Tuesday, 8 Sep 2020

Written Answers Nos. 1209-1226

Health Services

Ceisteanna (1209)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

1209. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health his plans to standardise referral pathways nationwide using existing IT infrastructure such as Healthlink to aid improved communication between the community and hospital services for heart failure; his views on whether heart failure virtual consultations between general practitioners and cardiologists are particularly useful in rural areas or areas geographically removed from heart failure units or those with multimorbidity; his plans to develop the services to deliver more effective and cost-effective care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21591/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The provision of digital solutions to aid communication and consultations can be of benefit in many health settings and in numerous locations, including rural settings. When deployed to support clinical requirements, it can result in improved patient experiences and medical outcomes.

There is an ongoing programme of work by the Health Service Executive to implement and upgrade ICT infrastructure in multiple geographical locations and in multiple health settings. As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Question No. 1210 answered with Question No. 1208.

Question No. 1211 answered with Question No. 1079.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (1212)

Maurice Quinlivan

Ceist:

1212. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has been waiting a prolonged time for a procedure; the further amount of time they will be waiting for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21594/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to pause most elective scheduled care activity with effect from the end March 2020. This was to ensure patient safety and that all appropriate resources were made available for Covid-19 related activity and time-critical essential work. This decision was in line with the advice issued by National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) and in accordance with World Health Organisation guidelines, and the National Action Plan.

To ensure services are re-introduced in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, the HSE launched its Strategic Framework for ‘Service Continuity in a Covid Environment’ on 24 June. Its implementation will ensure service resumption is done in an integrated way. This will involve a phased approach to ensure community services are strengthened. The Framework will also consolidate new ways of working and build on international knowledge. Further detail regarding the phases of service resumption are contained in the HSE’s ‘A Safe Return to Health Services’ document, published on their website on 22 July.

Under 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 is a standardised approach used by the HSE to manage scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures. It sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists and was developed in 2014 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.

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Commencement of Legislation

Ceisteanna (1213)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

1213. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans regarding the Patient Safety (Notifiable Patient Safety Incidents) Bill 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21595/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The Patient Safety (Notifiable Patient Safety Incidents) Bill 2019 provides the legislative framework for a number of important patient safety issues, including the mandatory open disclosure of a list of notifiable patient safety incidents and the notification of same externally to the Health Information and Quality Authority, Chief Inspector of Social Services and the Mental Health Commission, as appropriate, to contribute to national learning and system-wide improvements. This mandatory requirement for open disclosure will ensure that patients and their families receive appropriate timely information in relation to an incident that may have occurred in relation to their care.

The Patient Safety (Notifiable Patient Safety Incidents) Bill 2019 will also bring the private hospitals within the remit of the Health Act 2007. The relevant provisions extend the remit of the Health Information and Quality Authority, allowing it to set standards for the operation of private hospitals, to monitor compliance with them and to undertake inspections and investigations as required. The Bill also contains provisions to support clinical audit within the health service.

The Bill was introduced into Dáil Éireann on the 12 December 2019 and passed Second Stage in the Dáil and is due to go to Dáil Committee Stage. The Bill is a Programme for Government commitment. The Patient Safety (Notifiable Patient Safety Incidents) Bill 2019 was restored to the Dáil Order paper on 28 July 2020. Following Dáil Committee stage, the Bill will be progressed to Dáil Report Stage and will then go through all Stages in the Seanad.

The Patient Safety (Notifiable Patient Safety Incidents) Bill 2019 is also part of the broader programme of legislative and policy initiatives to improve the ability of the health service to anticipate, identify, respond to patient safety issues and improve the quality and safety of health services for patients. Creating a culture of open disclosure and learning from the things that go wrong is the bedrock of making services safer.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (1214)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

1214. 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. [21600/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to pause most elective scheduled care activity with effect from the end March 2020. This was to ensure patient safety and that all appropriate resources were made available for Covid-19 related activity and time-critical essential work. This decision was in line with the advice issued by National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) and in accordance with World Health Organisation guidelines, and the National Action Plan.

To ensure services are re-introduced in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, the HSE launched its Strategic Framework for ‘Service Continuity in a Covid Environment’ on 24 June. Its implementation will ensure service resumption is done in an integrated way. This will involve a phased approach to ensure community services are strengthened. The Framework will also consolidate new ways of working and build on international knowledge. Further detail regarding the phases of service resumption are contained in the HSE’s ‘A Safe Return to Health Services’ document, published on their website on 22 July.

Under 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 is a standardised approach used by the HSE to manage scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures. It sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists and was developed in 2014 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.

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (1215)

Maurice Quinlivan

Ceist:

1215. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has been waiting for a procedure; when they can expect to receive same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21609/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to pause most elective scheduled care activity with effect from the end March 2020. This was to ensure patient safety and that all appropriate resources were made available for Covid-19 related activity and time-critical essential work. This decision was in line with the advice issued by National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) and in accordance with World Health Organisation guidelines, and the National Action Plan.

To ensure services are re-introduced in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, the HSE launched its Strategic Framework for ‘Service Continuity in a Covid Environment’ on 24 June. Its implementation will ensure service resumption is done in an integrated way. This will involve a phased approach to ensure community services are strengthened. The Framework will also consolidate new ways of working and build on international knowledge. Further detail regarding the phases of service resumption are contained in the HSE’s ‘A Safe Return to Health Services’ document, published on their website on 22 July.

Under 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 is a standardised approach used by the HSE to manage scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures. It sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists and was developed in 2014 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.

