Written Answers Nos 1281-1300
1281. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the recruitment campaign by the Health Service Executive to fill the post for the areas of mental health and primary care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17096/13]
View answerRevised HSE management structures are being put in place in conjunction with the new governance arrangements provided for in the Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012; the recruitment process for a Chief Financial Officer and five National Directors, including Directors of Mental Health and Primary Care, has commenced. It is expected that the recruitment process, conducted by the Public Appointments Service, will conclude shortly.
1282. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an application for registration on the nursing board in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17097/13]
View answerThe information regarding Nurse Registration is a matter for the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (formerly ABA). I have forwarded your query to the Board for direct response.
1284. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the rationale for the requirement that doctors registered on supervised division of the medical register apply for transfer to general division after two years by completing a pre-registration exam system; if he will consider correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17114/13]
View answerResponsibility for maintenance of this Medical Register lies with the Medical Council. The Supervised Division was established in 2011 by amendment to the Medical Practitioners Act 2007 to enable the Health Service Executive (HSE) to recruit doctors to practise under supervision for a fixed term in specialty specific, non-consultant hospital doctor posts. It was established to address a shortage of doctors in the HSE.
This amendment to the Medical Practitioners Act requires that doctors registered in the Supervised Division only practise medicine in the post to which they have been proposed by the HSE, while under strict supervisory arrangements, for a period of up to two years. These assessment and practice arrangements are designed to protect patients. The amendment was intended to complement and not to replace arrangements already in place for registration of doctors pursuing training in Ireland.
Under the arrangements for registration set out in Part 6 of the Medical Practitioners Act, doctors registered in the Supervised Division, wishing to establish themselves in practice on an ongoing basis outside the supervised, specialty specific posts for which they were initially assessed, may transfer to the General Division or the Trainee Specialist Division.
Once registered in the General Division, practitioners may practise medicine on an ongoing basis in Ireland in any post and without any regulatory limit on scope of practice. The ability to practice medicine in any post was not assessed in the specialty specific assessment, which was designed for registration in the Supervised Division.
The registration process for entry to the General Division involves an assessment to ensure that the practitioner is fit-to-practise in a diverse range of positions. For most doctors currently registered in the Supervised Division, this will involve examination by way of the PRES, which is designed to ensure that the doctor demonstrates competence in a general scope of practice, which is consistent with registration in the General Division of the register. This is a critical and necessary measure to protect the public.
Doctors registered in the Supervised Division may also seek registration in the Trainee Specialist Division provided relevant criteria are met. These criteria include having access to a recognised training post, holding a document which is deemed equivalent to a certificate of experience, and being successful at the PRES, or being exempted from this exam.
The Medical Council is currently working with the HSE to operate an efficient process for doctors seeking transfer from the Supervised Division. Doctors currently registered in the Supervised Division wishing to transfer registration to the General Division must engage in this process.
1285. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the amount of money that has been allocated to address mental health issues here; the areas that this money is being spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17124/13]
View answerThe estimated budget for mental health in 2013 is €733 million for the provision of specialist mental health services which includes in-patient care as well as community mental health care and suicide prevention. This figure includes an additional €35 million, provided in Budget 2013 for the continued development of our mental health services.
About 1 in 4 people will experience some mental health problems in their lifetime. Approximately 90% of mental health problems are dealt with in primary care and some 30% of people who attend primary care have a mental health problem. Expenditure on these services is not captured in the mental health budget.
The HSE National Service Plan 2013 commits to a number of objectives including the further development of forensic services and community mental health teams for adults, children and older persons and for mental health intellectual disability, as well as the development of suicide prevention initiatives. 477 additional staff will be recruited to implement these measures.
In order to ensure that the additional resources will be used to best effect, the HSE, in consultation with the Department of Health, is working towards finalising the allocation of these resources. Business cases from each HSE Region are being finalised and examined, against each of the identified objectives, detailing how the funding is to be spent and the type and number of WTE to be recruited. It is expected that this process will be concluded in the very near future with a view to recruitment of the additional staff proceeding as soon as possible.
