Tuesday, 12 Mar 2019

Services for People with Disabilities

Ceisteanna (347)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

347. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of extra home support for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11741/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

Abortion Services Provision

Ceisteanna (348)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Ceist:

348. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if the HSE helpline providing information on terminations will have a facility for deaf persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11766/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Mental Health Services Provision

Ceisteanna (349)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Ceist:

349. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the way in which funding issues for residential care for a person (details supplied) will be addressed; if the HSE received correspondence from the person's psychologist regarding the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11767/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (350)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

350. 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. [11772/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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 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.

Medicinal Products Availability

Ceisteanna (351)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

351. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will review a matter (details supplied) regarding Orkambi; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11775/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Eligibility for public health services in Ireland is subject to the criteria of being 'ordinarily resident' in the State. 'Ordinarily resident' means a person is living in the State or can provide evidence that he/she intends to remain in the State for at least one year.

The Health Service Executive is responsible for assessing if a person meets the 'ordinarily resident' criteria.

Should the Deputy wish to provide the person's contact details, including her Irish address, I will forward to the HSE for examination and direct reply to the Deputy. Alternatively, the person should contact her local area health office for advice on entitlement to public health services in Ireland.

Medicinal Products Availability

Ceisteanna (352)

Jack Chambers

Ceist:

352. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been brought to a shortage of a medication (details supplied); the efforts under way to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11782/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

In Ireland, the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is the competent authority for the regulation of medicines. The Agency’s role includes monitoring and inspecting medicinal products on the market to ensure their safety, efficacy and legality. The HPRA also leads the co-ordination of efforts by national agencies and stakeholders to manage medicine shortages.

I am informed that the supplier of this product has confirmed that there is currently no shortage of Risperdal® 2mg tablets (which contains the active ingredient risperidone) in Ireland.

However, the HPRA was made aware of a shortage of another medicine containing risperidone 4mg from a different supplier in February. This may have resulted in an increased demand for risperidone 4mg and 2mg tablets from other suppliers. However, there have been no reports of shortages of any other medicine containing risperidone. That said, some localised issues may arise for a period of time as stock levels return to normal throughout the system.

Unfortunately, medicines shortages do arise from time to time for a number of different reasons and are a feature of health systems around the world. The shortage of the risperidone 4mg product was not as a result of Brexit. I can confirm that no shortages currently affecting the Irish market are attributable to Brexit.

The Government does not anticipate an immediate impact on medicine supplies should there be a no deal Brexit on 29 March. There are already additional stocks of medicines built into the Irish medicine supply chain, and these additional stocks, together with planning by Revenue to allow fast-tracking of essential medicines into Ireland, will help deal with any delays that may arise.

It is important to note that there is no need for any patient to order extra quantities of medicines or for doctors to issue additional prescriptions, as this could disrupt existing stock levels and hamper the supply of medicines for other patients.

Risperdal®, and other medicines containing the active ingredient risperidone, have been designated as interchangeable by the HPRA. Interchangeable medicines contain the same active ingredient, in the same strength, and therefore other brands containing risperidone may be safely switched to if necessary. If a patient has any concerns regarding their treatment with this or any other medicine, I would encourage them to discuss this directly with their doctor or pharmacist.

Disability Support Services Provision

Ceisteanna (353)

Declan Breathnach

Ceist:

353. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a new respite service recently opened in Dundalk, County Louth, is not fully wheelchair-accessible; if funding will be made available to make this facility fully wheelchair-accessible and suitably staffed to deal with the needs of those who seek the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11784/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

Minister for Health

As this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.

Patient Transport Data

Ceisteanna (360)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

360. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the amount spent on private ambulances by each hospital in each of the years 2011 to 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11849/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.

Medical Aids and Appliances Expenditure

Ceisteanna (361)

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

361. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the contracts in place in the HSE for recycling various medical products such as crutches, walking aids, Zimmer frames, wheelchairs and other aids to assist persons; the amount paid in respect of collecting and refurbishing for recycling purposes in each of the category of items involved per unit; the process in place by which these items are reused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11866/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.

Occupational Therapy Data

Ceisteanna (362)

James Browne

Ceist:

362. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the position regarding children in County Wexford with autism accessing occupational therapy; the number on the waiting list; the number waiting more than six and 12 months, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11872/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

Medical Aids and Appliances Applications

Ceisteanna (363)

James Browne

Ceist:

363. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the provision of a hoist at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11880/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.

Home Care Packages Data

Budget 2019 announced that the Government had further increased investment in tackling waiting lists, with funding to the NTPF increasing from €55 million in 2018 to €75 million in 2019.

The joint Department of Health/HSE/NTPF Scheduled Care Access Plan 2019 was published on Monday. The plan sets out measures to improve care for patients waiting for scheduled care in 2019 by reducing wait times for inpatient/day case treatment and outpatient appointments and will place a strong focus on a number of high-volume procedures including cataracts. When combined with HSE activity it is projected that the NTPF will be in a position to offer treatment to all clinically suitable patients waiting more than 6 months for one of these procedures.

The NTPF will deliver additional activity in the health service by working with hospital groups and individual hospitals as well as private health providers to maximise the number of patients treated in both a public and private capacity. I would strongly encourage all hospitals, including University Hospital Waterford, to continue to collaborate with the NTPF to identify waiting list initiatives.

The data requested by the deputy is contained in the following table.

Cataract IPDC waiting list in UHW – patients waiting over 6, 12, 18 months

6 months +	12 months +	18 months +	Total Waiters
531	70	33	1211

Hospital Procedures

Ceisteanna (367)

Mary Butler

Ceist:

367. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who had elective surgery cancelled or rescheduled more than once in 2017 and 2018 at University Hospital Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11884/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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 Appointments Delays

Ceisteanna (368)

Mary Butler

Ceist:

368. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health the number of persons awaiting follow-up appointments for knee and hip operations at University Hospital Waterford in 2017 and 2018, respectively, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11885/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I am conscious that waiting times are often unacceptably long and of the burden that this places on patients and their families. In this regard, I committed to improving waiting times for hospital appointments and procedures.

Budget 2019 announced that the Government had further increased investment in tackling waiting lists, with funding to the NTPF increasing from €55 million in 2018 to €75 million in 2019.

The joint Department of Health/HSE/NTPF Scheduled Care Access Plan 2019 was published on Monday. The plan sets out measures to improve care for patients waiting for scheduled care in 2019 by reducing wait times for inpatient/day case treatment and outpatient appointments and will place a strong focus on Orthopaedics.

A key element of this Plan is the stabilisation of the Outpatient Waiting List which remains a significant challenge. The HSE, in line with the National Service Plan 2019 will provide 3.3 million outpatient appointments, more than 1 million of which will be first outpatient appointments.

In addition, the NTPF will fund an additional 40,000 first outpatient appointments through weekend and out of hours clinics and ‘see and treat’ clinics.

The NTPF will deliver additional activity in the health service by working with hospital groups and individual hospitals as well as private health providers to maximise the number of patients treated in both a public and private capacity. I would strongly encourage all hospitals, including University Hospital Waterford, to collaborate with the NTPF to identify waiting list initiatives.

The data requested by the Deputy is contained in the following table.

Orthopaedic Outpatient waiting list in UHW – 2017 & 2018

Year	No.
2017	6646
2018	6321

Home Care Packages Data

Ceisteanna (369)

Mary Butler

Ceist:

369. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health the number of home help hours allocated under the home care package in each of the years 2016 to 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11886/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.