Written Answers Nos 178-189
178. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health when the planning application for the children's hospital will be lodged; the estimated start; when it will be completed; the estimated cost as of 28 April 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19813/14]
View answerThe new children's hospital is a commitment in the Programme for Government and is a priority for me and for this Government. The National Paediatric Hospital Development Board is responsible for delivering the new hospital on schedule, to optimal design and value for money. The Board’s membership reflects the skills and expertise required to achieve that, including construction, planning, engineering, procurement and architecture as well as clinical and stakeholder involvement. The Board is now in the final phase of the selection process for the appointment of a design team. The full design team is expected to be appointed in June, following which design development will begin, in order to submit an application for planning permission in February 2015. Construction is scheduled to commence in August 2015, and the transition of services to the new hospital is on schedule to commence at the end of 2018.
In October 2013, the Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform announced that up to €200m would be made available for the new Children’s Hospital from the sale of the National Lottery, adding to the existing €450m Exchequer funding and underlining the Government's commitment to the project. Philanthropic / non-Exchequer funding will be sought as appropriate. The business case for the hospital is currently being revised and updated, and this will set out outline capital costs for the hospital on the St James's campus and potential future revenue savings arising from operational efficiencies. Estimates set out in the revised business case will be reviewed and refined at each stage of the project.
179. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if it is intended that lifetime community rating would still be in place for the introduction of universal health insurance and that younger persons who do not take out private health insurance prior to the introduction of universal health insurance would therefore have to pay a higher premium than they would have if they had taken out private health insurance previously; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19816/14]
View answerThe Government has embarked 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 White Paper on Universal Health Insurance (UHI) published on 2nd April 2014 provides detailed information on the UHI model for Ireland, the process for determining the future basket of health services, including those services that will be covered under UHI and the financing mechanisms for UHI.
Under UHI everyone will be insured for the same standard package of services and everyone will have a choice of health insurer. In addition, the White Paper states that people will enjoy the following important protections when purchasing a UHI policy:
- Open enrolment : A person must be accepted and provided with a UHI policy by their chosen insurer regardless of their age, health status or other risk factors.
- Lifetime cover : Every person will have the right to renew their UHI policy regardless of their age, health status or other risk factors.
- Community rating : Insurers will not be allowed to charge different premiums for the same policy depending on an individual’s risk profile (‘same policy, same premium’). This principle of community rating will be supported by a system of risk equalisation.
- Equal access : Insurers will not be allowed to sell a policy conferring faster access to services covered by the standard UHI package.
On that basis, therefore, there is no question of higher premiums attaching to individuals who opted not to take out private health insurance prior to the introduction of UHI.
However, in order to prepare for the transition to UHI, I am committed to maintaining an affordable and competitive health insurance market and I am keen to create the best possible environment within which more people will seek to take out and keep health insurance. In particular, I would like to encourage younger people to join as early as possible. Lifetime community rating is intended to encourage people to join health insurance schemes early and to retain their private health insurance cover. My Department is working on the legislation required to implement this measure, intended for introduction in 2015, and I will announce further details in due course.
180. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if the ultimate introduction of free general practitioner care for all means that he is considering offering GPs a salary-based contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19817/14]
View answerThe introduction of free GP care for children under 6 requires a new contractual framework to be put in place between the HSE and individual general practitioners. The draft contract is currently the subject of a consultation process. The fee structure for the provision of this service is being addressed by means of a complementary consultation process.
There are no plans at present to offer GPs a salary for the provision of universal GP care.
181. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the administrative procedures in place for follow on treatment following surgery at the breast clinic in Beaumont Hospital; if all patients receive written notification of their diagnosis and subsequent appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19818/14]
View answerThe HSE advises that patients with a new diagnosis of breast cancer in all breast cancer clinics are informed of their diagnosis and of any necessary follow up treatment such as surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
Beaumont Hospital has confirmed that, in line with other speciality areas, patients attending the breast clinic do not receive written notification of their diagnosis following surgery. However, patients do receive written notification of their subsequent appointments, with the exception of those returning for follow-up care within a very short time frame. Such people are advised verbally.
182. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19843/14]
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.
183. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card and further backup facilities in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19844/14]
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.
184. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if he will review the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19845/14]
View answerThe 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 the particular query raised by the Deputy, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him on this matter.
185. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the person who currently has ownership of St. Paul's Services, Beaumont Woods; if there was a recent change in ownership and if so the reason for same; his plans to change the current use of these premises; and if he will outline any future plans in respect of St. Paul's. [19852/14]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
186. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he, his Department or the Health Service Executive are aware that nursing homes are finding it extremely difficult to get staff onto back-to-nursing courses and this is causing major staffing problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19869/14]
View answer187. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he or his Department have been informed that back-to-nursing courses or orientation courses to allow nurses who qualified abroad to work in Irish hospitals or nursing homes have been discontinued in many hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19870/14]
View answer188. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if the Irish Nursing Home Organisation has written to him expressing its concerns regarding finding suitable courses for nursing staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19871/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 186 to 188, inclusive, together.
My Department initiated discussions with the Health Service Executive (HSE) to increase the number of adaptation places for nurses and midwives wishing to work in Ireland on foot of representations to me. As a result, the Office of the Nursing and Midwifery Services Director has been actively working with HSE Acute Hospital Services and Nursing Homes Ireland to increase the number of adaptation and assessment places available to nurses and midwives who require these placements. A one year project will commence shortly which should result in an increased number of places being available from July 2014.
At present arrangements are being finalised for this project and a communication will be issued via Nursing Homes Ireland when this is agreed.
189. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [19875/14]
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.
