Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 June 2005
159 Mr. Hayes asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the action she will take, and when, to improve the appalling inpatient provision for cystic fibrosis patients of St. Vincent’s Hospital, Dublin. [22963/05]
View answer160 Mr. McHugh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the action she proposes to take to implement the findings of a recent independent report which recommended that beds in medical institutions for cystic fibrosis patients should be in single rooms to reduce the risk of cross-infection; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22964/05]
View answer181 Mr. Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on whether the safety of cystic fibrosis patients is being placed at continuing risk due to inadequate staffing and facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22048/05]
View answer182 Mr. Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the embargo on permanent recruitment of medical staff will be lifted, in the event of the Pollock report being endorsed by the HSE working group on cystic fibrosis service provision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22049/05]
View answer183 Mr. Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if, in the event of the HSE working group on cystic fibrosis confirming the findings of the Pollock report, she will commit the necessary funding to address the crisis in cystic fibrosis service provision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22050/05]
View answer254 Dr. Cowley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if it is accepted by her Department that existing cystic fibrosis services here are below basic international standard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22663/05]
View answer255 Dr. Cowley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the HSE working group confirms the findings of the Pollock report; if the funding necessary to address the immediate short and long-term requirements of cystic fibrosis sufferers will be allocated; if she will address the current situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22664/05]
View answer256 Dr. Cowley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she is prepared to put forward a special case that will allow the permanent recruitment of staff, in view of the employment ceiling cap; if the HSE working group endorses the findings of the Pollock report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22665/05]
View answer257 Dr. Cowley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when she is prepared to meet the Cystic Fibrosis Association; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22666/05]
View answer258 Dr. Cowley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on whether the safety of cystic fibrosis patients is being compromised due to inadequate staffing and facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22667/05]
View answer259 Dr. Cowley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her Department is willing to consider public and private partnerships as an option to fast-track the provision of internationally acceptable services for cystic fibrosis patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22668/05]
View answer260 Dr. Cowley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the way she would react if a hospital were to deny access to a cystic fibrosis sufferer to hospital care, due to overcrowding and the risk of exposure to cross-infection; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22669/05]
View answer261 Dr. Cowley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will give a commitment for adequate funding for the resourcing of services to address the needs of cystic fibrosis patients due to the fact that funding for cystic fibrosis sufferers is described as unstable and at risk from other pressures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22670/05]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 159, 160, 181 to 183, inclusive, and 254 to 261, inclusive, together.
I have seen the report which the Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland commissioned from Dr. Ronnie Pollock. The report reviewed existing hospital services for people with cystic fibrosis in the context of accepted international standards and concluded that the services available for persons with cystic fibrosis in this country are not of the standard that they should be.
The report provides an assessment of need for current and future cystic fibrosis patients. It makes recommendations with regard to the numbers and categories of staff that are appropriate for a modern, multi-disciplinary cystic fibrosis service. Following publication of the report, the Health Service Executive, HSE, at the request of the Cystic Fibrosis Association, established a working group to review the current configuration and delivery of services to persons with cystic fibrosis in Ireland, both in hospitals and in the community. The working group is also to make recommendations for the reconfiguration, improvement and development of those services.
The working group is multi-disciplinary in its composition and includes representation from the Cystic Fibrosis Association. It held its first meeting in early April and I understand it hopes to complete its work over the next few months. The Pollock report is one of a number of reports relating to cystic fibrosis services being considered by the group. The work of the group will result in an agreed proposal for the development and reconfiguration of services for cystic fibrosis patients in Ireland. The funding and implementation of the services will be a matter for the HSE.
I will be glad to meet with the Cystic Fibrosis Association and the HSE to discuss the development and reconfiguration of services for persons with cystic fibrosis when the working group has finalised its proposals.
In regard to the services for cystic fibrosis patients at St. Vincent's University Hospital, I understand the HSE has made some additional funding available to the hospital to implement short-term measures to alleviate some of the pressures, including the provision of additional staff and additional space.
161 Dr. Cowley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when a designated oncology unit will be provided to Mayo General Hospital in view of the appointment of a second oncologist at the hospital; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that currently the oncology section at the hospital is four chairs in a temporary ward (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21873/05]
View answerThe Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
