Written Answers Nos. 198-205
198. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 596 of 14 May 2013 the reason the Health Service Executive has not issued a response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28432/13]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy, I understand that the HSE issued a reply to the Deputy on 28 May 2013.
199. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health the amount that has been spent on the outsourcing of external maintenance works on a yearly basis in the previous three years; and if consideration is being given to recruiting in-house for the provision of services in Kerry General Hospital. [28434/13]
View answerIn 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.
200. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will appoint additional psychologists to address the waiting lists for children with autism in County Kerry, particularly for children in the age bracket of six years and over who are waiting the longest; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28444/13]
View answerI have asked officials in my Department to compile this information. When this information is compiled, I will forward it to the Deputy.
201. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health when the rheumatoid specialists will be appointed to Kerry General Hospital in view of the fact that there is immediate urgency owing to increasing demand by patients in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28446/13]
View answerIn 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.
202. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he and his officials will meet a delegation from a home (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28448/13]
View answerThe introduction of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme in October 2009 fundamentally changed the way in which long-term nursing home care is funded and, consequently, the way in which nursing homes are funded.
In the past, some nursing homes would have been allocated a lump sum annually by the HSE. However, the new scheme supports the individuals in need of long-term nursing home care, not the facilities providing the care. It is designed to ensure that nursing homes are not being funded for empty beds.
In order to be an approved nursing home for the purposes of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme all private nursing homes, and voluntary nursing homes which previously received funding for long-term residential care under section 39 of the Health Act 2004, must negotiate and agree a price for the cost of long-term nursing home care with the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF). This is necessary due to the commitment by the State to meet the full balance of the cost of care over and above individuals’ contributions.
The NTPF is independent in the performance of this function and, in carrying it out, must ensure value for money for both the individual and the State. The NTPF negotiates with each nursing home individually and may examine the records and accounts of nursing homes as part of the process.
If price negotiations break down, a three stage review process can be invoked. Details of the process are set out on the NTPF website.
Given the independence of the NTPF, the Minister for Health cannot intervene in the negotiations between it and the nursing home referred to by the Deputy. Furthermore, the HSE cannot provide funding for long-term residential care services to nursing homes through any mechanism other than the Nursing Homes Support Scheme.
Finally, the Nursing Homes Support Scheme is currently being reviewed. One of the terms of reference of the review is an examination of the overall cost of long term residential care in public and private nursing homes and the effectiveness of the current methods of negotiating/setting prices. Work will continue on the review in the coming months with a view to completion by end 2013/early 2014.
203. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in County Dublin has not yet received a mental health assessment; and when this person will be assessed. [28451/13]
View answerAs this is a service matter this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
204. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on his plans to roll out bowel cancer screening throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28452/13]
View answerThe National Bowel Screening Programme (BowelScreen) commenced in November 2012 and is being introduced on a phased basis to men and women between the ages of 60-69 years. When fully implemented the programme will offer free screening to men and women aged 55-74 every two years. The screening test, known as a Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT), is a home based test and approximately 94 to 95 per cent of people will receive a normal result and will be invited for routine screening again in two years time. A small number, in the region of five to six per cent, will receive a not normal result and will require an additional test. They will be referred for a colonoscopy to a Screening Colonoscopy Unit within a hospital contracted by the HSE National Cancer Screening Service (NCSS) for provision of this service.
The accredited screening colonoscopy units provide good geographic coverage and are appropriate for the invited population to date. The programme is being rolled-out on a phased basis and is providing screening colonoscopies as required. The programme will be expanded over time until the full 55-74 age group is reached, at which stage once a person becomes a part of the programme they may be a participant for up to 19 years. Information resources available include a Freephone information line, leaflets and website.
205. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will support the inclusion of the Health Service Executive national asthma programme in the 2014 plan. [28455/13]
View answer223. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will include the national asthma programme in the 2014 Health Service Executive service plan, as asthma affects more than one in ten of the population (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28561/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 205 and 223 together.
The National Clinical Programme for Asthma, which commenced in 2011, is one of a number of chronic disease programmes established in the HSE’s Clinical Care Directorate aimed at bringing a systematic approach to changes in how services for patients are delivered. The HSE’s 2013 National Service Plan is a high level document which is underpinned by a detailed operational plan and four regional plans. Whereas the National Clinical Programme for Asthma is not mentioned in the National Service Plan, it is included in the Operational Plan. Implementation of the programme is ongoing and will continue in 2014. To date, different work streams of the National Clinical Programme for Asthma have resulted in the following initiatives:
- The preparation of a Model of Care – this is currently in development.
- The establishment of Asthma Check (Chronic Disease Watch Asthma – structured review) – this has been submitted to the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) for review.
- The preparation of Acute Emergency Asthma Guidelines for Adults - this has been submitted to the National Clinical Effectiveness Committee (NCEC) for review and feedback.
- The preparation of Acute Emergency Asthma Guidelines for Paediatrics – these have been completed.
- Asthma Control in General Practice – these guidelines have been signed off by ICGP and are being implemented.
- Asthma Educational Programme – this is available online at www. hseland.ie.
- Practical workshops have been delivered locally by Clinical Nurse Specialists to nurses in Primary and Secondary Care.
Nurses and other health professionals have been enrolled in an asthma education module. This education module is based on the National Asthma guidelines. This supports healthcare staff in the delivery of evidenced based care and education for patients. In partnership with the Asthma Society, patient information documents have been developed to support this initiative.
