Written Answers Nos. 1578-1592
1578. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the number of requests the HSE has made to pharmaceutical companies to submit an application for reimbursement based on the health needs of the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33824/24]
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
1579. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the changes that have taken place in medical card eligibility since 2021; the number of cards in operation in 2021, 2022 and 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33825/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraEligibility for a medical card is primarily based on a financial assessment which is conducted by the HSE in accordance with the Health Act 1970 (as amended). The HSE assesses each medical card application on a qualifying financial threshold. This is the amount of money that an individual can earn a week and still qualify for a card and is specific to the individual’s own financial circumstances. Current medical card income thresholds can be considered generally in terms of cohorts aged 70 or older, and those under 70 years of age, with separate thresholds and assessment criteria for each.
Since March 2021, persons who have been certified by their treating Consultant as having a prognosis of 24 months or less are now also awarded a medical card on an administrative basis. Separately, the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2024 provides for an exemption of up to €14,000 Rent a Room income from the medical card assessment process for participants on the Rent-a-Room scheme. This measure will assist in removing potential barriers to people benefiting from the Rent-a-Room scheme and is an important step towards the Government's goal of providing additional accommodation to alleviate acknowledged challenges with the availability of residential rental accommodation.
In circumstances where an applicant may be over the income limit for a medical card, they may be eligible for a GP visit card. A GP visit card allows the holder to visit a participating family doctor (GP) without charge. Under the GP Agreement 2023, GP visit card eligibility was extended from being available to all children under 6 years to all children under 8 years from 11th August 2023. GP visit card means-tested eligibility was also fully expanded, as per that Agreement, to all those who earn up to the median household income from November 2023 (having commenced in September 2023). As of 1st August 2024 there are approximately 1,581,000 medical cards and 691,000 GP visit cards, which means that 43% of the population have access to GP services without charge.
I can assure the Deputy that my Department keeps medical card issues under review in order to ensure the medical card system is responsive and sensitive to people's needs. Over the course of 2024 and 2025, we will review the existing eligibility framework to clearly assess what is working well and to inform policy proposals to enhance eligibility and access to services based on robust evidence. This is an important step towards delivering on universal healthcare in Ireland.
Regarding the number of cards in operation in 2021, 2022 and 2023, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1580. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if there is a schedule for implementing the detailed implementation plan regarding the transfer of care for children aged eight+ years to local optometrists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33829/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Community Ophthalmic Services Scheme (COSS) is a national fee-per-item scheme which was introduced in 1979. Under the COSS, medical card holders aged over 16 years can be seen by ophthalmologists, community ophthalmic physicians, optometrists or dispensing opticians.
Eligible patients can receive an eye examination and be provided with prescribed optical appliances in accordance with a national schedule of approved optical appliances.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) provides optical services free of charge to pre-school children and national school children referred from child health services who are discovered to have sight problems. These children are referred to the appropriate consultant for treatment. In such circumstances, these services will continue to be provided until the child has reached the age of 16.
The HSE Primary Care Eye Services Review Group Report, published in June 2017, highlighted the limitations of the current model of service delivery and set out the way forward for a significant amount of eye services to be delivered in a primary care setting. Included in current priorities is transferring the care of children aged 8+ years to the care of local private optometrists under the COSS. The HSE forwarded a detailed and costed implementation plan regarding this matter.
There will be engagement between my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform during the Estimates 2025 process in relation to the funding required to progress healthcare priorities, including the provision of eyecare.
1581. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will consider keeping the reimbursement rates for cataracts under the Northern Ireland planned healthcare scheme at the higher amount of €1,912 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33835/24]
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.
1582. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the status of the business case with the hospital group/health region for 24/7 primary percutaneous coronary intervention at University Hospital Waterford; the estimated cost of the project; and the WTE staffing requirements. [33839/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
1583. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if further financial assistance is available to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33840/24]
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
1584. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position in relation to HSE procurement for taxi services in Cork city and county; if a contract(s) is currently in place; when the next procurement process will be initiated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33842/24]
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.
1585. Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Health the body that owns or controls the disused church on the grounds of a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33852/24]
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
1586. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he will allocate sufficient capital funding to deliver a mid-level ambulance station for Tullamore, County Offaly as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33859/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
1587. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if a response will issue to concerns raised in respect of the use of ozempic by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33866/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on the pricing and reimbursement of medicines; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
1588. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if a person in County Kerry (details supplied) will be reimbursed for their expenditure for the years 2013 to 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33874/24]
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.
1589. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when an appointment be offered to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33881/24]
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.
1590. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a scheduled appointment will still be offered to a person (details supplied) given the circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33883/24]
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.
1591. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if the south Kerry compensation scheme will be expanded to ensure that all children in Kerry, who receive apologies for deficits in care received, are entitled to join the scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33887/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe independent report of the review into Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in South Kerry (the “Maskey Report”) was published on 26 January 2022. This examined the files of everyone who received care from South Kerry CAMHS between 1 July 2016 and 19 April 2021.
The Report found that 240 young people did not receive the standard of care they should have from CAMHS. It identified deficits in governance, supervision and oversight, clinical practice and the overall functioning and administrative processes, which contributed to the sub-standard care received by these young people.