1286. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the provision of chaplaincy services by his Department; the amount of money spent on these services; the denominations involved; if humanist chaplains are provided by his Department. [17132/13]
View answerIt is my understanding that a review of chaplaincy services in the HSE Acute Services is currently being undertaken and is due to issue a report later this month.
This review was prompted by the increasing demands on the service over recent years and the effects of the recruitment moratorium and the recognition by the HSE of the value and importance of Spiritual and Pastoral care for patients, their families and staff working in the healthcare services.
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.
1287. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason when carrying out medical card reviews, particularly in the case of the elderly, that is, those in receipt of a State pension, the Health Service Executive cannot simply send a letter asking whether or not the medical card holder's circumstances have changed rather than expecting the medical card holder to complete the review form and gather all necessary information again as in such cases, circumstances are unlikely to have changed and these review letters can cause stress and anxiety to the elderly while sending a change of circumstances letter would significantly reduce administration in the medical card office; if he will ask the HSE to examine this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17148/13]
View answerThe Health Service Executive operates under the legislative framework of the Health Act of 1970, as subsequently amended. In the interest of probity, the HSE is obliged, irrespective of the age of the person, to ensure that a person’s eligibility is correctly recorded in line with the eligibility legislation and the national guidelines. The HSE aims to ensure that every person who is entitled to the medical card schemes is given the opportunity to avail of their entitlement.
Reviews for medical card holders who are 66 years or over now operate on a self-assessment basis and the length of validity is four years. Where an individual requires help or has any questions or difficulties in completing a medical card application or review form, he or she, or a member the family, should contact their Local Health Office, where the staff continue to provide assistance. Where an individual’s circumstances change, the HSE must be informed as the individual may no longer be eligible. In addition to the standard assessment and review process, random audit of eligibility are undertaken on an ongoing basis.
Any medical card holder undergoing a review to renew a medical card, who genuinely engages with the HSE in that review, will not have their entitlement withdrawn before the review is complete, regardless of the expiry date shown on their medical card. In cases where a decision is made not to grant a medical card, the applicant is informed of the decision and is notified of their right to appeal this decision. Contact details for the appeals office are provided to them. Where a person submits an appeal to a decision not to renew a medical card within 21 days of that decision, they retain their medical card or GP visit card until the appeal is decided.
All efforts are made by the HSE to deal with the individuals properly, fairly and impartially.
1288. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) in Dublin 3 will receive needed orthodontic treatment. [17160/13]
View answerThe HSE provides orthodontic treatment to patients based on their level of clinical need. An individual's access to orthodontic treatment is determined against a set of clinical guidelines and priority is given to patients with greatest needs. The HSE has been asked to examine the specific query raised by the Deputy and to reply to her as soon as possible.
1290. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Health if he intends to introduce a personal budget model in order that persons with intellectual disabilities have the flexibility to make choices that suit their own needs best; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17180/13]
View answerThe move towards a model of funding which is linked to individual need, also referred to as a personal budget model, is encompassed by the recommendations in the Value for Money (VFM) and Policy Review of Disability Services which I published last year.
An individualised payments model is one aspect of individualised budgeting, which describes an approach whereby a monetary value is placed on the supports required by an individual with disabilities to live a fulfilled life. It may be implemented in many ways, but the essence of individualised budgeting is that the individual is given more choice and control over how the money allocated to meet their needs is utilised. This approach must be underpinned by a standardised needs assessment to ensure fairness and transparency in the way in which funding is allocated.
The Department of Health and the Health Service Executive will pursue the issue of individualised budgeting in the context of the implementation of the recommendations contained in the VFM Review. The priority is to further improve current services, while expediting the analysis of the benefits to be gained from newer models of individualised supports through demonstration projects which will be evaluated for wider applicability. The balance and emphasis will shift firmly and comprehensively towards these new models of individualised supports once sufficient analysis of the benefits is carried out in the Irish context and adequate financial management, resource allocation and governance structures are in place to ensure their long-term viability.
