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Wednesday, 15 Jan 2014

Written Answers Nos. 774-789

HSE Savings

Questions (774)

Patrick Nulty

Question:

774. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health the way in which the €108 million in unspecified pay savings in the 2014 Health Service Executive service plan will be found. [55475/13]

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Written answers

The implementation of the Haddington Road Agreement (HRA) commenced in July, 2013, is now well advanced in most sectors, and is already delivering on its objectives. The HRA involves a demanding set of targets for the health service, which accounts for approximately one-third of the overall public service workforce, and naturally, the resultant savings to be realised in that sector form a significant part of the overall €1 billion target.

The realisation of these savings in the Health sector will of course be challenging, and the focus and responsibility of management must now be on the delivery of these savings through the implementation of the various measures and other flexibilities which the Agreement provides for. A HSE national assurance and support team is working with managers to ensure measures to deliver the necessary savings are implemented.

The amount of €108 million is an integral part of the overall savings target for the Health sector. This €108 million pay related savings target will be subject to a separate process and will be held centrally by HSE management until a procedure is in place setting out how these savings are to be achieved.

There is no question of health employees being required to take any additional payroll reductions other than those required under Haddington Road. What the full implementation of Haddington Road can provide is scope to optimise savings across the health system and, until the process to be undertaken with reference to the €108 million fully considers the possibilities in this regard, this sum will be held centrally and remain unallocated.

Medical Card Applications

Questions (775)

Tom Fleming

Question:

775. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite and award a discretionary medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55476/13]

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Written answers

The 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.

Health Services Provision

Questions (776)

Noel Coonan

Question:

776. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 440 of 3 December 2013, if he will consider including bowel preparation on the general medical services scheme; his views on whether this will help persons on low incomes afford the potentially life-saving preparation ahead of a colonoscopy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55479/13]

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Written answers

Klean Prep is a product intended for colonic lavage prior to diagnostic examination or surgical procedures requiring a clean colon (e.g. colonoscopy, barium enema or colonic resection, which are not performed in the community setting). Accordingly, there is not now and there has not been any medical indication that would justify reimbursable status for Klean Prep in the GMS Scheme or in the Community Drug Schemes. It is expected that hospital authorities would make comprehensive arrangements to provide all of a patient’s requirements in connection with a diagnostic and/or surgical service that the hospital provides.

Hospital Accommodation Provision

Questions (777)

Seamus Healy

Question:

777. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Health if there is provision in the Health Service Executive service plan for 2014 or in the budget of his Department for 2014 for the development of a 100-bed unit on the grounds of St. Mary's Hospital in Drogheda to cater for future demand for residential care for older citizens as recommended in the HSE Louth Services for Older People Report 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55491/13]

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Written answers

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Mental Health Awareness

Questions (778)

Damien English

Question:

778. Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Health in view of the fact that the programme for Government contains a commitment to develop a national dementia strategy and in view of the fact that this strategy is at an advanced stage of preparation, if assurances will be given to the estimated 41,000 persons here with dementia and to their families that the plan will be published in the first quarter of 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55492/13]

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Written answers

The Programme for Government contains a commitment to develop a National Alzheimer’s and other Dementias' Strategy to; increase awareness; ensure early diagnosis and intervention and; ensure development of enhanced community based services.

A research review funded by the Atlantic Philanthropies, titled Creating Excellence in Dementia Care, A Research Review for Ireland’s National Dementia Strategy, was published in January 2012. A public consultation process to inform the development of the Strategy was conducted in 2012 and a report of same published on the Department’s website in February 2013.

A Working Group, representative of key stakeholders from my Department, the HSE, the medical profession and the community and voluntary sector is working on the preparation of a Strategy in line with the Programme for Government commitment.

The Strategy will have a very practical focus, will be action oriented and will focus on what can be done to make a difference to the lives of people with dementia. Work is well advanced and it is my intention that this be completed as soon as possible with a view to publication in the coming months.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (779)

James Bannon

Question:

779. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health the length of the waiting list for hip replacement operations; the numbers of persons on the waiting list from Longford-Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55494/13]

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Written answers

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 Health Service Executive, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.

In relation to the detailed information requested by the Deputy, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to him in this matter.

Medical Card Reviews

Questions (780)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

780. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason, contrary to Government policy, medical cards are being reviewed after a period of only six months when it has been clearly stated that this would not occur. [55497/13]

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Written answers

The HSE has an effective system in place for the provision of emergency medical cards for patients who are terminally ill, or who are seriously ill and in urgent need of medical care that they cannot afford. They are issued within twenty-four hours of receipt of the required patient details and the letter of confirmation of the condition from a doctor or a medical consultant.

