Written Answers Nos. 161-170
161. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon will receive an appointment for surgery; if the person is listed as urgent; the current waiting times for such surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42502/14]
View answerThe National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2014, 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.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
162. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health to outline the progress being made regarding a transfer in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway to the Central Mental Hospital, Dublin from a hospital in the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42505/14]
View answerAs this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If he has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days I would ask him to please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter.
163. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health to detail the position regarding a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who is in nursing home care for a period of ten years; if this person can be expelled from the particular nursing home on the grounds of having developed a dementia; if his Department will also consider the appropriateness of the fees and charges being applied to this patient; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42527/14]
View answerThe Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2013 provide that nursing home operators must agree a contract with each resident on admission. This contract must include the terms on which that resident shall reside in the home. It must include details of the services to be provided to the resident and the fees to be charged for such services. Residents should not be charged fees which are not set out in the contract.
In addition, the Health Information and Quality Authority has developed National Quality Standards for Residential Care Settings for Older People which have been approved by the Minister for Health. Standard 7 requires that each resident has a written contract. The supporting criteria to the Standard indicate that the contract should include the terms and conditions relating to the period of occupancy, the period of notice to leave, and the circumstances in which the resident can be discharged or the contract terminated.
The HSE is not a party to such contracts, which are concluded between each resident and their nursing home.
164. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health when he will publish the national strategy on dementia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42533/14]
View answer165. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if his Department has considered the approach of the Scottish health authorities to the issue of dementia; if that approach will influence future fresh policy on dementia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42534/14]
View answer166. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if he will bring forward a charter of rights for persons with dementia and their carers here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42535/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 164 to 166, inclusive, together.
It is estimated that there are currently approximately 47,000 people with dementia in Ireland and that number is expected to increase threefold to approximately 132,000 by 2041. Accordingly, the Programme for Government contains a commitment to develop a 'National Alzheimer’s and other Dementias' Strategy to increase awareness, ensure early diagnosis and intervention and, ensure development of enhanced community based services.
In developing the Strategy, a research review of national dementia plans from nine other countries, including Scotland, was undertaken, and their relevance to Ireland and to our evolving Dementia Strategy was considered and taken account of in framing a Strategy for Ireland. Creating Excellence in Dementia Care: A Research Review for Ireland’s National Dementia Strategy was published on my Department's website in June 2012.
A public consultation process to further inform the development of the Strategy was conducted in 2012 and a report of this was published on my Department’s website in February 2013. A Working Group, representative of key stakeholders from my Department, the HSE, the medical profession and the community and voluntary sector was convened to advise on the preparation of the Strategy. Preparation of the Strategy is now at an advanced stage and the Strategy will be published in the coming months.
The Strategy will have a very practical focus, will be action oriented and will focus on what can be done to make a difference to the lives of people with dementia. Implementation will commence immediately after publication, with the initial emphasis being on actions that can be progressed within existing resources. The Strategy does not envisage the introduction of a charter of rights for people with dementia or their carers, but as well as specific Actions, it will set out a number of Principles to inform the design and delivery of all services and supports for people with dementia.
168. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health to outline his plans to introduce a vaccination scheme for meningitis B; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42543/14]
View answerThe immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The NIAC is a committee of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland comprising experts in a number of specialties including infectious diseases, paediatrics and public health.
The 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 the Meningitis B vaccine in the control of clusters or outbreaks of Meningococcal B disease. Deliberation regarding the introduction of Meningococcal B into the primary immunisation schedule continues. New parameters as used by the UK Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) are being included.
169. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when a medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42561/14]
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. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.
170. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when a replacement medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare whose medical card was lost or stolen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42565/14]
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. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.