1291. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Health the current status of the assessment of need provision under the Disability Act 2005; if he will outline a timeframe for extending this provision as per the legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17181/13]
View answerIn 2006 a Cross-Sectoral Team was established to provide for a joint approach by the Department of Health and the Department of Education and Skills to the implementation of the Disability Act 2005 and the Education for Persons with Special Education Needs (EPSEN) Act 2004. The Team now includes a representative of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs.
Part 2 of the Disability Act 2005 provides disabled individuals with an entitlement to an independent assessment of need and a statement of proposed services to be provided, and allows them to pursue a complaint and, if necessary, make an appeal to the independent Disability Appeals Officer. Part 2 of the Act was commenced on 1 June 2007 in respect of children under the age of five. It had been intended to have both the Disability Act 2005 and the EPSEN Act 2004 fully implemented during 2010 for children and young people aged up to 18. However, in 2008 the then Government decided, in light of financial circumstances, to defer further implementation of both Acts. Notwithstanding this the Cross-Sectoral Team continues to meet to address issues of mutual concern for children with disabilities.
1292. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Health if he has discussed the issue of autism with his ministerial counterparts at an EU level in terms of Council of Minister meetings or informal meetings; if he will provide an overview of such discussions and any conclusions arrived at; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17184/13]
View answerThe issue of children’s disability policy and services including autism is a priority for the Government. My Department, the Health Service Executive, the Department of Education and Skills and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs all co-operate on an ongoing basis, with a view to advancing children's disability issues, including autism. A dedicated cross-sectoral team, comprising representatives of the three Departments, the HSE, the National Educational Psychological Service and the National Council for Special Education, plays a key role in this regard.
In 2012, to strengthen co-operation across the sectors on policy and operational matters in this regard, a Principal Officer-led Unit was established in my Department, whose brief includes the promotion of enhanced inter-sectoral collaboration on children’s disability issues including autism.
The issue of children with complex developmental needs, including autism, was included as an agenda item for the Informal Meeting of Health Ministers on 4th and 5th March 2013, as part of Ireland's Presidency of the EU Council. Member states were invited to share examples of best practice and to consider what information could be shared to assist in improving health service policy and service delivery.
1293. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of all reports and strategies which have been developed by his Department or any agency under his Department's remit in relation to disability services and any specific disabilities or special needs from 1997 to date; the name of the report or strategy, date of publication, action taken arising from the publication of the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17185/13]
View answerDetails of reports published by this Department and agencies under the aegis of the Department on disability services or special needs from 1997 to date are listed beneath.
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Published by: |
Date of Public-ation: |
Name of Report: |
Action taken arising from publication of report: |
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Department of Health |
1997 |
Enhancing the Partnership (incorporating Widening the Partnership) – Report of the Working Group on the Implementation of the Health Strategy in Relation to Persons with a Mental Handicap (1997) |
Formalised the arrangements governing the funding of nonprofit intellectual disability organisations by the former health boards. Following the endorsement of the report by the Minister, responsibility for funding certain organisations transferred from the Department of Health to the Health Boards. |
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Department of Health |
1997 |
Services to persons with a mental handicap / intellectual disability : an assessment of need 1997-2001 |
Informed decisions on funding for disability services in the years following publication. |
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Department of Health |
1998 |
Hearing disability assessment: report of the Expert Hearing Group |
The HSE is currently implementing an audiology clinical care programme. |
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Published by: |
Date of Publication: |
Name of Report: |
Action taken arising from publication of report: |
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Department of Health |
2001 |
National Physical and Sensory Disability Database - Report of the National Physical and Sensory Disability Database Development Committee |
National Physical and Sensory Disability Database established in Health Research Board. |
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Department of Health |
2004 |
Outline Sectoral Plan under the Disability Bill 2004 |
Interim plan |
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Department of Health |
2006 |
Disability Act 2005: Sectoral Plan for the Department of Health and Children and the Health Services |
