Paschal Donohoe
Question:921. Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7 will receive orthodontic treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26695/13]
View answerOrthodontic Services Waiting Lists
Questions (921)
Written answers
The 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 him as soon as possible.
Hospital Appointments Administration
Questions (922)
Dan Neville
Question:922. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health the position regarding orthopaedic surgery in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [26698/13]
View answerWritten answers
The management of inpatient and daycase waiting lists for patients awaiting public health care is based on the principle that after urgent and cancer patients are treated, then clinically assessed routine patients should be seen in chronological order (i.e. longest waiter first).
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 Numbers
Questions (923)
Terence Flanagan
Question:923. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if his Department or the Health Service Executive has any plans to implement redundancies in the near future; if so, will they be targeted at certain groups of persons, that is working mothers and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26699/13]
View answerWritten answers
The health service is required to achieve a workforce of 98,955 whole time equivalents (WTEs) by the end of 2013. It is therefore necessary to pursue staff reductions throughout 2013 through natural turnover (retirements and resignations) and targeted measures.
On 1st May 2013 my Department issued a circular to the HSE, authorising the introduction of a Targeted Voluntary Redundancy (VR) Scheme in the HSE and in organisations funded by the HSE under Section 38 of the Health Act 2004. The purpose of this scheme is to facilitate the HSE and such organisations to achieve a permanent reduction of up 1,500 WTE, in the numbers employed in the public health sector from 2013 onwards and to facilitate ongoing health sector reform.
The scheme will give managers greater flexibility in implementing the measures needed to remain within reduced budgets and staffing ceilings. It will be implemented by the HSE on a rolling basis as appropriate areas and functions are identified. Areas and functions will be targeted where, due to reorganisation or workplace reform, there is scope to reduce employee numbers. Parental status or other such criteria will not be used as basis for selection. Employees in the areas targeted will be given an opportunity to avail of the scheme. There will be no automatic right to redundancy.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (924)
Brendan Ryan
Question:924. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health his views on the waiting list in the orthopaedic Department of a hospital in County Galway; if he will examine with specific reference to the long waiting time experienced by a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26759/13]
View answerWritten answers
Improving 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. 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 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.
Mental Health Services Provision
Questions (925)
David Stanton
Question:925. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health if there is a mental health professional in each local health authority area designated to deal with referrals regarding autism and autism spectrum disorders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26762/13]
View answerWritten 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 (926)
David Stanton
Question:926. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form the cost of speech and language services and occupational therapy services in general, and, for those diagnosed with autism and autism spectrum disorders in each Health Service Executive area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26763/13]
View answerWritten answers
I have asked officials in my Department to compile this information. When this information is compiled, I will forward it to the Deputy.
Services for People with Disabilities
Questions (927)
David Stanton
Question:927. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health the diagnostic tools that are used in assessments by the State when autism or autism spectrum disorders are being diagnosed; if there is a State approved list of diagnostic tools; if a consistent approach is used across the State and the factors that determine which model is used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26764/13]
View answerWritten answers
Autism is a disability that affects the normal development of the brain in areas of social interaction and communication. It is described as a spectrum disorder that can have a varied presentation of characteristics ranging from mild to severe. The first signs of autism may appear as developmental delay before the age of 3. Many individuals with autism, due to the complexity of their presentation, may have a primary diagnosis of intellectual disability or mental health co-morbidity.
Significant resources have been invested in recent years in services for children with autism. This has been driven principally by the increase in the number of children presenting with autism. In addition, there is now an increased awareness of the importance of early intervention for children with developmental delay and autism.
Part 2 of the Disability Act 2005 entitles people with a disability, including those with autism, to an independent assessment of need and a statement of proposed services to be provided. It was commenced on 1 June 2007 in respect of children under the age of five. There has been a very significant rise in overall activity around the assessment process in recent years. However, the assessment process under the Disability Act does not have to take place in advance of intervention, but can take place in parallel with any intervention which is identified as necessary.
The manner in which assessments of need are carried out and the use of appropriate diagnostic tools are service matters for the Health Service Executive. Accordingly, I have arranged for the Deputy’s question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Orthodontic Services Waiting Lists
Questions (928)
Jack Wall
Question:928. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will receive appointment dates for dental treatment and orthodontic treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26776/13]
View answerWritten answers
The 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 him as soon as possible.
Departmental Legal Costs
Questions (929)
Billy Kelleher
Question:929. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the reason the financial systems in the Health Service Executive do not allow for detailed breakdown of those who received legal fees from 2008 to 2011 in excess of €157 million; if this information will become available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26680/13]
View answerWritten answers
I have requested the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to the specific issues raised.
Diabetes Strategy
Questions (930)
Nicky McFadden
Question:930. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the development of diabetes health services in counties Longford/Westmeath; if the Health Service Executive will fill sanctioned posts in critical areas of diabetes care, particularly in the areas of integrated diabetes care and footcare/podiatrist post in Mullingar hospital, County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26799/13]
View answerWritten answers
The National Integrated Care Diabetes Programme is being implemented on a phased basis. The programme will improve patient access and manage patient care in an integrated manner across service settings, resulting in better outcomes, enhanced clinical decision making and the most effective use of resources.
The Government has approved funding for the appointment of 17 Integrated Care Diabetes Nurse Specialists (one per HSE Integrated Service Area) to support the phased roll out of the programme. These Diabetes Nurse Specialists will work 1 day per week in a hospital setting and 4 days per week in primary care. They will play a key role in the development of clinically sound collaborative links between primary care and secondary care providers and will also be an essential resource in empowering patients to achieve optimum diabetes control. It is anticipated that all 17 positions will be filled soon.
