Written Answers Nos. 385-404
385. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health the weighting percentages to be used as part of the upcoming HSE FreeStyle Libre review decision making process that will be given to criteria (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39651/19]
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.
386. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health if the reimbursement dataset specifically covers only current HSE-funded users of FreeStyle Libre; if the health technology assessment review will compare total blood glucose strip usage spend year on year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39652/19]
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.
387. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an operation for a hip replacement for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; if Waterford University Hospital will prioritise the case in view of its urgency and the fact that their quality of life is extremely poor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39661/19]
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.
388. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health the number of bed days lost to date in 2019 as a result of delayed discharges in each public and voluntary hospital in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39669/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
389. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the East Coast Drugs and Task Force has been without an outreach officer for some time; the provisions being made by the HSE to recruit a replacement; the estimated timeframe for the appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39678/19]
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.
390. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health his plans to update knowledge and skills in relation to the diagnosis, management and treatment of ME for medical professionals working in the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39696/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE make every effort to access relevant evidence based research into Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) / myalgic encephalomyelitis (or encephalopathy) (ME) as it becomes available. The HSE prioritises the development of guidelines based on clinical need and within available resources.
The challenge in relation to ME is that it does not sit within one specialty, but crosses a number of specialties, with patients frequently attending different Consultants for management of their symptoms as and when they arise. Consultants are well used to coordinating the care of patients that require the input of their colleagues and other members of the multidisciplinary care team.
In order to allow for the timely access to services for patients, work is under way as part of the implementation of the Strategy for the Design of Integrated Outpatient Services 2016-2020, specifically as regards addressing how and where the patient is treated and the classification of referrals with corresponding clinically recommended time-frames. Consideration is also being given to condition specific referral forms. This work should see significant improvements with respect to access to appropriate services.
I have asked the HSE to consider the service matters raised by the Deputy and to respond directly to him.
391. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health his views on the lack of standardised diagnosis, management and treatment of patients with ME; the impact this has on persons with the condition; his plans to put in place a comprehensive review of the way in which ME is diagnosed, managed and treated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39697/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra392. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health his views on the demonstrated need for a dedicated ME medical facility and department to diagnose, manage and treat persons with the condition; the steps he will take to establish same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39698/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 391 and 392 together.
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) / myalgic encephalomyelitis (or encephalopathy) (ME) is a complex debilitating disorder which is characterised by severe fatigue accompanied by a range of other symptoms.
There is currently no known, specific, medical diagnostic test to determine or confirm a correct diagnosis of ME and no specific treatment which works for all sufferers is currently available. As a result clinical assessment and the design of care plans need to be tailored to the individual patient. There are assessments and tests which can be carried out in primary care settings by a General Practitioner. Specialised tests may be required when considering and ruling out other diagnoses. Relevant specialists are usually accessed through out patient clinics at secondary care level. The General Practitioner is regarded as best placed to refer patients, if appropriate.
Work is under way as part of the implementation of the Strategy for the Design of Integrated Outpatient Services 2016-2020, specifically as regards addressing how and where the patient is treated and the classification of referrals with corresponding clinically recommended time-frames. Consideration is also being given to condition specific referral forms. This work should see significant improvements with respect to access to appropriate services.
393. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to an increase in the number of children presenting with symptoms that fit a diagnosis of ME and the lack of paediatric professionals with knowledge of the way in which to diagnose, manage and treat the condition in children; his plans to address the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39699/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Children's Health Ireland to respond to you directly, as soon as possible.
394. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if there is a national HSE policy for assessment and provision of powered mobility equipment, for example, powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39705/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
395. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be moved to a more appropriate setting in which they can obtain the treatment they require. [39721/19]
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.
396. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the status of the new intensive care unit proposed for Tallaght University Hospital; the funding allocated for the project; if the construction and development of the project has been allocated funding over the next two years beyond design stage funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39732/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive recently published its Capital Plan for 2019-2021 outlining 250 projects to be progressed over the three-year period.
The Capital Plan includes a number of developments at Tallaght University Hospital such as the renal dialysis unit and the intensive care unit.
The HSE is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects and has advised that renal dialysis project is currently under construction and is funded to completion.
Meanwhile, the expansion and upgrade of the intensive care unit is at design stage and is expected to progress to the construction stage once the renal dialysis development has been completed.
