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Tuesday, 16 Oct 2012

Written Answers Nos. 674 - 696

Office for Older People Remit

Questions (674)

Robert Dowds

Question:

674. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the work of the Office for Older People in the past year [44694/12]

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Written answers

In addition to a wide range of work in supporting the Minister in respect of parliamentary and other duties the work of the Office for Older People over the last year or so included:

- To oversee and evaluate implementation of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009 and to support and monitor the HSE in administering the Scheme in accordance with the law and within budgetary constraints

- Review and revision of the Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People Regulations 2009

- Preparatory work to inform the development of a National Dementia Strategy

- Publication of a national policy on restraint in nursing homes

- To monitor and evaluate the delivery of community based services

- To monitor and evaluate implementation of palliative care policy, including paediatric palliative care policy.

- To progress analysis of strategic planning for residential and community based care for older people

- To ensure that appropriate outcomes for core and additional funding provided for older people & palliative care are achieved, together with ongoing monitoring of the funding and activity

- Lead Ireland’s participation in the European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations 2012

- Develop the National Carers Strategy

- Develop the National Positive Ageing Strategy

- Oversee the implementation of policy on elder abuse

- Oversee the State’s funding arrangements and participation in The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA)

- Development of policy on long stay charges (including amending regulations in 2011)

- Monitoring of, and liaison with, the HSE on their implementation of regulations on long stay charges

- Management of long stay and disability litigation·

- Liaison and administrative support to the National Oversight Committee on the implementation of the Health (Repayment Scheme) Act 2006

- Ongoing facilitation of the work of the Health Repayment Scheme and the related Appeals Office in their determination of any outstanding claims and appeals.

Progress for the Office in relation to 2012 will be reviewed in early 2013.

Medicinal Products Supply

Questions (675)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

675. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his plans to make the drug (details provided) available to cancer patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44695/12]

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Written answers

On 15th October, 2012, the Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly, announced that intensive negotiations with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA) had reached a successful conclusion with a major new deal on the cost of drugs in the State. This deal has a value in excess of €400 million over the next three years and will mean, amongst other things, greater access to new cutting-edge drugs. Accordingly, the HSE is finalising arrangements for the reimbursement of Abiraterone Acetate (Zytiga®) in line with the new agreement.

Cancer Screening Programme

Questions (676)

Eric J. Byrne

Question:

676. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Health when the national bowel cancer screening programme will be expanded to cover the broader age range of 55-74 year olds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44700/12]

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Written answers

I am very pleased to confirm that the colorectal screening programme will commence, as promised, on a phased basis in the fourth quarter of this year. This delivers on a key commitment of the Government.

Colorectal cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer among both men and women in Ireland. Approximately 2,200 new cases are diagnosed each year, and it is cause of death in around 950 people each year. Colorectal screening works on two fronts: it provides early detection and therefore earlier and more effective treatment, and it helps to prevent cancer in the first place by detecting pre-cancerous growths such as polyps. It is therefore imperative that the programme commences and continues on a sustainable basis.

When fully implemented the programme will offer free screening to men and women aged 55-74. The programme will begin with the 60-69 age group, covering approximately some 500,000 people.

The screening programme is the first call/recall screening programme in Ireland to be offered to men as well as women. Organising a national programme of this kind is very complex. To ensure quality and safety it is imperative that the programme is introduced in a carefully managed and monitored way to minimise risks to patients and maximise best clinical outcomes. Over time the phasing of the programme will allow development of colonoscopy capacity to cater for the full 55-74 year old population.

Hospital Staff

Questions (677)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Question:

677. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details on overall staff levels at every individual hospital in the State for 2010 and 2011; and if he will ensure that a full and substantive reply is included in his reply and that the reply does not consist only of a direction to a specific website. [44707/12]

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Written answers

It is my understanding that the question relating to staffing levels was referred directly to the HSE last week and that the information is currently being collated and will be forwarded to the Deputy when it is complete.