With the exception of terminally ill patients, the HSE issues all emergency cards on the basis that the patient is eligible for a medical card on the basis of means or undue hardship, and that the applicant will follow up with a full application within a number of weeks of receiving the emergency card. As a result, emergency medical cards are issued to a named individual, with a limited eligibility period of six months.

For persons with a terminal illness, no means test applies. Once the terminal illness is verified by a GP or Consultant, patients are given an emergency medical card for six months. Given the nature and urgency of the issue, the HSE has appropriate escalation routes to ensure that the person gets the card as quickly as possible. For the purpose of the decision making process for an emergency medical card, in these circumstances, a "terminal illness", or a person who is "terminally ill, is a person who is certified by a Doctor or a Consultant as "terminally ill".

Terminally Ill means that the person is suffering from an illness that will end in death, where there is no possibility of recovery and the person is more likely to die of their illness in the next six months than not.

I note from the details provided by the Deputy that the constituent in question was issued with a medical card for a period of one year (May 2013 to May 2014). The period that this card issued for, i.e. more than six months, would appear to indicate that the medical card application was approved on the basis of either a qualifying means assessment or an assessment of undue financial hardship following consideration of the applicants overall financial, social and medical circumstances presented, rather than following notification of end stage terminal illness.

Persons granted medical cards based on a means assessment or on undue financial hardship grounds are issued medical cards for a duration of one year or more. However, the HSE reserves the right to review eligibility at any point in time to confirm that a person continues to meet the qualifying criteria required to continue holding eligibility.

If the Deputy wishes to provide identifying details (application reference number or PPSN or medical card no.) in respect of the constituent, the subject of his representation, the individual matter of this person’s eligibility can be further examined for direct reply to the Deputy.

Health and Social Care Professionals Registration Fee

Questions (781)

Jerry Buttimer

Question:

781. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the progress being made on the intended regulation of counsellors and psychotherapists and the HETAC report on education standards in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55500/13]

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Written answers

The Minister for Health may, under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005, designate a health and social care profession if he or she considers that it is in the public interest to do so and if specified criteria have been met. The 12 professions currently designated under the Act are clinical biochemists, dietitians, medical scientists, occupational therapists, orthoptists, physiotherapists, podiatrists, psychologists, radiographers, social care workers, social workers and speech and language therapists.

Six registration boards have been established to date; the registration boards and their registers for the remaining designated professions should be established by 2015.

Whilst the immediate priority is to proceed with the establishment of the registration boards for the twelve professions currently designated under the Act, I am committed to bringing counsellors and psychotherapists within the ambit of the Act as soon as possible.

While a number of counsellor and psychotherapist national groups have come together as the Psychological Therapies Forum to advise as a single voice for the professions in so far as is possible, a number of issues remain to be clarified. These include decisions on whether one or two professions are to be regulated, on the title or titles of the profession or professions, and on the minimum qualifications to be required of counsellors and psychotherapists. In relation to the latter, Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), the successor to HETAC, established a Standards Development Group for Counselling and Psychotherapy which aims to establish standards of knowledge, skills and competence to be acquired by candidates for educational qualifications that will be required for careers in counselling and/or psychotherapy. This is an essential prerequisite to regulation of the profession. In addition, the standards of proficiency to be required of existing practitioners for registration will need to be established and the necessary qualifications prescribed. QQI has produced a draft Report to which my Department furnished a response in November 2013.

My Department will closely study the final QQI report as soon as it is available and will then engage with relevant stakeholders in order to work through the outstanding issues with a view to achieving regulation of counsellors and psychotherapists as soon as possible in the best interests of the protection of the public.

Medical Card Appeals

Questions (782)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

782. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a four year old child with Down's syndrome (details supplied) in Dublin 15 and other medical conditions who recently had her medical card withdrawn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55509/13]

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Written answers

The 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.

Health Services Reform

Questions (783)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

783. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health his plans for the reconfiguration of governance and administration structures of community health services planned for 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55519/13]

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Written answers

Future Health stated that the Department of Health in conjunction with the HSE would conduct a review of Integrated Service Areas to "(i) ensure maximum alignment between all service providers at local level, (ii) review executive management and governance arrangements and (iii) inform new structures for the delivery of primary care."

The HSE is carrying out this review at present. It is anticipated that the final report will shortly be submitted to me, after which I will consider its findings and recommendations.

Departmental Strategies

Questions (784)

James Bannon

Question:

784. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health the efforts being made by his Department to create public awareness of osteoporosis which is a preventable and treatable disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55527/13]

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Written answers

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.

Medical Card Reviews

Questions (785)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

785. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the reason a medical card was withdrawn in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55536/13]

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Written answers

The 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.

Question No. 786 answered with Question No. 734.

Hospital Staff

Questions (787)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

787. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the staffing levels that have been agreed for the new respiratory unit and Cork University Hospital; if he will provide a breakdown of personnel to be assigned to the unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55540/13]

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Written answers

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.