Funding has also been secured to appoint 16 podiatrists and a number of these posts have been filled. Recruitment for the remaining posts is underway and the aim is to have them filled as soon as possible in 2013.
In relation to the filling of Diabetes posts in specific areas, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy in these matters.
Medical Card Eligibility
Questions (931)
Terence Flanagan
Question:931. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding plans to implement free general practitioner visit cards for under-fives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26801/13]
View answerWritten answers
The Government is committed to introducing, on a phased basis, a universal GP service without fees within its first term of office, as set out in the Programme for Government and the Future Health strategy framework. This policy constitutes a fundamental element in the Government’s health reform programme. There has been no change to the Government’s over-arching commitment to this goal. This Government is the first in the history of this State to have committed itself to implementing a universal GP service for the entire population.
Having examined the progress made in the universal GP care plan, it became clear that the legal and administrative framework required to provide a robust basis for eligibility for a GP service based on having a particular medical condition is likely to be overly complex and bureaucratic for a short-term arrangement. Relatively complex primary legislation would be required in order to provide a GP service to a person on the basis of their having a particular illness. The assessment system for such an approach would have to be robust, objective and auditable in order to have the confidence of this House as well as the general public. This legislation would have to address how a person could be certified as having such an illness, and who could do this, and how to select the diagnostic basis for medical conditions. As well as primary legislation, there would be a need for secondary legislation to give full effect to this approach for each condition. While it would not be impossible to achieve this, it would take several months more to finalise the primary legislation, followed then by the preparation of statutory instruments. In my view, this would entail putting in place a cumbersome legal and administrative infrastructure to deal with what is only a temporary first phase on the way to universal GP service to the entire population.
The Cabinet Committee on Health has discussed the issues relating to the delay in the initial step of the roll-out of the universal GP service. In doing so, it has considered the importance of weighing the balance between, on the one hand, resolving the legal issues but with a further delay and, on the other hand, with the need to bring forward an important Programme for Government commitment with the minimum of further delay.
No decision has been taken by the Cabinet Committee or by Government on changing the first step of the plan to extend GP care without fees to persons with chronic illnesses. Instead, it has been agreed that we should prepare and set out a number of alternative options with regard to the phased implementation of a universal GP service without fees. Minister Reilly and I expect to report back to the Cabinet Committee in the near future. As part of this work, consideration will be given to the approaches, timing and financial implications of the phased implementation of this universal health service.
The Government has already made clear its commitment to delivering on the implementation of a GP service for the entire population by providing additional financial resources in the two most recent Budgets. The HSE Vote now contains funding of €30 million for this year for an initial phase of the provision of GP services as part of this Programme for Government commitment.
To conclude, far from abandoning its commitment to universal GP care, this Government is determined to expedite the implementation of a national GP service for the entire population, something to which no previous Government has ever aspired.
Services for People with Disabilities
Questions (932)
Clare Daly
Question:932. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if the person (details supplied) has a place at St. Michael's House training centre, Coolock, when they leave St. Michael's House School in Raheny, Dublin; if not, the reason for same; and the steps he intends to take to address it. [26691/13]
View answerWritten 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 (933)
Clare Daly
Question:933. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will explain the cutbacks in the budget allocation to St Michael's House; and the way they are expected to deliver appropriate services to young adults with disabilities in view of the fact that they have to reduce places as a result of cutbacks and staffing shortages. [26692/13]
View answerWritten 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.
Hospital Appointments Administration
Questions (934)
Bernard Durkan
Question:934. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the progress made to date in arranging an appointment for a neurosurgical procedure in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26804/13]
View answerWritten answers
The management of inpatient and daycase waiting lists for patients awaiting public health care is based on the principle that after urgent and cancer patients are treated, then clinically assessed routine patients should be seen in chronological order (i.e. longest waiter first).
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.
HSE Properties
Questions (935)
Brian Stanley
Question:935. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if his Department will ensure that any moneys raised through the sale of the Ballyfermot health centre site, Dublin, will be ring fenced and used solely to fund Health Service Executive community based projects in the Ballyfermot area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26824/13]
View answerWritten answers
The proceeds of sales of surplus properties must be surrendered to the Exchequer unless prior approval has been received from Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) for the specific use of the proceeds. Currently the Health Service Executive has DPER approval to use the proceeds of disposals of surplus assets to deliver infrastructure for mental health services.
Any capital development including any community health based projects in the Ballyfermot area must be considered in the context of the overall HSE Capital Plan. This is a multi-annual programme which is developed over a rolling five year period. In drawing up its capital programme for the 2014-2018 period, the HSE is required to prioritise capital infrastructure projects including community based health projects within its overall capital funding allocation. There will always be more construction projects than can be funded by the Exchequer.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (936)
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:936. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health when a person (details provided) in County Longford will receive an appointment at Tullamore General Hospital, County Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26822/13]
View answerWritten answers
Improving 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. 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 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.
Accident and Emergency Departments Closures
Questions (937)
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:937. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will defer any decision on the cutting of accident and emergency services at Bantry General Hospital, County Cork, currently scheduled for 8 July, for a further 12 months until a full process of consultation with all relevant stakeholders, as outlined in the Future Care document, has been completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26823/13]
View answerWritten answers
In relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service issue, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.