Written Answers Nos. 384-402
384. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the status of efforts being made to secure a permanent second consultant breast surgeon post at Letterkenny University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22239/18]
View answerI am advised by the HSE that the second breast surgeon post in Letterkenny University Hospital is currently a locum post.
The requirements of the Symptomatic Breast Disease in Letterkenny are being assessed with a view to putting arrangements in place to meet the future requirements of the service.
385. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for a person (details supplied) will be expedited. [22265/18]
View answerUnder 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, a standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2014, has been developed 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. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
386. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the services available to a sufferer of agoraphobia who cannot receive a house call from the mental health services or a general practitioner and who also suffers from severe anxiety and panic attacks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22267/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
387. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if a decision has been made to make the drug sapropterin available to patients (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22277/18]
View answerThe HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drug schemes, under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
In reaching a decision, the HSE examines all the evidence which may be relevant in its view for the decision and will consider such expert opinions and recommendations as it may have sought.
The Rare Diseases Medicinal Products Technology Review Committee is engaged with prescribers and the patient representative group to establish clear reimbursement guidelines for sapropterin. These would be expected to target sapropterin for patient cohorts for which it may be a cost-effective intervention.
The reimbursement guidelines are expected to include a requirement for response testing, to detail the criteria to identify patient cohorts for whom reimbursement of sapropterin would be a cost-effective use of resources and to include appropriate monitoring and control mechanisms. These engagements are ongoing.
The HSE Drugs Group will review the output of such engagements at the earliest opportunity to examine whether the above aims were achieved and will consider a reimbursement recommendation at that time.
388. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to provide specially trained nurses, home care packages and multidisciplinary care for persons with Huntington's disease (details supplied) which is seen in other countries as a valuable approach in ameliorating matters for persons with the condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22279/18]
View answerThe Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.
As the Deputy's question relates to a service issue, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
389. 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. [22281/18]
View answerUnder 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, a standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2014, has been developed 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. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
390. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has not received orthotic shoes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22288/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
391. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 364 of 23 January 2018, the reason the referred reply to the HSE has not been supplied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22327/18]
View answerUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and follow-up and direct reply to the Deputy.
392. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will receive an ENT appointment at Tallaght Hospital. [22336/18]
View answerUnder 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, a standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2014, has been developed 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. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
393. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will receive an appointment for a medical procedure. [22337/18]
View answerUnder 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, a standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2014, has been developed 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. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
394. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health his views on the refusal of a hospital to release personal medical documentation to a person (details supplied) under a freedom of information request made on 3 April 2018; his further views on the most adequate avenue through which the requester can seek satisfaction in respect of this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22367/18]
View answerGenerally, access to one's medical records should be provided routinely and administratively, having regard to privacy, confidentiality and the public interest.
However, access to one's medical records may also be made under the Freedom of Information Act 2014. FOI bodies have 20 working days to process such requests.
In circumstances where records are refused, the Freedom of Information body concerned must specify the reasons for the refusal.
Where records are refused, the Freedom of Information Legislation provides for the right of appeal by requesters. This involves the requester applying, to the FOI body concerned, for an internal review of the decision. An internal review decision should issue within 15 working days of its' receipt.
If, following the internal review decision, the requester is not satisfied, they may appeal to the Office of the Information Commissioner. This appeal should be made, in writing, to the Office of the Information Commissioner at 18 Lower Leeson Street, Dublin 2.
395. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if officials of his Department have met officials of the State Claims Agency to discuss and request the possibility of a non-adversarial approach to dealing with the 65 pending civil actions in the courts from persons who received the Pandemrix swine influenza vaccine in 2010 and since that have been suffering from narcolepsy and other side effects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22368/18]
View answerI cannot comment on individual cases or matters that are the subject of litigation but I can provide background information on this litigation and clarify matters that are already in the public domain.
As of 9 May 2018, legal proceedings against the Minister, the Health Services Executive and GlaxoSmithKline Biological SA have been initiated by seventy individuals. The plaintiffs allege personal injury in which they claim the development of narcolepsy resulted from the administration of the H1N1 pandemic vaccine. The management of the cases transferred to the State Claims Agency (SCA) on 15 October 2013 when the Taoiseach signed the National Treasury Management Agency (Delegation of Claims Management Functions) (Amendment) Order 2013. This reflects the greater experience and expertise that the State Claims Agency has in the area of medical litigation.
I have been informed by the Agency that the cases are before the courts in relation to the management of discovery in the lead case. It would not be appropriate to interfere in the courts case management of these claims.
I am continuing to engage with the Minister for Justice and the Minister for Finance on what further improvements can be made to the legal framework governing the management of medical negligence cases.
396. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if those suffering from side effects, particularly those with narcolepsy, following receipt of the Pandemrix influenza vaccine some years ago are receiving all the medical supports they need; if they have been granted full medical cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22369/18]
View answerThe Department of Health, the HSE and the Department of Education and Skills continue to work together to provide a wide range of services and supports for those affected. The HSE’s Advocacy Unit acts as liaison with service and support providers and other Government Departments to facilitate access to required services. It is in regular contact with individuals affected. Regional co-ordinators have been appointed to assist individuals by providing advice, information and access to local services.
