Jack Chambers
Ceist:352. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the number of residents of public nursing homes for the past five years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33556/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraNursing Home Services
Ceisteanna (352, 353, 354)
Jack Chambers
Ceist:353. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the number of nurses employed in public nursing homes for the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33557/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraJack Chambers
Ceist:354. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the number of vacant nursing positions in public nursing homes for the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33558/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 352 to 354, inclusive, together.
As these are service matters they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Questions Nos. 355 and 356 answered with Question No. 344.
HSE Staff
Ceisteanna (357)
Jack Chambers
Ceist:357. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of all HSE management positions in each community health care organisation over the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33578/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
Medicinal Products
Ceisteanna (358)
Brendan Howlin
Ceist:358. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health if the eye medication MacuShield has been withdrawn from medical card patients; the reason for its withdrawal; and if a substitute medication will be made available to medical card patients. [33581/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The HSE has advised that Macushield products have never been made available to all persons with medical card eligibility; however, Macushield and similar products were historically available to medical card holders in many areas under Discretionary Hardship Arrangements.
In developing a national framework for the administration of Discretionary Hardship Arrangements, the HSE's Medicines Management Programme (MMP) was asked to review the available therapeutic evidence for supporting reimbursement of Macushield and similar products. The MMP report supported the view of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics that the evidence for dietary carotenoids for the prevention of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is inconclusive, and the MMP therefore does not recommend that products containing these preparations be reimbursed under any community drug scheme.
In light of the MMP's published report, the HSE decided to cease reimbursement support for these dietary supplement products. The MMP report is available at: www.hse.ie/eng/about/Who/clinical/natclinprog/medicinemanagementprogramme/yourmedicines/Evaluation_Reports/.
As the other issues raised by the Deputy are operational and service matters, they have been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
Primary Medical Certificates Applications
Ceisteanna (359)
Robert Troy
Ceist:359. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will re-examine an application for a primary medical certificate in respect of a person (details supplied) with a view to granting same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33586/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 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 an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
Orthodontic Services Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (360)
Robert Troy
Ceist:360. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be scheduled for an orthodontic appointment; and if a date will be confirmed for 2016. [33589/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (361)
Barry Cowen
Ceist:361. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied); and when the person concerned will receive an appointment. [33592/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under 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 scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she should take the matter up with the consultant and the hospital involved. In relation to the specific case raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
Blood Donations
Ceisteanna (362)
Billy Kelleher
Ceist:362. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when he plans to remove the one year deferral for men who have sex with men, MSM, blood donations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33593/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In June of this year, I accepted a recommendation from the Irish Blood Transfusion Service that (a) the lifetime deferral policy for men who have sex with men (MSM) from donating blood should be reduced to a period of one year following their last sexual encounter with a man and (b) all donors who have had a sexually transmitted infection (STI) should be deferred from donating blood for a period of at least five years from that infection (current deferral periods vary depending on the STI concerned).
The IBTS advise that these changes will be implemented by the end of January 2017.
Emergency Departments
Ceisteanna (363)
Billy Kelleher
Ceist:363. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the immediate and urgent actions being undertaken to assist front-line staff and make the emergency department a safe and controlled environment for patients with regard to the overcrowding briefing in Tallaght Hospital emergency department on 26 October 2016 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33605/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department, working with the HSE, has been driving a range of measures to alleviate overcrowding and reduce patient experience times in Emergency Departments.
Following intensive engagements under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission in January this year, HSE management and the INMO reached an agreement on a range of measures to improve emergency department working environments. The Agreement involves a tightening and earlier activation of the National Escalation Policy and prioritising staffing of emergency departments. The proposals involve the designation of all Emergency Departments as distinct workplaces under the Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005. Enhanced health and safety and risk management and mitigation measures are being implemented.
The Escalation Framework was issued to the acute hospitals for immediate adoption in December 2015. The intent is that both capacity and patient throughput are appropriately managed during periods of excess demand, in order to maintain a safe and controlled environment for patients.
In addition, the Winter Initiative has provided €40 million of additional funding to assist with surges in demand for unscheduled care during Winter 2015-16. The Initiative aims to strike a balance between hospital avoidance measures, supporting patient flow through acute hospitals and increasing the availability of social care services.
In terms of additional measures under the Winter Initiative targeted to specific hospitals, Tallaght Hospital has been allocated 4 extra Home Care Packages per week until the end of the year and 2 additional Transitional Care Beds per week until the end of February 2017. Funding has also been made available to allow patients on the orthopaedic and scoliosis waiting lists at Tallaght and other hospitals avail of treatment at Cappagh Hospital and other facilities.
