Written Answers Nos. 588-610
588. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he will consider introducing a system whereby a person's local general practitioner could sign off on the renewal of a medical card for a patient with substantial medical needs, in view of the fact that the person's condition would be known to him or her; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22194/13]
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 to ensure that a person’s eligibility is correctly recorded in line with the eligibility legislation and the national guidelines and, in this regard, periodically asks card holders to confirm their circumstances. 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. Notwithstanding, cardholders are obliged to advise the HSE if there is a change in circumstances that could affect entitlement to a medical card. Where a discretionary medical card has been granted, it has, on average, a validity for two to three years, in line with standard Medical Cards/GP Visit Cards.
589. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health if he will update Dáil Éireann on the proposal to establish a paediatric diabetic nursing service in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22209/13]
View answerWith regard to the specific query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
590. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health if he will update Dáil Éireann on plans to develop a new radiotherapy unit at Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry City. [22210/13]
View answerThe Government is committed to ensuring a high-quality radiotherapy service for the entire population of Ireland, including close collaboration with Northern Ireland for services in the North West. I have committed once-off capital funding of around one third of the cost (up to a ceiling of €19 million) for the development of new radiotherapy facilities (3 linear accelerators) at Altnagelvin Hospital. It will provide more locally accessible and timely services and improve patient travelling times for patients in the North Western area. The service will be managed by the Western Health and Social Care Trust and the HSE will fund the cost of radiotherapy services for patients from the Northwest who attend the centre. Services are expected to commence at the centre in 2016.
592. Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on negotiations between member states on the European Commission’s proposal for a revision of the tobacco products directive; if a political agreement or partial agreement is likely to be reached between member states on this important public health legislation at the EPSCO Council meeting in June 2013; if he will detail the contact he, his officials or the Irish permanent representative have had with their Lithuanian and Greek counterparts on this directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22219/13]
View answerThe proposal for a new Tobacco Products Directive is being discussed by the European Parliament and Council of Ministers. The Public Health Working Party has met nine times to discuss this proposal. These meetings are ongoing and will continue throughout the Irish Presidency. As Chair of the negotiations on the Directive during the Irish Presidency, we are working to progress the discussions and to build consensus among the Member States to facilitate the adoption of legislation which will ultimately reduce the number of EU citizens who die from tobacco related illnesses. This legislation is a priority for the Irish Presidency and it will be discussed at the EPSCO Council on the 21st June. I have spoken to the Lithuanian Health Minister about this proposal on a number of occasions. My officials in the Irish Permanent Representation to the EU are in contact with their Lithuanian and Greek counterparts on an ongoing basis in relation to this legislation. The Commission has expressed the hope that it will be adopted by the European Parliament and Council in 2014.
593. Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a detailed update on the progress of the EU’s clinical trials proposal and two medical devices proposals which could have an impact on the 25,000 people employed in the pharma and medical technologies sectors here; if these proposals will be on the agenda for the EPSCO Council meeting in June 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22220/13]
View answerThe Clinical Trials Proposal and the two Medical Devices Proposals (one on medical devices and one on in vitro diagnostic medical devices), are high priority proposals for the Irish Presidency and have been identified as two of the four priority areas for the Health Presidency programme.
The objective of the Clinical Trials Proposal is to address the decline in the numbers of clinical trials carried out in the EU. Clinical trials are essential for the development of new medicines and to improve and refine treatments with existing medicines. Clinical trials are also a key contributor to growth and jobs. A regulatory environment which supports and nurtures clinical research will benefit patients and also is essential for the growth of the pharmaceutical industry both in Ireland and in the EU in general.
The Medical Devices Proposals are also designed to strengthen the EU regulatory system in the area of medical devices by ensuring that all medical devices placed on the European market are safe for patients, and to improve patient access to new innovative treatments.
To date there have been 6.5 meetings of the Council Working Party on Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices during the Irish Presidency dedicated to examination of the Clinical Trials Proposal. The dossier is complex but work is progressing well.
The Presidency team aims to complete a first examination of this entire Proposal by the end of the Irish Presidency. The Irish Presidency team has also been working outside of Council Working Party meetings to review the technical annexes of the Proposal. A number of informal meetings have taken place with Ms. Glenis Willmott MEP, rapporteur on this dossier.
