Tom Fleming
Question:886. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a hospital appointment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1558/14]
View answerHospital Waiting Lists
Questions (886)
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 this particular query raised by the Deputy, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.
Ambulance Service Provision
Questions (887)
Denis Naughten
Question:887. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the actions that have been taken to date by the National Ambulance Service on foot of a report on a series of incidents in Health Service Executive west presented to ambulance management by SIPTU; if he will confirm that such incidents are not presently happening with the service; the further steps to be taken on foot of the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1560/14]
View answerWritten answers
In relation to the detailed information requested by the Deputy, I have asked the Health service Executive to respond to him directly.
Ambulance Service Response Times
Questions (888)
Seamus Kirk
Question:888. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the serious difficulties of the ambulance service in Drogheda, County Louth, and the north east; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1571/14]
View answerWritten answers
I am aware that the ambulance services in the north east have received considerable media attention recently. The Deputy may however wish to note that significant investment has gone into the area in recent years, including five more ambulance stations, three rapid response vehicles and six intermediate care vehicles. In addition, under new rostering arrangements, 500 extra crew hours are available in the region. In terms of performance, the North Leinster area was 8% above the national response time target for cardiac and respiratory emergency calls.
As the Deputy's question relates to specific service matters, I have asked the HSE to respond directly.
Question No. 889 answered with Question No. 788.
Orthodontic Service Provision
Questions (890)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:890. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding orthodontic treatment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1599/14]
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.
Orthodontic Service Provision
Questions (891)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:891. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding orthodontic treatment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry. [1600/14]
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.
Mental Health Services Provision
Questions (892)
Denis Naughten
Question:892. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health if he will undertake an independent review of the mental health services in counties Roscommon and Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1602/14]
View answerWritten answers
As I have indicated on several occasions in recent times, HSE West has been resourced to implement A Vision for Change to modernise mental health services in the Galway/Roscommon administrative area. Existing resources in this area need to be re-shaped, which is now being progressed by the Executive, in line with similar re-configurations undertaken, or planned, elsewhere nationally.
In light of the above, a detailed assessment was carried out by HSE West, to reconfigure mental health services in Galway/Roscommon. An Expert Group applied an open and transparent scoring system to propose recommendations to bring about much needed re-configuration of mental health services in the region.
HSE West has also established an Implementation Team to progress the recommendations for this initiative, and to address any outstanding local concerns. I agree with the approach now being undertaken by the HSE to improve mental health services for this area, taking account of all relevant policy, service, and resource issues. In the circumstances, I do not support an independent review as suggested by the Deputy.
Mental Health Services Provision
Questions (893)
Denis Naughten
Question:893. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health if he will review the policy whereby access to an acute mental health facility is determined by address; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1603/14]
View answerWritten answers
Responsibility for the management and delivery of mental health services lies with the Health Service Executive. I have therefore, asked the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Medicinal Products Availability
Questions (894)
Michael McGrath
Question:894. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the drug, anafranil, which is prescribed to patients with severe depression; and if he will confirm its continued availability here for patients who are taking it long term. [1605/14]
View answerWritten answers
My Department is aware of a disruption in supply of Anafranil 10mg, 25mg and 50mg capsules (immediate release) on the Irish and UK market. The disruption relates to manufacturing issues which the marketing authorisation holder Novartis is working to resolve. Supply of Anafranil SR 75mg prolonged-release tablets remain unaffected.
The supply issue should not affect patients who are on maintenance treatment with Anafranil SR 75mg tablets which is used where a patient has been stable on Anafranil for some time.
Ambulance Service Response Times
Questions (895)
Joe McHugh
Question:895. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that ambulance responses in County Donegal follow internal Health Service Executive guidelines or the pertinent Health Information and Quality Authority standards; if HIQA will set out its views on two relevant experiences (details supplied); if he will outline HSE plans to improve national consistency in response times. [1617/14]
View answerWritten answers
The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) published its Pre-hospital Emergency Care Key Performance Indicators for Emergency Response Time in 2011. This set of key performance indicators (KPIs) classified 112/999 emergency calls by clinical status. Clinical Status 1 ECHO calls involve life-threatening emergencies of cardiac or respiratory origin. Clinical Status 1 DELTA calls involve life-threatening emergencies of other than cardiac or respiratory origin.
The National Ambulance Service (NAS) uses the response time targets set out in the HSE National Service Plan. For ECHO calls, the Service exceeded its 2013 response time target of 70% of patient-carrying vehicles on scene within 18 minutes 59 seconds. The DELTA response time performance was 4% below the national target of 68%. In 2014, the targets have increased to 80% for both call types.