It is important to recognise that all capital development proposals must progress through a number of approval stages, in line with the Public Spending Code, including detailed appraisal, planning, design and procurement, before a firm timeline or funding requirement can be established. The final decision to proceed with the construction of a project cannot be made until the tender process has been completed and the costings reviewed to ensure that the proposal delivers value for money and remains affordable, and that sufficient funding is available to fund the project to completion, including equipping and commissioning costs.
The delivery of capital projects is a dynamic process and is subject to the successful completion of the various approval stages, which can impact on the timeline for delivery.
The HSE actively manages the capital programme in order to ensure it has flexibility to progress as many projects as possible within the available funding, particularly in the event of any project not progressing as anticipated.
397. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the number of protected disclosures made to his Department in relation to the NMBI in each of the years 2014 to 2018 and to date in 2019; the number ongoing; the year in which each protected disclosure was initially made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39736/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 16(1) of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 provides that a person who receives a protected disclosure in the course of their duties shall not disclose information that might identify the person making the protected disclosure. As Minister it is my duty to treat a disclosure as confidential and to protect the identity of the discloser where possible.
Under Section 22 of the Act, every public body shall prepare and publish not later than 30 June in each year a report in relation to the immediately preceding year in a form which does not enable the identification of the persons involved containing information relating to the matters in subsection 22(2) of the Act.
However, in an effort to address the Deputy's question, I can confirm that my Department received a total of four protected disclosures relating to the NMBI between 2014 and 2018, two of which are closed.
398. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the weighting percentages to be used as part of the upcoming HSE FreeStyle Libre Group review decision making process that will be given to criteria (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39740/19]
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.
399. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health if the reimbursement dataset will specifically cover only current HSE funded users of the FreeStyle Libre device; if not, if the Health Technology Assessment Group review will compare total blood glucose strip usage spend year on year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39741/19]
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.
400. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment to see a plastic surgeon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39743/19]
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.
401. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the person or body with whom responsibility for transport to hospital appointments rest in cases in which a person is a long-stay in a nursing home under the fair deal scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39746/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS), commonly referred to as A 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 NHSS covers the cost of the standard components of long-term residential care which are:
- Nursing and personal care appropriate to the level of care needs of the person;
- Bed and board;
- Basic aids and appliances necessary to assist a person with the activities of daily living; and
- Laundry service.
A person's eligibility for other schemes, such as the medical card scheme or the drugs payment scheme, is unaffected by participation in the NHSS or residence in a nursing home. Although the NHSS covers core living expenses, residents can still incur some costs in a nursing home, such as social programmes, newspapers, hairdressing or transport just as they would if they were being cared for at home. Transport to and from medical appointments is not covered under the Scheme.
As transport is not included in the agreed price with private nursing homes and as there is no statutory requirement for the HSE to provide transport, a nursing home resident or their representative is responsible for costs incurred in conveying the resident to hospital appointments. Where a private nursing home provides a transport service to residents, details of this service and associated costs should be included in the written agreement between the resident or their representative and the nursing home.
Whilst there is no statutory requirement for the HSE to provide transport, a limited service is available with priority given to persons receiving cancer treatment and dialysis. In exceptional circumstances the HSE can arrange for persons to attend critical clinical appointments if the family or the individual are unable to provide it independently. In such cases transport is arranged on the basis that it is shared between patients to ensure that the maximum number benefit. A referral to avail of this service must be made by the local public health nurse, registered general nurse or the person’s General Practitioner.
402. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the procedure for medical centres to choose the price for paid parking outside the centres; if the costs of healthcare facilities nationwide are bound to charge the same rates for parking on their grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39755/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand the HSE has recently responded to your previous question regarding parking costs at Primary Care Centres and has advised that there is no generalised national car parking cost.
Parking costs at privately operated medical centres is a matter for the owners of such facilities.
403. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health if a paid parking increase of double its original costs at a local health centre (details supplied) will be investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39756/19]
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.
404. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 449 of 28 May 2019, to which the HSE failed to respond, when a child (details supplied) in County Mayo can expect an appointment with early intervention services namely occupational therapy, psychology and speech and language therapy; the reason appointments for the child with these services has been delayed; if an appointment will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39762/19]
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.
