Cathal Crowe
Ceist:868. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if persons suffering from long Covid will be considered for priority vaccination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16352/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraVaccination Programme
Ceisteanna (868)
Freagraí scríofa
On the 23rd of February 2021, I announced an update to Ireland’s COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy.
In comprising the initial Vaccine Allocation Strategy, the NIAC listed several conditions associated with increased risk of severe disease and death. In the intervening period, national and international evidence has become available which has enabled a more detailed analysis of underlying conditions that may increase the risk of developing severe disease or death.
The NIAC has now been able to more comprehensively identify those medical conditions and to distinguish between those which place a person at very high or high risk of severe disease if they contract the virus. Medical conditions and the magnitude of the risk they pose will continue to be monitored and periodically reviewed.
The NIAC continues to monitor data around this disease and indeed emerging data on effectiveness of vaccines on a rolling basis. Further details are available at the following link:
https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/b44b2-minister-donnelly-announces-update-to-vaccine-allocation-strategy/
The next cohort to be vaccinated (Cohort 4) are those aged 16-69 and at very high risk of severe illness and death. Vaccination of this group began in March.
In relation to the categories of very high risk and high risk conditions, this list is not exhaustive. It may also include people who have been classed as at very high risk, based on clinical judgement and an assessment of need. It is recommended that the individuals concerned discuss this with their treating physician who is in the best position to give appropriate advice.
It is important to emphasise that vaccination is only one part of our response to the prevention of COVID-19 infection. People who are vaccinated need to continue with all the public health measures that have been proven to reduce the risk of infection, i.e., limiting our social contacts, physical distancing, wearing a mask, hand hygiene, cough etiquette and avoiding non-essential travel until a sufficiently large proportion of the population are immune.
Medicinal Products
Ceisteanna (869, 921)
Michael Moynihan
Ceist:869. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the status of the reimbursement process for the drug luxturna; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16353/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:921. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health his plans for the reimbursement of luxturna (details supplied); the progress made on this issue to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16572/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 869 and 921 together.
The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drugs schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
In line with the 2013 Health 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.
In making a relevant reimbursement decision, the HSE is required under the Act to have regard to a number of criteria including efficacy, the health needs of the public, cost effectiveness and potential or actual budget impact.
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 HSE has advised that on 23 September 2019 an application was received for the reimbursement of Voretigene neparvovec (Luxturna) for the treatment of adult and paediatric patients with vision loss due to inherited retinal dystrophy caused by confirmed biallelic RPE65 mutations and who have sufficient viable retinal cells.
On 29 October 2019, following the completion by the NCPE of a rapid review, the HSE commissioned a full pharmacoeconomic assessment with respect to this indication.
On 3 April 2020, the NCPE received the applicant’s submission for this assessment. On 18 September 2020, the NCPE completed its assessment and recommended that Voretigene neparvovec not be considered for reimbursement unless cost effectiveness could be improved relative to existing treatments.
The HSE engaged in commercial negotiations with the applicant company in November 2020.
The HSE Drugs Group is the national committee which the HSE has in place to make recommendations on the pricing and reimbursement of medicines. The membership of the HSE Drugs Group includes public interest members and clinicians.
The HSE Drugs Group considered Voretigene neparvovec at its February 2021 meeting, and requested Patient and Clinician Engagement input via the Rare Diseases Technology Review Committee (RDTRC) to assist the group in making its recommendation to the HSE Executive Management Team (EMT) regarding reimbursement of Voretigene neparvovec.
The HSE has advised that, on 23 March 2021, the RDTRC held a meeting to discuss Voretigene neparvovec at which input was provided by a surgeon with expertise in inherited retinal diseases (IRDs). Further input specific to the impact of IRDs was also provided by a patient-advocate member of the RDTRC.
The HSE has further advised that the RDTRC will meet again in early April in order to finalise a comprehensive response for issue to the HSE Drugs Group, and that the Drugs Group will review the output of the RDTRC as soon as possible, with a view to making a reimbursement recommendation.
The HSE EMT is the decision-making body for the reimbursement of medicines under the Health Act 2013 and it will, following receipt of the outcome of the HSE Drugs Group's deliberations, make the decision on whether Voretigene neparvovec will be reimbursed.
Covid-19 Tests
Ceisteanna (870)
Thomas Gould
Ceist:870. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the difference between a PCR test and a regular Covid-19 test. [16356/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has adopted and uses reverse transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) as the gold standard test for diagnosing Covid-19 cases, as part of the HSE test and trace strategy, consistent with international best practice, and approved by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET).