There have also been 5 meetings of the Council Working Party on Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices dedicated to examination of the two large Proposals on Medical Devices and In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices. These are challenging and technical dossiers consisting of approximately 200 articles and nearly 30 annexes. Good progress has been made to date and the Presidency’s intention is to examine a substantial number of chapters of both proposals in parallel during the Presidency. The Presidency team has also convened a number of meetings of medical devices experts in Brussels to review and improve a number of technical annexes of the Proposals, and has held informal meetings with the EP rapporteurs on these dossiers, Ms. Dagmar Roth Behrendt MEP and Dr. Peter Liese MEP.
Both proposals will be on the agenda for the EPSCO meeting in June where it is proposed to present Presidency Progress Reports on the Clinical Trials and Medical Devices Proposals.
594. Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that the European Commission’s Proposal for a decision on serious cross-border threats to health remains a priority for the Irish EU Presidency; if he will provide a detailed update on the current status of this proposal; if the proposal will be discussed at forthcoming meetings of the Working Party on Public Health in May and June 2013; if, in view of the recent horse meat scandal, the specific issue of contaminated foodstuffs will be discussed in relation to the proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22221/13]
View answerThe proposal on Serious Cross Border Threats to Health is a priority for the Irish Presidency and I am happy to advise that after 3 months of intense negotiations with the European Parliament agreement was reached last week on this important piece of public health legislation.
The Decision will help Member States prepare for and protect citizens against future cross border threats including pandemics and environmental disasters. It strengthens risk preparedness and response planning, improves access to vaccines for Member States, strengthens the mandate of the Health Security Committee, and will result in clearer risk and crisis communication to the public and healthcare professionals.
A crucial aspect of the agreement is the establishment of a legal basis for the coordination of vaccine procurement across the EU. This will provide more equitable access to vaccines at fairer prices - a development particularly welcome for smaller Member States.
In relation to the issue of contaminated foodstuffs – primary responsibility for food safety at a European level rests with the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). However, in relation to cross border public health elements of the situation which fall outside the mandate of EFSA, provision has been made in the Decision for the Health Security Committee to be consulted with a view to coordinating national responses and crisis communication to the public and health professionals.
595. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if an increase in home help assistance is available to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare whose home help has recently been reduced to one hour per week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22232/13]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
596. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied ) will be called for an appointment by a consultant in the South Infirmary Hospital Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22237/13]
View answerImproving access to outpatient services is a key priority for the Government. Building on work already undertaken by the HSE, the National Treatment Purchase Fund has now taken over the reporting of outpatient waiting time data. For the first time data is available on www.ntpf.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 resources to be targeted towards those patients who are waiting longest and ensure that they are seen and assessed. For 2013, a maximum waiting time target has now been set of 12 months for a first time outpatient appointment.
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 specific query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
598. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the exact location that has been identified in Baldoyle, Dublin, for the provision of a new primary care centre; if the site has been purchased; if so, the cost or if a contract has been entered into or will be entered into with a local property owner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22263/13]
View answerDelivery of health care infrastructure is a service matter. Therefore your question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
599. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health following an announcement of the identification of Baldoyle, Dublin, as a location for the provision of a new primary care centre, the anticipated timeframe for the completion of the project; the proposed location of the proposed primary care centre; and if the funding for the project is included in the 2013 capital funding programme for the Health Service Executive. [22269/13]
View answerDelivery of health care infrastructure is a service matter. Therefore your question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
602. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to address delayed discharges from Galway/Roscommon University Hospital Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22273/13]
View answerDelayed Discharges continue to present a significant challenge to the optimal use of acute hospital resources. The HSE remains seriously concerned regarding the situation in relation to delayed discharges since the New Year. Delayed Discharges impede the operational functioning of a hospital, and expose the mainly older persons concerned to the inappropriate risks of acute hospital stays e.g. hospital acquired infections. Higher numbers of delayed discharges can also be associated with extended waits in the Emergency Department. There is a body of international evidence that demonstrates that longer ED waits is also associated with poorer mortality and morbidity outcomes for patients. It is essential that this issue is successfully addressed. In response to this growth, a number of actions have been initiated. These include the establishment by me of a ministerial Task Force to deliver substantial improvements in delayed discharges, including a review of the operational arrangements associated with the ‘Fair Deal’ scheme.
Senior personnel have been tasked with improving cross hospital-community process issues, focusing first on the ‘longest waiting’ delayed discharges (>100 days). The aim is to remove all local barriers to discharge and identify those matters which require action at a national level. The management teams have been making good progress with respect to these tasks and it is intended to quickly roll-out this structure to all areas.
