Written Answers Nos. 1520-1540
1520. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if hip and knee operations deemed to be urgent will be arranged for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33271/18]
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.
1521. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the supports and assistance being provided to persons suffering from unique narcolepsy disorder; his views on a no-fault compensation redress scheme for the 65 or more families now commencing legal action; if he will engage with the group, the HSE and the State Claims Agency to resolve matters outside court; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33274/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Health, the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Department of Education and Skills continue to work together to provide a wide range of services and supports for those affected. The HSE’s Advocacy Unit acts as liaison with service and support providers and other Government Departments to facilitate access to required services. It is in regular contact with individuals affected. Regional co-ordinators have been appointed to assist individuals by providing advice, information and access to local services.
The ex-gratia health supports include clinical care pathways to ensure access to diagnosis and treatment, multi-disciplinary assessments led by clinical experts, counselling services for both the individuals and their families, discretionary medical cards for those who have been diagnosed have been provided to allow unlimited access to GP care and any prescribed medication, ex-gratia reimbursement of vouched expenses incurred in the process of diagnosis and treatment, including travel expenses for attending medical appointments; physiotherapy, occupational therapy assessments, dental assessments and dietary services all on a needs basis.
The Centre of Excellence for Narcolepsy based in St James's Hospital will cater for all people diagnosed with narcolepsy, including those diagnosed with narcolepsy after receiving pandemic influenza vaccine. This service will combine a new patient referral system with access to expert consultant and advanced nursing expertise for clinical diagnosis, access to the latest neurophysiological diagnostic techniques with overnight and daytime monitoring for both in-patients and outpatients, laboratory testing, brain imaging and genetic testing. The HSE will continue to pay for access to the services, such as dietician and psychology services, that would have been provided in the Centre of Excellence from private providers to so that none of the affected individuals miss out on receiving these supports.
I cannot comment on individual cases or matters that are the subject of litigation but I can provide background information on this litigation and clarify matters that are already in the public domain.
As of 9 July 2018, legal proceedings against the Minister, the Health Services Executive and GlaxoSmithKline Biological SA have been initiated by seventy one individuals and in 61 of these cases formal legal proceedings have been issued. The plaintiffs allege personal injury in which they claim the development of narcolepsy resulted from the administration of the H1N1 pandemic vaccine. The management of these cases transferred to the State Claims Agency on 15 October 2013 when the Taoiseach signed the National Treasury Management Agency (Delegation of Claims Management Functions) (Amendment) Order 2013.
The Programme for a Partnership Government includes a commitment to “…put in place a scheme, on a no-fault basis, that will respond to the needs of people with disability arising from vaccination”. The policy objectives in putting in place a scheme to meet the needs of people with disability arising from vaccination are to provide fair and just compensation for those who may have been injured by a vaccine, to reduce the costs to the State by providing an alternative to litigation and to maintaining public confidence in immunisation. This matter is under consideration by my Department with a view to developing a proposal regarding a vaccine damage scheme based on evidence concerning, vaccine damage schemes, legal advices and consultation with other Government bodies.
In addition, An Expert Group chaired by the High Court Judge, Mr Justice Charles Meenan, is being established to review the law of torts and the current system for the management of clinical negligence claims.
The establishment of the Expert Group arises from another commitment made in the Programme For A Partnership Government (May 2016). This states ' We will tackle the rising cost of claims by establishing an expert group to report within 6 months on options for reforming the law of torts and the current claims process, particularly when it comes to birth injuries and catastrophic injuries, and injuries that can result from vaccination’.
The Expert Group will include consideration of whether there may be an alternative mechanism to the court process for resolving clinical negligence claims, or particular categories of claims, particularly from the perspective of the person who has made the claim. It will also examine whether an alternative dispute resolution mechanism or a no-fault system would be effective in some cases. The Expert Group will meet for the first time in early September and it will decide the scope of its work within its six month timeline.
I will also continue to engage with the Minister for Justice and the Minister for Finance on what further improvements can be made to the legal framework governing the management of product liability cases.
1522. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the regional breakdown of patients seen by nurses in the community according to the Public Service Performance Report 2017, in tabular form; and the number of nurses allocated. [33283/18]
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.
1523. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the regional breakdown of patients seen by community intervention teams according to the Public Service Performance Report 2017, in tabular form; and the geographical breakdown of each intervention team. [33284/18]
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.
1524. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the reason, according to the Public Service Performance Report 2017, there has been a reduction in dental treatments provided; and the reason for refusals. [33285/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
1525. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the regional breakdown of the number of persons awaiting approval for medical and general practitioner service cards according to the Public Service Performance Report 2017, in tabular form; and the reason for the delay in approval. [33286/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
1526. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the regional breakdown of the number of persons awaiting emergency hip fracture surgery beyond 48 hours according to the Public Service Performance Report 2017, in tabular form. [33287/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
1527. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the reason, according to the Public Service Performance Report 2017, no children’s disability network teams have been established. [33288/18]
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.
1528. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the regional breakdown of the referrals offered appointments and seen within 12 weeks by child and adolescent mental health teams according to the Public Service Performance Report 2017, in tabular form. [33289/18]
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.
1529. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the regional breakdown of women not offered hospital admission for treatment within three weeks of diagnosis of breast cancer according to the Public Service Performance Report 2017, in tabular form. [33291/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Public Service Performance Report for 2017 indicates that 92.9% of those diagnosed with breast cancer through BreastCheck (286 women) were offered hospital admission for treatment within three weeks of diagnosis. This exceeds the target rate of 90%.
The regional breakdown of the women who were not offered treatment within the target timescale is a service delivery matter, and I have asked the HSE to provide this information directly to the Deputy.
