Written Answers Nos. 399-416
399. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health his views on a project (details supplied) regarding blood donation; if he will support this worthy project of awareness of blood donation and its aim to decrease the age of consent to donate blood from 18 to 17 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5580/15]
View answerI would like to offer my support and encouragement to the Transition Year students in the Sacred Heart Secondary School Tullamore with their Young Social Innovators project. I commend them for their efforts to raise awareness on the importance of blood donation.
The Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) is responsible for providing a safe and reliable blood service to the Irish health system. Blood, and the products derived from it, are an integral facet of healthcare delivery. A major objective of the organisation is to ensure that it always has the necessary programmes and procedures in place to protect both the donors of blood and recipients of blood and blood products.
The IBTS is continually seeking ways to recruit donors and to raise awareness of the importance of blood donation. It has a schools information pack with leaflets, videos and CD content which it distributes to secondary schools to promote blood donation. The IBTS is currently reviewing this material with several parties, including input from Transition Year students. It is envisaged that this material will form part of a proposal to the Department of Education and Skills to include blood donation as part of the secondary school SPHE curriculum. The IBTS also promotes awareness of blood donation through their presence at youth activities, such as the GAA and other sports clubs.
The IBTS has no plans to reduce the age of consent for blood donations to 17 years of age. They have advised that they are not in a position to reduce the age of consent due to a higher rate of adverse reactions, such as fainting, in younger donors.
400. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when vital home help will be provided in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5614/15]
View answerAs 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.
401. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the details of the long-term illness card and the list of condition-specific medications for diabetes mellitus; if certain medications such as Proton pump inhibitors might be included for those listed as having diabetes mellitus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5618/15]
View answerThe Long Term Illness (LTI) Scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act, 1970 (as amended). Regulations were made in 1971, 1973 and 1975 specifying the conditions covered by the LTI Scheme, which are as follows: Acute Leukaemia; Mental handicap; Cerebral Palsy; Mental Illness (in a person under 16); Cystic Fibrosis; Multiple Sclerosis; Diabetes Insipidus; Muscular Dystrophies; Diabetes Mellitus; Parkinsonism; Epilepsy; Phenylketonuria; Haemophilia; Spina Bifida; Hydrocephalus; and conditions arising from the use of Thalidomide.
Under the LTI scheme, persons suffering from the prescribed conditions are provided with an LTI Book which details the drugs, medicines and medical and surgical appliances for the treatment of that condition which are provided free of charge.
As the HSE is responsible for the administration of the LTI Scheme the HSE has been asked to examine the additional information requested and 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.
402. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the services that will be put in place in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5622/15]
View answerAs 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.
403. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if there is a maximum limit on the amount of hours of home help or care provided under a home care package; the supports available to families who require a sufficient home care package to be put in place to bring their loved ones home and where they have only been offered minimal hours; the costs associated with providing 40 hours of home care as opposed to the cost of a person remaining in hospital full time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5624/15]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply. 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.
404. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical procedure in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5626/15]
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.
405. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Health if a surgical appointment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5629/15]
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.
406. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health his views on a submission (details supplied) regarding the national children's hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5637/15]
View answerThe National Paediatric Hospital Development Board is the statutory body responsible for planning, designing, building and equipping the new children's hospital. The new hospital will be co-located with St James's Hospital, and ultimately tri-located with a maternity hospital to be developed on campus. In addition to the main hospital, the project includes two satellite centres at the campuses of Tallaght and Connolly Hospitals.
A design team has been procured and is working on detailed design development, with the aim of submitting a planning application in June 2015. Subject to planning, work will commence at the main site at St. James's, and at satellite centre sites at Connolly and Tallaght, in January 2016.
I am aware of the issues raised in the correspondence you have supplied and have recently responded directly to the individual concerned. Officials in my Department will arrange to provide the Deputy with a comprehensive response to all the issues raised in the attached correspondence with this Parliamentary Question.
407. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a list of social activities that are expected to be covered in nursing homes under the fair deal scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5642/15]
View answerThe Nursing Homes Support Scheme provides financial support towards the cost of long-term residential care services in nursing homes. The Scheme covers the cost of the standard components of residential care, which are:-
- nursing and personal care appropriate to the level of care needs of the person,
- bed and board,
- basic aids and appliances necessary to assist a person with the activities of daily living, and
- laundry service.
