Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 February 2012
248 Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Health the reason intravenous drugs such as antibiotics can only be administered in a hospital setting as opposed to nursing homes when there are suitably qualified staff; if he will consider reviewing this in view of the fact that it creates unnecessary hospital admissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9051/12]
View answerThere is nothing in medicines legislation that requires intravenous antibiotics to be administered in a hospital only.
The Minister for Health and Children introduced primary legislation in 2006 to allow prescriptive authority for nurses and midwives subject to conditions specified in regulations. The focus subsequently has been to successfully implement the initiative by supporting health service providers to introduce medicinal product prescribing based on service need within a national standardised framework and strong clinical governance.
Prescriptive authority for nurses and midwives is founded on a dual framework of medicines legislation, and professional regulation and a programme of implementation has been rolled out since 2007.
I have asked the HSE to supply the Deputy with details of sites where this programme is in progress.
249 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the extent of the waiting list for orthodontic treatment by county; if all patients are categorised by severity; if so, the waiting time by category and by county; if it is intended to fill any specialist vacancies for the provision of this service in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9060/12]
View answerReferrals for orthodontic treatment are generally assessed for eligibility under the Modified Index of Treatment Need (IOTN). This establishes the category of need; Grade 5 being more complex needs and Grade 4 being less complex needs.
The following table outlines the number of patients awaiting orthodontic treatment and the average waiting time for the second quarter of 2011:
|
HSE Area |
Grade 5 formerly Category A |
Waiting time (Months) |
Grade 4 formerly Category B |
Waiting time (Months) |
|
South Western |
531 |
16 months |
535 |
24 months |
|
Mid Leinster |
375 |
18-24 months |
494 |
36 months |
|
Midland |
82 |
12 months |
815 |
24 months |
|
North/North Eastern |
770 |
12 months |
1,861 |
42 months |
|
Southern |
206 |
21 months |
1,776 |
42 months |
|
Mid Western* |
1,174 |
24 months |
||
|
North Western |
263 |
12 months |
279 |
32 months |
|
South Eastern** |
n/a |
n/a |
||
|
Western* |
1,891 |
36 months |
*A breakdown by grade is not available for the Mid Western or the Western region.
**Figures for the South Eastern area are currently unavailable.
The HSE will be commissioning an independent review of orthodontic services in 2012 which is intended to review a number of service provision models and the required skills mix. The outcome of this review will give guidance as to what changes will be desirable to provide the best possible model of care delivery, given the current resources available and expected future demand for services.
