Written Answers Nos. 304-329
304. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has not been called to have a procedure carried out; if same will now be addressed without delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26054/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
305. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health when an allocation will be made by a group for a wheelchair for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26055/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
306. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) in County Cork will have a CAMHS assessment carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26059/19]
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.
307. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) in County Cork will have an outpatient appointment with a consultant paediatrician at Cork University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26061/19]
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.
308. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if additional home help hours will be provided for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26062/19]
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
309. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect an appointment. [26063/19]
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.
310. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health if a child (details supplied) can have an appointment with a paediatrician before March 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26064/19]
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.
311. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when respite services will resume for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26066/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
The Programme for Partnership Government states that the Government wishes to provide more accessible respite care to facilitate full support for people with a disability.
As the Deputy's question relates to an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
312. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a decision will be made on the reimbursement of ocrelizumab for persons with multiple sclerosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26067/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE has statutory responsibility for medicine pricing and reimbursement decisions, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. The Act specifies the criteria for decisions on the reimbursement of medicines.
On 29 August 2018, the NCPE completed a health technology assessment for Ocrelizumab (Ocrevus) for the treatment of adult patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (RMS). They recommended that Ocrelizumab (Ocrevus) not be considered for reimbursement unless cost-effectiveness can be improved relative to existing treatments.
On 4 October 2018 the NCPE completed their assessment for Ocrelizumab (Ocrevus) indicated for the treatment of adult patients with early primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS). They did not recommend that Ocrelizumab (Ocrevus) be reimbursed for this indication.
The HSE is the statutory decision-making body for medicine reimbursement. It will make the final decision on whether Ocrelizumab (Ocrevus) will be reimbursed for each of these indications, taking into consideration the statutory criteria contained in the 2013 Health Act.
I am advised by the HSE that there has been considerable engagement between the HSE and the manufacturer over the past number of months and that commercial discussions are ongoing.
313. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when the podiatry clinic in University Hospital Kerry will reopen (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26073/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
314. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of surgical procedures cancelled at University Hospital Waterford on 14 June 2019; the reason for the cancellations; the number of cancellations by specialty or procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26077/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMaintaining scheduled care access for all patients is a key priority for hospitals. I fully acknowledge the distress and inconvenience for patients and their families when elective procedures are cancelled, particularly for clinically urgent procedures.
While every effort is made to avoid cancellation or postponement of planned procedures, the HSE advise that planned procedures and operations can be postponed or cancelled for a variety of reasons including capacity issues due to increased scheduled and unscheduled care demand, medical reasons, and patient choice.
The HSE has advised my Department that four scheduled surgeries were cancelled at University Hospital Waterford (UHW) on the 14 of June 2019. The HSE further advise that as of 7am on Friday 14 of June last, there were 31 admitted patients in the Emergency Department and 8 extra patients on trolleys at ward level at the hospital. As the demand for critical care beds already exceeded what was available on that day there was no critical care capacity available or likely to be available for patients that would require post-operative specialist critical care that day.
As a result, and in line with the hospital’s escalation policy, the HSE has advised that four scheduled surgeries were cancelled. The HSE has further advised that the patients will be contacted urgently to reschedule their appointments.
In addition, the Deputy will be aware that increasing capacity across our hospitals is a priority for Government. An additional 241 acute hospital beds opened under the Winter Initiative 2017/2018, including 18 additional acute beds in Waterford University Hospital. Furthermore, the National Service Plan for 2019 provides for a comprehensive capacity programme and as part of that programme, an additional 6 acute beds have opened this year in UHW under the 2018/2019 Winter Plan.
The 2019 capacity programme also provides for 202 additional beds, including 24 beds in UHW during 2019 with a view to bringing this extra capacity into operation in Q1 of 2020.
In relation to the specific procedures that were cancelled by the hospital, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
315. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied); and when an appointment for orthodontic treatment under the HSE can be expected. [26079/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
316. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health when a position (details supplied) will be advertised following a retirement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26083/19]
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
317. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health the employment procedure when an administrative position is vacated through retirement; the length of time the position is advertised for; if personnel from transfer panels are invited to interview; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that positions are not being advertised and resources are being pulled from other locations to fill the job; if his attention has been further drawn to the impact this is having on staff waiting on a transfer list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26084/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
318. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on inpatient and outpatient waiting lists in University Hospital Limerick; the action he is taking to reduce the numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26100/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraReducing waiting time for patients for hospital operations and procedures is a key priority for Government. Last year saw considerable improvement in the number of patients waiting for procedures. As a result of increased activity and the ongoing collaboration between the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF), the number of patients waiting for an Inpatient or Day case procedure fell to 70,204 in December 2018, from a peak of 86,100 in July 2017. This represents a reduction of over 18% in the overall number of patients waiting for a procedure. The number of patients waiting more than 3 months fell by more than 17,700, or 31% in the same period from July 2017 to the end of December 2018.
The impact is particularly notable when one considers the improvements to the Waiting Lists for those particular specialties which were the focus of the Inpatient/Daycase Action Plan in 2018. These include the numbers waiting over 3 months for a Cataract procedure which fell by 55% from July 2017 to the end of December 2018; the numbers waiting 3 months for a tonsillectomy fell by 65% in the same period; and angiograms fell by 50%.
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, and NTPF Scheduled Care Access Plan 2019 was published in March.
