Barry Cowen
Question:176. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath may expect an outpatient appointment at the Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore. [4575/13]
View answerHospital Waiting Lists
Questions (176)
Written answers
Improving access to outpatient services is a key priority for the Government. Building on work already undertaken by the HSE, the NTPF has now taken over the reporting of outpatient waiting time data. The collation and analysis of outpatient waiting time data in a standardised format will reveal the distribution of long waiters across all hospitals. In the first instance, this will allow the SDU and NTPF to target their resources towards those patients who are waiting longest and ensure that they are seen and assessed. A maximum waiting time target has now been set of 12 months for a first time outpatient appointment by 30 November 2013.
In parallel with reducing the numbers of longest waiters, the SDU will also work with the HSE Clinical Programmes to reform the structure, organisation and delivery of outpatient services to ensure that the right patient is seen and assessed by the right health professional at the right time. Should the patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he/she would be in the best position to take the matter up with the consultant and hospital involved. In relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Health Services Staff Issues
Questions (177)
Billy Kelleher
Question:177. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of doctors or consultants who are on the payroll of the Health Service Executive who are currently suspended; the rate of pay they are receiving while on suspension; the length of time each of them are out on suspension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4586/13]
View answerWritten answers
The Health Service Executive has responsibility for matters relating to the suspension of any of its employees. I have asked the Executive to collect the information sought by the Deputy and to reply to him directly.
Disabled Drivers Grants
Questions (178)
Dara Calleary
Question:178. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health if the full review of all motorised transport grant applications in County Donegal has been completed as recommended by the Ombudsman; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4624/13]
View answerWritten answers
The Ombudsman recommended that the Department should revise the definition of disability in the circular governing the Motorised Transport Grant having regard to the broad definition of disability set out in the Equal Status Acts. In addition she requested, among other things, the HSE to review applications previously made in Donegal having regard to the broad definition of disability in the Equal Status Acts. This recommendation is dependent on the Department amending the eligibility criteria for the Motorised Transport Grant to include a broad definition of disability as outlined in the Equal Status Acts.
The Minister is not in a position to amend the circular relating to the Motorised Transport Grant as recommended in the Ombudsman's report. Expansion of the definition of disability would impose serious financial constraints on the Department, the HSE and the State generally. The recommendations, if implemented as outlined, would create liabilities that the State could not afford. In this context the HSE cannot review other applications in Donegal as the eligibility criteria for the grant has not changed. However, the Minister does accept that significant issues have been raised by the Ombudsman in relation to the Motorised Transport Grant and is considering them carefully.
Health Services Staff Issues
Questions (179)
James Bannon
Question:179. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health if he will adjust the proposal in respect of the employment of 1,000 newly qualified nurses and midwives at 80% of the first point of the staff nurse salary scale, which means in essence that they will incur a cut of €11,470 in just three years and reapply the salary scale as heretofore to the positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4631/13]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Initiative, graduate nurses and midwives will be paid 80% of the first point of the Staff Nurse Scale. They will also qualify for premium payments and allowances on a pro rata basis, bringing expected average pay to over €25,000 per year, excluding overtime. The employment of graduates in a specific graduate scheme is a widespread practice in other sectors of the economy. The salary level was set having regard to the norms for such programmes and the need to achieve significant savings on nurse agency and overtime expenditure. The scheme was agreed on the basis that significant savings would arise.
The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has also agreed that participants in this initiative will not be counted for the purposes of the Health Sector Employment Ceiling. The initiative therefore provides a valuable opportunity for a substantial number of recently-qualified nurses and midwives to work in Ireland at a time when job opportunities in the public service are, regrettably, very limited. The initiative will enable them to gain valuable work experience and development opportunities post-graduation. Given the requirement to achieve reductions in staff numbers in the health sector and to maximise savings, it is not possible at present, other than in very limited circumstances, to offer employment positions.
Health Services Provision
Questions (180)
Bernard Durkan
Question:180. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which support services of a medical/psychiatric nature are available in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4632/13]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Health Reports
Questions (181)
Denis Naughten
Question:181. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the implementation of the national emergency medicine programme report published in June 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4638/13]
View answerWritten answers
The Report of the Emergency Medicine Programme was published in June 2012, following extensive consultation with patients and frontline staff across the health services. The aim of the Programme is to improve the safety and quality of care and to reduce waiting times for patients in emergency departments. The Programme is a blueprint for the future development of emergency care in Ireland, with new models of care for the treatment of patients, expanding the role of nurses and increasing consultant-provided care. The Report itself is a resource for frontline staff, to allow best practice to be shared and standardised nationally over the coming years. As implementation of the Programme is the responsibility of the Clinical Programmes Directorate and the Special Delivery Unit, I have asked the HSE to reply directly to you in this matter.