Written Answers Nos. 1116-1133
1116. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the number of hoax calls received by the National Ambulance Service in each Health Service Executive region in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012; the cost incurred as result of these calls in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35137/13]
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.
1117. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 250 and 251 of the 16th of May 2013 if final approval has been issued to the two remaining Health Service Executive regions; if he will provide a county breakdown detailing the posts provided under the €35million funding provided; if he has satisfied himself that the funding has been utilised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35140/13]
View answerAn additional €35 million which was provided in Budget 2013 for the continued development of mental health services across a range of headings, including the further development of forensic services and community mental health teams for adults, children, older persons and mental health intellectual disability and to the recruitment of 477 additional staff to implement these measures.
Each of the four HSE regions were asked to submit a business case against each of the identified objectives detailing how the funding is to be spent and the type and number of WTE to be recruited. Approval has issued to all four HSE Regions to enable recruitment to commence. As at end June 2013, 117 of the 477 posts approved in 2013 had been accepted by candidates and are awaiting clearance with a further 34 posts offered to candidates.
The HSE’s National Recruitment Service (NRS) creates national panels in anticipation of vacancies. On occasion however, it is difficult to fill some posts for various reasons, including geographical location, international shortage of some grades, most notably clinical Psychologists etc. The NRS is currently working to ensure that the remaining posts will be filled as soon as possible, from existing panels or through competition in the absence of panels, at the earliest opportunity. I have been assured by the HSE that the recruitment process for the new posts being funded in 2013, and any outstanding posts from the 414 approved in 2012, is being given priority within the HSE.
In relation to the breakdown of the additional posts on a county basis, as this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Question No. 1119 withdrawn.
1120. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health If he will expedite and award medical cards in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35171/13]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services Scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for Members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has issued to Oireachtas Members.
1121. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an account of all programmes dedicated to the treatment for research on mental illness; the amount each programme receives annually; the amount dedicated to the treatment of serious mental illness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35174/13]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy in relation to the funding allocated to mental health research, by publicly funded bodies in the health sector, is being collated and I will provide it to the Deputy as soon as it becomes available.
Funding for mental health services increased this year from €711 million in 2012 to €733 million. This allocation includes an additional €35 million provided in Budget 2013 for the continued development of mental health services across a range of headings, including the further development of forensic services and community mental health teams for adults, children, older persons and mental health intellectual disability, and to the recruitment of 477 additional staff to implement these measures. 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 these figures.
1123. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health the position on a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35184/13]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services Scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended . It has established a dedicated contact service for Members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has issued to Oireachtas Members.
1124. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health his views on the Disability Federation of Ireland pre-budget submission for 2014. [35214/13]
View answerThe level of funding available for the health budget and the extent of the savings required in the health sector are being considered as part of the Estimates and budgetary process for 2014 which is currently under way. Deliberations by the Government on the expenditure allocations for next year are likely to continue up until Budget time and it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this stage pending the outcome of those deliberations. The very difficult financial position facing the Exchequer will obviously require very careful management across all areas of expenditure.
1125. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health the position on a referral to Cork University Hospital in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35231/13]
View answerThe 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 or 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.
1126. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, the 55 recommendations of the strategy for cancer control; and the action taken regarding each recommendation [35248/13]
View answerThe Strategy for Cancer Control 2006 contains 55 recommendations and is available on the Department of Health website at http://www.dohc.ie/publications/cancer_control_2006tm.hl. The Strategy addressed the rapidly rising burden of cancer in the Irish population and includes recommendations in relation to the reorganisation of cancer services, promoting health and preventing cancer.
Significant progress has been made in many areas of cancer control, particularly screening, cancer care in the acute setting and primary care since the launch of the Strategy. The National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) introduced a programmatic approach to cancer services in 2007, as laid out in the Strategy. Its aim is to improve cancer prevention, detection, treatment, increase survival rates and improve quality of life. This is currently being achieved through the development of a comprehensive national service, based on evidence and best practice. Cancer services are now centralised around 8 Designated Cancer Centres established in four managed cancer networks. Multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) are in place for the more common site specific cancer, with linkages between designated cancer centres and hospitals for MDT discussion. Work continues to ensure that, for all cancer, initial diagnosis and surgery will be provided at the cancer centres by multidisciplinary teams.