Under the Plan the HSE, in line with the National Service Plan, will deliver 1.155 million elective inpatient and day case discharges at a value of €1.4 billion in 2019. The Scheduled Care Access Plan includes:
- Detailed plans from the NTPF to fund 25,000 IPDC treatments; 5,000 Gastro Intestinal Scopes and 40,000 first outpatient appointments.
- Projections by year end to reduce the overall number of patients on the Inpatient/Day Case waiting list (excluding GI scopes) from just over 70,200 in Dec 2018 to under 60,000;
- Within this overall reduction the number of patients waiting longer than 3 months will reduce from 40,200 at the end of 2018 to 31,000;
- It is also projected that for ten identified high volume procedures, all clinically suitable patients waiting more than 6 months will be offered treatment in 2019. These 10 procedures account for over a third of the active inpatient day case waiting list and represent 60% of NTPF planned activity in 2019.
A key element of the Scheduled Access Plan is the stabilisation of the Outpatient Waiting List. Under the Plan the HSE, in line with the National Service Plan, will aim to deliver 3.3 million outpatient appointments, of which approximately 1 million will be first appointments.
The plan also includes a target that the number of patients waiting for a first Outpatient appointment will fall from over 516,000 at the end of 2018 to under 509,000 by the end of 2019. This target takes into account the more than 800,000 new patients who will be added to the Outpatient waiting list in 2019; a figure that is based on trends for the previous two years.
While the meeting of short-term targets is always welcome, more can be achieved and, in this regard, the HSE, Department of Health and NTPF, under the Access Plan, will work together with the objective of developing medium-long term improvement initiatives for patient access to hospital procedures. This will include moving care to more appropriate settings and providing care at the lowest level of complexity such as providing ophthalmology in the community; maximising the use of Advanced Nurse Practitioner led clinics; and physiotherapists to manage orthopaedic clinics.
The IPDC & Outpatient data requested by the Deputy is contained in the following tables. In relation to the specific question of the steps being taken to reduce the waiting lists at University Hospital Limerick, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
University Hospital Limerick IPDC Waiting List
|
0-3 mths |
3-6 mths |
6-9 mths |
9-12 mths |
12-15 mths |
15-18 mths |
18-24 mths |
24-36 mths |
36-48 mths |
Total |
|
865 |
388 |
292 |
155 |
103 |
75 |
72 |
59 |
2 |
2011 |
University Hospital Limerick Outpatient Waiting List
|
0-3 mths |
3-6 mths |
6-9 mths |
9-12 mths |
12-15 mths |
15-18 mths |
18-21 mths |
21-24 mths |
24-36 mths |
36-48 mths |
48+ |
Total |
|
8696 |
4958 |
4614 |
3584 |
2826 |
1779 |
1730 |
1567 |
3899 |
881 |
154 |
34688 |
319. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on waiting lists for psychology services for children in County Limerick; the number waiting for the school age and the early intervention service by the number of months spent on the waiting list in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26101/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
320. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the number of child psychologists employed in County Limerick to date in 2019; the number of vacant posts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26102/19]
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.
321. Deputy Pat Casey asked the Minister for Health the way in which he has managed the risks associated with the use of valproate in pregnancy; the actions taken to minimise risk from 1990 when studies concluded clear evidence of risk of congenital abnormalities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26107/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra335. Deputy Pat Casey asked the Minister for Health the status of a proposed inquiry into foetal valproate syndrome; and the status of the work of the HSE valproate response team on the matter. [26160/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 321 and 335 together.
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 HSE's Valproate Response Project is expected to be completed within the coming weeks, and a final report will be submitted to my Department upon completion of the project. Once that report is received and reviewed in the Department, I will give further consideration as to whether an inquiry is appropriate.
322. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Health the number of respite hours provided for adults with an intellectual disability in County Meath in each of the years 2008 to 2018, in tabular form. [26108/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra323. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Health the number of respite hours provided for children with an intellectual disability in County Meath in each of the years 2008 to 2018, in tabular form. [26109/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra324. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Health the number of respite hours provided for adolescents with an intellectual disability in County Meath in each of the years 2008 to 2018, in tabular form. [26110/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 322 to 324, inclusive, together.
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.
The Programme for Partnership Government states that the Government wishes to provide more accessible respite care to facilitate full support for people with a disability.
As the Deputy's questions relate to service matters, I have arranged for the questions to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
325. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the waiting list for residential care for adults with an intellectual disability in County Meath in each of the years 2008 to 2018, in tabular form. [26111/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
326. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Health the number of adults with intellectual disabilities in residential care in County Meath in tabular form. [26112/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
327. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Health the number of respite hours provided for adults with an intellectual disability in County Westmeath in each of the years 2008 to 2018, in tabular form. [26113/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra328. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Health the number of respite hours provided for children with an intellectual disability in County Westmeath in each of the years 2008 to 2018, in tabular form. [26114/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra329. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Health the number of respite hours provided for adolescents with an intellectual disability in County Westmeath in each of the years 2008 to 2018, in tabular form. [26115/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 327 to 329, inclusive, together.
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.
The Programme for Partnership Government states that the Government wishes to provide more accessible respite care to facilitate full support for people with a disability.
As the Deputy's questions relate to service matters, I have arranged for the questions to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
