Written Answers to Questions - Northern Ireland Assembly

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Friday 20 July 2012 Written Answers National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence Guidance Mr McCarthy asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, in light of the publication of circular HSC (SQSD) NICE 04/11 in September 2011, whether the timescales are being achieved for (i) the endorsement of National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidance; and (ii) commissioning endorsed NICE guidance. (AQW 13539/11-15) Mr Poots: (i) Since the publication of circular HSC (SQSD) NICE 04/11, my Department has endorsed almost all Technology Appraisals and the majority of Clinical Guidelines published by NICE within the required timescales. (ii) Where new treatments were commissioned, the majority of commissioning plans for Technology Appraisals and Board responses for Clinical Guidelines have been submitted to my Department by the HSC Board within the required timescales. Circular HSC (SQSD) NICE 04/11 Mr McCarthy asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, in light of the publication of circular HSC (SQSD) NICE 04/11 in September 2011, what measures are in place to ensure that patients can access effective treatments in the period between the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence approval and his Department approving the commissioning plan for the Technology Appraisal. (AQW 13540/11-15) Mr Poots: For cancer drugs commissioning arrangements for 2012/13 have been agreed including drugs that have been approved by NICE at final draft or final stage but not yet endorsed for use in Northern Ireland. Funding will be on a cost per case basis. Trusts are required to submit a request in respect of each patient in advance of treatment commencing. A Medicines Management Commissioning Team has been established which met for the first time in early July. This team will play a key role in ensuring that commissioning arrangements for all new drugs in Northern Ireland are robust, transparent and facilitate timely access to evidence-based treatments. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence Guidance Mr McCarthy asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (i) when he will receive the first annual report from the Health and Social Care Board on the progress in commissioning services in accordance with the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidance endorsed by his Department, as stated in HSC (SQSD) NICE 04/11; and (ii) whether the report will be published. (AQW 13541/11-15) Mr Poots: (i) The first progress report is expected to be submitted to my Department in April 2013 and will cover the18 month period from the start of the new process for Endorsement, Implementation, Monitoring and Assurance of NICE Technology Appraisals and Clinical Guidelines in Northern Ireland. The HSC Board will report annually thereafter. (ii) It is intended that the first and subsequent reports will be published. Foyle Search and Rescue: Funding Mr Eastwood asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, pursuant AQW 13350/11-15, to detail (i) why his Department does not fund Foyle Search and Rescue given its remit towards public safety and the recent launch of the refreshed Protect Life Strategy; and (ii) whether he will give consideration to providing financial support to Foyle Search and Rescue. (AQW 13547/11-15) WA 556
Friday 20 July 2012 Written Answers Mr Poots: The funding of individual groups to provide suicide prevention services is an operational issue and is not, therefore, addressed under the refreshed Protect Life Strategy. However, the Strategy contains an action on supporting community-based suicide prevention and bereavement support initiatives. In taking forward this action, the Public Health Agency (PHA) provides funding for communityled initiatives. Foyle Search and Rescue has been allocated £175,600 by the PHA under Protect Life over the period 2007-2013, including £25,000 in the current financial year. The organisation has also received £17,411 from the PHA through the CLEAR project’s small grants scheme. Care for Older People in Hospitals and Care Homes Mr McCarthy asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what measures he is taking to ensure dignity in the care for older people in hospitals and care homes. (AQW 13567/11-15) Mr Poots: The concept of treating all patients, irrespective of their age or any disability, with dignity and respect at all times is integral to the training of all healthcare professionals. All registered professions have very clear Codes of Conduct built into the regulatory requirements, and all registrants must maintain those standards in order to remain on their professional register. Care for People with a Learning Disability in Hospitals and Care Homes Mr McCarthy asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what measures he is taking to ensure dignity in the care for people with a learning disability in hospitals and care homes. (AQW 13568/11-15) Mr Poots: The concept of treating all patients, irrespective of their age or any disability, with dignity and respect at all times is integral to the training of all healthcare professionals. All registered professions have very clear Codes of Conduct built into the regulatory requirements, and all registrants must maintain those standards in order to remain on their professional register. Abuse in Hospital or Care Home Settings Mr McCarthy asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what measures he is taking to ensure that older people do not suffer abuse in hospital or care home settings. (AQW 13569/11-15) Mr Poots: My Department, in conjunction with other agencies, continues to develop measures aimed at safeguarding all vulnerable adults, including older people and people with a learning disability, in hospitals and care homes. Such measures include: ■ Implementing the changes to disclosure and barring arrangements for preventing unsuitable individuals from working with vulnerable groups; ■ Development of a service framework for the health and wellbeing of older people; and ■ Development of a safeguarding vulnerable adults training programme targeted at the voluntary, community and independent sectors. In addition, the Health and Social Care Board, together with the Northern Ireland Adult Safeguarding Partnership (NIASP): ■ Launched a training DVD which addresses the phenomenon of abuse of vulnerable adults in care settings; ■ Are reviewing current regional adult protection operating policies and procedural guidance by the NIASP; ■ Are planning a conference aimed at the acute sector, including hospitals, which will focus on adult safeguarding and will take place later this year. WA 557
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Written Answers to Questions - Northern Ireland Assembly

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