Written Answers Nos. 173-180
173. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a hospital appointment and operation in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48643/14]
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.
174. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if all proper procedures were adhered to at a centre (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48656/14]
View answerThe Redwood Extended Care Facility in Stamullen, County Meath is part of the privately owned Talbot Group. The Health Service Executive (HSE), Louth/Meath Integrated Services Area engages with the Talbot Group via a Service Level Arrangement to provide residential and day services for clients with disabilities and complex needs.
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, he can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
175. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health his views on the proposal for an independent confidential recipient to deal with complaints around persons with intellectual and physical disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48657/14]
View answerThe Director General of the HSE yesterday announced the appointment of Ms Leigh Gath as Confidential Recipient in respect of complaints and disclosures of vulnerable persons in receipt of HSE funded services. Ms Gath has been a fearless advocate and a champion for people with a disability for many years and will, no doubt, provide a strong and independent voice in her role. She will be provided with office facilities in Limerick and will also be provided with a staff of individuals who have relevant skills and have had no prior engagement with the health service.
The role - of which the finer details have yet to be finalised - involves acting as a confidential recipient for 'whistleblowers' (including both staff and clients) in relation to safeguarding concerns and issues of alleged abuse, negligence or other mistreatment. The Director General of the HSE has stated that she will be an important champion for people who may be concerned, for various reasons, when they make complaints. The Terms of Reference for the role are currently being agreed.
The Director General has emphasised the importance of the confidentiality associated with this new process. This development complements the system wide process of the establishment of a National Implementation Taskforce that involves a 6 step programme which will be implemented and monitored; the details of which I have already outlined to the Deputy in PQ Number 48466/14, 16 December 2014.
177. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter regading funding for a group (details supplied) in Dublin 3; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48660/14]
View answerMy Department administers a National Lottery Discretionary Fund from which once-off grants are paid to community and voluntary organisations, providing a range of health related services. If an organisation wishes to make an application for National Lottery Funding they should send in a formal application. Detailed procedures along with the application form are set out on the Department's website at www.health.gov.ie.
178. Deputy Gabrielle McFadden asked the Minister for Health the progress to date regarding the planned three-month review of St. Hilda’s services in Athlone, County Westmeath, and St. Christopher’s Services in County Longford; the specific objectives of the review as set out in the review; if one of those specific objectives is to ensure that no services will be cut at St. Hilda’s services or St. Christopher’s services; the date the review commenced; the date it will conclude; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48717/14]
View answerAs the Deputy's questions relate to service matters, I have arranged for the questions to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, he can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
179. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the reason the national ambulance service provided individual hospital turnaround times earlier this year, but is now refusing to provide any figure other than a national figure for all hospitals; his views that this is in the interests of patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48718/14]
View answer180. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the reason the national ambulance service provided ambulance response times for each of the nine sub regions earlier this year, but is now refusing to provide any figure other than a super-regional figure; his views that this is in the interests of patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48719/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 179 and 180 together.
As these are service matters, 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.
