Written Answers Nos. 261-270
261. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form the number of beds and wards in hospitals (details supplied); the number of those beds and wards that are currently closed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31759/14]
View answerIn relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
262. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the discussions that he has undertaken with the relevant members of Northern Ireland Executive with regard to a joint approach to the introduction of minimum prices for alcohol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31760/14]
View answerThe Government has approved an extensive package of measures to deal with alcohol misuse to be incorporated in a Public Health (Alcohol) Bill. These measures are based on the recommendations contained in the Steering Group Report on a National Substance Misuse Strategy, 2012 and include provisions for the introduction of minimum unit pricing for alcohol products. Work on developing a framework for the necessary Department of Health legislation is continuing and it is hoped to publish a General Scheme of a Bill shortly.
A health impact assessment, in conjunction with Northern Ireland, has been commissioned as part of the process of developing a legislative basis for minimum unit pricing. The assessment will study the impact of different minimum prices on a range of areas such as health, crime and likely economic impact. The study should be finalised by the end of July 2014.
Minimum unit pricing has been discussed with the Northern Ireland Executive in relation to the health impact assessment and at meetings of the North South Ministerial Council and the British Irish Council.
263. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if the national asthma programme will be included in the 2015 Health Service Executive service plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31761/14]
View answerThe HSE, through its clinical strategy and programmes division, established the National Clinic Programme for Asthma (NCPA), which is one of a number of chronic disease programmes aimed at bringing a systematic approach to changes in how services for patients are delivered.
The overarching aim of the programme is to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with asthma in Ireland and to improve clinical outcomes and the quality of life of all patients with asthma. A key component is the improved management of people with asthma in primary care, thereby avoiding emergency attendance at general practitioner (GP) out-of-hours services, emergency departments and in-patient services.
Implementation of the programme is ongoing and will continue in 2015.
The initial focus has been on the development of national asthma guidelines based on international best practice, early asthma diagnosis, active asthma treatment, guided self-management and patient education. This work is complete.
A number of other elements of the programme have also been implemented, including an asthma education programme and patient education materials.
The programme has also developed a national model of care for asthma, which details how physicians, nurses and other health professionals will work with engaged patients to make the clinical decisions most appropriate to their circumstances; and to collaborate with specialist colleagues in providing a safe, seamless patient experience within the health system in Ireland.
The national model of care for asthma in general practice has been agreed by the HSE's clinical programmes, the Asthma Society and the ICGP. Implementation of this model in general practice involves consultation on the GP contract with representative bodies.
A Framework Agreement with the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) has recently been signed, which allows progress on these issues, initially in the context of the provision of GP care free at the point of access for children under 6 years.
The following revised reply was received on 23 October 2014.
The HSE, through its Clinical Strategy and Programmes Division, established the National Clinic Programme for Asthma (NCPA), which is one of a number of chronic disease programmes aimed at bringing a systematic approach to changes in how services for patients are delivered.
The overarching aim of the Programme is to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with asthma in Ireland and to improve clinical outcomes and the quality of life of all patients with asthma. A key component is the improved management of people with asthma in primary care, thereby avoiding emergency attendance at General Practitioner (GP) out-of-hours services, emergency departments and in-patient services.
Implementation of the programme is ongoing and will continue in 2015.
The initial focus has been on the development of national asthma guidelines based on international best practice, early asthma diagnosis, active asthma treatment, guided self-management and patient education. This work is complete.
A number of other elements of the Programme have also been implemented, including an asthma education programme and patient education materials.
The Programme has also developed a National Model of Care for Asthma, which details how physicians, nurses and other health professionals will work with engaged patients to make the clinical decisions most appropriate to their circumstances; and to collaborate with specialist colleagues in providing a safe, seamless patient experience within the health system in Ireland.
The National Clinical Programme for Asthma Model of Care has been approved by the HSE and the Asthma Society and planning is underway for implementation. Implementation of this model in general practice will require consultation with the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO).
A Framework Agreement with the IMO has recently been signed, which allows progress on these issues, initially in the context of the provision of GP care free at the point of access for children under 6 years.
264. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of asthma patients that have been enrolled in the national asthma programme. [31762/14]
View answer266. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the most recent figure of the number of asthma patients who are included in the general medical services scheme. [31764/14]
View answer267. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the most recent figure for the number of asthma patients eligible for the drugs payment scheme [31765/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 264, 266 and 267 together.
As the information requested by the Deputy is not routinely available in my Department, I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply directly to the Deputy on this matter.
265. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the most recent hospital admission and emergency department visit figures for asthma patients. [31763/14]
View answerIn relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
268. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the progress made on the development of the national children's hospital since the selection of the site at St. James's Hospital in autumn 2012; the timelines for the next steps in the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31766/14]
View answerIn November 2012, the Government decided that the new children’s hospital will be co-located with St James’s on its campus, and ultimately tri-located on the campus with a maternity hospital. Satellite centres, which will share governance and staffing with the new children’s hospital, will be built on the campuses of Tallaght and Connolly Hospitals.
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. The board members have the necessary construction, architectural, engineering, planning and procurement expertise to deliver this complex and large-scale project. A decant strategy for the site is in place and is actively being progressed. A preferred design team has been selected following a rigorous procurement process and is expected to be appointed in July, subject to the mandatory standstill period.
The project brief, which the development board submitted for approval in May 2014, describes the scope and scale of the proposed hospital and its satellite centres, and outlines the services, projected activity and capacity that these facilities are intended to provide. It covers the proposed organisational structure and physical accommodation needed to deliver safe, high quality healthcare for children and young people in Ireland over forthcoming decades. My predecessor, Deputy Reilly, announced on 1 July that the project brief for the new children’s hospital had been approved by the HSE, with his consent. Project brief approval allows for appointment of the design team which will then begin design development, with the aim of submitting a planning application to An Bord Pleanála in February 2015.
269. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the current status of a medical card in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; if this card will be reactivated as a matter of urgency with particular reference to the serious medical circumstances in this instance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31780/14]
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.
270. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the progress made to date in respect of the provision of necessary speech and language therapy and occupational therapy in the case of the child of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31782/14]
View answerAs the particular issue raised by the Deputy relates to an individual case, this is a service matter for the Health Service Executive. Accordingly, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
