Thursday, 10 Apr 2014

Written Answers Nos. 178 to 184

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Applications

Questions (178)

Arthur Spring

Question:

178. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an application for the nursing home support scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry. [17059/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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

HSE Staff Remuneration

Questions (179)

Clare Daly

Question:

179. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the reason the chief executive officer and a number of senior executives receive top-up payments to their salaries in Our Lady's Hospice in Harold's Cross; if these payments are authorised; and from what source they originate in view of the fact that this is an institution covered by the section 38 clause of the Croke Park agreements. [17061/14]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As the issues raised in relation to the Our Lady's Hospice in Harold's Cross are operational matters the Deputy's question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Hospitals Building Programme

Questions (180, 181, 182, 183)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

180. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if there are alternative plans in place in the event of the proposed children’s hospital being refused planning permission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17065/14]

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

181. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health his view on whether the size of the site for the proposed children’s hospital is adequate for any future expansion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17066/14]

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

182. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if the proposed children’s hospital at St. James’s will limit any future expansion of the adult hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17067/14]

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

183. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if it is proposed that the new children’s hospital at St. James’s will have helicopter access; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17068/14]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 180 to 183, inclusive, together.

The new children's hospital is a commitment in the Programme for Government and is a priority for me as Minister and for this Government. In November 2012 I announced the Government decision that the new hospital would be co-located with St James's Hospital on its campus. Co-location with St James's and, ultimately, tri-location with a maternity hospital on the St James's campus will provide the excellence in clinical care that our children deserve. In making its decision, the Government carefully considered the report of the Dolphin Group, along with detailed supplementary information on cost, time and planning which was subsequently sought from members of the Dolphin Group with the relevant technical expertise.

The National Paediatric Hospital Development Board is responsible for this priority capital project, and is focused on delivering the new hospital on schedule, to optimal design and value for money. On 2 August last, I announced the appointment to the Development Board of a Chair and Board members with the necessary construction, architectural, engineering, planning and procurement expertise to deliver this complex and large-scale project. I am confident that the Board, working with the HSE, with my Department and with the Children's Hospital Group Board, will ensure the successful completion of the hospital on the St James's campus and this Government has no alternative plans for any other location.

The Board is strongly focused on mitigating risks associated with the planning process. It is currently in the process of design team procurement with the aim being to appoint the full design team in June and to submit a planning application in February 2015 following design development. Helicopter access will be provided and the design team when appointed will examine the options for this as part of design development.

A total of 6.3 hectares is being made available on the St James's campus for the new children's hospital and a maternity hospital which provides the necessary capacity for both developments, including appropriate future-proofing taking into account projected future activity levels and associated capacity requirements. In 2013, the HSE also acquired a strategically important land bank at Davitt Road proximate to the St James's Hospital campus, which provides significant capacity to facilitate the planned developments at St James's in the short-term as well as to support the delivery of acute hospital and community health services in the south city in the longer term.

Primary Care Services Provision

Questions (184, 192, 193, 194)

Martin Ferris

Question:

184. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health if he will examine the case of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford, who has motor neurone disease and seeks information regarding the costs of home ventilation in order to prolong their life; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17076/14]

Billy Kelleher

Question:

192. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if it is the policy of the Health Service Executive to not allow persons to be invasively ventilated while residing at home; the reason for the policy covering this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17132/14]

Billy Kelleher

Question:

193. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the financial cost of having a person invasively ventilated at home; if he will provide a breakdown of those costs; the percentage of said costs covered by the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17133/14]

Billy Kelleher

Question:

194. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if there are any circumstances in which the Health Service Executive will allow a person to remain at home while receiving invasive ventilation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17134/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Alex White)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 184 and 192 to 194, inclusive, together.

The issuing of home ventilation whether invasive or non-invasive cannot be considered in isolation and whether the patient has access to such treatment is not purely a financial consideration. A proper discharge care plan which is discussed between the hospital consultant team and primary care needs to be agreed and activated. Home ventilation needs appropriate equipment, trained staff and both patient and family education as well as arrangement for upkeep and maintenance of such ventilation equipment. Nurses supervising such patients at home need to be appropriately qualified and competent to supervise the patient clinically.

The HSE is responsible for the administration of the primary care schemes, therefore, the request for specific statistics concerning the provision of home ventilation services has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy. In relation to the individual case cited, I have asked the HSE to investigate the circumstances surrounding this case and respond directly to the Deputies as a matter of urgency.