Ensured that the needs of people with disabilities would be considered in all health policy planning and service delivery processes. |
|
Department of Health |
2007 |
Year 1 Review of the Sectoral Plan; Disability Act 2005 |
Review of the first year of progress in implementing the Disability Act 2005. |
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Department of Health and Department of Education & Science |
2007 |
Standards for the Assessment of Need process under Part 2 of the Disability Act 2005 |
Disability Act 2005 commenced in respect of children aged 5 and under and assessments carried out in accordance with the standards. |
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Department of Health |
2009 |
Review of the circumstances surrounding the elapse of time in bringing to completion the Western Health Board Inquiry into Allegations of Abuse in the Brothers of Charity Services, Galway |
Factual report. |
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Department of Health |
2010 |
Progress Report – Year 3 Review (2009) – Sectoral Plan under the Disability Act 2005 |
Second review sets out progress in relation to the implementation of the Department of Health and Children’s Sectoral Plan in respect of health and personal social services provision for people with disabilities. |
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Department of Health |
2010 |
Report on Public Consultation - Efficiency and Effectiveness of Disability Services in Ireland |
Provided an input into the Value for Money and Policy Review of Disability Services. |
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Department of Health |
2010 |
Report of the State Claims Agency on Compensation for Thalidomide Survivors |
Proposals in the report rejected by the Thalidomide survivors. |
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Department of Health and Health Service Executive |
2011 |
National Policy and Strategy for the Provision of Neuro-Rehabilitation Services in Ireland 2011 - 2015 |
Implementation will be progressed under the HSE's operational plan for 2013. |
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Department of Health |
2011 |
Report of Disability Policy Review by the Expert Reference Group on Disability Policy |
Provided an input into the Value for Money (VFM) and Policy Review of Disability Services. |
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Published by: |
Date of Public-ation: |
Name of Report: |
Action taken arising from publication of report: |
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Department of Health |
2012 |
Value for Money and Policy Review of Disability Services in Ireland |
Currently being progressed by HSE. |
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Department of Health and Department of Environment, Community and Local Government |
2012 |
Housing Strategy for People with a Disability 2011-2016 National Implementation Framework |
Currently being progressed by HSE. |
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Department of Health |
2013 |
Value for Money and Policy Review of Disability Services in Ireland - National Implementation Framework |
The National Implementation Framework determines how the recommendations from the VFM Review are translated into concrete actions. Recommendations in the VFM Review are currently being progressed by HSE. |
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Health Research Board |
2000 to 2012 |
Annual Report of the National Intellectual Disability Database Committee, 1998/1999; 2000; 2001; 2002; 2003; 2004; 2005; 2006; 2007; 2008; 2009; 2010; 2011 |
The NIDD informs decision-making in relation to the planning of specialised health and personal social services for people with intellectual disabilities. |
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Health Research Board |
2004 to 2012 |
Annual report of the National Physical and Sensory Disability Database Committee, 2004; 2005; 2006; 2007; 2008; 2009; 2010; 2011 |
The NPSDD informs decision-making in relation to the planning of specialised health and personal social services for people with physical or sensory disabilities. |
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Health Service Executive |
2011 |
Time to Move on from Congregated Settings - A Strategy for Community Inclusion |
Currently being progressed by HSE. |
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Health Service Executive |
2012 |
New Directions – Personal Support Services for Adults with Disabilities |
Currently being progressed by HSE. |
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Health Service Executive |
2012 |
National Review of Autism Services - Past, Present and Way Forward |
The Autism Review will feed into the Department of Health’s consideration of Autism Policy going forward. |
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Health Service Executive |
2012 |
Respite/Residential Care with Host Families in Community Settings |
Will inform future decision making by the HSE on how best to develop, implement and monitor this model of service provision within disability services. |
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Health Service Executive |
2007 |
Report of Dr Kevin McCoy on Western Health Board Inquiry into Brothers of Charity Services in Galway |
Fact-finding report. |
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Published by: |
Date of Public-ation: |
Name of Report: |
Action taken arising from publication of report: |
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Health Service Executive |
2009 |
Report of the National Reference Group on Multidisciplinary Disability Services for Children aged 5-18 |
Currently being progressed by HSE. |
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Health Service Executive |
2007 - 2010 |
Report on Implementation of the Disability Act 2005 (3 separate reports) |