Following publication of the Maskey Report, the Government introduced a non-adversarial route for children/ families to seek compensation for the shortfall in care received. The Maskey Report notes that there is no definitive number of people who suffered harm. Therefore, further evidence of levels of harm may be found, so that the number of people who are eligible for the scheme may change.
However, the terms of the scheme fundamentally remain the same – meeting the criteria of harm as set out by the Maskey report. For example, as evidenced by the additional eligible children in North Kerry subsequently identified by the HSE as qualifying for the Scheme, any further appropriate cases in Kerry recommended by HSE will be given full consideration by the State Claims Agency.
Aside from the inclusion of such individual eligible cases, it is not intended that there be any fundamental change to the Compensation Scheme introduced by Government relating to the Maskey report.
The State Claims Agency continues to engage with families in relation to the processes involved in the Compensation Scheme. As of 23 May 2024, the SCA had 204 applications to the Scheme with initial payments made to 201 applicants. Should patients or their families have any questions in relation to their eligibility for the Scheme, they can contact the HSE Kerry CAMHS information line which remains open on 1800 742 800, from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
The HSE has re-iterated that they intend to complete the North Kerry Lookback review as soon as possible. The focus of this review is on an independent, thorough, and consistent assessment of the care and treatment that children received.
The HSE has confirmed that Phase 1 of the North Kerry Lookback Review would first look at the files of young people who were under the care of North Kerry CAMHS on 21st November 2022 i.e. the last date the clinician reviewed by Maskey worked in the service.
The next phase of the review (looking at older files i.e. those discharged from the service) will be informed by the review of current files. The outcome of Phase 1 will determine the detail, extent, and circumstances of Phase 2.
The ongoing Phase 1 of the Lookback Review of North Kerry CAMHS is a robust, independent process involving a team of specialised CAMHS consultants, external to North Kerry CAMHS. Files are still being reviewed by the team of specialised CAMHS consultants i.e. the review of individual files has not finished. The priority is that the Lookback Review gives each young person a thorough and consistent assessment of their care and treatment, involving independent expert specialised CAMHS input.
There are currently 9 Consultant CAMHS Psychiatrists from across the country who have joined the North Kerry CAMHS LBR Consultant Review Group. This has reduced from 12 Consultants at the commencement of the review process and has impacted on the timelines of the review completion. The Consultants continue to review files - with weekly meetings held with the Consultant Review Group to discuss and sign off on reviewed cases.
The HSE has informed the Department of Health that they wish to express their regret to families and young people that this process is taking longer than they initially hoped, but it is important that both the Executive and families are assured that the review of each file is receiving the expert input needed.
It is important also to note that after each file is reviewed, contact is made with the young person involved and where necessary, Open Disclosure meetings take place. This is a significant step, as the HSE are not waiting for the completion of the review report to inform young people and families if issues are identified. The HSE is committed to keeping families and young people informed about the process and provide updates on hse.ie/northkerrycamhsreview.
The Department of Health, in conjunction with the HSE, continues to closely monitor developments in relation to CAMHS in North Kerry, including the timeline for the completion of the review and any evolving issues in relation to the SCA Compensation Scheme.
1592. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if correspondence (details supplied) will be reviewed; if he plans to change the criteria for medical cards for those with incurable diseases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33890/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMedical Card provision is primarily based on financial assessment. In accordance with the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE, which assesses each application on a qualifying financial threshold.
The issue of granting medical or GP visit cards based on having a particular disease or illness was previously examined in 2014 by the HSE Expert Panel on Medical Need and Medical Card Eligibility. The Group concluded that it was not feasible, desirable, nor ethically justifiable to list medical conditions in priority order for medical card eligibility. In following the Expert Group’s advice, a person’s means remains the main qualifier for a medical card.
Every effort is made by the HSE, within the framework of the legislation, to support applicants in applying for a medical card and, in particular, to take full account of the difficult circumstances in the case of applicants who may be in excess of the income guidelines. The HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds the income threshold where they face difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from an illness. Social and medical issues are also considered when determining whether undue hardship exists for an individual accessing general practitioner or other medical services.
The HSE also has a compassionate system in place for the efficient provision of medical cards in response to emergency situations i.e., where persons are in need of urgent ongoing medical care or when a patient is receiving end of life treatment. In these cases, a medical card is issued within 24 hours of receipt of the required patient details and completed medical report by a healthcare professional. In addition, since March 2021, persons who have been certified by their treating Consultant as having a prognosis of 24 months or less are now also awarded a medical card on an administrative basis. Medical cards awarded on end of life grounds are never re-assessed by the HSE thereby providing reassurance and comfort to patients and their families.
Separately, I can advise the Deputy that, since 2015, medical cards are awarded without the need of a financial assessment to all children under 18 years of age with a diagnosis of cancer. Further information can be found on the HSE’s website at:www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/medical-cards/other-types-of-medical-card/emergency-medical-cards/
I can assure the Deputy that, in order to ensure the medical card system is responsive and sensitive to people's needs, my Department keeps medical card issues under review and any proposals are considered in the context of any potential broader implications for Government policy, the annual budgetary estimates process and legislative requirements arising.