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) recommend that nucleic acid amplification tests, such as RT-PCR, should be used to detect suspected, active SARS-CoV-2 infection. The advice of the WHO and the ECDC is available on their websites. For example, in its Technical Report “Options for the use of rapid antigen tests for COVID-19 in the EU/EEA and the UK”, published on 19 November 2020, the ECDC confirmed that “To date, testing for SARS-CoV-2 infection mostly relies on reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) performed on a nasopharyngeal specimen. This testing method remains the gold standard for detecting SARS-CoV-2 and is characterised by both high sensitivity and specificity in detecting viral ribonucleic acid (RNA).”
In addition, the HSE has made available antigen detection tests (ADTs) for specific indications in the acute hospital setting and as part of the response to outbreaks in the community setting in symptomatic vulnerable populations and their close contacts, supported by appropriate clinical governance and operational arrangements. Considerable work has been undertaken to date to evaluate the use of ADTS in an Irish context and this will continue on an ongoing basis due to the role they can have to supplement the use of PCR as part of the national testing strategy. In particular, further setting-specific ADT validation work continues to be undertaken by the HSE. Antigen testing will not, however, replace the requirement for large scale PCR testing which remains the gold standard for community testing.
The HSE continues to monitor the evidence for all testing types in conjunction with other public bodies, such as the Health and Information Quality Authority (HIQA), and having regard to best international evidence and advice. On an ongoing basis, the National Public Health Emergency Team considers and reviews, based on public health risk assessments, how best to target testing to detect, and mitigate the impact of, the virus across the population. This includes keeping Ireland’s national testing policy under continuing review.
Maternity Services
Ceisteanna (871)
Brian Stanley
Ceist:871. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if the policy of not allowing partners of pregnant women attend scans will be reviewed given that staff are vaccinated. [16359/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Services Provision
Ceisteanna (872)
Ruairí Ó Murchú
Ceist:872. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health the expected date therapy services will be provided to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16365/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly.
Alcohol Pricing
Ceisteanna (873, 1084, 1117)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:873. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of the implementation of minimum unit pricing for alcohol; and the updated timeline for same. [16368/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Marian Harkin
Ceist:1084. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health the timeline for the introduction of minimum pricing of alcohol products as part of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17214/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Richard Bruton
Ceist:1117. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if there is an implementation plan for the legislation providing for a minimum price of alcohol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17291/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 873, 1084 and 1117 together.
The commencement of Minimum Unit Pricing is currently subject to a Government Decision which envisaged that it would be introduced in Northern Ireland and in the Republic simultaneously.
My Northern Ireland counterpart, Minister Robin Swann, recently stated that the measure will not be introduced in Northern Ireland before May 2022 and on that basis I am considering alternative approaches.
Medical Aids and Appliances
Ceisteanna (874)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:874. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a mobility scooter. [16379/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Primary Care Services
Ceisteanna (875)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:875. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if there is a delay with the release of funding to the Cherry Orchard primary care centre in order that it can provide much needed mobility scooters. [16380/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Vaccination Programme
Ceisteanna (876)
John Brady
Ceist:876. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health when the primary school vaccination programme of the 4:1 booster and MMR for children in junior infants will be recommencing in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16381/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
General Practitioner Services
Ceisteanna (877)
John Brady
Ceist:877. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health his plans to open a further general practitioner practice in an area (details supplied) given that the population is increasing and a large retirement home will be opening in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16382/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
GPs are self-employed private practitioners and therefore may establish practices at a place of their own choosing. Under the GMS scheme, the HSE contracts GPs to provide medical services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. Where a vacancy arises in a practice with a GMS contract, the HSE becomes actively involved in the selection process to find a replacement GP. There is currently no GMS GP vacancy in the locality concerned.
The Government, aware of the workforce issues currently facing general practice, has implemented a number of measures to improve recruitment and retention in general practice.
These measures include an increase in investment in general practice by approximately 40% (€210 million) between 2019 and 2023 under the terms of the 2019 GMS GP Agreement GP. The Agreement provides for increased support for GPs working in rural practices and for those in disadvantaged urban areas, and for improvements to maternity and paternity leave arrangements. In addition, the number of GPs entering training has been increased steadily over the past ten years, rising from 120 in 2009 to 214 in 2020, with a further increase foreseen in 2021. The ICGP noted a record number of applications for the 2021 GP training programme.
These measures will see an increase in the number of GPs working in the State, improving access to GP services for patients throughout the country.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (878)
Maurice Quinlivan
Ceist:878. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the waiting time for a calcium check appointment at University Hospital Limerick for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16383/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
It is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been impacted in the last year as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The HSE is currently recommending that only critical time dependent elective procedures are undertaken at this time due to the on-going and significant increased demand for bed capacity related to COVID-19.
This decision was made arising from the rapid increase in COVID-19 admissions and to ensure patient safety and that all appropriate resources were made available for COVID-19 related activity and time-critical essential work.
