Written Answers Nos. 543-566
543. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if the extension of ophthalmic services in Letterkenny University Hospital to include cataract procedures has been considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44820/18]
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.
544. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if the costing of providing extended ophthalmic services to include cataract surgery at Letterkenny University Hospital has been considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44821/18]
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.
545. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if funding is available to a centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44826/18]
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.
546. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the specific contracts available to staff employed via the child and adolescent mental health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44828/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
547. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health his plans to issue the reimbursement of a drug (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44841/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drug schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. The 2013 Act does not give the Minister for Health any powers in this regard.
The Act specifies the criteria to be applied in the making of reimbursement decisions which include the clinical and cost-effectiveness of the product, the opportunity cost and the impact on resources that are available to the HSE.
The HSE has received a new application for the reimbursement of ataluren (Translarna) from PTC Therapeutics.
The application is being assessed at present in accordance with the criteria set out in the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. Discussions between the HSE and the company are actively underway.
548. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the details relating to the pilot scheme launched by the HSE to outsource treatment for persons on a waiting list for orthodontic treatment to private orthodontists; the number of private sector orthodontists who were selected to provide this treatment; the details of those providing this treatment; the way in which tenders were awarded; the number of orthodontists who applied to tender for this treatment; the numbers of persons treated under this scheme; the location in which they were treated; the cost of the pilot scheme; if the pilot scheme is still under way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44844/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
549. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of Irish persons who have received cataract treatment under the cross-border directive in the past two years; the cost of this treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44847/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
550. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of Irish persons who have received orthopaedic treatment under the cross-border directive in the past two years; the cost of this treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44848/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
551. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the location of the submissions made to the consultations undertaken by his Department in each of the past ten years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44861/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra553. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the consultations undertaken by his Department in each of the past ten years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44879/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 551 and 553 together.
The Department does not collect data in a manner which would allow the Deputy’s questions to be answered in full. Details of public consultations for 2018 to date and 2017 are available on the Department's website at the address health.gov.ie/consultations/.
I will survey the Department for the details of the location of the submissions made to these consultations and I will revert to the Deputy as soon as possible. If there is a particular consultation held prior to 2017 for which the Deputy requires details, I ask her to please contact my private office.
552. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if the community health services will engage directly with a person (details supplied); if the department of psychiatry will assess them as requested by their general practitioner; if the HSE will explain the reason a person did not arrange a home assessment as requested; and if the matter will be expedited in view of the circumstances. [44868/18]
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.
554. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the additional resources being provided to CAMHS in order to enable young persons with mental health problems to be assessed; if additional psychologists will be recruited to ensure young persons can secure immediate and vital assessments and to enable timely access to appropriate treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44889/18]
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.
555. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if a bed will be provided at the National Rehabilitation Hospital, Dún Laoghaire, for a person (details supplied). [44891/18]
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 a service issue, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
556. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if the case of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; the status of respite care, occupational therapy, home support and speech and language therapy appointments in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44900/18]
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 an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
557. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) can receive ophthalmology treatment in the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital under the National Treatment Purchase Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44902/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraReducing waiting times for patients for hospital operations and procedures is a key priority for the Government. The Inpatient and Daycase Action Plan 2018 outlines the combined impact of Health Service Executive (HSE) and National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) activity in 2018 to reduce the number of patients waiting for treatment. The plan has already resulted in ongoing improvements with a 16% decrease in the number of patients waiting for procedures since July 2017.
As part of the Action Plan the NTPF has committed to make offers of treatment to patients waiting for one of 50 high-volume procedures including cataracts. In this context, all patients who are clinically suitable for outsourcing who are waiting more than 9 months for one of these targeted procedures will be offered treatment in 2018.
In terms of treatment offers, the NTPF authorises public hospitals to offer outsourced treatment to clinically suitable long-waiting patients who are on an inpatient/day case waiting list for surgery, having been referred on to such a list following clinical assessment by a consultant/specialist at an outpatient clinic. NTPF authorisations are made in respect of the longest-waiting patients first.
The Government is committed to maintaining this positive trend into next year and Budget 2019 announced a total allocation of €75 million for the NTPF. In 2019, NTPF activity will aim to remove over 100,000 patients from Hospital Waiting Lists through a combination of arranging treatments for patients and through the activity of the Central Waiting List Validation Unit of the NTPF.
558. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the status of the care service being provided to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44909/18]
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.
559. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the reason the HSE has ceased to supply a bus for cancer patients from counties Donegal and Sligo attending Galway University Hospital for treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44911/18]
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.
560. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health his plans to invest in neurology services in a hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44924/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to funding for neurology services, referred to by the Deputy, the level of funding available for the Department of Health in 2019 was set out in Budget 2019 and the quantum of services to be provided by the HSE is currently being considered as part of the National Service Planning process.
561. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in the determination of an application for a medical card in the case of a person (details supplied); when the medical card application will be concluded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44928/18]
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.
562. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health when an assessment of needs will be carried out in respect of a child (details supplied) with ADHD and autism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44931/18]
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.
563. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in the determination of an application for a medical card in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44933/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
564. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if the fair deal scheme will be extended for care in the home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44937/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraImproving home support services so that people can continue to live with confidence, dignity and security in their own homes for as long as possible is a key commitment of Government. As the Deputy is aware, there have been calls to extend the Nursing Home Support Scheme, commonly known as the 'Fair Deal’ scheme, to cover home support services. In keeping with the Government’s pledge in A Programme for a Partnership Government to introduce ‘a uniform homecare service so all recipients can receive a quality support, 7 days per week, where possible’, the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy instead commits to the establishment of a stand-alone statutory scheme for homecare in 2021.
The new scheme will introduce clear rules in relation to the services for which individuals are eligible and in relation to service allocation. It will therefore be an important step in ensuring that the system operates in a consistent and fair manner as well as helping to improve access to home support services on an affordable and sustainable basis. The introduction of a system of regulation for home support will help to ensure public confidence in the services provided by ensuring good standards are maintained on an ongoing basis. The new scheme will also be designed to support family/unpaid carers and will integrate effectively with other health and social care services, such as long-term residential care (including the Nursing Homes Support Scheme), primary and community services, and hospital services.
The development of a statutory scheme and system of regulation for home support services is a complex undertaking. Important milestones in the process of developing the new scheme include the publication of a review of the home care systems in 4 EU countries in April 2017 and a report of the findings of a public consultation on home care in June 2018. Over 2,600 responses to the consultation were received. This initial research and stakeholder consultation has significantly enhanced the evidence base for the development of the proposed statutory scheme.
However, a significant amount of additional work remains to be carried out before final decisions are taken on the form of the home support scheme and system of regulation. This is required if the reforms are to be successful, affordable and sustainable. The Department will continue to prioritise its work in developing the new scheme and every effort will be made to progress this matter as quickly as possible.
While the new home support scheme is under development, the Department of Health and Health Service Executive are continuing efforts to improve existing home support services. In 2018 the HSE brought the funding for home help and Home Care Packages together into a single home support service for older people. As well as simplifying the application process for home support, the new service will be more responsive to service users' changing needs. More broadly the HSE will continue to encourage local integration of services and to build appropriate care pathways, in particular for people with complex needs. A consumer-directed approach to home support provision will be introduced, giving service users greater choice in relation to when they receive services and their selection of a service provider. This enhancement of current service provision is being supported by increased investment in home support services. In line with the commitment in A Programme for a Partnership Government (2016) to increase funding for home care annually, home support services received particular priority in Budget 2018, with an additional €18.25m allocated bringing the total home support allocation for 2018 to almost €417 million, which includes funding for intensive home care packages. The HSE 2018 National Service Plan provides for over 17 million home support hours to be delivered to 50,500 people at any time and 235 Intensive Home Care Packages for people with more complex needs delivering approximately 360,000 hours in the full year. A further 156,000 hours, relating to adverse weather funding, will be provided this year.
The Department of Health and the HSE are currently in the process of developing and agreeing the HSE's National Service Plan 2019, which will set out in detail the type and quantum of services to be delivered in 2019 including in relation to home support services.
565. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the date on which persons over 21 years of age may have access to the FreeStyle Libre device on the long-term illness scheme; the circumstances in which persons above 21 years of age have access to the device; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44946/18]
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.
566. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a hospital appointment. [44949/18]
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.