Hospital Accommodation Provision

Questions (788, 789, 811, 827, 845, 848, 855, 862, 865, 889, 904, 912)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

788. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if there is any reason legal or otherwise why a specific number of beds in the new respiratory unit at Cork University Hospital cannot be ring-fenced for cystic fibrosis patients in line with understandings to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55541/13]

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Billy Kelleher

Question:

789. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he plans to intervene in the row between a charity (details supplied) that is funding the cost of the new respiratory unit and Cork University Hospital to ensure that the unit goes ahead; if he will give a commitment that his Department will foot the bill for the unit if a resolution cannot be found between the two parties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55542/13]

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Tom Fleming

Question:

811. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question of 19 September 2013, if he will provide a detailed up-to-date progress report on the new cystic fibrosis unit at Cork University Hospital; if he will honour the commitment given to Build4Life that eight beds will be ring-fenced for adults with cystic fibrosis out of the 20-bed respiratory unit in CUH, along with a dedicated cystic fibrosis team; if he will take into consideration the fact that Build4Life has raised €2.3 million for this unit; if he will accept that would be an outrage if the funds raised by this voluntary group were not invested in the specific project for which they were intended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1033/14]

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Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

827. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the reason the Health Service Executive and management of Cork University Hospital did not keep a commitment to allocate eight designated cystic fibrosis beds in a 20-bed ward which is being fully funded by a Kerry charity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1097/14]

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Michael McCarthy

Question:

845. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health the progress made to date in the provision of enhanced hospital facilities and other essential services for patients with cystic fibrosis in Cork University Hospital; the progress made to date in developing an adult cystic fibrosis unit and enhanced paediatric cystic fibrosis facilities on site; and when it is expected that work will commence on same. [1238/14]

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Noel Harrington

Question:

848. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Health the progress made on providing ring-fenced beds for adult cystic fibrosis patients in Cork University Hospital; his plans for the development of facilities for all cystic fibrosis patients in the Cork and south west region in the period from 2014 to 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1244/14]

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Michael McGrath

Question:

855. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position concerning a matter at Cork University Hospital (details supplied); the current status of the project; if he will intervene to resolve the current dispute; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1305/14]

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Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

862. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the ring-fencing of isolated beds in Cork University Hospital for cystic fibrosis patients; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Build4Life raised money for cystic fibrosis beds and now management wish the charity to hand over the money with no guarantee of cystic fibrosis beds; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that cystic fibrosis patients are at constant risk of cross-infection due to exposure to the general hospital environment; and his plans to address this situation as a matter of urgency. [1317/14]

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Ciara Conway

Question:

865. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update with a timeline on plans to ring-fence beds at Cork University Hospital for children with cystic fibrosis, for the provision of specialist day clinics and in patient beds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1329/14]

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Ciaran Lynch

Question:

889. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that funding raised by an independent charity is to be used to refurbish 20 isolation beds at Cork University Hospital and that there is an agreement in place (details supplied) that eight of these beds are to be ring-fenced for cystic fibrosis patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1572/14]

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Sandra McLellan

Question:

904. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that the eight beds promised for cystic fibrosis patients by Cork University hospital will be ring-fenced immediately, as he may be aware the charity Build4Life has raised €2.3 million which will fund 20 beds eight of which are to be specifically for cystic fibrosis patients; it is now alleged that the hospital want the charity to hand over the money with no guarantee of cystic fibrosis beds, if he will investigate the matter further; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1713/14]

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John Deasy

Question:

912. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the developing crisis regarding cystic fibrosis beds in Cork University Hospital; and the position regarding the supposed ring-fencing of agreed beds for cystic fibrosis patients in the context of substantial fund-raising by the Build4Life voluntary charity. [1808/14]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 788, 789, 811, 827, 845, 848, 855, 862, 865, 889, 904 and 912 together.

At the outset, I want to commend Build4Life on its achievement in raising €2.3m to fund this unit in Cork University Hospital. The situation that has now arisen in relation to this development is regrettable. I understand that the HSE and Build4Life are now in a process which I hope will bring about a resolution shortly.

I understand that the proposed Unit will have 20 beds, 10 of which will be designated for patients with CF, eight within the unit with two additional isolation beds provided in the Renal Unit. I have been assured that patients with CF will have priority access to these ten beds at all times. The ring fencing of beds for CF patients has been an issue in other hospitals around the country but has been resolved through written agreements and good operational procedures. I am confident that a similar agreement can be reached in this instance.

The key issue is that patients with CF are assured that sufficient beds will be available when they are needed, but at the same time, when beds are not needed for CF patients, they can be freed up for other very ill patients with respiratory and other conditions. I note that Cystic Fibrosis Ireland has expressed its confidence that, following discussions, an agreement can be drawn up that will allow building to commence.

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