Orthodontic Services Waiting Lists

Questions (678)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

678. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the waiting times for orthodontic treatment for young persons in the Orthodontic Service, Mill House, Ashtown Gate, Navan Road, Dublin; his plans to deal with the situation in conjunction with the Health Service Executive and local staff; and with regard to a child (details supplied) in Dublin 9 that he will outline when this child may expect to receive treatment [44711/12]

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Written answers

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Health Services Staff Issues

Questions (679)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

679. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 218 of 11 July 2012, the number of the 150 posts promised for child and adolescent mental health services that are now in place. [44718/12]

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Written answers

Progress on the recruitment of the 150 posts for Child and Adolescent Community Mental Health Teams is continuing. 92 posts are now with the National Recruitment Service of the HSE at various stages in the recruitment process; 68 job offers have been accepted and these appointments are proceeding. In addition, 12 candidates have been asked to express an interest in relation to the filling of posts, and a further 12 posts are being filled either through transfer or are being amalgamated with other posts. Most start dates are expected to be in December to allow for the process of checking references, Garda clearance etc.

Tithe Altranais

Questions (680, 681, 682, 683, 684)

Robert Dowds

Question:

680. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Robert Dowds den Aire Sláinte an féidir leis figiúirí a sholáthar i ndáil leis an líon tithe altranais poiblí, tithe altanais príobháideacha agus tithe altranais deonacha atá ann, agus figiúirí a thugann líon na ndaoine atá ina gcónaí iontu, faoi seach [44739/12]

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Robert Dowds

Question:

681. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Robert Dowds den Aire Sláinte an féidir leis figiúirí a sholáthar i ndáil le líon na ngearán a fuair an Roinn Sláinte, FSS, UFCS nó áisíneachtaí sláinte eile ó othair nó ó dhaoine eile maidir le tithe altranais poiblí, tithe altanais príobháideacha nó tithe altranais deonacha, faoi seach, in 2012 [44740/12]

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Robert Dowds

Question:

682. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Robert Dowds den Aire Sláinte an féidir leis figiúirí a sholáthar i ndáil le líon na bhfiosruithe a rinne UFCS maidir le tithe altranais poiblí, tithe altanais príobháideacha nó tithe altranais deonacha, faoi seach, in 2012 [44741/12]

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Robert Dowds

Question:

683. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Robert Dowds den Aire Sláinte an féidir leis figiúirí a sholáthar i ndáil le líon na n-iniúchtaí gan choinne a rinne UFCS ar thithe altranais poiblí, ar thithe altanais príobháideacha nó ar thithe altranais deonacha, faoi seach, in 2012 [44742/12]

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Robert Dowds

Question:

684. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Robert Dowds den Aire Sláinte an féidir leis figiúirí a sholáthar i ndáil le líon na rialachán a sháraigh tithe altranais poiblí, tithe altanais príobháideacha nó tithe altranais deonacha, faoi seach, in 2012, de réir fhiosruithe UFCS [44743/12]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 680 to 684, inclusive, together.

Déanann on Roinn Sláinte suirbhé d’aonaid fadchónaithe gach bliain. Cuirtear ceistneoir chuig gach aonad fadchónaithe (poiblí, príobháideach agus deonach) agus déanann an Roinn comhordú ar na freagraí. An aidhm atá leis an suirbhé ná staitisticí a sholáthar maidir le líon na leapacha atá ar fáil i gcomhair cúram fadtéarmach, conas a úsáidtear na leapacha agus na cineálacha daoine a úsáideann na leapacha. Ullmhaítear “Staitisticí Gníomhaíocht Fadchónaithe” (Long-Stay Activity Statistics – atá ar fáil i mBéarla amháin) a fhoilsítear ar shuíomh gréasáin na Roinne.

Tá fáil ar Staitisticí Gníomhaíocht Fadchónaithe 2010 (an bhliain is deireanaí atá ar fáil) agus na blianta roimhe sin ar www.doh.ie. Tugann gach tuarascáil mionsonraí ar líon na leapacha príobháideacha agus poiblí i ngach Contae, aonad ar aonad. Ba chóir go mbeadh an Teachta aireach go bhfuil torthaí na suirbhéanna féintuairiscithe.

