Written Answers Nos. 606-625
606. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm the amount of the €4 million funding in Budget 2023 requested by an organisation (details supplied) that was allocated to it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52910/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
607. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm the amount of the €941,000 funding in Budget 2023 requested by an organisation (details supplied) that was allocated to it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52911/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI fully appreciate the difficulties experienced by patients suffering from this painful condition. There is no doubt that Epidermolysis Bullosa places a substantial medical, social, and financial burden on patients and carers.
As this question relates to operational matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
608. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the digital solutions that he is exploring to target speech and language waiting lists both for adults and children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52916/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra609. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the digital solutions that he is exploring to target occupational therapy waiting lists both for adults and children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52917/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra610. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the digital solutions that he is exploring to target physiotherapy waiting lists both for adults and children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52918/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 608 to 610, inclusive, together.
As the Deputy's questions relate to operational matters, I am referring the questions to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
611. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the digital solutions that he is exploring to target CAMHS waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52919/22]
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.
612. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health the reason that entresto and medications to treat hyperemesis gravidarum have not yet been added to the drug reimbursement scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52931/22]
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. The 2013 Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act is a clear, robust, statutory framework under which all new medicinal products must be assessed by the HSE. The HSE is the statutory decision-maker for the reimbursement of such products, and the Act ensures that these decisions are made on an objective and scientific basis.
The HSE approved reimbursement of Entresto® (Sacubitril/Valsartan) in adult patients for treatment of symptomatic chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HF-rEF), under the Community Drug Schemes. The product was added to the formal Reimbursement List on 1st December 2017.
The HSE Medicines Management Programme (MMP) operates a Managed Access Protocol (MAP) for Entresto® via an online reimbursement application system. Clinicians are required to apply for reimbursement approval on an individual patient basis for Entresto®. This has been operational since 1st December 2017.
To be eligible for reimbursement of Entresto®, patients must meet the following criteria at the time of application:
- Left ventricular ejection fraction of 35%
- Symptomatic with NYHA functional class II to IV symptoms
- Receiving optimal medical therapy for heart failure (HF) including an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor or an angiotensin II receptor blocker (and other HF therapies including a beta-blocker and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist as necessary)
- Systolic blood pressure 100 mmHg
- Serum potassium 5.4 mmol/L
Further information on the HSE-MMP Managed Access Protocol for Entresto® is available at: www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/cspd/ncps/medicines-management/managed-access-protocols/sacubitril-and-valsartan-entresto/.
As part of Budget 2023, I announced €32.2 million in funding for Women’s Health Initiatives in 2023, to include dedicated funding for Cariban. The dedicated funding for Cariban will help women who experience hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe form of morning sickness, during pregnancy.
The HSE asked the Medicines Management Programme to examine the appropriateness and feasibility of a patient specific arrangement for the product. The HSE Medicines Management Programme assessment for Cariban has now been completed, and their recommendations will be followed in providing access to patients. Cariban will be funded from January 1st 2023.
613. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the status of the recruitment campaign to replace the outgoing CEO of the HSE; the process and timeframe for appointing a replacement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52933/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTimeline for recruitment of replacement Chief Executive, Health Service Executive as provided by the National Director of HR, HSE
|
Key Stage |
Estimated Delivery |
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Publication of Tender to OGP Search Framework |
w/e 22 July 2022 |
|
Advertisement |
Friday, 23 September 2022 (subject to Search RFT issuing as above) |
|
Closing date for applications |
Thursday, 13 October 2022 |
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Interview Board Briefing Meeting |
w/c 24 October 2022 |
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Shortlist applications & close of search process |
w/c 31 October 2022 |
|
Preliminary Interview |
w/c 14 November 2022 |
|
Final Interview |
w/c 5 December 2022 |
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Final Recommendation to the Board |
w/c 5 December 2022 |
614. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health the reason that day-care services in Loughrea are provided at the purpose-built facility on the St. Brendan's campus only one day each week with the service provided at a local hotel on other days; the progress that is being made to reinstate the service to the St. Brendan's campus on a full-time basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52943/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
615. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied). [52954/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the terms of the current GMS contract, GPs are required to provide eligible patients with ''all proper and necessary treatment of a kind usually undertaken by a general practitioner and not requiring special skill or experience of a degree or kind which general practitioners cannot reasonably be expected to possess." There is no provision under the GMS GP contract for persons who hold a medical card or GP visit card to be charged for medical services provided under the contract.
GPs are reimbursed by the HSE for medical services provided to medical card or GP visit card holders, while patients who do not hold a medical card or GP visit card access GP services on a private basis. I have no role in relation to the fees charged by individual GPs for services on a private basis as they are a matter of private contract between the clinician and their patient.
616. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if there are plans to address supports for diagnosed coeliac sufferers to purchase gluten free food; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52979/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra665. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health if his Department has considered subsidising gluten free products for persons with coeliac disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53298/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 616 and 665 together.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines and medical items, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
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 formal Reimbursement list. 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.
Gluten-free products were removed from the list of reimbursable items under the General Medical Services (GMS) scheme, with several other products, in September 2012. The marketplace has evolved whereby such products are widely available in supermarkets at a more reasonable price than was historically costed to the State when they were available in pharmacies through the statutory schemes, and without incurring the further extra costs of a dispensing fee. There are currently no plans to reinstate these products on the list of reimbursable items under the GMS and other community drug schemes.
However, possession of a medical card may assist with other medical services. In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE. Medical card eligibility is primarily based on an assessment of means and is not granted on the basis of any particular condition.
