Written Answers Nos. 380-399
380. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health if he will direct the hospital management and medical team to communicate with the family of a person (details supplied) regarding a treatment plan following a recent procedure; the timeframe for same; the position regarding the recently contracted condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46507/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter the question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
381. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if a new motorised wheelchair will be considered for a person (details supplied). [46508/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
382. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the status of a position in occupational therapy in Mallow, County Cork. [46509/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
383. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if gender reassignment treatment is covered under the treatment abroad scheme due to long waiting lists here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46516/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
384. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to problems in procuring Epanutin 50 mg Infatabs for patients prescribed same (details supplied); his plans to rectify the situation in order to minimise harm to patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46518/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Marketing Authorisation Holder for Epanutin 50mg Infatabs confirmed a shortage of Epanutin Infatabs 50mg, commencing 4th November 2019. This shortage is not confined to the Irish market. The company is changing its manufacturing site and this has resulted in the shortage. The company is taking all possible steps to ensure that normal supply resumes as soon as possible. However, in order to mitigate any impact of the shortage to patients, the company is supplying the product it places on the Australian market under a different brand name - Dilantin Infatabs 50mg. This product contains the same active ingredient, phenytoin, and is owned by the same company.
On the 9th of October healthcare professionals were alerted in advance of the shortage, advising that pharmacy staff and patients should be made aware of the issue and that the replacement product that would be made available. Patients or their carers who have any concerns in relation to the temporary alternative product are advised to speak with their pharmacist or other healthcare professional involved in their epilepsy care.
Unfortunately, medicine shortages are a feature of modern health systems worldwide, but Ireland has a multi-stakeholder system in place to prevent and manage shortages when they occur.
The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) has worked with other stakeholders, including the pharmaceutical industry and the HSE, to develop an effective approach to the management of medicine shortages in Ireland. In 2018, the HPRA launched the “Medicine Shortages Framework”, which is built on a pragmatic and collaborative approach involving the wide range of stakeholders within the medicine supply chain. The HPRA coordinates all stakeholders to share information in order to prevent or mitigate the impact of medicine shortages when they occur.
385. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will be reimbursed the funds used to pay privately for an assessment of the person's child in view of the fact that CAMHS refused to perform one. [46534/19]
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.
386. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that more than 100 patient referrals to the national gender service at St. Columcille’s Hospital, Loughlinstown, have been misplaced; his plans to ensure resources are put in place to resolve the issue; his further plans to ensure redress is provided to those affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46535/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraLast week Ireland East Hospital Group notified officials of my Department of an incident whereby over 100 patients of the National Gender Service at St. Columcille’s Hospital, Loughlinstown who should have been given an appointment for their initial visit, had not as yet received an appointment date.
This is a serious incident which has resulted in regrettable delays for patients waiting for their initial appointment to the Service. However, I have been advised that the National Gender Service at St. Columcille’s Hospital has conducted a full review of their service and put a plan of corrective action in place. All of the patients concerned have been contacted to advise them of the incident and to assure them that they have been reinstated correctly onto the waiting list.
The Service has also arranged for each person affected to be assigned a case manager over the coming weeks.
Furthermore, the Service will also be arranging extra clinics in order to minimise any increase in waiting times.
Finally, I wish to assure the Deputy that officials of my Department will continue to keep this matter under review through the regular governance meetings which are held with the HSE.
387. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a matter will be addressed regarding the retirement age of mental health nurses (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46547/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2004 was passed on 25 March 2004. The Act introduces new superannuation and retirement provisions for new entrants to the public service appointed on or after 1 April 2004.
New entrants recruited or employed after 1 April 2004 (and up to 31 December 2012) have no compulsory retirement age and generally can retire from age 65. However, where an individual had a written offer of appointment as a public servant before April 2004 and took up that offer after 1 April 2004, they were not regarded as a new entrant.
Public servants recruited since 1 January 2013 have a compulsory retirement age of 70 years and can generally retire from age 66 initially and then in line with increases in the Contributory State Pension age.
There are no plans to change the above legislation.
388. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the additional services the HSE will provide in Rathkeale, County Limerick, over the Christmas and new year period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46560/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
389. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) cannot obtain approval for a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46561/19]
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 Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Health when the report on the fair deal scheme for nursing homes will be published. [46592/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 Report of the NHSS Review published in 2015 identified a number of issues for more detailed consideration, including a review of the pricing mechanism used by the NTPF, with a view to:
- Ensuring value for money and economy, with the lowest possible administrative costs for clients and the State and administrative burden for providers;
- Increasing the transparency of the pricing mechanism so that existing and potential investors can make as informed decisions as possible; and
- Ensuring that there is adequate residential capacity for those residents with more complex needs.
A Steering Group was established to oversee and manage the pricing review. The Steering Group is chaired by the NTPF and includes representatives from the Department of Health and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. As part of its work on the review the NTPF sought various inputs including external expertise and stakeholder engagement to inform the review. These inputs were considered in detail. It is recognised that any change to any part of the Scheme must be considered in terms of the short- and long-term impact on the viability of the Scheme and accessibility of long-term residential care in general. It is therefore important that the relevant issues are considered thoroughly.
The NTPF has now completed its report and the Steering Group has completed its consideration of it, the report has been submitted by the NTPF to the Department. It is now being reviewed by this Department and any recommendations included in the report will be appraised before publication.
391. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will be given a date to attend the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital. [46600/19]
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.
392. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the role his Department is playing in the winter ready campaign; the expenditure his Department will incur in this campaign; and the details of expenditure on external consultancy and advertising or communication. [46631/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraOver the past nine years, the ‘Be Winter-Ready’ campaign has raised awareness about the particular challenges that winter can present. This is now an established and important annual event impacting across the whole public service.
The campaign highlights the ‘Whole of Government’ approach being taken to winter preparations. This sort of approach was seen during recent storms which posed challenges for communities, businesses, Government Departments and Agencies. Importantly, the ‘Be Winter-Ready’ campaign informs the public of what is being done in relation to winter preparations and where they can source valuable information that can assist them through a difficult period. This year's campaign highlights the Met Eireann colour coded weather warning system.
In 2017, the focus of the campaign was upon the provision of advice to older people during the winter period (a collaboration between the Department of Health, the HSE and the OEP) - particularly with regard to flu vaccination - the leaflet for which remains available on the www.winterready.ie website.
No costs have been incurred by the Department in relation to this year's campaign.
393. 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. [46642/19]
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.
394. 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. [46643/19]
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.
395. 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. [46646/19]
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.
396. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an assessment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46647/19]
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.
397. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment in University Hospital Kerry for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46649/19]
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.
398. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a procedure to be carried out for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46652/19]
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.
399. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health if the provision of home help support will be extended for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46653/19]
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.
