Tuesday, 5 Apr 2022

Health Service Executive

Ceisteanna (864)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

864. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18216/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

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.

Nursing Homes

Ceisteanna (865)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

865. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when arrears for nursing home care from 31 January to 29 March will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18221/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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

General Register Office

Ceisteanna (866)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

866. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a registration of birth will be complete in the case of a person (details supplied) whose parents have made a number of attempts to do same with no success; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18222/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

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.

Mental Health Services

Ceisteanna (867)

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

867. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a serious incident that occurred on the evening of 29 March 2022, when a person under psychiatric care residing in a HSE managed facility (details supplied), tried to force their way into the home of a terrified widow in their 80’s living on their own; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that the widow’s family have reported this person to HSE management on a number of occasions over the past several months for trespassing on the family property; the reason that no steps have been taken by HSE management to address these incidents and protect the vulnerable older person in question; the supervision that is in place for such persons in receipt of psychiatric care in such facilities; the specific steps that will now be taken to protect the HSE resident and the vulnerable older person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18225/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

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.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ceisteanna (868)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

868. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to reports that sotrovimab is less effective against the BA.2 subvariant of Covid-19; the engagements he has had with the European Medicines Agency and the manufacturer regarding this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18231/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The Department of Health continues to monitor the evidence relating to prevention and treatment options for COVID-19, as it has done throughout the pandemic, in order to protect and optimise outcomes for the Irish population, particularly those at high risk of severe disease. As part of this process, there is regular communication with relevant agencies including, but not limited to, the European Medicines Agency, the Health Products Regulatory Authority, and drug manufacturers, in addition to an ongoing review of the evidence-base supporting current and potential therapeutics.

Sotrovimab has demonstrated strong results in reducing the risk of hospitalisation and death in people with mild to moderate COVID-19 infection who are at high risk of developing severe disease, and in Ireland this medication has provided protection to such individuals since January of this year.

The Department is closely monitoring emerging data in relation to Sotrovimab efficacy against all variants, including the BA.2 subvariant, and both in vitro and in vivo efficacy data, as well as any potential changes, including dosing changes, that may be advised.

The recent publication of the WHO's third strategic preparedness, readiness and response plan, available at www.who.int/publications/m/item/strategic-preparedness-readiness-and-response-plan-to-end-the-global-covid-19-emergency-in-2022 highlights the expected continued evolution of the virus and the likelihood of new variants, to which we must be able to rapidly respond to ensure that the most vulnerable are protected.

All individuals are strongly encouraged to attend for vaccination, including those that are eligible for a fourth booster dose.

Ceisteanna (875)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

875. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if patient records were retained for persons that died in St. Brendan’s Hospital, Dublin; and if so, the current storage location of these records. [18292/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

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.

Question No. 876 answered with Question No. 825.

Medicinal Products

Ceisteanna (877)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

877. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans to improve access to and the affordability of oestrogel; if supplies will be secured; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18311/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Unfortunately, medicine shortages have become increasingly prevalent worldwide over the past decade and are a feature of modern health systems around the world. There are many reasons for such shortages including shortages of raw materials, manufacturing difficulties, logistical/transport issues or product recalls due to potential quality defects.

Medicines shortages can therefore originate at any point in the supply chain and can involve and impact on many different stakeholders. Accordingly, medicines shortages require a multi-faceted, multi-stakeholder response to ensure patient safety, continuity of care and protection of public health. Ireland has a multi-stakeholder medicines shortages framework in place, coordinated by the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), to prevent, wherever possible, and manage medicine shortages when they occur.

The HPRA is aware of the current challenges regarding the intermittent supply of some hormone replacement therapies (HRT). The HPRA has had regular and ongoing engagement with suppliers in this regard. The companies that place the products on the market have indicated that the current supply difficulties are due to a significantly increased demand for these medicines in Ireland in recent years. To illustrate, the supply of one range of HRT patches has increased by between 77% and 117%, for the three most-used strengths, compared to 2020. In addition, based on demand in recent months, the company expects a similar increase in the demand for all strengths during 2022. This would mean that the usage of this patch in Ireland would be approximately 4.5-7.5 times higher in 2022 (depending on the strength) compared to 2019.

Regarding the HRT patches, the suppliers have confirmed that they have increased the planned supply of HRT patches to Ireland during 2022 in response to this increased demand. In the case of one brand (Evorel/Evorel Conti), the supply of HRT patches has resumed. For another brand (Estradot), some strengths are available currently and, based on manufacturing availability, the re-supply of the full range is expected to be in July. With respect to the gels, Divigel was received by the wholesaler on 25th March and has been released for sale this week. An alternative gel product (Oestrogel) has recently gone short and is expected to resume supply in April. In the interim, the company is working to find solutions to the immediate supply issues.

The current supply situation has arisen due to significant increases in demand for HRT medicines and is not linked to regulatory matters. However, the HPRA continues to review available options within our regulatory remit to facilitate increased supply where at all possible. In particular, the HPRA has advised the companies that we are open to providing accelerated regulatory approval to supply a product originally intended for other markets if available. We are awaiting further information from the companies in this regard.

The HPRA publishes a medicinal product shortages list on its website, with the reason for the shortage, the expected dates for the return of supply and in some cases, such as HRT shortages, the HSE’s clinical guidance on the management of patient treatment in response to medicine shortages. The information is made available to assist healthcare professionals in managing medicine shortages when they do arise and reduce their impact on patients. The information relating to shortages on the HPRA website is dynamic and changes depending on the current information the HPRA has to hand, including removal from the list when a shortage has been resolved.

