Written Answers Nos. 545-558
545. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the staffing levels at primary care level, with whole-time equivalent numbers in each area, both geographical and professional; and if he will provide a comparison to international best standards. [14339/15]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on the matter. 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.
546. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if he will compare the current number of inpatient beds available for children with mental health difficulties here with international best standards and agreed national targets. [14340/15]
View answerAs this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If you have not received a reply within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
547. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the implementation of A Vision for Change; and if he is satisfied with the progress. [14341/15]
View answerSince coming into office, this Government has prioritised the reform and resourcing of our mental health services in line with the recommendations in A Vision for Change. Additional funding totalling €125 million has been provided primarily to strengthen Community Mental Health Teams for both adults and children and to enhance specialist community mental health services for older people with a mental illness, those with an intellectual disability and mental illness, and forensic mental health services.
This sustained investment in mental health since 2012 has resulted in over 1,150 new staff for the sector. As at the end of January 2015, of the 416 approved posts in 2012, approximately 96% (401.5) are now filled. Of the 477 posts approved in 2013, 84% (403) are filled. The remainder of the vacant posts are at various stages of recruitment, with some difficulties in identifying some outstanding candidates, primarily for geographic and qualification reasons. The recruitment of the 251 approved posts for 2014 has commenced, with 25% filled (64) and a further 58 at various stages of the recruitment process.
A great deal of progress has been made with the accelerated closure of old psychiatric hospitals and their replacement with bespoke new facilities, better suited to modern mental health care. Progress also includes the establishment of the HSE Mental Health Division which delivers on a key recommendation of Vision, the development of child and adolescent services, shorter episodes of in-patient care, the adoption of a recovery approach in the delivery of services and the involvement of service users in all aspects of mental health policy, service planning and delivery.
Implementation of Vision is ongoing. Work will be undertaken during 2015 to prioritise outstanding actions informing the identification of any gaps in service. The additional €35 million provided for mental health in Budget 2015 will be directed towards the continued prioritised development and reconfiguration of General Adult teams, including Psychiatry of Later Life, and Child and Adolescent Community Mental Health teams. This will be delivered through further recruitment and investment in agencies and services in order to achieve a consistent service provision across all areas. In addition, the funding will also permit urgent specialist needs to be addressed, including psychiatric intensive care, forensic mental health, mental health intellectual disability care, and psychiatric liaison services. The HSE Operational Plan details the spectrum of services provided by each Mental Health Service Extended Catchment Area and the priorities for 2015.
548. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health his views on the recent inquiries by the Committee of Public Accounts into good governance in the Health Service Executive. [14342/15]
View answerFollowing consultation with the Health Service Executive, my understanding is that the Deputy's question refers to matters which were to be discussed at a scheduled but postponed Public Accounts Committee (PAC) meeting with HSE officials on the 2 April. This meeting has been rescheduled for 23 April and the issues will be addressed at that time.
It would not be appropriate for me to comment further pending the outcome of these discussions.
549. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the date that the community-based paediatric palliative care nurse will begin in Letterkenny General Hospital in County Donegal. [14350/15]
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.
550. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the steps taken to implement the proposal, as discussed with him during a meeting with Our Children's Voice representatives on 4 February 2015, for an agreement to allow children with life-limiting and terminal conditions to access cross-Border care in hospitals in Enniskillen, Derry and Belfast, and to allow them to receive respite and end-of-life care in Belfast Children's Hospice, instead of having to endure lengthy four-hour journeys to Dublin for the provision of such services. [14351/15]
View answerThe National Clinical Programme for Rare Diseases has been established, led by Professor Eileen Treacy. This will ultimately be a channel for advancing and implementing recommendations in the HSE Rare Diseases Plan. To support the Clinical Programme, a Rare Disease Office is being established by the HSE and it is anticipated that this office will be in place later this year.
