Anne Rabbitte
Ceist:349. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be approved for home help hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3994/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraHome Help Service Provision
Ceisteanna (349)
Freagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Services for People with Disabilities
Ceisteanna (350)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:350. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding houses under HSE ownership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3996/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 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.
Vaccination Programme
Ceisteanna (351, 426, 428)
Jackie Cahill
Ceist:351. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health if the vaccine for meningitis will be provided to young children (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3997/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMichael Healy-Rae
Ceist:426. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of the talks and proposals regarding the catch-up programme on Meningitis B vaccines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4294/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra
John Curran
Ceist:428. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the high cost for persons from low-income backgrounds in accessing the Meningitis B vaccine for children born before 2016; his plans to address the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4300/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 351, 426 and 428 together.
The National Immunisation Advisory Committee, NIAC, is an independent committee of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland which is comprised of experts in a number of specialties, including infectious diseases, paediatrics, and public health, which makes recommendations to my Department on vaccination policy in Ireland. Its recommendations are based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practice in relation to immunisation. NIAC continues to revise recommendations so as to allow for the introduction of new vaccines in Ireland and to keep abreast of changes in the patterns of disease.
On foot of a recommendation by NIAC, the Primary Childhood Immunisation Schedule was amended in 2016 to include the introduction of the Meningitis B vaccine for all babies born on or after 1 October 2016. This change to the immunisation schedule took effect from 1 December 2016. The first dose of the vaccine is administered to children when they reach two months of age; a second dose is administered at four months and a third and final dose at 12 months. Meningitis B disease is most common in babies under one year of age, and the scheduling of the administration of the vaccine under the immunisation programme as recommended by NIAC takes this into account.
All vaccines administered through the Primary Childhood Immunisation Schedule are provided free of charge. Ireland is the second country in Europe to make the Meningitis B vaccine available free of charge as part of its national immunisation programme.
There are no plans to introduce a catch-up programme for the Meningitis B vaccine to older children. Those who have a medical card are eligible to have the vaccine administered by their GP free of charge. However, the purchase of the vaccine is not covered by the medical card scheme.
In Ireland, the following meningitis vaccines are provided to children born on or after 1 October 2016 as part of the Primary Childhood Immunisation Schedule:
- 2 months - 6-in-1, pneumococcal vaccine, PCV, and Meningitis B;
- 4 months - 6-in-1 and Meningitis B (Meningococcal B);
- 6 months - 6-in-1, PCV and Meningitis C (Meningococcal C);
- 12 months - Meningitis B;
- 13 months - Hib/Meningitis C and PCV.
Note that the 6-in-1 vaccine contains Hib (Haemophilus influenzae B).
Adolescents are also given a Meningitis C booster vaccine in the first year of secondary school against meningitis as part of the School Immunisation Programme.
It is important to note that, although some of the recent notified cases are related to Meningitis B, none of the deaths have been attributed to this strain of the disease.
Mental Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (352)
Paul Kehoe
Ceist:352. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health the position regarding recruitment and appointments (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4002/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Abortion Services Provision
Ceisteanna (353)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:353. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the case in which a woman has been denied access to an abortion in the Coombe maternity hospital, Dublin; if he has contacted the hospital on the matter; his plans to ensure this will not happen again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4007/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy is aware, the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 was signed into law by the President on 20 December 2018, and services for termination of pregnancy commenced four weeks ago, on 1 January 2019.
I am aware of the case to which the Deputy refers; however, it would not be appropriate for me, as Minister for Health, to comment on any individual case.
I am advised that the Coombe Hospital is currently providing terminations in emergency situations and in cases of fatal foetal abnormality.
Section 11 of the Act sets out the law on access to termination of pregnancy in cases where there is a condition present affecting the foetus that is likely to lead to the death of the foetus before or within 28 days of birth.
The operation of the legislation is entirely a matter for attending clinicians. Neither the Minister nor the Department of Health has any role in the medical management of cases. Where a patient requires care not available in a particular location, the patient should be transferred to a hospital/service where the necessary care is available.
The Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 makes provision for women in cases where a medical practitioner has not given an opinion or has given an opinion that would not lead to certification for termination of pregnancy to be carried out. Section 13 of the Act provides that the woman, or a person acting on her behalf, may make an application to the HSE for a review of the relevant decision. Within three days of receiving such an application, the HSE must convene a committee of medical practitioners to review the relevant decision. The committee must complete its review not later than seven days from the date on which it was established.
The National Women and Infants Health Programme continues to engage with the Dublin Midlands Health Group and the Coombe Hospital regarding termination of pregnancy service provision.
