Pearse Doherty
Question:472. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Cavan will receive a hospital appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8120/15]
View answerHospital Appointments Status
Questions (472)
Written 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.
HIQA Reports
Questions (473)
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:473. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the details of concerns raised that the Health Information and Quality Authority is failing to carry out comprehensive reports by not listening, or giving voice, to those with disabilities; and that this flies in the face of our understanding of how to best empower service users, and residents with disabilities; if the views of those with disabilities will be recorded, and taken into account; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8125/15]
View answerWritten answers
The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) began to regulate residential services for people with disabilities on 1 November 2013, pursuant to Statutory Instruments 366 (2013) and Statutory Instrument 367 (2013), which assign responsibility to HIQA for registering and inspecting residential services for children and adults with disabilities, including respite services.
I am informed by HIQA that an important part of its inspection process is spending time with residents, listening to them and observing their quality of life in the centre. HIQA considers that this part of the inspection is very important in informing the overall findings of the inspection.
In addition to listening to residents and observing their quality of life while on inspection, HIQA has established a consultative forum for residents’ representative groups to ensure that the voice of residents are heard at organisational level in the Authority and to ensure that the views and concerns of residents’ relatives and their advocates are listened to.
HIQA welcomes feedback on its processes and reporting and views such feedback as an opportunity to improve the quality of its work.
HSE Investigations
Questions (474)
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Question:474. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if he will investigate the policy, in relation to physical restraints, at a hospital (details supplied); if it is the case that an elderly person admitted to this hospital was forcibly restrained, without the knowledge of the person's family; if he will take action on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8134/15]
View answerWritten answers
With regard to specific complaints in relation to experiences of individuals in our hospitals, there is a formal complaints policy, entitled “Your Service Your Say”,details of which are on the HSE website, at http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/yourhealthservice/feedback/complaints/
In accordance with this procedure, a complaint must be made in the first instance to the hospital in which the incident causing the complaint occurred. If an individual is not satisfied with the response from the hospital, a review can be sought from the HSE Director of Advocacy and the Ombudsman, whose details are set out below.
HSE Director of Advocacy, Oak House, Millennium Park, Naas, Co. Kildare, Tel. 1890 424 555.
Office of the Ombudsman, 18 Lower Leeson Street, Dublin 2, Tel. 1890 223 030. Email: ombudsman@ombudsman.gov.ie.
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.
Health Services Provision
Questions (475)
Gerry Adams
Question:475. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the case of a child (details supplied) in County Louth, who has been assessed by an occupational therapist as meeting the diagnostic criteria for development co-ordination disorder/dyspraxia; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that the occupational therapist has recommended follow-up occupational therapy service, but that the Health Service Executive has indicated a waiting time of 18 to 24 months for this to begin; if he will examine this case, with a view to beginning this treatment, as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8136/15]
View answerWritten 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.
Health Services Staff
Questions (476)
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:476. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of those resident at an address (details supplied) in County Dublin, and the proposal to replace the nursing staff with care administrators; the reason there has been no formal consultation, or communication, with either the residents, or their family members; if the residents and families will be consulted in relation to this major change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8147/15]
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.
HSE Agency Staff Expenditure
Questions (477)
Ruth Coppinger
Question:477. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health the amount of money being spent annually by hospitals on agency nurses, and other agency health staff, due to the public sector embargo on recruitment; and if he will lift the public sector employment embargo in the health sector. [8153/15]
View answerWritten answers
The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform announced in budget 2014 that he intends to delegate greater autonomy to Departments and Agencies to manage their own staffing levels. The change from the application of a rigid employment control framework, with its particular focus on a moratorium on recruitment and compliance with employment ceilings and targets, to one operating strictly within allocated pay frameworks will allow for recruitment where it is determined that this can achieve more economical service delivery. It will also allow continuation of the policy of recruiting front line staff where necessary to ensure service delivery.
The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has advised that the HSE and Department of Health will be required to submit a 2015 Pay and Numbers Strategy as part of the revised arrangements. The HSE are finalising this submission at present. Following approval the revised arrangements will apply.
