Thursday, 6 Feb 2014

Written Answers Nos. 241-251

Health Services Staff Recruitment

Questions (241)

John Paul Phelan

Question:

241. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Health the current staffing and planned additional recruitment in 2014 in specific services in a Health Service Executive area (details supplied). [6063/14]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The HSE has responsibility for the recruitment of these grades and can recruit staff in exceptional circumstances, where it has been established that there is an urgent service requirement and that this can be accommodated within the budgetary constraints and overall employment ceiling. Regarding the current position relating to recruitment, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Mental Health Services Provision

Questions (242)

Denis Naughten

Question:

242. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health his plans to establish an independent review of the mental health services in the Galway-Roscommon mental health area and adjoining Integrated Service Areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6076/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Galway and Roscommon Mental Health Services, which operates as one administrative unit, has been resourced to implement A Vision for Change to modernise this particular service, thus giving better outcomes for both patients and staff. To achieve this, existing resources need to be re-shaped at local level, in line with similar mental health service initiatives already undertaken or planned for other areas of the country.

At present, there are 35 acute psychiatric beds in Galway city, and 22 acute psychiatric beds in both Ballinasloe and Roscommon. This gives a total of 79 beds, serving a population of some 315,000. A Vision for Change recommends 50 beds for a catchment population of 300,000. It is clear therefore, in line with policy and operational norms nationally, that the provision of 22 beds in both Ballinasloe and Roscommon means that the current overall stock of 79 in HSE West is too high in relative terms, allied to a corresponding under-development of community based mental health services.

In the context of the service improvements now underway, a purpose built 50 bed acute mental health unit will be completed in Galway University Hospital in 2015, to replace the existing smaller unit. This Unit will consist of 35 general adult mental health beds, with the remaining 15 beds relating to psychiatry of later life, eating disorders, and mental health and intellectual disability. The acute unit in Roscommon will continue to provide 22 general adult mental health beds.

The proposed re-organisation of services, following a detailed assessment by HSE West, will provide for a total of 57 general adult mental health beds. This will be a sufficient number of acute psychiatric beds in line with A Vision for Change, and will also allow the Executive to enhance community based services through re-deployment of some staff from acute services. Arising from an appropriate consultation process, staff from St. Brigid’s will be redeployed on a phased basis to both community mental health teams in Ballinasloe, and to acute services in Galway and Roscommon. There will be no impact for current in-patients in Ballinasloe.

I am satisfied that the decision taken by the HSE, based on expert recommendations, to enhance future mental health provision in the area is the best option, taking account of overall service needs and competing resource priorities. The approach and objectives to bring about service change in this case is no different to that applicable elsewhere to implement a widely agreed policy on improving mental health services. Bearing in mind all the circumstances relating to this much needed initiative, I see no need for a review as suggested by the Deputy.

Mental Health Services Provision

Questions (243)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

243. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a 40-bed unit for psychiatric services in Killarney town, County Kerry; where the project stands at present; if it will go ahead; the cost of same; when it is expected to commence and be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6087/14]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Delivery of the healthcare infrastructure is a service matter. Therefore your question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Ambulance Service Response Times

Questions (244)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

244. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 273 of 26 September 2013, the extent to which the ambulance service response rate throughout County Kildare remains in accord with best practice; the degree to which this service has received any comments or complaints in respect of the response time in life threatening instances and non-life threatening instances; the degree to which any complaint has been received in respect of either in the intervening period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6102/14]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy.

Hospital Appointments Delays

Questions (245)

Heather Humphreys

Question:

245. Deputy Heather Humphreys asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to reduce the current waiting times for ENT appointments in the Cavan-Monaghan area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6107/14]

Written answers

Minister for Health

A maximum waiting time target of 12 months has been set for a first time consultant-led outpatient appointment and this is reflected in the HSE Service Plan. The SDU and the NTPF are working closely with hospitals towards achievement of the maximum waiting time.

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

Suicide Incidence

Questions (246)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

246. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form the number of deaths by suicide in the State; if he will further provide a breakdown of same by county for the years 2011, 2012 and 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6119/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

National mortality data including that relating to suicide is published by the Central Statistics Office on a quarterly and annual basis. The data for 2012 is provisional and is subject to change, when the data by year of occurrence is published. The data for 2013 has not yet been published. The number of deaths by suicide by county for the years 2011 and 2012 are as follows:

Province	County	2011	*2012
Leinster	-	-	-
-	Carlow	7	4
-	Dublin City	57	51
-	South Dublin	37	20
-	Fingal	10	5
-	Dun Laoghaire Rathdown	10	9
-	Kildare	27	23
-	Kilkenny	14	9
-	Laois	13	9
-	Longford	2	2
-	Louth	14	15
-	Meath	14	11
-	Offaly	10	10
-	Westmeath	12	8
-	Wexford	29	31
-	Wicklow	17	15
Munster	-	-	-
-	Clare	13	16
-	Cork City	16	30
-	Cork County	62	43
-	Kerry	26	27
-	Limerick City	13	15
-	Limerick County	18	16
-	North Tipperary	10	9
-	South Tipperary	12	16
-	Waterford City	7	8
-	Waterford County	7	6
Connacht	-	-	-
-	Galway City	13	8
-	Galway County	24	22
-	Leitrim	6	6
-	Mayo	17	26
-	Roscommon	5	3
-	Sligo	7	9
Ulster (part of)	-	-	-
-	Cavan	8	6
-	Donegal	13	10
-	Monaghan	4	9
-	-	-	-
Total	-	554	507

* Figures for 2012 are provisional and are subject to revision.