The NCCP's Community Oncology programme has made considerable progress in working with GPs to enhance their role. The NCCP has developed national GP referral guidelines and standard referral forms for breast, lung, and prostate cancers, making the referral process more seamless, safer and more efficient. It has also developed electronic cancer referral for breast, prostate and lung cancer, in collaboration with a broad range of stakeholders. This ensures rapid referral of patients with suspected cancer in a secure manner.
BreastCheck, the National Breast Screening Programme and CervicalCheck, the National Cervical Screening Programme are available nationwide to eligible women. There is a commitment in the Programme for Government to extend BreastCheck to the 65-69 age group. BowelScreen, the National Colorectal Screening Programme, has been introduced on a phased basis.
New radiation oncology facilities at St. James's Hospital and Beaumont Hospital were completed and opened under Phase 1 of the National Plan for Radiation Oncology (NPRO) in 2011. The new centres reflect the latest advances, equipment and expertise available internationally and deliver a 50% increase in the number of linear accelerators in the Greater Dublin area. Phase 2 of the NPRO will address future needs and will provide additional capacity in Cork, Galway and the Greater Dublin area. New facilities will come on stream in Cork in Quarter 4 2016 and in Galway in Quarter 2 2017.
The Health Information and Quality Authority's (HIQA) Health Technology Assessment (HTA) function assesses the clinical and cost effectiveness of the medicines, devices, diagnostics, and health interventions in the health system. A number of HTAs have been conducted by HIQA on aspects of cancer services.
In relation to promoting health, major advances have been made in progressing work on a number of initiatives including a new national framework for action to improve health and wellbeing 'Healthy Ireland', Tobacco Control, Substance Abuse and Obesity.
"Healthy Ireland" is a response to the many risks that threaten Ireland's future health and wellbeing. It was launched in April 2013 with the aim of improving the health and wellbeing of our country over the coming generation. "Healthy Ireland" will support a whole-of-government approach to address the determinants and predictors of health and wellbeing.
A range of measures have been introduced to reduce the prevalence of smoking in Ireland: regulations to introduce combined text and photo warnings on tobacco products came into force in February 2013; work is progressing on the development of legislation on plain packaging, the objective is to make all tobacco packs look less attractive to consumers and to make health warnings more prominent. The report of the Tobacco Policy Review Group is at an advanced stage of preparation. The Group is considering a number of issues, including the feasibility and possibility of extending the smoking ban to other areas, e.g., playgrounds, parks, beaches, etc.
I supported a Private Members' Bill in the Seanad in May 2012 relating to prohibiting smoking in cars with children present. My Department is working with the Senators in consultation with the Attorney General’s Office and the Department of Justice in progressing this legislation. In December 2012, the European Commission published a proposal for a new EU Tobacco Products Directive, the ultimate purpose of which is to reduce the numbers of people smoking. The proposal is being discussed in the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers and the Commission hope to have it adopted in 2014. I am fully supportive of the measures outlined in the proposal.
Real and tangible proposals are currently being finalised on foot of the recommendations in the National Substance Misuse Strategy report 2012. These proposals cover all of the areas mentioned in the report, including legislation on minimum unit pricing; the advertising of alcohol; sponsorship; labelling of alcohol products; and prevention and intervention activities on alcohol.
The Special Action Group on Obesity has been established. I meet regularly with the Group to progress the obesity prevention agenda. The Special Action Group on Obesity comprises key stakeholders and is chaired by the Department of Health. It is recognised that alone no single initiative will reverse this growing trend, but a combination of measures should make a difference.
I am satisfied that significant progress has been made in implementing the recommendations in the 2006 Strategy. The quality of services has improved hugely in recent years, mainly due to the concerted efforts of the NCCP. My Department will continue to work with the HSE, clinicians and others, such as voluntary organisations, to ensure that outcomes for cancer are improved.
