
The issue of rare diseases and of the creation of an all-island patient register has been raised in the context of on-going discussions at North-South meetings. It is also anticipated that the Model of Care for Rare Diseases will set out recommendations for rare disease registries. This model of care is in development by the National Clinical Programme for Rare Diseases. At the EU level, the Joint Research Centre is developing a joint European Platform on Rare Disease Registration which will promote EU level standards for data collection and contribute to the development of rare disease registries across the EU.
The Plan also recommended that an Oversight Implementation Group of relevant stakeholders, including patients' groups, be established to oversee and monitor implementation of the plan’s recommendations. This group was established by the Department of Health in 2015 and it has met on a number of occasions.
The National Rare Disease Plan continues to be implemented and I recently met with representatives of the Rare Disease Task Force to discuss the Plan and it's recommendations.
1506. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of times the committee on rare diseases has met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33219/18]
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.
1508. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will address concerns in relation to a matter (details supplied); if he will meet a person and clarify their plan regarding the downgrading of Cavan General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33225/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra1601. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if there will be no reduction in services at a health facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33608/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra1602. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if a service will continue to be delivered at a health facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33609/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1508, 1601 and 1602 together.
Major trauma involves serious and often multiple injuries which have the potential to cause prolonged disability or death. The Trauma Steering Group, established in 2015 and chaired by Professor Eilis McGovern, was tasked with examining the international evidence base with regard to the most efficient and effective organisation of trauma services, in order to reduce preventable death and disability, and to improve patient outcomes. Its report, A Trauma System for Ireland, was published in February this year following Government approval. It aims to reduce the incidence and the burden of trauma and to significantly improve the survival rate of major trauma patients, by ensuring that every patient receives the best possible standard of care in the most appropriate facility.
As recommended in the report, the HSE has established a Trauma Review Implementation Group (TRIG) to commence immediate actions including the implementation of by-pass protocols for orthopaedic and major trauma, recruitment of a National Clinical Lead and establishment of the National Office for Trauma Services, and selection of a Major Trauma Centre for Dublin. The group met for the first time on 12 April to begin consideration of these actions.
I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible on the particular matter raised.
1509. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the care plan in place for a person (details supplied). [33226/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe care plan for the individual concerned is a matter for the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA) and Túsla.
I understand that DCYA is in consultation with Túsla and a report on the matter is being prepared.
1510. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if an appointment will be scheduled for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33232/18]
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.
1511. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the reason the necessary services are not in place in relation to the specialist diabetic clinic at University Hospital Kerry to allow it to operate as a centre of excellence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33249/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
1512. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health if access to insulin pump treatment and pumps at school is the same for children in counties Kerry and Cork; the number of children who access insulin pump treatment; the number from counties Kerry and Cork, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33250/18]
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.
1513. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the reason podiatry services are not being delivered on an ongoing basis at the diabetic clinic at University Hospital Kerry (details supplied); if he is satisfied with the level of service being provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33251/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
1514. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position in relation to the filling of a post (details supplied) in the HSE in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33252/18]
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.
1515. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of children on primary care psychology waiting lists by CHO and length of wait in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33253/18]
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.
1516. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if sanction has been given by the HSE to an organisation (details supplied) for funding applied for through housing disability services for the purchase of housing in Kanturk, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33264/18]
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.
1517. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the meetings, briefings or lobbying he or his departmental officials have had with representatives, either in an official or unofficial capacity, of a company (details supplied) since 2013. [33265/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, since 2015 the Register of Lobbying is maintained by the Standards in Public Office Commission (Standards Commission). The web based Register of Lobbying has details on those communicating with designated public officials on specific policy, legislative matters or prospective decisions. As the register shows, there were meetings held with the company in question with Minister Daly in relation to his brief as Minister for Older People.
My Department has been surveyed and there were no further meetings reported with the company in question.
1519. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health the number of consultant radiologists attached to University Hospital Waterford; the respective speciality, for example, mammography, MRI and so on of each; his plans to increase the number employed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33269/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
