Written Answers Nos. 210-216
210. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm the recently launched 24-seven emergency neonatal transport service will be provided with a new ambulance in view of the failure of the existing vehicle in Mitchelstown, County Cork on 3 March 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14360/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
211. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health when the Health Service Executive will meet Raheen Hospital Support Group to outline detailed plans for the upgrade of Raheen Community Hospital to Health and Information Quality Authority standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14361/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
212. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the costs of establishing and running the What's Up Mum website; and the reason information on midwives and their role and services are virtually excluded from mention on the site. [14401/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have requested the Health Service Executive to investigate and respond directly to the Deputy.
213. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the organisations or persons paying the additional remuneration or benefits to five senior managers at the Rotunda Hospital, in the interests of democratic accountability, particularly with regard to business plans for the hospital. [14402/14]
View answerAs the issues raised in relation to the Rotunda Hospital are operational matters the Deputy's question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
214. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health his views regarding hospitals using unregulated debt collection companies to pursue sick persons for outstanding hospital charges, including sending a letter to a person (details supplied) who had paid half and made an arrangement with the hospital for the remaining €50, but received two threatening letters from a debt collection agency, the second asking the person who was going to know if he did not pay immediately. [14404/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
215. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health his plans to bring nursing homes and home care operators under the Health Information and Quality Authority; and the recourse open to persons who have received substandard levels of care from these organisations. [14406/14]
View answerUnder the Health Act 2007, statutory responsibility is given to the Health Information and Quality Authority for the independent inspection and registration of certain categories of designated centres including residential care settings for older people. This responsibility is underpinned by a comprehensive quality framework comprising the Health Act 2007, Regulations and the National Quality Standards for Residential Care Settings for Older People in Ireland.
All designated centres, public, voluntary and private nursing homes are subject to the same core standards and regulations in relation to quality and safety in order to ensure the well-being of their residents. In accordance with the legislation, all designated centres are required to have a comprehensive policy in place for dealing with complaints made by or on behalf of residents.
Government for National Recovery, 2011-2016 commits to developing and implementing national standards for home support services, which will be subject to HIQA inspection. Primary legislation and resources will be required for the introduction of a statutory regulation system for home care services. This is being considered in the wider context of the licensing of Public and Private Health Service Providers.
I would like to emphasise, however that statutory regulation or licensing is only one way of improving quality and safety and the HSE is already progressing a range of measures to improve Home Care provision overall, to standardise services nationally and to promote quality, and safety. These include a Procurement Framework for Home Care Services with quality and screening requirements which came into effect in 2012 and applies to services procured by the HSE from external providers.
The HSE is currently undertaking a review of home care services with a view to improving services generally.
216. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce a vaccination programme for meningitis B; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14409/14]
View answerThe National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) has not made any recommendation in relation to the use of Meningitis B vaccine in the primary childhood immunisation programme in Ireland. However NIAC has issued guidance in relation to the use of Bexsero in the control of clusters or outbreaks of Meningococcal B disease.