1127. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the anamoly whereby nurses who will undergo training to become public health nurses next year will be guaranteed employment in advance of commencing their courses whereas those who recently completed the same course had no such guarantee and are experiencing difficulty in obtaining employment as public health nurses; if he proposes to address this anamoly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35271/13]
View answerThe 2012 sponsored Student Public Health Nurse Graduate-Postgraduate Diploma recruitment campaign, which was advertised by the HSE with a closing date of 1 June 2012, advised candidates that, on successful completion of the training programme, they would be required to accept an initial assignment as a full-time public health nurse, for a period of not less than two years, in the sponsoring Local Health Office-Integrated Service Area.
Candidates were subsequently advised that the terms and conditions of the Sponsorship Programme had changed and this change meant that there would be no guarantee of immediate PHN positions for candidates on successful completion of the programme. The programme commenced on 8t October 2012.
Discussions involving HSE management and the INMO on the change to the terms and conditions have recently been held in the Labour Relations Commission. Following a recommendation by the Commission on 5 July 2013, all those applicants who successfully passed the Programme will be offered all existing vacancies in order of merit.
1128. Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update in respect of the promised primary care centres in Waterford city and Dungarvan, County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35341/13]
View answerThe delivery of primary care infrastructure is a dynamic process and must take account of changing circumstances including the feasibility of implementing the delivery of the centres by means of lease, direct-build or PPP. GP engagement and agreement to deliver services from primary care centres is central to the delivery of the necessary infrastructure. Waterford city and Dungarvan are two of the 35 potential locations for primary care centres for development by way of PPP as announced in the July 2012 Infrastructure Stimulus Package. The HSE is currently finalising sites and assessing GP engagement at 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.
1129. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a detailed yearly breakdown in tabular form of the average waiting times for outpatient services for the Galway Roscommon Hospital Group, University Hospital Galway and Merlin Park Hospital for the years 2010 to date in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35354/13]
View answer1130. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a detailed yearly breakdown, in tabular form, of the average waiting times for surgery for the Galway Roscommon Hospital Group, University Hospital Galway and Merlin Park Hospital for the years 2010 to date in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35355/13]
View answer1131. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a detailed yearly breakdown, in tabular form, of the average waiting times for the emergency department for the Galway Roscommon Hospital Group, University Hospital Group and Merlin Park Hospital for the years 2010 to date in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35356/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1129 to 1131, inclusive, together.
Improving access to outpatient services is a key priority for the Government. Collaborating with individual hospitals, the SDU, together with the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) and the HSE, has developed the outpatient waiting list minimum dataset. This allows data to be submitted to the NTPF from hospitals on a weekly basis and, for the first time, outpatient data are available on www.ntpf.ie. For 2013, a maximum waiting time target has been set of 12 months for a first-time consultant-led outpatient appointment and this is reflected in the HSE service plan. The SDU and the NTPF will work closely with hospitals towards achievement of the maximum waiting time.
The 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 been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.
In relation to the specific hospital queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service matters, they have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
1132. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he will consider implementing a more transparent framework for negotiations under the fair deal which acknowledges the costs of providing high-quality care and the need to support investment to meet the significant increase in demand for long-term residential care; if he will address the disconnect between the Health Information Quality Authority and the National Treatment Purchase Fund in order that the NTPF will take into consideration the private and voluntary nursing homes' statutory responsibility under the national quality standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35368/13]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my replies to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 674, 676 and 677 of 28 May 2013 and 240 of 20 June.
In addition, I would like to advise the Deputy that the Nursing Homes Support Scheme is currently under review. The review is centred on sustainability. Work will continue on the review in the coming months with a view to completion by end 2013-early 2014.
As the Scheme is statutory based, the implementation of any recommendations arising from the review may require amendments to the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act, 2009.
1133. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Health his plans to establish a forum on long-term residential care that will bring together all the relevant stakeholders, including the Health Service Executive, the National Treatment Purchase Fund and the Health Information and Quality Authority. [35371/13]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 674 of 28 May 2013.
