Written Answers Nos. 322-339
322. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will detail the number of neurology specialists in this State; their grade and location; the average waiting times for appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7846/13]
View answerSubject to overall parameters set by Government, the Health Service Executive has responsibility for determining the composition of its staffing complement. I have asked the Executive to compile the information requested by the Deputy and to reply to him directly.
323. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will detail the number of medical rehabilitation specialists in this State; their grade and location; the average waiting times for appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7847/13]
View answerSubject to overall parameters set by Government, the Health Service Executive has responsibility for determining the composition of its staffing complement. I have asked the Executive to compile the information requested by the Deputy and to reply to him directly.
324. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will detail funding levels for community and hospital neurological services in this State for the years 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013; if he will outline the principal facilities and services provided there; the average waiting times for access; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7848/13]
View answerIn 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.
326. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Health when he expects legislation on the long term illness scheme to be finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7852/13]
View answerThe Programme for Government commits to reforming the current public health system by introducing Universal Health Insurance with equal access to care for all. As part of this, the Government is committed to introducing, on a phased basis, GP care without fees within its first term of office. Primary legislation is required to give effect to Government commitment to introduce a universal GP service without fees.
Legislation to allow the Minister for Health to make regulations to extend access to GP services without fees to persons with prescribed illnesses is currently being drafted by the Office of the Attorney General and the Department and it will be published shortly. Implementation dates and application details will be announced in due course.
An annual budget of €15 million was provided for the first phase of the roll out of GP care without fees.
329. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the reasons for the delays being experienced by his Department in the preparation and publication of the White Paper on Universal Health Insurance, and the preliminary document to the White Paper, promised in Future Health in November 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7857/13]
View answerThe Government is embarking on a major reform programme for the health system, the aim of which is to deliver a single-tier health service, supported by universal health insurance (UHI), where access is based on need, not on income. Under UHI, everyone will be insured and will have equal access to a standard package of primary and acute hospital services, including acute mental health services. A new Insurance Fund will subsidise or pay insurance premiums for those who qualify for a subsidy.
The reform programme is a major undertaking that requires careful planning and sequencing over a number of years. Future Health: A Strategic Framework for Reform of the Health Service 2012-2015 highlights the importance of a step-by-step evidence-based approach to achieving an effective, equitable and efficient system and sets out key actions to systematically deliver on reform.
One of these actions is the production of a preliminary document on UHI by end 2012. This Preliminary Paper was produced in December in line with the target. It was considered by the Cabinet Committee on Health in January and will be published very shortly.
The Department is preparing a White Paper on Universal Health Insurance which will provide further detail on the UHI model for Ireland in addition to the estimated costs and financing mechanisms associated with the introduction of universal health insurance. The work involved is both complex and technical, necessitating significant research and financial modelling to support analysis and costing of different design options. This, in turn, demands a wide-range of specialised expertise. The Department is engaged in a process to ensure the provision of this expertise to feed into work on the preparation of the White Paper during 2013. The White Paper will be published as early as possible within the Government's term of office.
It is anticipated that by 2016 the necessary groundwork will be in place to enable us to phase in implementation of UHI, as promised in the Programme for Government.
330. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health his plans for consultation, communication and collaboration on his healthcare reform agenda, including consultation with stakeholders including advocacy groups, indicated in Future Health to take place in quarter four 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7858/13]
View answerI fully recognise that effective consultation and collaboration with stakeholders will be crucial for the successful implementation of the reform programme. In the two weeks following the launch of Future Health, I met with some 1,500 local clinical and administrative staff and management as well as regional health forums at fourteen different events across the four HSE regions. I am firmly committed to a consultative and collaborative approach to implementation and this will continue throughout the reform process.
331. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if he will approve an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7860/13]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
332. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive an appointment for a brain scan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7861/13]
View answerImproving 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. For the first time, clear and comprehensive data is available on www.ptr.ie. 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.
In relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.
333. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 will receive an appointment for Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15; the reason the appointment has been cancelled on numerous occasions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7871/13]
View answerShould 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.
334. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the supports available for sufferers of myalgic encephalomyelitis; if he will outline treatment regimes available for these patients; if new drugs are coming to market and if they will be made available here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7873/13]
View answerMyalgic Encephalomyelitis( ME), also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, is generally defined by persistent fatigue accompanied by other specific symptoms. It is a clinical diagnosis usually made after other possible diagnoses have been excluded and the symptoms have persisted. The treatment for ME usually focuses on the management of the symptoms – specific to the individuals.
In relation to supports available for sufferers of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and treatment regimes I have asked the Health Service Executive to provide the Deputy with information regarding current service provisions for this condition.
In relation to new drugs coming to market before a medicine can be placed on the Irish market the manufacturer has to seek an authorisation from the Irish Medicines Board (IMB) or in the case of certain medicinal products, the European Medicines Agency (EMA). The only new drug the IMB is aware of for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis is Ampligen. However, because of the biotechnology nature of the active substance involved, any application for Ampligen to be made available to European patients has to be made to the EMA. I have no information on whether or not such an application has been received by the EMA.
336. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of existing primary care centres there are in the south east region; the number that have been built in the past two years; the number scheduled to be built; and the anticipated timeline for their completion. [7889/13]
View answer337. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if he will set out in tabular form the number of primary care centres by region; and if he will set out in tabular form the geographic spread of proposed new primary care centres on the same regional basis. [7890/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 336 and 337 together.
Primary care infrastructure is being delivered using three mechanisms which are - public private partnership, operational lease and direct-build.
With regard to the PPP process, the current position is that the HSE is engaging with the NDFA to progress the programme and is also analysing the available sites in each location and engaging with the GPs in each location to determine their interest in participating in the primary care centre development. While it is not possible, at this time, to give start and completion dates for any of the individual 20 potential locations, the best estimate is that these primary care centres will be completed by late 2016.
Using the operational lease mechanism the HSE has delivered primary care infrastructure at 30 locations and is continuing its collaboration with the private sector to progress suitable locations. Another two locations are expected to open in Q1 2013. There will always be more construction projects than can be funded by the Exchequer using the direct-build mechanism. The Health Service Executive must prioritise healthcare projects including primary care infrastructure within its overall capital envelope taking into account its existing capital commitments and costs to completion over the period.
Work is underway on the Executive's multi-annual Capital Plan 2013-2017. My Department is reviewing the proposals and following up with the HSE where further details may be required. This draft Plan will require my approval with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. Once approved the Executive will publish on its website details of the Plan including primary care facilities to be delivered.
As the delivery of healthcare infrastructure is a service matter the Deputy's question has been referred to the Executive for direct reply on facilities delivered in the south east and nationally.
338. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health if he will take steps to ensure that a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath is admitted to St. James's Hospital, Dublin, for an urgent procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7918/13]
View answerShould 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.
339. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if he will list in tabular form the services available at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, County Meath, in January 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013; to note any changes in services available and the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7925/13]
View answerIn 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.