Hospital Investigations

Questions (247)

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

247. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Health if he will order a Health Information and Quality Authority inquiry into the tragic deaths of the babies who died in Portlaoise hospital and were the subject of the recent "Prime Time" RTE documentary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6128/14]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Once again I would like to offer my sincerest sympathies to the families who have suffered such tragic losses. The loss of a child is a very difficult burden to bear. I am extremely concerned about the recent reports into the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise and I conveyed my concern to three of the families when I met them personally at the weekend. These meetings were, I believe, very constructive and I wish to express my thanks to the families for being so open and honest with me.

I assured the families that I would establish as a priority if our services had failed them and to this end I have asked the Chief Medical Officer of my Department to provide me with a report on the issue as quickly as possible. I have told the families that this process will be transparent, that they will be involved and will have the opportunity to see the report in advance of release. The findings of the CMO's report will inform the terms of reference of any subsequent HIQA review into this issue.

Hospital Investigations

Questions (248)

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

248. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Health the data regarding the death of a child (details supplied) was not provided to the National Perinatal Epidemiology Centre in UCC; if he will confirm if data regarding the other babies deaths covered in the TV programme were equally not provided to the National Perinatal Epidemiology Centre in UCC; the reason the provision of data to the National Perinatal Epidemiology Centre in UCC is voluntary; his views on whether it should be mandatory; if he is concerned that the absence of data being provided to the National Perinatal Epidemiology Centre means that its research publications are providing an inaccurate picture of the standard of maternity care here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6129/14]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Deputy will be aware that I have asked the Chief Medical Officer to provide me with a report on the issues pertaining to the deaths of infants at Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise. Pending finalisation of that report, I am not in a position to make any further comments in the matter. The Chief Medical Officer's report will be completed as expeditiously as possible.

HIQA Inspections

Questions (249)

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

249. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Health if he will detail the total number of inspections by outside parties that Portlaoise hospital has had in the past five years including the date, nature of inspection and the person who conducted the inspection; if he will also provide details of the outcomes that arose from these inspections for each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6130/14]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Since late 2012 HIQA has been carrying out a monitoring programme against the National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections (NSPCHCAI). Both I and my Department welcome the publication of HIQA's reports and note the concerns raised in them about hand hygiene practices particularly among medical staff.

HIQA carried out an unannounced inspection on the Midlands Regional Hospital Portlaoise on 4th December, 2012 for compliance with the NSPCHCAI. The Authority found the hospital to be partially compliant with the national standards. Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise was asked to develop a quality improvement plan (QIP) that prioritised the improvements necessary to fully comply with the national standards. The QIP was to be published within 6 weeks of the date of the publication of the HIQA report.

In addition, the Authority made a number of recommendations regarding the prevention and control of healthcare associated infections governance arrangements in place at the hospital. Ultimate responsibility for adherence to national standards and the implementation of recommendations lies with the provider, in this instance the Health Service Executive (HSE).

With regard to the question of the total number of inspections by outside parties that Portlaoise Hospital has had in the past five years, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy with this information.

Proposed Legislation

Questions (250)

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

250. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Health if he supports legislating for a statutory provision which would allow medical practitioners to make an apology and explanation without these being construed as an admission of liability in a medical negligence claim; if such a statutory provision will be included in the proposed Health Information Bill; if he will prioritise its introduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6131/14]

Written answers

Minister for Health

In November 2013, the HSE launched the National Open Disclosure Policy, Guidelines and supporting documents following on from a joint HSE/State Claims Agency national pilot project in relation to Open Disclosure. Open Disclosure is defined as “an open consistent approach to communicating with patients and their families when things go wrong in healthcare. This includes expressing regret for what has happened, keeping the patient informed, providing feedback on investigations and the steps taken to prevent a recurrence of the adverse event.”

This National Policy is in line with one of the key recommendations of the Madden Report, which was the development and support of a culture of open disclosure to patients and their next-of-kin, following an adverse event resulting in harm to a patient. At the moment, Ireland has no express protective legislation to assist the open disclosure process. However, it is intended that the upcoming Health Information Bill will contain provisions in it to afford some degree of protection for healthcare personnel in line with the Madden Report. This is also consistent with a recommendation in a consultation paper published by The Law Reform Commission in 2008 that “a statutory provision be considered which would allow medical practitioners to make an apology and explanation without these being construed as an admission of liability in a medical negligence claim”.

Health Services Staff Data

Questions (251)

Terence Flanagan

Question:

251. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a full breakdown of staff working in the Health Service Executive between managers, medical staff, and administration staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6148/14]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The detailed information sought by the Deputy in relation to health service staff is a matter for the HSE and, accordingly, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him.