In certain circumstances the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds the income guidelines, where he or she faces difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from illness. Social and medical issues are also considered when determining whether undue hardship exists for an individual accessing general practitioner or other medical services.
Under the Drug Payment Scheme (DPS), no individual or family pays more than €80 a month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The DPS is not means tested and is available to anyone ordinarily resident in Ireland. The DPS significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals with ongoing expenditure on medicines.
A person can claim tax relief for certain food products if they have specific dietary requirements due to a medical condition. This applies to persons with coeliac disease where they require gluten free foods specifically manufactured to be gluten free. Details of this scheme are available at www.revenue.ie/en/personal-tax-credits-reliefs-and-exemptions/health-and-age/health-expenses/additional-diet-expenses-for-coeliacs-and-diabetics.aspx.
617. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the number of bedrooms and bathrooms in Cois Abhainn Residential Centre, Youghal, County Cork; the dimensions of the bedrooms; the dimensions of the building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52982/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
618. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the amount that has been invested in maintenance, upgrades and any building works at Cois Abhainn Residential Centre, Youghal, in each of the years 2012 and 2021 and to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52983/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the public healthcare property estate, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you in relation to this matter.
619. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons currently residing in Cois Abhainn Residential Centre, Youghal; the number who are in single-occupancy rooms; the number who are in shared rooms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52984/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
620. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health if it is intended that the National Gender Service Ireland will expand its service to treat Irish children and young persons who have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria in Ireland, given that a British healthcare setting (details supplied), which takes referrals from Irish children and young persons who have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria, is to change to a regional service and will no longer be taking these referrals; if so, the timeframe for this to become operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52989/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government commits to create and implement a general health policy for transgender people, based on a best practice model for care, and to deliver a framework for the development of national gender clinics and MDTs for children and adults. A steering committee produced a report on the development of HSE transgender identity services in 2020. The committee included representatives of all stakeholders, including advocacy representatives, and was chaired by Dr Siobhan Ni Bhriain on behalf of the chief clinical officer.
The report acknowledged the additional funding made available to develop services in recent years. It advised on the development of seamless interfaces between agencies providing gender services. The committee agreed a job description for a consultant psychiatrist in child and adolescent psychiatry in CHO 7 and CHI to develop the service for those aged under 18 (and to replace the current system of psychological support provided by the Tavistock Clinic). The consultant psychiatrist would develop and lead a MDT to support the delivery of gender identity services. Subsequently, this position was advertised twice but has not yet been filled.
In the interim, the Tavistock Clinic provides psychological assessments for Irish children seeking gender identity services, under the Treatment Abroad Scheme. The TAS enables a public healthcare consultant to refer a patient to the public health service in the EU, UK or Switzerland for treatment not available in Ireland. Once the criteria are met, the HSE is obliged to fund the care.
A NHS-commissioned review of the Tavistock clinic has recommended closure and a move to a local/regional approach to service provision, in line with other paediatric services. The HSE is reviewing the NHS report and assessing the potential impact for existing pathways of care and service delivery. The HSE national clinical advisory and group lead for mental health meets regularly with Tavistock Clinic to discuss waiting list issues. The HSE have also been engaging with Professor Cass in relation to the Interim Cass Report. The HSE has not received any complaints about the services provided by the clinic. The HSE is actively seeking services in other countries to replace the Tavistock Clinic.
The Department received a report on the Cass report from the Office of the National Clinical Director and Lead for Integrated Care in the HSE, which is currently being considered.
Minister Donnelly and Minister Butler recently held a constructive meeting with a number of clinicians from the National Gender Service. They intend to meet with the HSE and other stakeholders to hear their views and proposals.
Minister Donnelly, Minister Butler and I are committed to working with the HSE to provide a gender identify service that meets the health needs of children and young people.
621. 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. [52997/22]
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.
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.
622. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the staff turnover rate in the HSE for 2019, 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022, by grade and by hospital group and CHO in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53009/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
623. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 820 of 18 October 2022, if he will outline the way that he concluded that the terminology used represents the most commonly understood; if he will outline the empirical analysis or study that was undertaken to reach this conclusion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53012/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSafe Access Zones Legislation has been prioritised in the Government’s Autumn Legislative Programme, and officials in my Department are engaging intensively with the Office of the Attorney General and relevant stakeholders to progress this legislation as expeditiously as possible.
Various terminology has been used interchangeably in respect of the concept of safe access zones. The terminology adopted for this legislation represents the most commonly understood.
‘Safe Access Zones’ is the term used in the neighbouring jurisdictions of Scotland and Northern Ireland when referring to similar purpose legislation, (or proposed legislation). It has also been used to refer to analogous legislation in parts of Australia.
Moreover, the term “safe access zones” most accurately captures the purpose and intent of this legislation, which is to ensure that anyone needing a termination of pregnancy can access services in safety, and with privacy and dignity.
The draft legislation defines safe access zones and associated prohibited conduct and these aspects of the legislation outline the meaning and purpose of same.
624. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the work of his Department regarding the provision of community-based vasectomy services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53013/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe development of a standard contract for the provision of vasectomy services is a component of the HSE streamlining and coordination agenda in line with the 2019 Agreement between the Department of Health, the HSE, and the IMO on Contractual Reform and Service Development. Pending the development of the standard contract, as an interim measure local health areas can utilise the HSE’s National Service Arrangement documentation with schedules particularised to the service in question, thereby bringing to bear some degree of standardisation in approach and moving in a meaningful way towards compliance with HSE’s governance framework for service arrangements with external service providers.
625. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the average length of time that it took to fill a consultant vacancy in each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022, from the initial application for the post by a hospital to the role being offered to the successful candidate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53015/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