Beidh an Teachta ar an eolas gurb é an tÚdarás Um Fhaisnéis agus Cáilíocht Sláinte (ÚFCS) an comhlacht reachtúil atá freagrach as lárionaid ainmnithe do dhaoine scothaosta a chlárú. Tá fáil ar sonraí gach teach altranais atá cláraithe faoi láthair, lena n-áirítear an t-uasmhéid cónaitheoirí gur féidir freastail orthu, ar shuíomh gréasáin ÚFCS, www.hiqa.ie .

Sonraíonn Tuarascáil Bhliantúil 2011, atá foilsithe ag an Údarás, an gníomhaíocht clárúcháin agus cigireachta agus an tuairisciú a rinneadh i rith 2011. Tá fáil ar an eolas seo ar shuíomh greásáin ÚFSC. Ina theannta sin, i mí Feabhra 2012 d’fhoilsigh ÚFCS tuarascáil dar teideal “Designated centres for older people: an analysis of inspection findings during the first 15 months of inspection ” ina dtugtar mionsonraí maidir le líon sáruithe na rialacháin agus maidir le cineáleacha na sáruithe úd.

Hospital Services

Questions (685)

Michelle Mulherin

Question:

685. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Health when the accreditation process for Mayo General Hospital, as an identified candidate colonoscopy unit, will be concluded in order for the hospital to provide the necessary services on behalf of the national colorectal screening programme; the date on which the service will commence at Mayo General; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44748/12]

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Written answers

The Deputy's question relates to service delivery matters and accordingly I have asked the HSE to respond directly to her.

Hospital Services

Questions (686)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Question:

686. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health following a recent Hydrocephalus information day in County Donegal, it emerged that there is no emergency plan in place from Letterkenny Hospital to Beaumont or Temple Street hospitals, Dublin, when a child with a problem relating to their Hydrocephalus and that there needs to be links between these hospitals to make sure that services in an emergency situation are coordinated as time is an important factor in these situations; his plans to rectify this issue [44752/12]

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Written answers

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Questions Nos. 687 to 689, inclusive, answered with Question No. 659.

Services for People with Disabilities

Questions (690, 691)

Finian McGrath

Question:

690. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health when the Health Information and Quality Authority standards for residential services for persons with disabilities, which were introduced in 2009, will be implemented. [44764/12]

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Finian McGrath

Question:

691. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the time frame for the implementations of Health Information and Quality Authority inspections in publically funded residential facilities which cater for the more than 10,000 adults and children with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44765/12]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 690 and 691 together.

The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has prepared and published standards for this sector, which outline what is expected of a provider of services and what a person with a disability, his or her family, and the public can expect to receive from residential care services.

The current Programme for Government includes a specific commitment to put these standards on a statutory footing and ensure that the services are inspected by HIQA. While separate National Quality Standards for both adults and children with disabilities have already been developed by HIQA, they have now brought the draft standards together in one document albeit, with the standards for adults and children being listed separately. This draft document is now the subject of a 5 week consultation process before it can be finalised and brought before the board of HIQA. The final agreed standards document will then be forwarded to the Department for approval with a likely publication date in early January.

Work is also underway in the Department on both the ‘Registration and Inspection’ regulations and the ‘Care and Welfare’ regulations required to bring the standards into law. These are being developed taking into account the lessons learned with the introduction three years ago of similar regulations for nursing homes. It is expected that the new regulatory system should be up and running by mid 2013.

While the HIQA standards have yet to be put on a statutory footing, it is worth noting that compliance with the HIQA standards is already included in the Service Level Arrangements between the HSE and service providers in the disability sector.

Primary Care Centres Provision

Questions (692)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

692. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the current stage of development of the primary care centre at Gleann Riada, Longford, County Longford; the various regulations and standards with which this infrastructural project has complied; the date of same and detail of inspecting authority; the funding model that is being used for this facility; if he is confident that this facility is fit-for-purpose and safe for patients and staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44769/12]

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Written answers

Management of the Health Service Executive property portfolio is a service matter. Therefore the Deputy's question has been referred to the Executive for direct reply.