Work is ongoing within my Department and the HSE to identify potential opportunities for improving the delivery of healthcare through clinical linkages and partnerships on an all-island basis, such as the provision of radiotherapy services at Altnagelvin or the development of an all-island model of care for congenital heart disease. The Rare Disease plan recognises that efforts should be made to realise shared benefits for rare disease patients on the island of Ireland. Officials from my Department have met with their counterparts in Northern Ireland to consider these issues. The subject of Rare Diseases has also been discussed as a bilateral issue at the North South Ministerial Council. There is broad agreement in principle to identify specialist areas for future rare disease collaboration and develop these further. In this context, my Department is in consultation with the HSE regarding the scope that may exist for cross border hospice care for children with life limiting and terminal conditions. Any new arrangements would have to be discussed with, and agreed by, the relevant authorities in Northern Ireland.
The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) in Northern Ireland has carried out a public consultation on its draft implementation plan for the UK Strategy for Rare Diseases, which was published in November 2013. Under theme 6, “Collaboration between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland”, the Northern Ireland draft Plan commits the DHSSPS to identifying opportunities to work with healthcare policy makers, commissioners and providers in the Republic of Ireland and organisations involved in research in the field of rare diseases. The intention of this would be to maximise the potential benefits arising from collaboration to meet the respective needs of both jurisdictions.
551. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the supports and services that are in place for sufferers of fragile X syndrome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14367/15]
View answer552. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the measures that have been taken in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Wexford to provide adequate services to support their four children who suffer from fragile X syndrome, particularly in view of the apology they received in 2014 from the Health Service Executive over the mistreatment of these persons by the executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14368/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 551 and 552 together.
The HSE funds a range of community services and supports to people with a disability including people with Fragile X Syndrome. Services are provided in a variety of community and residential settings either directly by the HSE or through a range of voluntary service providers. Voluntary agencies provide the majority of services in partnership with and on behalf of the Health Service Executive. The Disability Services Programme has been allocated almost €1.5 billion in 2015. This funding is providing specialist Disability Services throughout the country.
Accordingly, I have arranged for the Deputy's questions 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.
553. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm and clarify the status of elective surgery at Kilcreene hospital in County Kilkenny, which serves the Carlow-Kilkenny constituency and the south Tipperary area; if there are plans for the closure of this facility within the next two and a half to three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14370/15]
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.
554. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding meningitis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14374/15]
View answer643. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the consideration by his Department of the recommendation of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee for the inclusion of the meningitis B vaccine as part of the primary childhood immunisation schedule; and if proposed action on securing the best possible cost arrangements for the State for procuring medications includes such vaccines. [14930/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 554 and 643 together.
In January 2015, the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) recommended that Meningococcal B vaccine (Bexsero®) be included in the Primary Childhood Immunisation Programme, if the vaccine can be made available at a cost-effective price. The vaccine is recommended to be given in a 2 + 1 schedule, at 2, 6 and 12 or 13 months.
I intend to request the HSE to engage with the manufacturer with a view to establishing whether a cost effective and sustainable price is achievable in Ireland without prejudice to the ultimate decision on whether the vaccine should be introduced or not.
555. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter regarding an appointment at Cork University Hospital in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14376/15]
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.
556. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) in County Westmeath will be scheduled for surgery. [14380/15]
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.
557. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health his plans for a building (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14409/15]
View answerAs this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If you have not received a reply within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
558. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health if he will raise the need for cross-Border funding of the White Oaks addiction treatment centre in Derryvane, Muff, County Donegal, with his Northern counterpart, the Minister for health, Mr. Jim Wells, MLA, to ensure that persons seeking to recover from addictions and living in the north-west Border region can avail of the services of this widely respected centre. [14410/15]
View answerThe White Oaks Addiction Treatment Centre has a service level agreement with the Health Service Executive to provide residential treatment and after-care services for adult medical card holders affected by addiction from Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim and West Cavan.
It is ultimately a matter for the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety in Northern Ireland to commission services for people affected by substance misuse who are resident in Northern Ireland. However, I understand that Northern Ireland residents affected by problem substance misuse can avail of residential treatment in White Oaks on a private basis, but must pay for services provided.