I can assure the Deputy that there is a very strong focus on reducing Emergency Department overcrowding in all my interactions with the HSE, hospitals and other interested parties.
Medical Treatment Complaints
Ceisteanna (364)
David Cullinane
Ceist:364. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the policy of his Department in respect of persons who had a hip replacement (details supplied) and who are experiencing pain and who had an orthopaedic assessment which was clear but are advised to get a second assessment or opinion at a cost of €800 plus; his views on whether this cost should be met by the company concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33606/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (365)
Peter Fitzpatrick
Ceist:365. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite the waiting time for a person (details supplied) to obtain an MRI scan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33607/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under 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 scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she should take the matter up with the consultant and the hospital involved. In relation to the specific case raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
Health Services Funding
Ceisteanna (366)
Peter Burke
Ceist:366. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the consideration his Department has given a project (details supplied) for funding in the context of budget 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33608/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Funding of an organisation that provides professional services to support distressed families and individuals at risk of losing their family home would not fall to be considered by this Department in the context of funding of health services for homeless people. Health service funding is aimed at improving health outcomes for people experiencing homelessness, particularly those with complex and multiple health needs by providing key working, case management, General Practitioner and nursing services.
HIQA Inspections
Ceisteanna (367)
Billy Kelleher
Ceist:367. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the courses of action that have been taken by the hospital and the HSE to immediately address the issues in respect of the recent HIQA report into the Mercy University Hospital, Cork and the health and safety issues that were raised in the audit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33609/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
HIQA conducted a monitoring assessment under the National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections in Mercy General Hospital in June and July 2016.
The Authority's report was published in September 2016 and the hospital and HSE have been addressing the issues raised.
As this is a service matter it is being referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Medicinal Products Availability
Ceisteanna (368)
Ruth Coppinger
Ceist:368. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health when the FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system will become available for public patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33614/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicinal products and devices under the community drug schemes in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
The manufacturer must make a completed application to the HSE for reimbursement of the device under the community drugs schemes. A health technology assessment may then be required to assess its clinical benefits and cost-effectiveness.
Midwifery Services
Ceisteanna (369)
Ruth Coppinger
Ceist:369. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the reported resignations by midwifery senior experts that seem to be linked to the pace of reform in maternity services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33615/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can assure the Deputy of the Government's commitment to the progressive development of our maternity services. Indeed, 2016 has been a landmark year for maternity services with the publication of the country's first National Maternity Strategy - Creating A Better Future Together 2016 - 2026. The publication of the Strategy demonstrates a new and enhanced focus on maternity care at both policy and service delivery level, and provides a roadmap for how we can improve maternity and neonatal care in the years ahead.
The Deputy will also be interested to learn that HIQA will publish new National Standards for Safer Better Maternity Services in the coming weeks. The Standards will provide a framework for maternity service providers to ensure that they are meeting the needs of women, their babies and their partners, and that a consistent service is delivered across the country. I believe that the National Maternity Strategy and the National Maternity Standards represent the necessary building blocks to provide a consistently safe and high quality maternity service.
I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to your query regarding the resignation of senior midwifery staff, as this is an operational matter.
Medicinal Products
Ceisteanna (370)
Michael Fitzmaurice
Ceist:370. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health his views on the use of the Gardasil HPV vaccine (details supplied) which some experts state contains genetically engineered subunit protein antigens that are capable of generating immune complexes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33618/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The NIAC is a committee of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland comprising of experts in a number of specialties including infectious diseases, paediatrics and public health. The committee's recommendations are informed by public health advice and international best practice.
Each year in Ireland around 300 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer. The HPV vaccine protects against two high risk types of HPV (16 & 18) that cause 73% of all cervical cancers. Vaccinated women and girls will still be at risk from other high risk types of HPV that can cause cervical cancer and will therefore need to continue to have regular cervical smear tests. NIAC recommended that the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine be given to all girls aged 12-13 in 2009 and in September 2010 the HPV vaccination programme was introduced for all girls in first year of second level schools.
The European Commission granted a marketing authorisation valid throughout the European Union for Gardasil on 20 September 2006. By January 2016, over 200 million doses of Gardasil had been distributed worldwide. In Ireland over 580,000 doses of Gardasil have been administered and over 200,000 girls have been fully vaccinated against HPV since it was introduced in 2010. No medicine, including vaccines, is entirely without risk, there is therefore on-going pharmacovigilance and monitoring of medicinal products once they are authorised for use. The safety profile of Gardasil has been continuously monitored since it was first authorised.
It would be inappropriate for me to comment on the formulation of any pharmaceutical product authorised for use in the EU.