Written Answers Nos. 109-118
109. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Health the status of the 2021 application to HSE to have the NovoPen 6 and the NovoPen Echo Plus smart insulin pens included for reimbursement on the long-term illness scheme; and the reason that this particular application still has not concluded over 12 months after the application was submitted. [55670/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medical devices in the community drug schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
The HSE’s Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS) has responsibility for the administration of and reimbursement under the community drug schemes. The PCRS advise that consumable products classified as non-drug (medical devices), including for personal diagnostic, monitoring and delivery devices for diabetes, can be reimbursed. The reimbursement guidelines for these can be found at:
www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/cpu/non-drug-reimbursement-applications/.
Given that NovoPen 6 and NovoPen Echo Plus smart pens are pieces of equipment which last between 4-5 years, they are not reimbursable under the community drug schemes, including the Long Tern Illness Scheme. PCRS deal with consumable products that are dispensed on a monthly basis and do not reimburse equipment.
Therefore, the pricing and reimbursement application submitted to the PCRS in 2021, by the Marketing Authorisation Holder for NovoPen 6 and the NovoPen Echo Plus smart insulin pens, does not fall under the non-drug reimbursement application process. The Marketing Authorisation Holder was informed in early September 2022 that the product did not satisfy the criteria for reimbursement of non-drug items under community drug schemes.
110. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Health if the HSE plans to include the omnipod tubeless, wireless insulin patch pump on the list of approved insulin pumps that have been added to the insulin pump and transmitter pricing agreement. [55669/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medical devices in the community drug schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
The HSE previously approached the manufacturer of the Omnipod tubeless, wireless insulin patch pump regarding making an application to be added to the list of approved Insulin pumps on the Insulin Pump and Transmitter Pricing Agreement. However, the company have not as yet availed of this opportunity.
111. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Health the number of persons attending University Limerick Hospital Group adult diabetes service and using insulin pump therapy to manage their condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55671/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra112. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Health the number of persons with diabetes who are awaiting their first appointment to the adult outpatients' diabetes clinic in any of the UL Hospitals Group hospitals; the number of persons waiting for time periods (details supplied) in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55672/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 111 and 112 together.
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
113. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Health the number of whole-time equivalent posts for consultant endocrinologists, advanced nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, staff nurses and dietitians currently in place at the University of Limerick Hospital Group's adult diabetes service in tabular form. [55673/22]
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.
114. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment for an echocardiogram in Letterkenny University Hospital; if they are on the urgent or routine waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55682/22]
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.
115. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the new actions that he is proposing to take, in light of the news that over 27,000 persons left Ireland's emergency departments before receiving treatment between July and September 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55686/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI acknowledge the distress overcrowded Emergency Departments (EDs) cause to patients, their families, and frontline staff working in very challenging conditions in hospitals throughout the country. I have visited EDs across the country to hear directly from staff and patients.
Attendances have increased by 13.5% over those in 2021, with 1,065,888 patients attending ED by end September 2022.
The HSE Winter Plan for 2022-23 was published on the 11th of October. The Plan will support acute and community services this winter to respond to anticipated high levels of emergency attendances and admissions across the acute sector, long waiting times in EDs and high occupancy rates across acute hospital settings. The plan is estimated to cost up to €169m to implement. We have already delivered over 900 new acute hospital beds and over 340 community beds since 1 Jan 2020.
The Winter Plan adopts a bottom-up approach with bespoke local plans that seek to address hospital specific issues in conjunction with Community Healthcare Organisations.
The HSE is also developing a three-year unscheduled care improvement programme to reform and deliver sustainable improvements to unscheduled care, to ensure that appropriate care is delivered to the growing and aging population. The overarching aim of this programme is to transform unscheduled care delivery across the full patient flow continuum in a structured, systemised and governed manner which is measurable and sustainable.
116. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if supports will be put in place for persons who are experiencing long-Covid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55687/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply to the Deputy directly
117. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the procedure in place for ensuring that NIAC recommendations are put into practice; the procedure to be followed to ensure the procurement of vaccines, as recommended by NIAC; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55691/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Immunisation Programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The committee's recommendations are based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland, international best practice in relation to immunisation as well as evidence based analysis and expert medical advice.
The NIAC makes recommendations on immunisation matters to the Department of Health. These recommendations are first considered by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) following which the CMO will make a recommendation to the Minister. After deliberation, the Minister will make a determination which will take the form of a policy decision.
In advance of any change in policy, the Minister can request that the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) carry out an evaluation of the impacts of potential policy changes. HIQA has a statutory remit, under the Health Act 2007, to evaluate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of health technologies, providing advice to the Minister for Health and to the Health Service Executive (HSE) on budget impact, organisational and social aspects, and ethical and legal issues.
These evaluations take the form of Health Technology Assessments (HTAs). A HTA is a multidisciplinary research process that collects and summarises information about a health technology in a systematic, unbiased and transparent manner. The use of the HTA facility assists decision makers in assessing the merits and potential shortcomings of a new health technology, policy or service based on accurate and reliable evidence.
As the matter of any vaccine procurement process is an operational matter for which the National Immunisation Office has responsibility, I have asked the HSE to answer the Deputy directly on this aspect.
118. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the number of beds operational at a medical setting (details supplied) in County Kerry; the number that are vacant; the reason that they are vacant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55695/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs these are operational matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