Long-Term Illness Scheme Budget

Questions (693)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

693. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 584 of 2 October 2012, and in view of confirmatory reports in the media (details supplied), when a response will issue from the Health Service Executive; the measures are being taken to address the delay in providing orthotics, specialised footwear and other developmental supports and appliances for children in need by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44770/12]

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Written answers

Further to the Deputy's Parliamentary Question No. 584 of 2 October 2012 and the Deputy's Parliamentary Question for today, Tuesday 16th October 2012, I wish to inform the Deputy that the Health Service Executive (HSE) does not operate a national scheme with a fixed list of entitlements which includes footwear allowances to people who require orthopaedic footwear. Local offices may operate a discretionary budget which covers a wide range of items ranging from mobility aids to communication aids. It is possible that some individuals have received orthopaedic footwear in the past from this source.

The HSE has agreed to a number of non-service impacting cash reduction measures, which includes a €3 million saving from the aids and appliances budget. However, the HSE has not issued a national instruction to exclude items from this budget, which is decided on a case by case basis at local level.

Approval of items is based on detailed information received and with the assistance of local prioritisation guidelines to ensure that people with the most urgent assessed needs have their needs met first, within a set monthly budget. All professionals providing community based services will be aware of the prioritisation criteria and will provide any necessary and urgent items of equipment following appropriate assessment, as soon as possible.

The position in the area identified in the details supplied by the Deputy, the Dublin South East/Wicklow Integrated Service Area, is that aids and appliances are provided by the HSE on the basis of a priority system and within budgets that are provided for these devices. These priorities are set by clinical staff on the basis of patient need. Within those constraints every effort is being taken to ensure the supply of orthotics, specialised footwear and other development supports for children. Where there is insufficient budget to provide a device immediately, waiting lists are in place for the provision/allocation of such devices.

Hospital Services

Questions (694)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

694. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the position regarding cardiology services at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that patients presenting with ST-elevated Myocardial Infarction must by-pass Mid Western Regional Hospital and attend at University Hospital Galway at night and weekends; the reason this situation has arisen; his views on whether this an acceptable situation in a centre of excellence facility; if he will provide the relevant risk assessment carried out in advance of this change; the measures he is taking to address this situation and to ensure that it is not repeated at MWRH or elsewhere; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44771/12]

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Written answers

The ACS (acute coronary syndrome) Programme is a national clinical programme aimed at improving cardiac care throughout the country by providing patients with prompt access to higher level investigations and treatment such as cardiac catherisation (angiography), advanced radiology and critical care.

A service which is for a specific type of heart attack (ST elevation Myocardial Infarction, or STEMI) is currently provided at the MWRH Limerick Monday to Friday, 8 to 5. A STEMI is a heart attack caused by a blockage in the arteries. It is diagnosed by using 12 lead ECG machines and treated by clot busting drugs (thrombolysis) or by the insertion of a wire into the artery to open it by using a balloon to allow the blood to flow to the heart muscle again. This is known as a primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) and can only be done in a hospital equipped with an emergency catheter laboratory. Ambulances are equipped and paramedics trained to recognize a major heart attack and to transport these patients to a primary PCI centre hospital. PPCI services went live in Galway on October 1st and it is anticipated that Limerick will become a 24 hour centre for these patients within the next few weeks as the programme is rolled out throughout the country following an inspection by the national clinical ACS Programme Lead.

International evidence has shown that PPCI is the most effective treatment for major heart attacks and most countries in the developed world have moved to this model of treatment. It is for this reason that we are striving to expand this service to the people of the Mid West. The number of patients requiring this service out of hours in the Mid West each year is approximately 58. Limerick has a 24/7 coronary care unit and both this and day cardiology services will shortly move to a new, state of the art critical care block.

It is important to note that a STEMI is not a case of cardiac arrest. Anyone suffering a cardiac arrest can be treated 24/7 in the Mid Western Regional Hospital.

Services for People with Disabilities

Questions (695)

Brendan Ryan

Question:

695. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health the Health Service Executive's policy regarding young persons with disabilities leaving a foster care situation; if the HSE continues to be responsible for the provision of care to these young persons; the supports that are offered by adult disability services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44775/12]

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Written answers

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Services for People with Disabilities

Questions (696)

Brendan Ryan

Question:

696. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health the average cost to the State of care provision to a person with a disability living in State residential care [44776/12]

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Written answers

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

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