Patient safety remains at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling. To ensure services are provided in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, hospitals are following HSE clinical guidelines and protocols.
On 23 March the HSE published the “Safe Return to Health Services Plan”. This plan outlines a three phased approach for the proposed restoration of services across Community Services, Acute Hospital Operations, Cancer Services and Screening Services. It sets target times for their safe return and details the conditions and challenges that will have to be met.
Every phase of the plan has been informed by clinical guidance and putting patient and staff safety first.
Decisions in relation to the type and volume of activity will be made at site level based on local COVID-19 numbers, available capacity and guidance from national clinical leads.
The schedule outlined in the plan for resumption of services will be regularly monitored by the HSE and updated as appropriate, dependant on public health advice and healthcare capacity.
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.
Service Level Agreements
Ceisteanna (879)
David Cullinane
Ceist:879. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the service level agreements which the HSE is currently party to by organisation type, that is, private provider, section 39 organisation and so on; the annual cost of each agreement in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16391/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Vaccination Programme
Ceisteanna (880)
David Cullinane
Ceist:880. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the agreements made to deliver mass vaccination centres; the details of the cost, timeframe of agreement and options and conditions for extensions for each in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16392/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Covid-19 Tests
Ceisteanna (881)
James O'Connor
Ceist:881. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the status of the development the rapid antigen testing system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16394/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The HSE has deployed ADTs for use in specific indications in the acute hospital setting, and as part of the response to outbreaks in the community setting in symptomatic vulnerable populations and their close contacts, supported by appropriate clinical governance and operational arrangements. This includes updating the case definition for SARS-CoV-2 to accept notification of positive results from ADTs undertaken in the public health system and reporting of such cases to the COVID Care tracker and to the Computerised Infectious Disease Reporting (CIDR) information system developed to manage the surveillance and control of infectious diseases in Ireland.
Considerable work has been undertaken to date to evaluate the use of ADTS in an Irish context and this will continue on an ongoing basis due to the role they can have in the national testing strategy. In particular, further setting-specific ADT validation work continues to be undertaken by the HSE. Antigen testing will not, however, replace the requirement for large scale PCR testing which remains the gold standard for community testing.
I have also set up a group, chaired by the government’s chief scientific adviser, Professor Mark Ferguson, to examine the use of rapid tests in the community, and I will be considering the recommendations of this group.
On an ongoing basis, NPHET considers and reviews, based on public health risk assessments, how best to target testing to detect, and mitigate the impact of, the virus across the population. This includes keeping Ireland’s national testing policy under continuing review.
Vaccination Programme
Ceisteanna (882)
Peter Burke
Ceist:882. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter regarding the case of a person (details supplied) and the Covid-19 vaccine roll-out. [16397/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Drugs Payment Scheme
Ceisteanna (883)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:883. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will examine an issue (details supplied) regarding the drugs payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16398/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Vaccination Programme
Ceisteanna (884)
Seán Sherlock
Ceist:884. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the number of Covid-19 centres that have commenced mass vaccinations in tabular form; and the date they commenced. [16401/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Data
Ceisteanna (885)
Neale Richmond
Ceist:885. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the number of persons that were treated for knife-related injuries in Irish hospitals in each of the years 2015 to 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16413/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Vaccination Programme
Ceisteanna (886)
Peter Burke
Ceist:886. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a vaccine. [16421/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
On the 23rd of February 2021, I announced an update to Ireland’s COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy.
In comprising the initial Vaccine Allocation Strategy, the NIAC listed several conditions associated with increased risk of severe disease and death. In the intervening period, national and international evidence has become available which has enabled a more detailed analysis of underlying conditions that may increase the risk of developing severe disease or death.
The NIAC has now been able to more comprehensively identify those medical conditions and to distinguish between those which place a person at very high or high risk of severe disease if they contract the virus. Medical conditions and the magnitude of the risk they pose will continue to be monitored and periodically reviewed.
The NIAC continues to monitor data around this disease and indeed emerging data on effectiveness of vaccines on a rolling basis. Further details are available at the following link:
https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/b44b2-minister-donnelly-announces-update-to-vaccine-allocation-strategy/
The next cohort to be vaccinated (Cohort 4) are those aged 16-69 and at very high risk of severe illness and death. Vaccination of this group began in March.
It is important to emphasise that vaccination is only one part of our response to the prevention of COVID-19 infection. People who are vaccinated need to continue with all the public health measures that have been proven to reduce the risk of infection, i.e., limiting our social contacts, physical distancing, wearing a mask, hand hygiene, cough etiquette and avoiding non-essential travel until a sufficiently large proportion of the population are immune.