Part 8 of the Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2009 stipulates that the registered provider of the nursing home must agree a contract with each resident within one month of their admission. This contract must include details of the services to be provided to that resident and the fees to be charged. The HSE is not a party to such contracts which are concluded between each resident and their nursing home.
408. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health his views regarding progress in the investigation at Áras Attracta; if he will confirm that none of the staff under investigation have recently been promoted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5645/15]
View answerLike others, I was shocked and distressed by the revelations of extremely poor and unacceptable standards of care and mistreatment of vulnerable adults in Áras Attracta. Every person who uses our disability services is entitled to expect and receive supports of the highest standard and to live in an atmosphere of safety and care.
The safeguarding and protection of vulnerable people in the care of the health service is of paramount importance and the Director General of the HSE has written to all staff instructing them to take personal responsibility for ensuring that individuals supported by the HSE in any setting are treated with dignity and respect.
In December 2014, the HSE initiated both an expert investigation chaired by Mr Christy Lynch, and an independently chaired review of services at this facility led by Dr Kevin McCoy.
The Garda investigation into allegations of abuse at the centre is ongoing and the Garda had requested that a stay is placed on HSE investigations until such time as the Garda investigation is completed. I welcome the fact that the Garda has now cleared the way so that Mr. Lynch’s investigation can commence. I have asked the HSE to keep me informed of progress.
Mr Lynch’s investigation team is working independently of the HSE and will form an important input into any disciplinary process which the HSE will undertake.
A full assurance review has also been commissioned of all of the Units in the Áras Attracta facility under the independent chairmanship of Dr. Kevin McCoy, assisted by 3 independent experts within the field. The group will review the programme of work already implemented on foot of the reports from HIQA and HSE Audits to establish their effectiveness, identify the gaps that arose and make recommendations for further improvements for each unit at Áras Attracta. In addition the output from the Review Team will help to inform a system–wide programme of improvement and assurance for all residential centres, including a mechanism for input from service users and their families, staff at all levels throughout the sector and academia.
The HSE has undertaken a number of additional initiatives to ensure that quality and safe care in residential services for people with disabilities is appropriately implemented and monitored.
A six-step plan will address this in a systematic way. These steps are:
- The establishment of a National Implementation Taskforce, including a series of National Summits to improve client safety, dignity, respect and culture;
- Implementation of the National Policy & Procedures on Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons at Risk of Abuse;
- Development of an Advocacy programme;
- Implementation of an evaluation and quality improvement programme in disability residential centres;
- Development of an implementation plan for any recommendations arising from the McCoy review of residential services in Áras Attracta when complete, and
- Development of long term sustainable & evidence-based safeguarding practices and training programmes specific to residential settings.
I can assure the Deputy that my Department will monitor progress on the initiatives and processes commissioned by the HSE in relation to Áras Attracta, to ensure that the learning from this incident is promulgated throughout our health system.
As the second part of 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, she can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
409. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare is entitled to assistance for dental work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5647/15]
View answerAs 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.
410. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Offaly will receive a hospital appointment. [5648/15]
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 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.
411. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of persons availing of private health insurance in 2014 in each of the following age groups: 17 years and under, 18 to 29 years, 30 to 39 years, 40 to 49 years, 50 to 59 years, 60 to 69 years, 70 to 79 years, and 80 years and over. [5650/15]
View answerThe table below provides a breakdown of the most recent data available by age category from the Health Insurance Authority, which is compiled in respect of the commercial health insurers and excludes members of Restricted Membership Undertakings (which provide insurance to people who are members of a particular group, normally a vocational group or employees of a particular organisation).
|
Age Group |
Membership for the Market as of 1 July 2014 |
|
Aged 17 and under |
452,979 (24.0%) |
|
Aged 18 to age 29 |
204,473 (10.8%) |
|
Aged 30 to age 39 |
286,310 (15.2%) |
|
Aged 40 to age 49 |
292,718 (15.5%) |
|
Aged 50 to age 54 |
134,965 (7.2%) |
|
Aged 55 to age 59 |
126,092 (6.7%) |
|
Aged 60 to age 64 |
114,962 (6.1%) |
|
Aged 65 to age 69 |
100,513 (5.3%) |
|
Aged 70 to age 74 |
71,673 (3.8%) |
|
Aged 75 to age 79 |
49,964 (2.7%) |
|
Aged 80 to age 84 |
30,429 (1.6%) |
|
Aged 85 and over |
19,496 (1.0%) |
|
Total |
1,884,574 (100.0%) |
412. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an application for a primary medical certificate in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5652/15]
View answerAs 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.
413. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the position regarding investigations into Áras Attracta in Swinford, County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5655/15]
View answerLike others, I was shocked and distressed by the revelations of extremely poor and unacceptable standards of care and mistreatment of vulnerable adults in Áras Attracta. Every person who uses our disability services is entitled to expect and receive supports of the highest standard and to live in an atmosphere of safety and care.
The safeguarding and protection of vulnerable people in the care of the health service is of paramount importance and the Director General of the HSE has written to all staff instructing them to take personal responsibility for ensuring that individuals supported by the HSE in any setting are treated with dignity and respect.
In December 2014, the HSE initiated both an expert investigation chaired by Mr Christy Lynch, and an independently chaired review of services at this facility led by Dr Kevin McCoy.
The Garda investigation into allegations of abuse at the centre is ongoing and the Garda had requested that a stay be placed on HSE investigations until such time as the Garda investigation is completed. I welcome the fact that the Garda has now cleared the way so that Mr. Lynch’s investigation can commence. I have asked the HSE to keep me informed of progress.
Mr Lynch’s investigation team is working independently of the HSE and will form an important input into any disciplinary process which the HSE will undertake.
A full assurance review has also been commissioned of all of the Units in the Áras Attracta facility under the independent chairmanship of Dr. Kevin McCoy, assisted by 3 independent experts within the field. The group will review the programme of work already implemented on foot of the reports from HIQA and HSE Audits to establish their effectiveness, identify the gaps that arose and make recommendations for further improvements for each unit at Áras Attracta. In addition the output from the Review Team will help to inform a system –wide programme of improvement and assurance for all residential centres, including a mechanism for input from service users and their families, staff at all levels throughout the sector and academia.
The HSE has undertaken a number of additional initiatives to ensure that quality and safe care in residential services for people with disabilities is appropriately implemented and monitored.
A six-step plan will address this in a systematic way. These steps are:
- The establishment of a National Implementation Taskforce, including a series of National Summits to improve client safety, dignity, respect and culture;
- Implementation of the National Policy & Procedures on Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons at Risk of Abuse;
- Development of an Advocacy programme;
- Implementation of an evaluation and quality improvement programme in disability residential centres;
- Development of an implementation plan for any recommendations arising from the McCoy review of residential services in Áras Attracta when complete, and
- Development of long term sustainable & evidence-based safeguarding practices and training programmes specific to residential settings.
I can assure the Deputy that my Department will monitor progress on the initiatives and processes commissioned by the HSE in relation to Áras Attracta, to ensure that the learning from this incident is promulgated throughout our health system.
414. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health regarding the provision of swimsuit and swimming prosthesis for breast cancer patients, if the Health Service Executive has stopped approving them in certain areas throughout the country, including Dublin; if so, if he will provide details of the locations; his plans to reinstate this service; if so, when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5660/15]
View answer415. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health regarding the provision of mastectomy prosthesis and surgical bras, the difference in the funding provided to Health Service Executive areas throughout the country including Dublin; if he will provide, in tabular form, the funding made available for each item in these areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5661/15]
View answer416. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form the waiting time for approval for mastectomy prosthesis and surgical bras in every Health Service Executive area throughout the country, including the Dublin areas, those waiting two to three weeks, six weeks, eight weeks, 12 weeks and longer since September 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5662/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 414 to 416, inclusive, together.
A national group has been established in the HSE to review practices in the area of aids and appliances. This review will include policy and procedures applying to the provision of breast prostheses and bras for women who have had mastectomies. The Group will complete its work this year and it is expected that the implementation of its recommendations will lead to standardised procedures nationwide.
With regard to the specific service related queries raised in the Deputy's question, including the funding made available in HSE areas and waiting times for prosthesis and surgical bras, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him.
If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, he should contact my Private Office and my officials will follow up the matter with them.
