Written Answers Nos. 236-253
236. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the waiting times in respect of both routine and review appointments as part of adult diabetes services at Letterkenny University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22467/19]
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.
237. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if a permanent paediatric endocrinologist is in post at Letterkenny University Hospital; if not, the reason therefor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22468/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to reply to the Deputy directly.
238. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive an earlier appointment in St. James's Hospital, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22470/19]
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.
239. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will be transferred to a community hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22471/19]
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.
240. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive a date for admission to Beaumont Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22472/19]
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.
241. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the reason there has been a delay in the reimbursement regarding an operation for a person (details supplied). [22473/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe management of the Cross Border Directive (CBD) is a matter for the Health Service Executive.
As the issue raised is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
242. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the reason the podiatrist post at Letterkenny University Hospital as part of diabetes services has yet to begin receiving referrals; when the post holder will take up the post; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22477/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to reply to the Deputy directly.
243. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect an appointment. [22483/19]
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.
244. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect an appointment for an MRI scan at the Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore. [22484/19]
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.
245. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be called for an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22496/19]
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.
246. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health his plans to expand a health centre in an area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22500/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the HSE has responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres and other Primary Care facilities, the Executive has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.
247. 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. [22501/19]
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.
248. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the way in which the health budget for home support and public health nurse visits is managed for those exiting hospital care while recognising local need, particularly in areas with high levels of more senior and frailer residents such as those living in the Beaumont area; the way in which he plans to increase the levels of home support and regular public health nurse visits in this area for those exiting hospital care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22508/19]
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.
249. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if the reinstatement of specific medication which was withdrawn from medical card holders over two years ago (details supplied) will be reconsidered. [22510/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMedicines play a vital role in improving the health of Irish patients. Securing access to existing and new and innovative medicines is a key health service objective. However, the challenge is to do this in a safe and sustainable manner. Treatment must be appropriate and proportionate and clinical decision-making, such as prescribing, should be based on both patient needs and sound medical evidence.
Lidocaine 5% medicated plasters are licensed for localised relief of post-shingles pain in adults. This is the patch's only licensed use in Ireland. It has been reimbursed in the community drug schemes since 2010.
Clinical concern arose as usage increased significantly, to the point where more plasters were being used in Ireland than in the entire UK National Health Service. In such situations, it is important and appropriate for clinicians to review usage and, in 2016, the HSE Medicines Management Programme (MMP) reviewed the use of the plasters. The review estimated that only 5-10% of prescribing was for the licensed indication.
From September 2017, following the clinical review, the HSE introduced a new reimbursement approval system for the patches, to support appropriate use and patient care. Under these arrangements, the patient's GP or consultant applies to the MMP for reimbursement approval on behalf of the patient. If an application is refused, the clinician may submit an appeal to the MMP, making a clear clinical case for the patient. Information for patients and practitioners is on the HSE MMP website at: hse.ie/yourmedicines.
The decision to introduce a new reimbursement approval process for a particular treatment is a matter for the HSE. I fully support the objectives of the HSE Medicines Management Programme.
250. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the reason persons (details supplied) were informed they could no longer attend day care services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22516/19]
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.
251. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health his plans to make Spinraza treatment available for patients suffering with spinal muscular atrophy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22520/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra308. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when a decision will be made on providing Spinraza for patients suffering from spinal muscular atrophy, SMA; the reason for the delay with the decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22852/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 251 and 308 together.
As the Deputy is aware, the Oireachtas put in place a strong legal framework, in the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, to give full statutory powers to the HSE to assess and make decisions on reimbursement of medicines, taking account of a range of objective factors and expert opinion as appropriate.
In the case of nusinersen (Spinraza), following detailed consideration of an application for reimbursement and lengthy engagement with the company, the HSE decided that it was unable to reimburse nusinersen. The HSE concluded that the evidence for clinical effectiveness was still quite limited and that the price proposed by the manufacturer was not a cost-effective use of resources.
On 21 February 2019, the HSE wrote to the manufacturer involved and informed it of the proposal to refuse reimbursement at the current price offering. Under the requirements of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the company had 28 days to respond or make representations to the HSE’s proposed decision.
I am advised by the HSE that the manufacturer submitted additional information and that the matter remains under consideration by the HSE.
252. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health if he will report on ongoing talks with an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22521/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives. The Government's primary concern is to ensure the continuity of disability services delivered in line with strong governance mechanisms in a cost-effective and equitable manner consistent with care and support needs. As one of many service providers, Rehab provide invaluable services and supports to people with disabilities and their families.
Minister Harris and I held a further joint meeting with Rehab and the HSE on Tuesday last, 21st May. We want to acknowledge the positive and transparent level of engagement by Rehab with the HSE over the past number of weeks, and their commitment to continue to work closely in the future. We recognise the additional expenditure requirement, as set out and agreed at our meeting, is attributable in the main to a number of specific regulatory challenges and associated service pressures. We have committed to the provision of an additional €2 million in funding to Rehab, subject to agreement with the HSE on services to be delivered.
253. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health when the last unannounced inspection carried out by HIQA took place at a nursing home (details supplied); the staff-patient ratio at the home; the mechanisms in place to ensure the implementation of each individual patient care plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22522/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll designated residential centres for older people, including the private nursing home referred to by the Deputy, are registered with and inspected by the Health Information and Quality Authority, HIQA. In accordance with the Health Act (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations, 2013, as amended, all designated centres must ensure that the number and skill mix of staff is appropriate to the needs of their residents. The Regulations also include specific requirements in relation to the assessment of each resident, and the preparation, review and revision of the care plan for each resident.
The purpose of the Regulations is to ensure proper standards apply to all designated centres. HIQA carries out a programme of scheduled and unannounced inspections to assess whether residential centres are providing high quality, safe and effective services and supports to residents, and ensures that any issues or deficiencies are addressed and rectified. Where issues of non-compliance are identified, HIQA’s inspection reports include a series of follow-on actions that the registered provider must implement within a prescribed time-frame.
Reports of inspections carried out by HIQA are published on the Authority's website www.hiqa.ie, and the reports outline the type of inspection carried out, along with the findings and outcomes of the inspection.