The ex-gratia health supports include clinical care pathways to ensure access to rapid diagnosis and treatment, multi-disciplinary assessments led by clinical experts, counselling services for both the individuals and their families, discretionary medical cards for those who have been diagnosed have been provided to allow unlimited access to GP care and any prescribed medication, physiotherapy and occupational therapy assessments. Diagnosis of narcolepsy involves a specialised sleep study system which is currently only available in the Mater Private. It is intended that diagnoses will be carried out in the Centre of Excellence for Narcolepsy in St James Hospital. This service will combine a new patient referral system with access to expert consultant and advanced nursing expertise for clinical diagnosis, access to the latest neurophysiological diagnostic techniques with overnight and daytime monitoring for both in-patients and outpatients, laboratory testing, brain imaging and genetic testing. The HSE will continue to pay for access to the services, such as dietician and psychology services, that would have been provided in the Centre of Excellence from private providers to so that none of the affected individuals miss out on receiving these supports.
397. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay for a person (details supplied) to receive a full-team assessment as recommended by the Cherry Orchard primary healthcare centre, Dublin 10. [22384/18]
View answerThe Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
398. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health the number of legal cases pending due to potential or alleged failures under the BowelScreen programme. [22400/18]
View answer399. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health the number of identified cases settled by the HSE, the State Claims Agency or other State agencies which have been subject to confidentiality agreements in cases taken by persons due to potential failures under the BowelScreen programme. [22401/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 398 and 399 together.
I am advised by the State Claims Agency that one case related to colonoscopies arising from the BowelScreen programme was settled subject to a confidentiality agreement, but that this was done at the request of the plaintiff, in the particular case, who was receiving on-going treatment. Thereafter, the Judge, on the plaintiff’s application, made an Order under Section 27 of the Courts Miscellaneous Provisions Act, protecting the identity of the plaintiff.
The State Claims Agency advise that there are no current claims against the BowelScreen programme. However, there are some claims arising from colonoscopy work undertaken by Wexford General Hospital arising from the BowelScreen programme.
I am engaging with the Minister for Justice & Equality on the best means to further improve the legal framework governing the management of medical negligence cases.
400. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health if open disclosure has occurred in all known cases in circumstances in which errors under the BowelScreen programme have occurred in the screening and subsequent diagnosis and treatment regime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22402/18]
View answer401. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health the acceptable level of error in the BowelScreen programme. [22403/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 400 and 401 together.
The Deputy's questions refer to service delivery matters and accordingly I have asked the HSE to reply directly to her.
Also, the Terms of Reference of the Scoping Inquiry led by Dr Gabriel Scally include the following: examine the other screening programmes operated by the National Screening Service particularly in relation to quality assurance and clinical audit, open disclosure and governance.
402. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health the number of general practitioners practising here; the number who are not on the specialist general practitioner register; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22433/18]
View answerWhile no central register exists specifically for GPs working in Ireland, all doctors in practice in Ireland must be registered with the Medical Council.
A number of sources provide data on GPs working in Ireland at present. The Medical Council collects and analyses data from the general, specialist and trainee specialist registers to produce valuable data on the GP workforce. The HSE Primary Care Reimbursement Service collects data on the number of GMS contract-holders and those GPs delivering state-funded primary care services. The Irish College of General Practitioners also collects and analyses data on the GP workforce, including the number of doctors registered for professional competence and those holding membership of the ICGP.
The number of doctors on the Medical Council’s Specialist Register in General Practice has increased from 2,270 in 2010 to 3,668 as at 18 May 2018. Holding registration does not, however, necessarily mean that a medical practitioner is active in general practice at the time.
Doctors on the Medical Council’s General Register may practice independently without supervision but may not falsely represent themselves as holding specialist or trainee specialist registration. There are currently 9,805 doctors registered on the General Register of the Medical Council. All doctors registered with the Medical Council must maintain professional competence by enrolling in a professional competence scheme and maintain professional competence activities that are relevant to their practice.
In the last ten years, the number of GPs contracted by the HSE to provide services to medical card holders and GP visit card holders under the GMS scheme has increased. At the end of 2008 there were 2,098 GPs who held GMS contracts. As of 1 May 2018, 2,491 GPs hold GMS contracts. Many GPs also hold contracts with the HSE to provide services under other state schemes, e.g. the Primary Childhood Immunisation Programme. There are a further 420 GPs without GMS contracts who hold other such contracts with the HSE, bringing the total number of GPs contracted by the HSE at present to 2,911.
Under the terms of the Health (Provision of General Practitioner Services) Act 2012, it became mandatory for a GP to be on the Medical Council’s Specialist Register in the specialty of General Practice in order to obtain a GMS contract. However, there would be a number of GMS contract holders who are not on the Specialist Register who would have obtained their GMS contract prior to this legislation being enacted.
The number of doctors who provide general practitioner services to patients exclusively on a private basis is not collected by my Department or HSE.
