Written Answers Nos. 156-165
156. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an appointment for surgery in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48523/14]
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.
In relation to the particular query raised, 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 my officials will follow the matter up with them.
157. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if a date for a cataract operation will be provided in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48529/14]
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.
In relation to the particular query raised, 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 my officials will follow the matter up with them.
158. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied) in view of the appalling treatment of persons with an intellectual disability; his plans to alleviate the plight of parents with children with an intellectual disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48532/14]
View answerI have noted the concerns expressed in the details supplied in the Deputy's question.
I am shocked and distressed by the revelations of extremely poor and unacceptable standards of care and mistreatment of vulnerable residents in Áras Attracta. Every person who uses disability services is entitled to expect and receive supports of the highest standard and to live in an atmosphere of safety and care. This is particularly important for vulnerable people in residential care whose families have entrusted them to the care of professional staff.
The allegations of mistreatment in the Prime Time programme are very disturbing and need to be fully investigated. In that regard, I welcome the immediate response of the HSE, following receipt of these serious allegations, to alert the Gardaí and HIQA and for the protection of both residents and staff themselves, to put a number of staff 'off-duty' while the allegations are being investigated. I am assured that staffing levels are being appropriately maintained to deliver safe care to all residents.
I also welcome and support the HSE's initiation of both an expert investigation into these serious allegations chaired by Mr Christy Lynch and an independently chaired review of the services provided at this facility, led by Dr Kevin McCoy.
Mr. Lynch's investigation will examine in particular the practices, behaviours and attitudes of the staff of Unit 3 and will form an important input into the disciplinary process which must be undertaken by the HSE.
Dr. McCoy's review will focus on assuring the quality and safety of care of residents in Áras Attracta. This will be informed by earlier work done by both the HSE and HIQA and will seek to identify any gaps and any contributory and/or causal factors. It will make recommendations so as to eliminate, in any way it is possible to do so, any risk of harm occurring in the future.
I understand that the Director General of the HSE has written to all staff informing them that the onus is on them to take personal responsibility to ensure that the individuals supported by the HSE in any setting are treated with dignity and respect.
The HSE's new National Policy and Procedures for Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons at Risk of Abuse, which I launched with the HSE on 5th December 2014, clears the way for staff members in HSE and non-HSE facilities, and members of the public, to refer allegations of abuse to designated reporting individuals.
This new policy places an onus on providers of services to vulnerable people to appoint a Designated Officer to both receive and follow up on concerns and reports of abuse. Under the new policy it is the responsibility of all staff and service providers to ensure the protection and welfare of vulnerable people. In each Community Healthcare Organisation, a Safeguarding and Protection Team will work in partnership with all relevant service providers to ensure that concerns and complaints are addressed.
This policy complements the statutory inspection by HIQA of nursing homes and residential centres for people with a disability and is very welcome. I also welcome the public appeal made by the Chief Executive of HIQA to encourage any persons who have concerns about the treatment of vulnerable persons in our disability services to contact HIQA. He has emphasised that the matter will be taken very seriously and looked at in the context of HIQA's very significant regulatory powers of inspection of residential facilities.
A system wide process is now commencing, with the establishment of a National Implementation Taskforce. A 6 step programme will be implemented and monitored and will focus on:
- Implementation of Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons at Risk of Abuse - National Policy & Procedures
- Advocacy
- Evaluation and Practice Improvement
- National Summit (Tuesday 16 December) - to improve Client Safety, Dignity, Respect & Culture Change
- Implementation plan for any recommendations arising from the assurance review of residential services in Aras Attracta when complete
- Development of long term sustainable & evidence based safeguarding practices and training programmes specific to residential settings
- Implementation of Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons at Risk of Abuse - National Policy & Procedures
I have been fully briefed by the HSE since they became aware of these allegations and I have asked it to ensure that all appropriate resources are put in place to ensure that the safety and care of residents at Áras Attracta is maintained at the highest possible standard. I have also asked the HSE to brief me on the outcome of these investigations as soon as possible.
It is not appropriate for me to comment or prejudge the outcome of these investigations in advance of their completion.
159. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health why a child (details supplied) in County Cork has only been seen once this year by an endocrinologist when regular scheduled appointments are required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48555/14]
View answerThe scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she would be in the best position to take the matter up with the consultant and hospital involved. In relation to the specific case raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up with them.
160. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the actions his Department has taken to allow for the implementation of the Istanbul Convention; if his Department has any engagement with the Department of Justice and Equality on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48575/14]
View answerThe Minister for Justice and Equality intends to sign, subject to ratification, the Istanbul Convention next year. Health Service matters arising in respect of the Convention are a matter for the Health Service Executive and Tusla, the Child and Family Agency.
161. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Laois will receive a day procedure in St. James's Hospital, Dublin 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48582/14]
View answerThe scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she would be in the best position to take the matter up with the consultant and hospital involved. In relation to the specific case raised, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up with them.
162. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Health when the general scheme of the public health (alcohol) Bill will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48598/14]
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. The package of measures to be implemented will include provision for minimum unit pricing, regulation of the marketing and advertising of alcohol, regulation of sports sponsorship, structural separation of alcohol from other products in mixed trading outlets and labelling of alcohol products.
The key measure is the drafting of the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill, which will include provisions for minimum unit pricing, restrictions on marketing and advertising, structural separation of alcohol from other products in mixed trading outlets and labelling of alcohol products, among other measures. Minimum unit pricing is a key part of our strategy to deal with alcohol misuse. It is, I believe, the one measure that will make the most difference most quickly. Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) sets a minimum unit price for alcoholic drinks below which alcohol cannot be sold. Under MUP, alcohol which is cheap relative to its strength is increased in price. MUP is able to target cheaper alcohol relative to its strength because the minimum price is determined by and is directly proportional to the amount of pure alcohol in the drink. It is mainly aimed at those who are higher risk, such as adolescents and people who have a harmful and hazardous alcohol consumption pattern. It should therefore only have a marginal effect on moderate drinkers. There is strong and clear scientific evidence that an increase in alcohol prices reduces hazardous drinking and serious alcohol related problems. My Department, in conjunction with our colleagues in Northern Ireland, commissioned a health impact assessment from Sheffield University as part of the process of developing a legislative basis for minimum unit pricing. The research studied the impact of different minimum prices on a range of areas such as health, crime and the economy. The report's findings are under consideration. Officials in my Department are liaising with their Northern Irish counterparts on the introduction of minimum unit pricing. Work on developing a framework for the necessary Department of Health legislation is continuing and it is intended to publish a General Scheme of a Bill in January.
163. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Health his Department and the Health Service Executive's policy in respect of the provision of EpiPens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48599/14]
View answer164. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the number of children who are in receipt of EpiPens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48600/14]
View answer165. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Health his views on introducing a scheme to make EpiPens available in schools, workplaces and other public places, similar to the provision of defibrillators; and if he will introduce a scheme to train volunteers as first responders. [48601/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 163 to 165, inclusive, together.
Under the current legislation, epi-pens (adrenaline auto-injectors), as injectable medicines, may only be supplied on foot of a valid prescription. However there is provision in the Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) Regulations 2003, as amended, whereby a pharmacist may, in emergency circumstances, supply certain prescription only medicines, including adrenaline auto-injectors without a prescription. The Regulations also permit advanced paramedics, paramedics and emergency medical technicians to supply certain medicines including adrenaline auto-injectors in emergency situations.
My Department is reviewing policy in this area and will shortly carry out a consultation process on wider availability of a number of prescription only medicines used in emergency situations, including adrenaline auto-injectors.
This review will explore, among other things, the use of clinical practice guidelines or protocols by means of which non-health professionals may supply and administer adrenaline auto-injectors without the need for an individual prescription. These guidelines would cover the training requirements as well as aspects such as the supply of the auto-injectors, the certification of the establishment where the auto-injectors are located, their storage and persons responsible for their storage and record keeping.
There is no information available on the total number of children who are in receipt of adrenaline auto-injectors. The Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS) of the Health Service Executive (HSE) has information only on claims made under the General Medical Card (GMS) scheme for children within the age group (0-15 years). The number of children within that age group who received adrenalin auto-injectors from January to October, 2014 was 1,842.