1530. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the regional breakdown of the BreastCheck screening uptake rate according to the Public Service Performance Report 2017, in tabular form; the locations of those that have not availed of the screening; and the reason given. [33292/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Public Service Performance Report 2017 indicates a national BreastCheck uptake rate of 72.2%. This exceeds the 70% BreastCheck target uptake rate.
BreastCheck is organised through four regional units responsible for the delivery of the programme nationwide. These are the BreastCheck Eccles Unit, BreastCheck Merrion Unit, BreastCheck Southern Unit and BreastCheck Western Unit.
The National Screening Service has provided the following breakdown of uptake rates by region (BreastCheck Unit) for the period 1 January - 30 September 2017:
|
Regional Unit |
Uptake Rate |
|
BreastCheck Southern Unit |
71.8% |
|
BreastCheck Western Unit |
76.7% |
|
BreastCheck Eccles Unit |
72.0% |
|
BreastCheck Merrion Unit |
70.3% |
The counties covered by each BreastCheck Regional Unit are as follows:
- BreastCheck Eccles Unit - North Dublin, Cavan, Carlow, Kilkenny, Longford, Louth, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly and Westmeath.
- BreastCheck Merrion Unit - South Dublin, Kildare, Laois, Wexford and Wicklow.
- BreastCheck Southern Unit - Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary South and Waterford.
- BreastCheck Western - Clare, Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon, Sligo and Tipperary North.
BreastCheck continues to focus on devising strategies to maintain high uptake rates including through general marketing, direct targeted marketing and the introduction of text message reminders for appointments.
1531. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the reason there is no specific budget for orphan drugs as committed to in the drugs and rare disease plan (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33304/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn Ireland the majority of patients access medicines through the publicly funded Community Drug Schemes.
The HSE has statutory responsibility for medicine pricing and reimbursement decisions, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. The Act specifies the criteria for decisions on the reimbursement of medicines including clinical benefit and cost effectiveness and does not include a separate ruleset or budget provision for orphan drugs.
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.
1532. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health when two children (details supplied) will receive orthotic suits for their congenital scoliosis; and the progress made in separating funding for children and adult disability needs in County Cork. [33305/18]
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.
1533. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a consultation to be assessed for a hearing aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33308/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
1534. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the amount outstanding in payments due from private health insurers to public hospitals; the amount due to each hospital on an aged debt spreadsheet; if there is a system in place in each hospital to ensure the full amount is claimed from health insurance companies and that the hospital is not underbilling; the number of bed nights that are partially paid for or rejected by insurers in public hospitals in each of the years 2014 to 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33315/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
1535. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health if a payment for a person (details supplied) which was granted for treatment undertaken recently under the cross-Border initiative will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33330/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
1536. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the appointment of an executive director to lead the implementation team for Sláintecare; the targets he has set for this executive director for the remainder of 2018 and 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33334/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraEarlier this month, I announced the appointment of Laura Magahy as Executive Director of the Sláintecare Programme Office. The appointment follows a competitive public competition and a rigorous selection process, which was managed independently by the Public Appointments Service (PAS).
The appointment to this key role signals the Government’s continuing commitment to improving and modernising our health service and putting in place a programme of reform to achieve the vision set out in the Sláintecare report. Laura Magahy brings a wealth of relevant experience and expertise to this role, having successfully led many complex and challenging national initiatives and major projects. She has a proven track record in delivery, innovation and change management and I look forward to working with her on this very important agenda. Laura will take up the position in September.
The roles for the Executive Director were clearly set out as part of the public recruitment process. They are to:
- Establish the programme of reform as approved by Government and put in place the governance arrangements, processes, structures and resources to implement it;
- Communicate and engage with key individuals and organisations to mobilise support for the changes to be implemented under the reform programme;
- Develop the capacity and capability of the Sláintecare Programme Office to manage this large-scale transformation programme of vital public importance and interest;
- Develop a strategic and programmatic approach to implementation and sequencing of reforms and develop detailed action plans, deliverables, costs and timelines for each area of reform;
- Work in partnership with relevant colleagues within the Sláintecare Programme Office and across the Department and the HSE, including clinical leaders, to ensure effective working arrangements and delivery of the reform programme;
- Rigorously monitor performance, identify obstacles early, and problem solve and overcome challenges and resistance;
- Provide regular reporting on implementation progress to the Secretary General and the Minister, the Cabinet Committee on Health (chaired by An Taoiseach), the Oireachtas and the public;
- Develop strong and effective monitoring and communication processes for ongoing reporting on reform priorities and progress to stakeholders and the public; and
- Provide strong leadership and accountability for the successful implementation of the reform programme.
In addition, the Executive Director will be tasked with refining the Implementation Strategy into a more detailed Action Plan within three months of taking office. This will include a review of the actions and associated timeframes, the development of detailed milestones and timelines for year one and the assignment of responsibility for each action. This will inform the priorities and key targets for the Sláintecare Programme Office in the years to come.
1537. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the details of a pre-tender market sounding conducted by the HSE for the provision of oncofertility treatment; the progress to date on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33335/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra1538. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if the HSE plans to issue a tender for the provision of oncofertility treatment here; when it expects to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33336/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1537 and 1538 together.
As this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
1539. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the annual cost of funding free fertility preservation treatment for oncology patients in 2016 and 2017 provided at the national oncology cryopreservation centre at the Rotunda Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33337/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra1540. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of male and female oncology patients who availed of free fertility preservation treatment at the national oncology cryopreservation centre at the Rotunda Hospital in 2016 and 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33338/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1539 and 1540 together.
As this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
