Written Answers Nos. 162-171
163. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the clinical trials conducted on sodium valproate here prior to its licensing in 1975; and if no clinical trials were conducted here, the international clinical trial data used as the basis for its approval. [20976/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) has advised my Department that it will take some time to compile the information requested by the Deputy. Therefore, I have asked the HPRA to reply directly to the Deputy on this occasion.
164. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health his views on whether it is acceptable that patients at some hospitals are being given only two days' notice to attend surgical appointments and if they miss the appointment they are then struck off the waiting list. [20977/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2016, my Department commissioned the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to lead the development of a technical guidance protocol for the management of Inpatient, Day Case, Planned Procedure (IDPP) waiting lists. The purpose of this protocol is to ensure the highest standards in terms of waiting list data quality, and to promote optimal practice for the management and scheduling of patients on IDPP hospital waiting lists in Ireland.
The National IDPP Waiting List Management Protocol 2017 (published on the NTPF website), was developed to provide guidance to ensure that there is a consistent and standardised approach to the management and scheduling of patients on Inpatient, Day Case and Planned Procedure waiting lists within each hospital and across hospital groups. The purpose of this protocol is to ensure the safe, timely and effective access and treatment of patients in a fair and equitable manner.
The IDPP Protocol refers to reasonable notice of a scheduled To Come In (TCI) date of two weeks. In the event that a TCI date becomes available at short notice, the available slot should be offered to the next suitable patient in strict chronological order. Patients who decline this offer will not have their waiting list clock reset (or be removed from the waiting list), unless they are in receipt of a reasonable offer (two weeks’ notice).
In relation to the particular issue raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
165. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that lymphedema patients are being charged for lymphedema garments that are essential garments for their treatment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20978/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
166. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the health services available to persons who have been definitively diagnosed with Lyme disease; if weekly ECG tests and blood tests every two weeks are available to such persons who need continuous assessment and treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20984/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this PQ refers to clinical issues regarding the treatment of Lyme disease, I have referred it to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
167. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health when the Medtronic 670 g pump will be approved, which has potential long-term benefits to type 1 diabetics and significant long-term health cost savings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20986/19]
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.
168. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Health if he will make additional funding available to child mental health services in County Louth; if his attention has been drawn to the long waiting lists for child mental health services causing severe distress to families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20993/19]
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.
169. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 433 of 18 December 2018, the latest figures for County Louth and the national figures for 2017, 2018 and to date in 2019 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20995/19]
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.
170. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties faced by a private health provider (details supplied) for addiction services in receiving recognition for the services it provides and in receiving fair and reasonable payment for the services it provides; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that these problems were highlighted by the Health Insurance Authority in a 2007 report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21000/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraHealth insurance companies operate in a competitive market and are free to impose certain terms and conditions in their policies, provided they comply with the Minimum Benefit Regulations. As Minister for Health, I do not have a role in instructing any insurer to provide benefits beyond those required by the regulations, nor do I have a role in the commercial decisions of any health insurer. The position of the independent regulator, the Health Insurance Authority, is that this matter is most appropriately dealt with in discussion and negotiations directly between the clinic concerned and health insurance companies.
171. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if the needs of a person (details supplied) will be accommodated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21015/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