New reporting systems and processes have also been introduced. A HSE web-based database that allows tracking at patient level (on an anonymous basis) is in the implementation phase in a number of hospital sites. In addition, the current categorisation of reasons for delay has been reviewed. New categories, which should give enhanced data on the blocks to discharge, are due for implementation nationally on May 20. The data captured through the web-based system will facilitate revised metrics for each hospital. There will be a greater emphasis on reducing the bed days lost to delayed discharges, with targets established on a site-by-site basis.
As issues relating to specific matters taken to address delayed discharges from Galway/Roscommon University Hospital Group are operational matters for the HSE, I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy in relation to this.
603. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to address delays in obtaining a fair deal nursing home bed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22274/13]
View answerThe HSE is responsible for the operation and administration of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme. The HSE temporarily suspended the chronological operation of the placement list in order to alleviate pressures in Emergency Departments in the hospitals with the highest number of delayed discharges. It is understood that the HSE will re-commence the operation of the chronological placement list with effect from 9th May, 2013.
604. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Health if the proposal to locate a Health Service Executive Primary Care Centre in the North Fringe/Baldoyle area, Dublin, on a site identified by Fingal County Council will be approved by him; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is local lobbying for an alternative site in the Baldoyle area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22276/13]
View answerApproval of infrastructure projects including primary care infrastructure is done in the context of the overall approval of the HSE's multi-annual Capital Plan which is developed over a rolling five year period. Each year the Executive's draft multi-annual Capital Plan requires the approval of the Minister for Health with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. In drawing up this Plan, the HSE is required to assess all projects not just in the context of the limited capital funding available but also, inter alia, as regards the most appropriate location so that the new facility is easily accessible to the maximum number of people who require the health services to be delivered by that facility. Delivery of health care infrastructure is a service matter. Therefore the Deputy's question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
605. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if there is a register of persons who are profoundly deaf; and the grants available for children and persons who are profoundly deaf, including whether there are plans to include replacement parts associated with cochlear implants on the medical card scheme. [22305/13]
View answerThere is no register of persons who are profoundly deaf. All paediatric clients and clients with a medical card are entitled to community audiology services and repairs of their hearing aids. The Department of Social Protection also provide a grant for hearing aids. There are no private cochlear implants carried out in Ireland. Cochlear implants and replacements are funded by the Health Service Executive and provided by Beaumont Hospital, therefore the issue of inclusion of replacement parts associated with cochlear implants on the medical card scheme, does not arise.
607. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Health regarding who may sign certified copies of documents for current social workers looking to register with the Social Worker Registration Board through CORU, his views on whether the category of persons who may verify certified copies is adequate; the number of persons that have registered to date; the number he expects to register in the coming weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22308/13]
View answerThe Health and Social Care Professionals Council and the 12 registration boards to be established under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 are responsible for protecting the public by regulating health and social care professionals.
The first registration board to be established, the Social Workers Registration Board, was established in August 2010, and the associated Social Workers Register opened for receipt and processing of applications for registration on 31 May, 2011.
Under the provisions of the 2005 Act, there is a two-year transitional period from the date on which the register of the members of that profession is established, during which existing practitioners may apply for registration. The transitional period for social workers will close on 31 May 2013. Thereafter, any social worker wishing to use the title will be required to be registered.
The name of every registered social worker will be published on the register maintained by CORU, which will be accessible on-line. Only social workers who have satisfied the Board that they hold an approved qualification and are “fit and proper” to engage in the practice of the profession will be entered on the register.
Social Workers applying for registration must satisfy the Board that they: have been engaged in the practice of the profession during the required period; hold the relevant qualifications or have successfully completed a test of competency; and can be deemed fit and proper to practise the profession.
As part of this application process, copies of documents must be certified by any of the following: practising solicitor, notary public, commissioner for oaths or peace commissioner. Certifying these documents permits the applicant to retain their original copies. This would represent the usual practice in this regard.
There are currently 243 social workers on the register. An additional 600 applicants have applied in recent weeks and this figure is growing daily as the deadline for registration approaches. People may complete the application form and pay on-line.
Social workers who apply by 31 May may continue to practise using the title 'social worker' while their application is being processed. A person's name will be entered on to the Register once the above criteria are met.
608. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Health the speech and language therapy services available to children in primary school, to children in secondary school and to adults in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22311/13]
View answer609. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Health the current average length of time a child in primary school, a child in secondary school and an adult who has been referred for speech and language therapy will wait to be assessed and treated by a therapist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22313/13]
View answer610. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Health the number of persons currently on the waiting list for speech and language therapy services in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22314/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 608, 609 and 610 together.
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.
