Michael Harty (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Durkan had to go to the Chamber for Question Time.

I have a few questions. Mr. O'Brien's opening statement referred to a 6% increase in accident and emergency attendances, a significant number of which are patients over the age of 75. Patients aged over 75 will stay longer in hospital and have more complex needs. We certainly need a response to our ageing population and changing demographics. As stated in the Sláinte report, perhaps some of those patients do not need to be in hospital and can be looked after in the community, either in model 2 hospitals, and not ending up in accident and emergency, or to be maintained in their nursing homes by employing community intervention teams to supply services to these lower level hospitals. I ask the Minister to comment on that aspect.

Mr. O'Brien mentioned that 14,300 people who have been waiting longer than 15 months will be taken off the National Treatment Purchase Fund's procedure list. Into what category do they fall? When representatives of the National Treatment Purchase Fund appeared before the committee some weeks ago, they addressed long waiters who were waiting for day case or simple procedures. It was not really taking people who needed complex procedures off that list.

Mr. O'Brien's opening statement indicated that 191,000 people have been waiting longer than 15 months for an outpatient appointment. It is proposed that 50% of those would be dealt with in 2017, which equates to 95,000, some 36,000 of which have been dealt with already. How has that been achieved? How was it possible to remove 36,000 from the long waiting list?

I ask the Minister to give an update on the access programme for cannabis products in cases of epilepsy, muscular spasm, MS and intractable vomiting as a result of chemotherapy.

Mr. O'Brien has said that the Sláinte report represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reform our health service. The Minister has stated that he is happy to deal with areas outlined in the report that are compatible with Government policy. It will hardly reform our health service if it is confined to areas incompatible with Government policy. I ask him to comment on that point.