John Perry
Question:79 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans he has to improve health and safety in the workplace (details supplied). [19393/01]
Written Answers. - Health and Safety Regulations.
The issue of health and safety in the workplace is one which I consider to be of the highest importance. As the Deputy is aware, responsibility for health and safety in the workplace lies with my colleague the Tánaiste and Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Employment through the Health and Safety Authority, HSA. I fully support the work of the HSA both in its advisory role in relation to health and safety issues and in the enforcement of health and safety legislation.
As far as health and safety in the health service is concerned, as set out in the HSA's annual report for 2000, there were no fatalities in the health and social work sector. Notwithstanding this, I am continuing to take measures to reduce risks to health and safety and create a safer environment for all those working in the health service.
In 2000 each health board was asked to submit details of a review of their security arrangements in their accident and emergency units. Following this review I provided an additional £1 million to further strengthen security in these units.
In February 2001 I met with the HSA to discuss health and safety issues in the health service and welcomed their plans to step up their ongoing programme of review of health and safety in the health sector. Subsequently, I wrote to the chief executive officer of each health board, reminding them of their obligation to minimise and effectively manage all risks to the health and safety of their employees.
In May 2001 the Report of the Advisory Committee on Health Services was launched. This is a detailed and comprehensive report encompassing all aspects of health and safety in the health sector including the critical issue of occupational health and safety. The advisory committee's report which highlights the importance of creating a safety culture within health service organisations will provide the primary basis for my plans to continue to seek to protect and enhance the health and safety of all those working in the health service.
Monica Barnes
Question:80 Mrs. Barnes asked the Minister for Health and Children his plans to assist persons with brain injury. [19361/01]
The provision of health related services to people with acquired brain injuries is a matter for the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the health boards in the first instance and all additional funding made available for the development of such services is provided to the authority and the health boards to allocate on a priority basis, in consultation with their regional co-ordinating committees for physical and sensory disability services. Voluntary sector service providers and service users are represented on these co-ordinating committees.
Individuals with an acquired brain injury form part of a larger client group, known as the "Young Chronic Sick". The need to provide care and rehabilitation services to deliver on-going therapeutic programmes to the young chronic sick on discharge from acute hospital care or medical rehabilitation and specialised units to provide constant nursing care for individuals with severe acquired brain injury have been identified as a priority service for development.
Just over £92 million is being provided under the national development plan for services for people with physical and sensory disabilities over the years 2001-06, including the development of a rehabilitation and long-term care service for people with acquired brain injury.
The need for additional rehabilitation beds has been identified in the review of bed capacity. This review is at an advanced stage and the findings will be brought to Government in the near future. I accept that there is a need to provide facilities which can meet the needs of patients requiring access to rehabilitation services. These include selected groups with specific conditions, such as acquired brain injury, who require continuing care in a setting appropriate to their needs.