Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:194. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if the HSE seeks to provide pre-exposure prophylaxis medication in view of its effectiveness in preventing HIV infection. [35349/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraHIV-AIDS Programmes
Ceisteanna (194)
Freagraí scríofa
The National Sexual Health Strategy 2015-2020 was launched in October 2015. The strategy was developed in response to a recommendation of the National AIDS Strategy Committee on the need to establish clear leadership within the health sector around the area of sexual health. The Strategy contains 71 recommendations that address all aspects of sexual health and a Sexual Health Action Plan for 2015-2016 that contains 18 priority actions for immediate attention.
One of the priority actions identified in the Action Plan for 2016 is to 'Prioritise, develop and implement guidance to support clinical decision making for STI testing, screening and treatment and on the appropriate use of antiretroviral therapy in HIV prevention’. An Implementation Group has now been established within the HSE as an outcome of this action. This group will make recommendations on the appropriate use of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in the overall context of the national approach to HIV prevention. It is intended that work will start on a national demonstration project on PrEP in 2017.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (195)
Barry Cowen
Ceist:195. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) may expect an appointment to be scheduled. [35353/16]
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.
Home Care Packages Data
Ceisteanna (196)
Fergus O'Dowd
Ceist:196. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the number of home care packages that were applied for and approved through both the Louth and Meath disability services in counties Louth and Meath in each of the years of 2014 to date in 2016, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35367/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Medicinal Products Regulation
Ceisteanna (197)
Aindrias Moynihan
Ceist:197. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if he has powers under statutory instrument or regulations to set or change the level of tetrahydrocannabinol, THC, acceptable in medicines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35378/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the principal psychoactive constituent of cannabis. Under the Misuse of Drugs Acts 1977 to 2016 and the Regulations made thereunder, the manufacture, production, preparation, sale, supply, distribution and possession of cannabis and certain cannabis-related compounds is currently unlawful except under licence. However, the scope for such licences to be issued is restricted to a limited number of specific circumstances. This is in line with the international controls on cannabis as prescribed under the United Nations Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs 1961. It is open for an Irish registered doctor to apply for a licence for such preparations for an individual, named-patient under their care. Such applications will be considered on a case by case basis. The appropriateness of any particular treatment is a matter between the patient and their doctor. It would be entirely inappropriate for me, as Minister for Health, to involve myself in this process. My understanding is that many doctors would be quite cautious about recommending a cannabis-based treatment for a patient, in the absence of the robust clinical evidence which underpins authorised medicines.
Under European and Irish legislation, before a medicine can be placed on the Irish market the manufacturer has to seek an authorisation from the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) or in the case of certain medicinal products, the European Medicines Agency (EMA). A determination on an application for authorisation of a medicine is based on a rigorous scientific assessment of the application against the criteria of safety, quality, efficacy, legal and regulatory requirements.
In July 2014, the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 1988, were amended to allow for a specific cannabis-based medicinal product to be used in Ireland. This derogation was facilitated based on evidence from scientific data submitted by a company to demonstrate the quality, safety and efficacy of this specific medicine and its ability to provide a clear medical benefit for patients with multiple sclerosis. Subsequently the HPRA granted a marketing authorisation for Sativex Oromucosal Spray to be marketed in the State for the relief of symptoms of spasticity for people with multiple sclerosis where other conservative treatments have failed to provide adequate benefits. To date, the HPRA has not received any applications for authorisation for any further cannabis-based products, but remains open to doing so.
I have committed to urgently reviewing policy on medicinal cannabis. I have asked the HPRA for advice on emerging research and international developments in the use of medicinal cannabis. I hope to receive a report from the HPRA early in the new year. I will then be in a position to consider and progress any legislative changes that may be recommended.
Hospital Consultant Recruitment
Ceisteanna (198, 201)
John Brady
Ceist:198. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health if the position for the sarcoma specialist at St. Vincent's Hospital has been advertised; if so, if the advertisement specifically mentioned a sarcoma specialist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35379/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Bobby Aylward
Ceist:201. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 529 of 12 July 2016, the status of his commitment that the recruitment of a consultant medical oncologist with a special interest in sarcoma, based in St. Vincent's University Hospital, will be prioritised; the criteria stipulated in the job description to ensure that a specialist with extensive experience in treating this rare disease is being sought by his Department; if he is satisfied that the recruitment process commenced by the director general of the HSE will ensure that a specialist of world class standard will fill this position and that the highest possible standards will be met unequivocally in respect of treating patients with sarcoma; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35395/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 198 and 201 together.
A new permanent post of consultant medical oncologist with a special interest in sarcoma is currently being recruited for St. Vincent's University Hospital. The post is advertised as a Medical Oncologist in line with Medical Council stipulations. The job description for this position, which is designed to attract the best candidates, makes it clear that the post will provide a specialist service for sarcoma patients and this will be a focus during the recruitment process.
Nursing Home Services
Ceisteanna (199)
John Brady
Ceist:199. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health if he will secure the day care services and the nursing home at a location (details supplied), his future plans for the home, including future investment and upgrading; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35388/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Health Services Staff Recruitment
Ceisteanna (200)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:200. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the trouble the HSE is having in recruiting key essential professionals within the health service in counties Cavan and Monaghan; his views on these difficulties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35390/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
Question No. 201 answered with Question No. 198.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (202)
Jackie Cahill
Ceist:202. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the status of an ear, nose and throat appointment in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35399/16]
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.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (203)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:203. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35407/16]
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 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 you directly.