Written Answers Nos. 678-693
678. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health if versatis patches will be reinstated for medical card or long-term Illness patients with multiple sclerosis as it is only available on schemes if the patient had shingles. [14940/23]
View answerThe Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medical products under the community drug schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. I, as the Minister for Health, have no role in these decisions.
The HSE advise that the following pain relief patches are currently available on the reimbursement list:
- Durogesic DTrans Transdermal patches
- Fental Matrix Transdermal patches
- Matrifen Transdermal patches
- Fentadur Transdermal patches
- Butrans Transdermal patches
- Versatis plasters (subject to a managed access system, indicated for post-herpetic neuralgia)
The HSE further advise that patients prescribed Versatis plasters are reviewed by the Medicines Management Programme (MMP) for reimbursement approval, on foot of an application by the patient’s clinician, through the HSE online system.
In exceptional circumstances, Versatis plasters may be approved for supply for unlicensed uses. If an application is refused, the clinician may make an appeal to the MMP by email, making a clear clinical case for the patient.
This process ensures that post-shingles patients, and other patients as clinically appropriate, can continue to have this specific treatment.
679. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health if efforts have made since 2017 to procure versatis at a better rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14941/23]
View answerThe HSE has statutory responsibility for medicine pricing and reimbursement decisions, under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
680. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the reason home care assistants (details supplied) in north Kerry are being asked to submit their sick pay and travel expenses online; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14950/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly with the information.
681. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to reduce the waiting list at the University Hospital Limerick diabetes outpatients clinic; the number of people currently on the waiting list; and if he will also provide the number of staff, by role, including consultants, assigned to the clinic. [14951/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
682. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health his plans to develop a national register in respect of diabetes; and the date on which the national diabetes strategy was amended and-or updated. [14952/23]
View answerDiabetes is a complex condition that can have a profound impact on the quality of life of people living with the condition. If not well managed, it can lead to debilitating complications. Management of the condition is required across the entire spectrum of healthcare delivery including self-management support as well as care delivered through general practice, community specialist care and hospital inpatient specialist care.
Budget 2023 provides funding for a number of initiatives aimed at improving diabetes care, including commencing the development of a National Diabetes Registry.
The development of a National Diabetes Registry will have a long-term benefit on patient care by facilitating benchmarking of individual care against guideline recommendations and QI feedback to practitioners, and on the provision of appropriate health services by providing reliable information to healthcare planners and policymakers.
My Department and HSE National Clinical Programme for Diabetes are currently engaged in preparatory work for phase 1 of this multi-year project.
Guidelines for Diabetes prevention and management include the Model of Integrated Care for Patients with Type 2 Diabetes, the Model of Care for the Diabetic Foot (2021) and the National Clinical Guideline for the Management of Adult Type 1 Diabetes. Guidelines are reviewed and amended in line with the most up to date evidence to support best clinical practice and standardisation of care for diabetes patients.
Furthermore, the National Framework for the Integrated Prevention and Management of Chronic Disease in Ireland 2020-2025, sets out a national framework for an integrated approach to the prevention and management of chronic disease in Ireland over the coming years. This framework was developed in relation to four major chronic diseases including type 2 diabetes. The framework builds on the existing policies and guidelines, with a focus on health promotion, disease prevention, diagnosis, treatment, disease management and rehabilitation services that are coordinated across different healthcare providers and healthcare settings.
683. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify who is eligible to access chronic disease hubs. [14953/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
684. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health when the Budget 2023 announcement that GP visit cards will be extended to children aged six and seven years will be met in view that the announced target of having it in place the end of 2022 has been missed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14954/23]
View answerIt is intended to commence the expansion of GP care without charges to all children aged 6 and 7 as early as possible. My officials and the HSE have made preparations for this expansion. Engagements were held by my Department and the HSE with the IMO, representing GPs, throughout last year, and engagement is ongoing in relation to the necessary fee structures for this service.
685. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive a date for surgery at St. James's Hospital, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14960/23]
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.
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.
686. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE vacant nursing posts at the National Forensic Mental Health Service; the estimated full-year cost of filling these vacancies; and when these vacancies will be filled, in tabular form. [14979/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
687. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the amount of revenue generated through parking charges from public car parking at the Rotunda Maternity Hospital in the 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [14980/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
688. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE vacancies, by job title, in the HSE National Antimicrobial Resistant Team; the full-year cost of filling each of the vacancies; and when will these vacancies be filled, in tabular form. [14981/23]
View answerI have referred this to the HSE for direct reply as it relates to an operational matter.
689. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the name of companies in CHO7 and CHO9 that currently have a contract with the HSE to install stairlifts, downstairs toilets and so on in a person’s own house following a recommendation from an occupational therapist. [14982/23]
View answerThe Health Service Executive have no such contracts in place.
The Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability assist people to have necessary adaptations, repairs or improvement works carried out to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. These works can include making it wheelchair-accessible, adding a ground-floor bathroom or toilet, or installing a stairlift.
The schemes are administered by local authorities under the aegis of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Further information can be found at: www.gov.ie/en/service/6636c-housing-adaptation-grants-for-older-people-and-people-with-a-disability/.
690. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the estimated full-year cost of recruiting additional one WTE information scientists with a MSc in genetic counselling and additional one WTE information scientist with a MSc in clinical neuroscience for the HSE national rare diseases office. [14983/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
691. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a full list of podiatrists, including addresses, that are accepting new medical card holders aged over 65 within CHO9, in tabular form. [14984/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
692. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE accident and emergency nurses at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if this number will be further increased. [14985/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
693. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health when a retired nurse (details supplied) who worked at Ennis General Hospital can expect to receive her increased weekly pension as per the €1.6 billion public sector pay deal agreed in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14999/23]
View answerAs this is an administrative matter for the Health Service Executive, the HSE has been requested to respond directly to the Deputy.
