Written Answers Nos. 592-615
592. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Health the number of abortions carried out under the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy Act) 2018 in hospitals from 2019 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11102/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy’s question relates to a service area, I have referred this question to the HSE for direct response.
593. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if a medical card covers the cost of a GP completing medical reviews or medical assessments for a patient; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11104/23]
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". Persons who hold a medical card or a GP visit card are not subject to any co-payments or other charges in respect of such services including GP consultations.
The HSE reimburses GPs for services provided under the GMS contract to medical and GP visit card holders. 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. Furthermore, the 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.
594. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health the spend by Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda on agency staffing and private recruitment firms in each of the years 2018 to 2022 inclusive, by year and by firm, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11121/23]
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.
595. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health the amount spent by Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda on access to private diagnostics in each of the years 2018 to 2022 inclusive, by year and by firm, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11122/23]
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.
596. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of waiting lists for dental surgery and orthodontics for CHO 8, by county and by year from January 2019 to January 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11123/23]
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.
597. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health the waiting list for the HSE school dental screening service for CHO 8, by county and by school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11124/23]
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.
598. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update regarding the provision of the primary healthcare centre at Station Road, Ennis, County Clare; the services that are currently being delivered from the centre; the remaining services that will be provided from this centre; when it is expected that all planned services will be available from the centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11128/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive (HSE) holds responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
599. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update with regarding to all the planned primary healthcare centres in County Clare, outlining the various stages of their development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11129/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive (HSE) holds responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
601. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health if he will put plans in place to improve access to occupational therapy, speech therapy and social therapy at Ennis General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11131/23]
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.
602. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the number of long-stay patients currently in acute psychiatric units in the State. [11134/23]
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.
603. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the review of roles and responsibilities within the National Ambulance Service. [11136/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe review of the roles and responsibilities within the National Ambulance Service is ongoing. Senior officials from the Department are meeting with the National Ambulance Service today (07/03/2023) to further progress implementation of the National Ambulance Service Strategic Plan 2021 - 2026.
604. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive medical treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11145/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
605. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will be urgently reviewed for additional respite hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11146/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
606. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health when additional healthcare professionals (details supplied) will be recruited in view of long delays in children receiving appropriate therapeutic interventions and supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11155/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) could respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
607. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the main stakeholders from his Department and its agencies who will be involved in formulating a new national rare disease plan; if he will outline the anticipated work schedule, including an expected publication date for this new plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11162/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government and I are fully committed to doing everything possible to assist people living with a rare disease.
I intend to bring forward a successor plan to the National Rare Disease Plan 2014-2018. However, there is no doubt that the Covid-19 pandemic slowed our progress up until now.
Nonetheless, various actions have been implemented and significant resources invested in this area in recent years.
Principal among those actions was the establishment of the HSE National Clinical Programme for Rare Diseases and a National Rare Disease Office.
Last year the HSE was nominated as the National Competent Authority in an EU Joint Action of European Reference Networks for Rare Diseases, which enables greater coordination and sharing of best practices in key areas such as genetic testing.
As a result of this collaboration, we have entered in 18 European Reference Networks (ERNs) on Rare Diseases. These ERNs include representation from five academic hospitals and three universities and is coordinated by the National Rare Disease Office. This represents a significant achievement by the health service, to drive innovation, training and clinical research for highly specialised care. Through the European Reference Networks, the National Rare Disease Office is leading out on the development of optimal care pathways across a range of rare diseases.
My Department is seeking to appoint, through the usual recruitment channels, an official to progress the commitment in the Programme for Government to bring forward a new National Rare Diseases Plan.
In terms of medicines for rare diseases, I have during my term of office significantly increased the level of funding available for new innovative medicines including medicines for rare diseases; a combined €100 million in the last three Budgets. Over one hundred new medicines have been approved including thirty-four for orphan medicines that are used to treat rare diseases. However, I accept that a new Plan is needed.
608. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the reason essential medication being used by a person (details supplied) cannot be covered via the person's medical card. [11163/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for medicine pricing and reimbursement decisions, 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 reimbursement list. Reimbursement is for licenced 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 advise that Melatonin (Circadin) has never been available under the Community Drug Schemes. Melatonin (Circadin) underwent a review in 2008 and reimbursement was not recommended by the NCPE (see www.ncpe.ie/drugs/melatonin-circadin/).
However, the HSE advise that an application for Melatonin can be made on an exceptional basis under Discretionary Hardship Arrangements for medical card holders. This is in accordance with Section 23 of the 2013 Act, which provides for the supply of items not on the reimbursement List. All applications under these arrangements are reviewed on an individual patient basis. The HSE must be satisfied that the patient requires the item for clinical reasons, and that there is no item on the reimbursement list which is a suitable alternative for that patient.
The HSE advise that Propranolol products were discontinued by the various Marketing Authorisation Holders in recent years. However, reimbursement support has been provided for some Propranolol products which are classed as Exempt Medicinal Products (EMPs). These are unlicensed in Ireland and are granted on an individual patient basis where alternative therapeutic options on the reimbursement list have been exhausted and there is an unmet clinical need. The following Propranolol EMPs are available:
- Propranolol (ULM) Oral Soln. 50mg./5ml. 150ml.
- Propranolol (ULM) Tabs. 40 mg. 50.
- Propranolol (ULM) Tabs. 10 mg. 28.
- Propranolol (ULM) Tabs. 10 mg. 100.
Finally, individuals may also be entitled to claim tax relief on the cost of their medical expenses. This includes medicines prescribed by a doctor, dentist, or consultant. Relief is at the standard tax rate of 20%.
609. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to provide treatment by an ear plastic surgeon for children born with or suffering from an ear deformity; when this service will be available on a permanent and full-time basis in the State; in the interim, the steps that are being taken to put a service level agreement, SLA, in place to enable delivery of this treatment in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11164/23]
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.
610. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) will begin to receive supports from children's disability network team 9 in the form of speech and language, occupational therapy, physical therapy and psychology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11178/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
611. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the number of vacant posts among nursing staff, consultants, physiotherapists and other health or medical staff within the Saolta hospital group, by occupation and by hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11188/23]
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.
612. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the number of vacant posts among nursing staff, consultants, physiotherapists and other health or medical staff at Galway university hospitals, by occupation and department, currently and in each of the past five years; and the steps taken to address the issue. [11189/23]
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.
613. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the number of health professional staff employed at Galway university hospitals who are currently not at work due to illness, and the number who are on maternity leave or leave for any other reason. [11190/23]
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.
614. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the total number of staff employed at Galway university hospitals, by occupation, currently and in each of the past five years. [11191/23]
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.
615. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of children on CHO 7 waiting lists for counselling and psychotherapy on initial assessment, initial therapy intervention and further therapy intervention lists, in tabular form. [11196/23]
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.