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible

Medical Aids and Appliances

Ceisteanna (1216)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

1216. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of a matter concerning a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21611/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (1217)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

1217. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21613/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to pause most elective scheduled care activity with effect from the end March 2020. This was to ensure patient safety and that all appropriate resources were made available for Covid-19 related activity and time-critical essential work. This decision was in line with the advice issued by National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) and in accordance with World Health Organisation guidelines, and the National Action Plan.

To ensure services are re-introduced in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, the HSE launched its Strategic Framework for ‘Service Continuity in a Covid Environment’ on 24 June. Its implementation will ensure service resumption is done in an integrated way. This will involve a phased approach to ensure community services are strengthened. The Framework will also consolidate new ways of working and build on international knowledge. Further detail regarding the phases of service resumption are contained in the HSE’s ‘A Safe Return to Health Services’ document, published on their website on 22 July.

Under 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 is a standardised approach used by the HSE to manage scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures. It sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists and was developed in 2014 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.

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Disabilities Assessments

Ceisteanna (1218)

Mark Ward

Ceist:

1218. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) was on a waiting list for early intervention and did not receive treatment; and if he will arrange for an assessment of needs and the appropriate treatment. [21621/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, recognises the need to improve services for both children and adults with disabilities through better implementation and by working together across Government in a better way.

The Government commits to prioritising early diagnosis and access to services for children and ensuring that the most effective interventions are provided for each child, to guarantee the best outcomes.

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (1219)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

1219. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21624/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Primary Medical Certificates

Ceisteanna (1220)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

1220. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if an inspection will be arranged in relation to a primary medical certificate application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21626/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, recognises the need to improve services for both children and adults with disabilities through better implementation and by working together across Government in a better way.

The Government commits to prioritising early diagnosis and access to services for children and ensuring that the most effective interventions are provided for each child, to guarantee the best outcomes.

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Medical Cards

Ceisteanna (1221)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

1221. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the medical card threshold for persons over 70 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21638/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The Health (General Practitioner Service and Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Bill 2020 was enacted on 2nd August 2020. This Act provides, amongst other things, for the necessary legislative amendments to the Health Act 1970 (as amended) to increase the weekly gross medical card income limits for those aged 70 and over to €550 per week for a single person (currently €500 per week) and to €1050 for a couple (currently €900 per week). The Government is finalising decisions on the associated funding for this measure and the implementation date for the commencement of this provision.

Hospital Services

Ceisteanna (1222)

John McGuinness

Ceist:

1222. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the timeline for the return of community hospital services at a hospital (details supplied); the funding allocated to the hospital for the purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21639/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

Ceisteanna (1223)

Mark Ward

Ceist:

1223. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1327 of 30 July 2020, his views on the fact that almost 800 children are waiting over six months for a mental health appointment with CAMHS with particular emphasis on CHO4; the way in which waiting times will be reduced; and when waiting times for same will be reduced. [21644/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Medical Cards

Ceisteanna (1224)

Paul Murphy

Ceist:

1224. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if melatonin will be added to the list of medicines covered by the medical card. [21645/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (1225)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

1225. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be called for surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21646/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to pause most elective scheduled care activity with effect from the end March 2020. This was to ensure patient safety and that all appropriate resources were made available for Covid-19 related activity and time-critical essential work. This decision was in line with the advice issued by National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) and in accordance with World Health Organisation guidelines, and the National Action Plan.

To ensure services are re-introduced in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, the HSE launched its Strategic Framework for ‘Service Continuity in a Covid Environment’ on 24 June. Its implementation will ensure service resumption is done in an integrated way. This will involve a phased approach to ensure community services are strengthened. The Framework will also consolidate new ways of working and build on international knowledge. Further detail regarding the phases of service resumption are contained in the HSE’s ‘A Safe Return to Health Services’ document, published on their website on 22 July.

Under 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 is a standardised approach used by the HSE to manage scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures. It sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists and was developed in 2014 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.

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Medicinal Products

Ceisteanna (1226)

Patrick Costello

Ceist:

1226. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health when publicly funded adjuvant immunotherapy specifically Nivolumab and Pembrolizumab will be available under the public healthcare system as laid out in the National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026. [21648/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The 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.

In line with the 2013 Act and the national framework agreed with industry, a company must submit an application to the HSE to have a new medicine added to the reimbursement list.

Reimbursement is for licensed indications which have been granted market authorisation by the European Medicines Agency or the Health Products Regulatory Authority.

HSE decisions on which medicines are reimbursed by the taxpayer are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds, on the advice of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE).

The NCPE conducts health technology assessments (HTAs) for the HSE and makes recommendations on reimbursement to assist HSE decisions. The NCPE uses a decision framework to systematically assess whether a drug is cost-effective as a health intervention.

The HSE at all times ensures that the systems that it has in place are designed to provide equitable access to all medicines across all therapeutic areas, cancer and non-cancer, from the resources provided to it.

I am advised by the HSE that it has received pricing and reimbursement applications for the indications listed below:

- Nivolumab (Opdivo®) as monotherapy is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adults with melanoma with involvement of lymph nodes or metastatic disease who have undergone complete resection.

- Pembrolizumab (Keytruda®) as monotherapy is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adults with Stage III melanoma and lymph node involvement who have undergone complete resection.

The HSE has confirmed that health technology assessments have been completed by the NCPE for both these indications. These applications for reimbursement are now being assessed by the HSE in line with the 2013 Health Act.