Clare Daly
Question:611. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that nursing hours are provided in respect of a child (details supplied) in County Monaghan to enable them to get to school. [1110/15]
View answerChild Care Services Provision
Questions (611)
Written answers
As 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. 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.
Departmental Expenditure
Questions (612)
Dara Calleary
Question:612. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the total moneys paid by his Department to external consultants, professional companies or advisers under the Action Plan for Jobs in each year since and including 2012; if he will provide in a tabular form the list of those organisations who received money; his Department's procurement policy regarding this work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1139/15]
View answerWritten answers
My Department has not engaged any external consultants, professional companies or advisors in relation to the development of the Jobs Action Plan since and including 2012.
Registration of Nurses
Questions (613)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:613. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health his views on the nursing registration fee which was increased by 50%; if this will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1156/15]
View answerWritten answers
A new Nurses and Midwives Act was passed into legislation in 2011. The Act provides, inter alia, for the protection of the public in its dealings with nurses and midwives and the enhancement of their high standards of professional education and competencies. The Department of Health is responsible for oversight of the governance of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI). The Department has no role in setting or approving registration fees.
The Board is an independent body, answerable to the Oireachtas, with the responsibility to ensure that it has the financial capacity to undertake all its legal obligations. The cost of enacting the additional requirements under the Nurses and Midwives Act 2011 was set out in the Regulatory Impact Analysis that was carried out prior to the enactment of the legislation. These costs include an enhanced regulatory process with supporting systems for continued professional development and certain education and training requirements for the professions.
It was also made clear at the time of the legislation that the Board would continue to be self-funding and needed to plan and cost how it would fulfil its legal obligations. Following detailed negotiations with the Executive and Board members in 2013 it was agreed in October 2013 that an initial once-off sum of €1.6m would be granted by the Department to the Board to cover 2013/2014 costs, but that the Board would have to increase its income in 2015 to undertake its commitments in the legislation. The Board of the NMBI made the decision to increase the annual registration fee at its meeting on 17th September, 2014.
The Department of Health has responsibility for the oversight and governance of the NMBI Board but has no role in the setting or approval of fees, so any resolution must come about through discussions between the NMBI and the staff associations. I am monitoring the situation closely and I have asked both sides to reach a satisfactory resolution as soon as possible.
Cancer Research
Questions (614)
Finian McGrath
Question:614. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health his views on the recent study by the Johns Hopkins school of medicine in the U.S. which states that most cancer cases are the result of bad luck; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1159/15]
View answerWritten answers
The study carried out by the Johns Hopkins school of medicine in the U.S stated that cancer is caused by a combination of factors. Some of these factors, such as random DNA mutations during cell division, are outside of an individual's control. However, the study acknowledges that there are also many opportunities for cancer prevention, such as adopting healthy lifestyle choices and the early detection of cancers.
My Department and the HSE are promoting healthier lifestyles to reduce the risk of many chronic diseases, including cancer. The focus in this regard is on prevention and on keeping people healthier for longer. Also, our national breast, cervical and bowel screening programmes have a key role to play in saving lives by detecting cancer at an early stage.
The World Health Organisation estimates that more than 30% of cancer deaths could be prevented by modifying or avoiding key risk factors. Tobacco use is considered to be the single most important risk factor for cancer. The EU recently re-launched its European Code Against Cancer which identifies a number of ways in which people can reduce their risk of cancer, including through not smoking, being physically active, having a healthy diet and avoiding too much sun exposure.
The issue of cancer prevention will be addressed as part of the development this year of the next National Cancer Strategy.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (615)
Sean Fleming
Question:615. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when an operation will be carried out in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1161/15]
View answerWritten answers
The 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.
Accident and Emergency Departments Waiting Times
Questions (616)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:616. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the actions that will be taken by the Health Service Executive to reduce the high number of patients on trolleys in accident and emergency and awaiting admission to the Lourdes hospital, Drogheda, County Louth; the actions that will be taken to prevent this situation arising again in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1164/15]
View answerWritten answers
The Department of Health and Health Service Executive regard trolley waits as unacceptable and acknowledge the difficulties which the current surge in ED activity is causing for patients, their families and the staff who are doing their utmost to provide safe, quality care in very challenging circumstances. It is anticipated that the figures will continue to fluctuate, but the collaborative arrangements now in place with the professional bodies and management are having an impact. All hospitals have escalation plans to manage not only patient flow but also patient safety in a responsive, controlled and planned way that supports and ensures the delivery of optimum patient care.
Triage is operated to prioritise patients so that those with most acute needs are seen and treated as soon as possible. Hospital EDs seek to manage any possible risks for patients so as to minimise any safety issues and keep risk to an absolute minimum in what are very difficult circumstances in many EDs at present. Senior clinicians are part of this system and the responsibility to minimise potential risk and ensure the safest possible care is a responsibility they deal with as part of their duties every day in hospitals.
