Written Answers Nos. 452-463
452. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health in regards to the Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore if activity has increased; if the average length of stay has reduced; if the age profile has increased and the number of patients admitted on the same day as their surgery has increased; the way in which it is possible for the hospital to operate at a safe level when nursing numbers have reduced. [10677/14]
View answerIn relation to the detailed queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service matters they have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
453. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown by hospital of the ambulance waiting times at each acute hospital in the last available 12 month period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10691/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
454. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the number of frontline WTE paramedics, advanced paramedics and emergency medical technicians respectively employed in each ambulance region; the number of retirements in each of the past four years; the number of front line staff recruited in each year concerned; the current numbers in training in each category and when training will be completed; when the 20 new paramedics will take up their new posts and their distribution in each ambulance region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10692/14]
View answerThe 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.
455. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 746 of 4 February 2014, the reason the estimated cost of the project has increased by nearly €2.5m; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10720/14]
View answerDelivery of health care facilities is a service matter. Therefore your question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
456. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Health his views on the ongoing delays regarding the opening of the psychiatric unit in Beaumont Hospital; and when same will open [10734/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
457. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an orthodontic appointment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10736/14]
View answerThe 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.
458. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health if there are situations where graduate nurses are earning a starting salary which pays below the minium wage when divided over the number of hours they work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10765/14]
View answerI am not aware of any situations where nurses employed in the public health services, following graduation, are earning a starting salary which pays below the minimum wage when divided over the number of hours they work. Nurses participating in the Nurse Graduate Initiate earn 85% of the starting pay of a Staff Nurse in the first year and 90% in the second year. Based on a 39 hour week, as provided for under the Haddington Road Agreement, the annualised salary for first year participants (€23,139) equates to an hourly rate of €11.37. The salary of mental health nurse participants equates to €11.63 per hour. In addition these nurses would also be in receipt of allowances and other premium payments.
Student undergraduate nurses participating in the 4th year rostered clinical placement as part of their degree course, are paid in accordance with the rates specified in the minimum wage legislation, €6.49 for the first 12 weeks, €6.92 for the second 12 weeks and €7.79 for the third 12 weeks, with mental health student nurses 2.3% higher.
459. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Health if his Department will consider and evaluate a single payer social insurance model, along the lines of those used in France, Germany and Nordic countries before the Government’s white paper on financing Universal Health Insurance is issued [10766/14]
View answerThe Government is embarking on a major reform programme for the health system, the aim of which is to deliver a single-tier health service, supported by universal health insurance, where access is based on need, not income.
The commitment to achieving universal health insurance in a multi-payer insurer model, with competing insurers, was affirmed in the Programme for Government and Future Health: A Strategic Framework for Reform of the Health Service 2012-2015. Accordingly, the White Paper on Universal Health Insurance, will set out the details of a multi-payer model of Universal Health Insurance in which everyone will have their choice of insurer.
I intend to bring the White Paper to Government very soon and to publish thereafter. Following publication I will immediately engage in an extensive and inclusive consultation process whereby everyone will have an opportunity to comment on the proposals.
460. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will examine and allow for orthodontic treatment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10767/14]
View answerThe 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.
461. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will examine and allow for orthodontic treatment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10771/14]
View answerThe 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.
462. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health when the national ambulance service's review of the delay in an ambulance getting to the scene of an accident (details supplied) in County Donegal will be completed; if the completed report will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10775/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
463. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Health if he will initiate a review of the reason a medical card was removed from a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10776/14]
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.