Factual report. |
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National Rehabilitation Board |
1997 |
Employment Challenges for the Millennium – Report of the National Advisory Committee on Training and Employment (1997) |
As recommended in the report, and in line with the Government's mainstreaming policy, responsibility for the employment of people with disabilities was moved to the former Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. |
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National Council on Ageing and Older People |
2007 |
The Quality of Life of Older People with a Disability in Ireland |
Factual report. |
1294. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of people currently waiting for hip-replacement operations in the public health system; and the percentage that have been waiting for this operation for more than six months and for more than 12 months. [17191/13]
View answerImmediately following my appointment as Minister for Health, in line with the Programme for Government, I established the Special Delivery Unit. Its aim is to unblock access to acute services by improving the flow of patients through the system. As set out in Future Health, a key goal is to deliver faster more equitable access to hospital services. The implementation of the SDU Performance Improvement Programmes is a key driver of reducing waiting times for scheduled and unscheduled care in hospitals.
In relation to hip replacements on the national waiting list, at end of March 2013 I am advised that the overall number waiting is 1147. Of that total, 22% are waiting more than 6 months and 1% are waiting more than 12 months.
1296. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Health the number of all staff by job title including management, administration, support staff and so on currently working in Coolock Health Centre, Dublin 5; if additional staff will be allocated to this health centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17214/13]
View answerThe HSE has responsibility for the provision and staffing of Health Centres, therefore, this matter has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
1297. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Health the number of Health Service Executive ambulances, advanced paramedic vehicles and other emergency vehicles in each Health Service Executive region for 2011 and 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17215/13]
View answerIn 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.
1298. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be treated for hip replacement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17223/13]
View answerThe National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2013, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has recently been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists. In relation to this particular query raised by the Deputy, I have asked the Health Service Executive to investigate the situation and respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.
1299. Deputy Heather Humphreys asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some patients have been waiting since January 2008 for orthodontic treatment in the Dublin north east region; the steps being taken to reduce the current waiting times; his plans to provide additional clinical staff for orthodontic treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17224/13]
View answerThe HSE has commissioned an independent review of orthodontic services. 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 future demand for services. Final actions of the review of orthodontic services are currently being completed. It is anticipated that a report for consideration by the HSE and the Department of Health will be ready by the end of the 2nd Quarter of 2013. The HSE has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy regarding the provision of orthodontic services in the Dublin North East region.
1300. Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the progress on the primary care centres that have been approved for Waterford City and Dungarvan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17244/13]
View answerApproval of infrastructure projects is done in the context of the overall approval of the HSE multi-annual Capital Plan. The HSE has submitted its draft multi-annual Capital Plan 2013-2017 to the Department of Health. The Plan is being considered and will be submitted shortly to the Minister for Health for his approval. The consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform is then required, following which the HSE will publish details on its website.
Waterford city and Dungarvan are two of the 35 primary care centre locations announced under the infrastructure stimulus package in July 2012. Approximately 20 will be offered to the market subject to a) agreement between the local GPs and the HSE on active local GP involvement in the centres and b) site suitability and availability. The HSE is currently finalising matters relating to the available sites and GP engagement in each location. The HSE is also engaging with the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) as required to progress Primary Care Centre Public Private Partnership. The NDFA as a centre of expertise will be responsible for the delivery of the Primary Care PPP programme on behalf of the HSE, including the management of the procurement phase and the provision of financial advice including a Value for Money assessment. It has been reviewing the processes involved in procurement of PPP projects with a view to streamlining the process and delivering projects more quickly. The preparatory work for the primary care centre project which precedes signing of any PPP agreements is well underway. 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.