Measures to manage ED surges involve the full health system including primary, community and continuing care services to ensure that all available capacity and options are utilised and brought to bear on the situation. HSE have advised that at present:
- Additional beds to cope with surge pressures are open
- All non-urgent elective procedures have been cancelled but urgent and cancer surgeries will continue
- Day surgery facilities are in use to provide additional capacity for overflow purposes
- Ambulance bypass cover arrangements will be invoked in exceptional circumstances and with the prior agreement of the Group CEO and participating hospitals
- The role of consultant doctors in terms of ensuring additional ward rounds and patient transfers has been emphasised with the aim of discharging patients as soon as they are fit and well enough to go home or to other care facilities.
- The use of additional capacity in non-acute hospitals, particularly to provide rehabilitation care, is being expedited where possible (e.g. St. Lukes / Cappagh / Navan)
The Government has provided additional funding of €25 million in 2015 to address delayed discharges. This funding is being targeted at hospital and community services which can demonstrate initiatives to address specific needs of delayed discharge patients most positively and therefore improve timeliness for admissions from Emergency Departments and waiting lists.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to the situation at Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda. 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.
Accident and Emergency Departments Waiting Times
Questions (617)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:617. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the number of accident and emergency department patients waiting on trolleys in hospitals here on 5 January 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1166/15]
View answerWritten answers
The Government regards trolley waits of over 9 hours as unacceptable and acknowledges the difficulties which the current surge in ED activity is causing for patients, their families and the staff who are doing their utmost to provide safe, quality care in very challenging circumstances.
On 5 January 2015 there were 445 patients on trolleys in Emergency Departments according to the INMO website which also shows 118 patients on wards. However, TrolleyGAR figures collated at 2pm indicated that this number had reduced to 317 and by 8pm the number had further reduced to 272 due to the active intervention of staff both within hospitals and in primary and community care services.
All hospitals have escalation plans to manage not only patient flow but also patient safety in a responsive, controlled and planned way that supports and ensures the delivery of optimum patient care. These plans include the opening of additional overflow areas, reopening of closed beds, provision of additional diagnostic scans and Consultants doing additional ward rounds to improve the appropriate flow of patients through the hospital system. Other actions being taken include the provision of additional home care packages, additional transition beds in nursing homes, 300 additional Fair Deal places and an extension in Community Intervention Teams.
The Government has provided additional funding of €3 million in 2014 and €25 million in 2015 to address delayed discharges. This funding is being targeted at hospital and community services which can demonstrate initiatives to address specific needs of delayed discharge patients most positively and therefore improve timeliness for admissions from Emergency Departments and waiting lists.
The Minister convened the Emergency Department Taskforce to find long term solutions to overcrowding by providing additional focus and momentum in dealing with the challenges presented by the current trolley waits. Following an initial meeting in December, the HSE is working on an action plan to be finalised by the end of January to specifically address ED issues with a view to a significant reduction in trolley waits over the course of 2015.
Hospital Accommodation Provision
Questions (618)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:618. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding wards in Kerry General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1170/15]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (619)
Tom Fleming
Question:619. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will review the files of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1172/15]
View answerWritten answers
The 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.
I understand that the HSE wrote to you in relation to this case on the 5th August 2014 advising that if the patient's condition has deteriorated since he was triaged, he should attend his General Practitioner to be reassessed. His GP would be in the best position to take the matter up with the consultant and hospital involved. In the meantime, I have asked the HSE to examine the matter and 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.
Medical Card Applications
Questions (620)
Billy Timmins
Question:620. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health the position regarding medical card applications in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1173/15]
View answerWritten answers
The 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.
Health Services Provision
Questions (621)
Tom Fleming
Question:621. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will review a referral for orthotics in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; if he will expedite the orthotics in view of their circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1174/15]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question 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.
Dental Services Provision
Questions (622)
Tom Fleming
Question:622. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a dental procedure in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1177/15]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Dental Services Provision
Questions (623)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:623. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a dental procedure in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1178/15]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (624)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:624. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when a cataract operation will be scheduled in resect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1179/15]
View answerWritten answers
The 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.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (625)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:625. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an MRI in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1181/15]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Community Care Provision
Questions (626)
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:626. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health his views on the reduction in numbers of community care beds, including step-down facilities, long-term care beds, and nursing home beds, since the current Government has taken office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1198/15]
View answerWritten answers
HSE residential facilities have faced and continue to face significant challenges in recent times. Because of their size, physical environment and age it became clear that many public facilities did not meet standards that we expect from a modern nursing home. The recent staff moratorium also posed a significant challenge for community nursing units, and long stay capacity reduced in recent years by about 1,400, with short stay beds falling by about 100.
There are currently 119 public residential units providing a mixture of long-stay and short-stay residential care. All of there are registered with the Health Information and Quality Authority, which sets and monitors standards in residential facilities. The HSE provides a further 10 units that provide short stay beds only. Together these units are providing 5,290 long stay beds and 1,860 short stay beds.
The Government is committed to the provision of a quality public nursing home service underpinned by a regulatory system of registration and inspection, and the Department of Health, in collaboration with the HSE, is considering how this can best be achieved within the funding that is available.
Medical Card Eligibility
Questions (627)
Timmy Dooley
Question:627. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health the reason an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare is not being processed due to the submission of an application for disability allowance and invalidity pension in view of the fact it generally takes over four to six months to process disability and invalidity pension files an the family are in financial hardship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1199/15]
View answerWritten answers
The 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.