The HPRA will continue to liaise with suppliers of HRT medicines over the coming weeks with a view to securing updates and commitments regarding the restoration of normal supplies for patients as soon as possible.

With regards to affordability, at present GPs provide consultations without charge to women who have a medical card or GP visit card. Approved prescribed drugs and medicines (including approved HRT), are available free to medical card holders, subject to the statutory prescription charge.

Medical Cards

Ceisteanna (878)

James Browne

Ceist:

878. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the status of a medical card application by a person (details supplied);; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18317/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

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.

Disability Services

Ceisteanna (879)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

879. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the way in which successive Ministers in his Department have complied with the requirements of sections 31 and 32 of the Disability Act 2005 in each of the past five years; and the way in which they have complied with section 31(2) of the Act. [18332/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

To meet its obligations under the Disability Act, the Department of Health issued its initial sectoral plan in 2006, and a revised follow-up one year later, followed by a three year review in 2009.

On foot of legal advice received by Department of Justice, coordinated action on disability has since been pursued via the National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS) and its predecessor plans rather than through the statutory route. The Sectoral Plan provisions of the Disability Act are restated in the transfer of functions legislation with provision for Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to prepare a sectoral plan.

People with disabilities and their representatives, including Disabled Persons Organisations as defined in the UNCRPD, are consulted regularly through a variety of standing mechanisms, such as the Department of Health Consultative Committee, the HSE’s Disability Consultative Fora and the Disability Stakeholders. Departmental Consultative Committees and the monitoring and collaborative role of the Disability Stakeholder Group are now embedded into the architecture of the NDIS across a range of departments, but originate in the sectoral plan requirements of the Disability Act. There are also standalone consultation events such as the Department of Justice consultation conducted prior to the adoption of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy. The Department of Health also recently conducted a public consultation to inform the Disability Action Plan 2022-2025.

Medical Cards

Ceisteanna (880)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

880. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the consultative structures that exist within the HSE or his Department in relation to policy on medical cards and operation of the scheme; if recipients or representative groups of recipients or other stakeholders are routinely consulted on the operation of the medical card and general practitioner visit card schemes; the way in which this is carried out; the frequency with which this is carried out; the plans there are to establish dedicated consultation structures with relevant stakeholders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18333/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a Medical Card/General Practitioner Visit Card is determined by the Health Service Executive (HSE). Regarding the operation of this Scheme, I wish to assure the Deputy that officials in my Department engage with relevant stakeholders and representatives as part of its continued effort to provide for an effective and efficient scheme in accordance with the legislative framework provided for under the Act.

As this question also requests relevant information relating to the medical and GP Visit Card Scheme operated by the HSE, it has also been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Medical Cards

Ceisteanna (881)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

881. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the circumstances under which a general practitioner may and may not charge respectively, a medical card holder who requests a letter to be written on their behalf for a health reason; the information or guidance that is available to medical card holders on the definition of appropriate charging in this respect; and the system that is in place to protect medical card holders against inappropriate charging. [18334/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The HSE reimburses GPs for services provided under the GMS contract to medical and GP visit card holders. Under the terms of the GMS contract, a medical certificate may be furnished to a person the medical practitioner has examined in relation to any illness noticed during the examination which is reasonably required.

Section 11 of the GMS contract stipulates that fees in respect of certain medical certificates which may be required, for example, "under the Social Welfare Acts or for the purposes of insurance or assurance policies or for the issue of driving licences" are not covered by the contract. Any fees charged by GPs for services provided outside the terms of the GMS contract are a matter of private contract between the GP and their patient.

Section 10.8.4 of the Under 6 contract stipulates that in providing the services, the Medical Practitioner shall furnish in relation to child patients whom he/she has examined and for whom he/she is providing services, a certificate in relation to any illness noticed during the examination which is reasonably required by the child patient’s parent(s)/guardian(s). Certain other certificates, such as insurance or assurance policies, school attendance notes/certificates are not covered by this contract. The scope of services under this contract does not include all services provided by General Practitioners. The following non-exhaustive list is indicative of some of the work which is not covered by the contract: passport / identity reports / letters, crèche reports, utilities reports / letters, insurance medicals / reports, school attendance notes / certificates, sports medicals / reports, medico-legal reports, drug kardexes for state or private institutions, certificates / letters in support of applications for services under the Social Welfare Acts, certain TUSLA related work such as pre-placement medical examinations / reports, fostering and adoption reports.

If a patient who holds a medical card or GP visit card believes he or she has been incorrectly charged for services by his or her GP, then that patient should report the matter to their HSE Local Health Office. The local management, upon being notified of potential inappropriate charging of GMS patients, carry out an investigation into each complaint and will, where appropriate, arrange for a refund of charges incorrectly applied by the GP.

Health Services

Ceisteanna (882)

Marc MacSharry

Ceist:

882. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health if he will publish details of the business case for the redesign of the logo of the CHO1 area of the HSE; the reason this was deemed necessary; the company that was retained to carry out this work; the amount it was paid specifically for this work; his views on whether expenditure on such items can be justified given the immense challenges facing the health service at this time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18336/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As the question relates to an operational matter, I am forwarding the PQ to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.

Health Services

Ceisteanna (883)

Peter Burke

Ceist:

883. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the regulation requirements of private care contractors contracted by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18342/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

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.