The HSE is currently focused on reducing nursing agency expenditure through the appointment of full time staff. The HSE issued a memorandum in October 2014 to management on measures to reduce agency usage and costs across the HSE and HSE funded acute hospital services. It provides for the replacement of NCHD and Consultant agency with fixed term contracts of employment, and limits reliance on doctors employed on an agency basis. It also provides for the identification of nursing posts currently filled by agency staff which could be directly replaced by two year contracts of employment and implementation of this measure.
I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on the matter raised on the level of agency expenditure. 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.
Hospital Services
Questions (478)
John McGuinness
Question:478. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 446 of 20 January 2015, the progress in obtaining a reply from the Health Service Executive; the action he will take to ensure that an early date for the operation is agreed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8157/15]
View answerWritten answers
I understand that the HSE wrote to you on 10 Feb in relation to this matter. In relation to your further query, 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.
Medical Card Applications
Questions (479)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:479. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8160/15]
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.
Graduate Nursing Scheme
Questions (480)
Brian Walsh
Question:480. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the graduate nurse scheme, where newly qualified nurses in the midlands region are receiving 85% salary during their first year of employment while, graduates in other regions are receiving 100% salary; when it is envisaged to introduce 100% salary for all graduates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8179/15]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Haddington Road Agreement (HRA), nurses and midwives participating in the Graduate Nurse Programme are paid 85% of the first point of the Staff Nurse/Midwifery Scale in the first year, €23,129, and 90% in the second year, €24,490. Slightly higher scales apply for Mental Health Nurses, €23,667 in the first year and €25,059 in the second year, maintaining previous relativities. In addition, participating nurses would also be in receipt of allowances and other premium payments. The HRA also specifies that any subsequent appointment following completion of the Graduate Nurse Programme will be to the third point of the staff nurse salary scales. A memo issued on the 10th October 2014 by the National Director of Human Resources HSE offered participants in the Graduate Nurse Programme 100% of the staff grade nurse salary on fixed term contracts where agency nursing is being used.
The HRA provides for a review of the Graduate Nurse Programme when the successor to the HRA is being negotiated.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (481)
Denis Naughten
Question:481. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the steps which are being put in place to facilitate spinal surgery at Galway University Hospital; the number of adults awaiting this procedure; the longest waiting time a person is on this list; the number of children awaiting this procedure; the longest waiting time of a child on this list; the interim measures being taken to clear this list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8185/15]
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.
Hospital Services
Questions (482)
Seán Fleming
Question:482. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when a date will be issued for an urgent operation in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8192/15]
View answerWritten answers
The Deputy's question relates to service delivery matters and accordingly I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him.
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.
Drugs Payment Scheme
Questions (483)
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Question:483. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 342 17 February 2015, the way very elderly or disorientated patients make the necessary applications for refunds; his views that the refund system itself should pick up such cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8194/15]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the primary care schemes, including the Drugs Payment Scheme, therefore the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to you. 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.
Patient Transfers
Questions (484)
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Question:484. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health the policy position in place within the Health Service Executive to deal with the issue of patient transfer by taxi; if taxi use is carefully co-ordinated; if a budget for this mode of transportation is clearly identifiable; the cost of such services in 2014; if such costs are incurred across regions, health services, and / or hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8195/15]
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.
Medical Card Eligibility
Questions (485)
Bernard Durkan
Question:485. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if he will review eligibility for a medical card in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8205/15]
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.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (486)
Pearse Doherty
Question:486. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive an appointment for St. James's Hospital, Dublin 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8208/15]
View answerWritten answers
The 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, 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.
Medical Card Delays
Questions (487)
Pearse Doherty
Question:487. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the average timeframe a person can expect to wait on a decision from the client registration unit, in relation to a discretionary medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8209/15]
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.
Ambulance Service Staff
Questions (488)
Pádraig MacLochlainn
Question:488. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health his views on utilising the services of fire fighters, employed full-time or on a part-time retainer, across the State, in their capacity as trained emergency-first responders, as a back-up to the ambulance service, where there is a possibility that the ambulance on call, cannot respond to an emergency, within an acceptable timeframe. [8219/15]
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.