Peter Burke
Ceist:262. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied). [20312/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraHospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (262)
Freagraí 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 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.
Long Stay Residential Units
Ceisteanna (263)
Gerry Adams
Ceist:263. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of persons with disabilities in County Louth who have requested long-term residential care. [20313/19]
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.
Long Stay Residential Units
Ceisteanna (264)
Gerry Adams
Ceist:264. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of persons with disabilities in County Louth who had business cases for residential care approved by the HSE but are still waiting for a residential placement. [20314/19]
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.
Long Stay Residential Units
Ceisteanna (265)
Gerry Adams
Ceist:265. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of persons with disabilities nationally who had business cases for residential care approved by the HSE but are still waiting for a residential placement. [20315/19]
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.
HSE Funding
Ceisteanna (266)
Gerry Adams
Ceist:266. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the annual HSE budget for residential care in County Louth. [20316/19]
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.
HSE Funding
Ceisteanna (267)
Gerry Adams
Ceist:267. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the annual HSE budget for residential care nationally. [20317/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As residential care covers a broad range of health service areas nationally, I have asked the HSE to respond you directly on this matter.
Nursing Homes Support Scheme Data
Ceisteanna (268)
Gerry Adams
Ceist:268. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the residential care providers, both public and private here; the funding which each received in 2018 from the HSE; and the funding allocation for 2019. [20318/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under the Health Act 2007, statutory responsibility is given to the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), for the independent registration and inspection of designated centres providing residential services for older people. Since 2009 all nursing homes whether public, voluntary or private are registered and inspected by HIQA. Registration details in respect of each designated centre are available on-line at www.hiqa.ie.
The Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS), commonly referred to as Fair Deal, is a system of financial support for people who require long-term residential care. Participants contribute to the cost of their care according to their means while the State pays the balance of the cost. The Scheme aims to ensure that long-term nursing home care is accessible and affordable for everyone and that people are cared for in the most appropriate settings.
The Budget for long term residential care in 2018 was €961.6 million (Private €646.1 million and Public €315.5 million). This has increased to €985.8 million in 2019.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (269)
Peter Fitzpatrick
Ceist:269. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a hospital appointment. [20319/19]
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 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.
Home Care Packages Provision
Ceisteanna (270)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:270. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if a home care package will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20322/19]
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.
National Cervical Screening Programme
Ceisteanna (271)
Mary Butler
Ceist:271. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive the results of a test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20323/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In April 2018, following issues which had emerged in relation to the CervicalCheck screening programme, I made the decision to offer free out of cycle smears to any woman who was concerned about her health, where her GP felt she should have a further test as part of her reassurance.
Approximately 112,000 consultations were provided by GPs, and 57,810 early repeat smear tests were provided between the 01 May and 31 of December – in other words, about half of the consultations resulted in a smear test.
Laboratory turnaround times have increased since that time as a consequence both of the 57,000 or so out of cycle smears and the increased uptake generally. The CervicalCheck programme has agreed with laboratories to prioritise those slides which originate from women who attended colposcopy, as this cohort of women are considered to have the most serious need. In addition, agreement has been reached with the laboratory with the largest backlog to process tests based on a HPV initial testing model; i.e. HPV testing will be carried out on samples prior to cytology. I am advised that this approach was chosen as the most effective way to process all outstanding tests based on prioritising women most at risk.
However, the HSE has advised that the natural history of cervical cancer would indicate that the disease would normally develop over a period of 10 to 15 years. It has said that in this context, a delay in the return of cervical screening results, whilst undesirable, is not necessarily dangerous and poses a very low risk to women.
In relation to the specific case referred to by the Deputy, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to her.
Speech and Language Therapy Provision
Ceisteanna (272)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:272. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when a replacement speech and language therapist will be provided for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20324/19]
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.
Medicinal Products
Ceisteanna (273, 274, 275, 277)
Clare Daly
Ceist:273. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health when work is expected to be completed in view of the fact that he previously indicated that he would give further consideration to the need for an inquiry into foetal valproate syndrome, and in view of the fact the valproate response team of the HSE has completed its work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20327/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraClare Daly
Ceist:274. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will meet a forum (details supplied) and respond to its request for an inquiry into accountability issues and compensation for those persons and families already affected by foetal valproate syndrome. [20328/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraClare Daly
Ceist:275. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the length of time his attention has been drawn to the risks associated with the use of valproate in pregnancy; the actions taken to minimise these risks in particular prior to 2014 when the European Medicines Agency implemented its first series of risk reduction measures; and his views on the recent study published in a journal (details supplied). [20329/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraClare Daly
Ceist:277. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the prevalence of foetal valproate syndrome within the population here. [20331/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 273 to 275, inclusive, and 277 together.
The HSE's Valproate Response Project is expected to be completed before the end of June, and a final report will be submitted to my Department upon completion of the project. Once that report is received in the Department, I will give further consideration to the requests made by the forum that the Deputy refers to.
I have been aware of the issues surrounding sodium valproate use in pregnancy since early 2017, when the European Medicines Agency (EMA) initiated its most recent review of the use of valproate-containing medicines in the treatment of women who are pregnant or of childbearing age. The risk reduction measures recommended by the EMA on foot of its previous review in 2014 were fully implemented in Ireland; prior to this, there were no specific restrictions over and above those listed in the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) leaflet for healthcare professionals and the patient information leaflet. As with any medicine, these documents were regularly updated as new data emerged about the medicine and its potential side effects. The study referred to by the Deputy suggests that the association between valproate use in pregnancy and congenital malformations in children was firmly established by 2005. The SmPC and patient leaflets used in 2005 reflect this association, and the patient leaflet includes specific information for women who become pregnant, or could become pregnant, while taking this medicine, based on the increased risk of having a child with an abnormality.
An assessment conducted by the HSE estimates that between 153 and 341 children will have experienced a major congenital malformation and up to 1,250 children will have experienced some form of neurodevelopmental delay following exposure to sodium valproate in utero between 1975 and 2015. It should be noted that this assessment was subject to a number of assumptions and limitations, and relied heavily on international data when developing estimates of the numbers of children who may be affected.