Response time targets have been in use in other jurisdictions for many years. Since they were introduced in 2011, the HSE has been implementing the HIQA response time standards on a phased basis, in tandem with planned improvements in service delivery, such as the consolidation of control centres, improved dispatch processes and technology and the introduction of non-emergency stretcher transport, through the Intermediate Care Service, to free up emergency resources. It is acknowledged that response time indicators should not be used in isolation to evaluate pre-hospital emergency service delivery. Following a review of the validity of time-based KPIs for clinical status data, and in line with international views, it is considered that clinical outcome indicators should also be used. Work is in progress on the development of clinical outcome indicators for pre-hospital emergency responses. The first outcome indicator, for return of spontaneous circulation in the Emergency Department in 40% of certain out-of-hospital cardiac arrests, has been introduced in 2014.
HIQA will continue to monitor the performance of the NAS in line with current KPIs, to inform its review of the governance arrangements of pre-hospital emergency care services in order to ensure the timely assessment, management and transport of acutely ill patients to appropriate healthcare facilities.
Health Services
Questions (896)
Joe McHugh
Question:896. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the deliveries to date by public hospitals of targets that were set out by the special delivery unit; the rewards system that may apply in respect of the delivery or surpassing of targets set out by the special delivery unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1623/14]
View answerWritten answers
In relation to the detailed information requested by the Deputy, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to him.
Services for People with Disabilities
Questions (897)
Finian McGrath
Question:897. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will support the Dyspraxia Association of Ireland in relation to funding for 2014 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1646/14]
View answerWritten answers
The Government is fully committed to ensuring the on-going delivery of vital services and supports to people with disabilities within available resources.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has been provided with funding in the order of €1.4 billion this year to fund its 2014 disability services programme for children and adults with disabilities. The majority of this funding is distributed through non-statutory agencies who deliver over 80% of all disability services. There are in the region of 300 such agencies at present across the country that provide a significant and broad range of services for children and adults with disabilities in partnership with and on behalf of the HSE. It is important to note that many children and adults with a disability can be very effectively supported within mainstream child and adult health services.
Dyspraxia is a developmental co-ordination disorder that affects movement and co-ordination. For some children, dyspraxia can affect their learning capacity. For this reason they may require additional supports in the school setting to keep up with their classmates. A comprehensive range of supports is in place in our school system to supports these children.
From a health perspective, there are a number of therapies that can make it easier for people with dyspraxia to cope. These include speech and language therapy, to improve speech and communication skills, and occupational therapy to find ways to remain independent and complete everyday tasks. Such therapy services do not necessarily have to be delivered through specialist disability providers and are frequently accessed through Primary Care Teams and community therapy services.
The Dyspraxia Association is just one of a range of organisations around the country at present providing supports to specific diagnostic groups who do not receive regular HSE funding. Funding of these types of organisation is a matter for the HSE in the first instance and will be considered in 2014 in light of the resources available and the relevant service priorities.
Care of the Elderly Provision
Questions (898)
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:898. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a specific timeframe for the transfer of the elderly day care service from Beaumont Hospital to St. Joseph’s, Raheny, Dublin 5; and if he will confirm that the new service in St. Joseph’s will operate five days per week. [1673/14]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Health Services Staff Data
Questions (899)
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:899. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 590 of 17 December 2013 if he will provide details of the various health professionals with a breakdown based on the profession of each person employed, engaged via a company (details supplied) by the Health Service Executive under the heading Allied Health Professionals in 2011, 2012 and 2013. [1675/14]
View answerWritten answers
As this is an operational matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Services for People with Disabilities
Questions (900)
Colm Keaveney
Question:900. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form the number of early intervention teams for children in each local health area; the total number on each team; the numbers of children in each area waiting for an appointment with a team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1691/14]
View answerWritten answers
The Health Service Executive has recognised the need to increase the level of consistency and standardisation in the way both early intervention services and services for school-aged children with disabilities, including autism, are delivered. It is currently engaged in a reconfiguration of existing therapy resources to geographic based teams for children (0-18 years) as part of the National Programme on Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People (0-18 years).
The purpose of the reconfiguration of existing therapy resources is to ensure that the resources available are used to best effect, in order to provide health supports and ongoing therapy to all children (0-18 years) in line with their prioritised needs. In particular, it will mean that all children, regardless of where they receive their education services will have equitable access to services based on their needs.
In that context, my Department has asked the HSE to provide the Deputy with the detailed information requested concerning Early Intervention Teams in each local health area.
Medical Card Eligibility
Questions (901)
Bernard Durkan
Question:901. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the progress made to date in determination of eligibility for a medical card in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1697/14]
View answerWritten 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.