Hospitals Data
Ceisteanna (354)
Seán Sherlock
Ceist:354. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the activity levels at Mallow General Hospital for elective and non-elective surgeries and for acute medical interventions in each of the years 2015 to 2017, in tabular form. [4014/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In relation to the activity levels at Mallow General Hospital for elective and non-elective surgeries and for acute medical interventions in each of the years 2015 to 2017, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
Hospital Staff Data
Ceisteanna (355)
Seán Sherlock
Ceist:355. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the number of medical and surgical consultant posts assigned to Mallow General Hospital; and the range of disciplines to which these posts are assigned. [4015/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (356)
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:356. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment for University Hospital Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4018/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under 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 inpatient, 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.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (357)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:357. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of knee surgery for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4026/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under 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 inpatient, 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.
Home Help Service Provision
Ceisteanna (358)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:358. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if the full support required via home help can be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4027/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Hospitals Data
Ceisteanna (359)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:359. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of patient discharges from hospitals in which patients were discharged to no fixed abode or address in each of the years 2011 to 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4030/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
General Practitioner Services
Ceisteanna (360)
James Browne
Ceist:360. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to address general practitioners charging medical card holders €25 for blood tests; the steps he will take to address general practitioners refusing medical card holders referrals to free HSE blood test clinics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4048/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under the terms of the current GMS contract, GPs are required to provide eligible patients with, ''all proper and necessary treatment of a kind usually undertaken by a general practitioner and not requiring special skill or experience of a degree or kind which general practitioners cannot reasonably be expected to possess". There is no provision under the GMS GP contract for persons who hold a medical card or GP visit card to be charged for routine phlebotomy services provided by their GP, which are required to either assist in the diagnosis of illness or the treatment of a condition.
The HSE has advised GPs that where a blood test forms part of the investigation or necessary treatment of a patient’s symptoms or conditions, this should be free of charge for patients who hold a medical card or GP visit card. Notwithstanding this, I am aware that some GPs are charging GMS patients for phlebotomy services in some circumstances.
This is a matter of concern for me as it has long been the position, under successive Governments, that no user charges should apply to GP services provided to GMS and GP visit card patients. If a patient who holds a medical card or GP visit card believes he or she has been incorrectly charged for routine phlebotomy services by his or her GP, then that patient should report the matter to their HSE Local Health Office.
In relation to GPs refusing to refer medical card patients to HSE blood test clinics, neither my Department nor the HSE are aware of such an issue. If the Deputy would like to supply further details of a particular case he is aware of to my Department, I will ask the HSE to look into the matter.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (361)
John McGuinness
Ceist:361. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an appointment at University Hospital Waterford, UHW, urology department will be expedited for a person (details supplied). [4056/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under 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 inpatient, 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.
Orthodontic Services Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (362)
Jackie Cahill
Ceist:362. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment for orthodontic care which was requested in October 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4057/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
Orthodontic Services Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (363)
Jackie Cahill
Ceist:363. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 13 years of age in County Tipperary on a waiting list to commence orthodontic care; the number on the list for zero to 12, 13 to 24, 25 to 36 and greater than 36 months, respectively, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4058/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
Disabilities Assessments
Ceisteanna (364)
Michael McGrath
Ceist:364. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) in County Cork will undergo an assessment for autism spectrum disorder; the intervention services available for the child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4061/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 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.
General Medical Services Scheme Data
Ceisteanna (365)
Jack Chambers
Ceist:365. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the number of GMS general practitioners in Dublin 15; the number of GMS general practitioners per CHO group nationally; the breakdown by population in this regard; the number of public health nurses in each CHO group nationally; the breakdown by population in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4071/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for it to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Industrial Disputes
Ceisteanna (366, 397)
Carol Nolan
Ceist:366. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he and the HSE will engage with a union (details supplied) to resolve the ongoing issues which have led to paramedics going on strike. [4072/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarol Nolan
Ceist:397. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the actions he plans to take to resolve a dispute (details supplied). [4196/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 366 and 397 together.
SIPTU is recognised by the HSE and has negotiating rights for front-line ambulance grades employed by the Executive. As a result, the HSE deducts subscriptions at source for those ambulance staff that are members of that union. However, the National Ambulance Service Representative Association, NASRA, is not recognised by the HSE and, therefore, does not have negotiating rights.
While individuals have a right to membership of any trade union, if they choose to join an association which is not recognised by their employer, such membership is not facilitated by their employer. This means that the HSE does not facilitate deduction of union subscriptions for this particular Association.
It is not possible to engage with the PNA as it is an organisation with no negotiating rights in respect of front-line ambulance personnel.