Written Answers Nos. 222-231
222. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health thedegree to which initiatives he has taken have positively impacted on nursing staff levels in the various public hospitals; the extent to which the extra nursing staff have taken up duty; and if not as yet, when; the degree to which he has noted an improvement arising therefrom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28169/15]
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.
224. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which the number of midwives qualified and practising here corresponds to international best practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28171/15]
View answerI wish to thank the Deputy for the matter raised. Given that this is an operational matter, it is appropriate that it should be dealt with by the HSE. I have referred the Deputy's question to the HSE for attention and direct reply. If you have not received a reply from the NMBI within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
225. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the procedures in place to encourage new qualified medical professionals to take up employment in this jurisdiction; the extent to which he has examined the causes for any reluctance to so do; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28172/15]
View answerThe HSE, in conjunction with my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, is currently progressing a range of measures to support the recruitment and retention of consultants, doctors and nurses into the future. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform announced in the last budget, 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 is important for the Deputy to note that, an extra 475 nurses and midwives have been employed between May 2014 and May 2015. In addition, the HSE is planning to recruit over 600 nurses across a number of nursing disciplines. There is significant work being undertaken to achieve this. This includes recent and ongoing national and local interviewing of General Nurses, Mental Health, Intellectual Disability, Registered Children's Nurses and Midwives. The HSE has also developed an International Nurse Recruitment Project for filling posts. This initiative is a targeted recruitment drive in the UK, primarily focused on Irish trained nurses who left during the moratorium. In order to facilitate this the services of a recruitment agency has been secured. It is hoped that the first of the interviews will commence in the coming weeks in a number of UK cities with the first nurses due to commence duty in August. This move is to be welcomed.
There has been a significant increase in the number of consultants (Whole Time Equivalents) since the establishment of the HSE, the number increased by 723 from 1,947 in January 2005 to 2,671 in May 2015. However, there are some specialties in which there is an international shortage and which have been traditionally difficult to fill, regardless of the salary scale. There are also some hospitals to which it has historically been difficult to attract applicants, in particular smaller hospitals. The establishment of Hospital Groups will help to address this difficulty, as this will allow doctors to be appointed as group resources. The number of NCHDS has also increased significantly in recent years. This increase will help to address service needs and progress EWTD compliance, thereby improving the working conditions of doctors.
The ability of the HSE and the health service to attract and retain high quality frontline staff shapes the extent to which the HSE can maintain and develop the range of health services required. The MacCraith Group was established to carry out a strategic review of medical training and career structures. The Group made a series of recommendations in its three reports aimed at improving the retention of medical graduates in the public health system and importantly, planning for future service needs. It provided an Interim Report in December 2013 focusing on training. In April 2014 the Group submitted its second report to the then Minister for Health, James Reilly. This second report dealt with medical career structures and pathways following completion of specialist training. The final report of the Group, dealing with workforce planning was submitted to me in June 2014. The implementation of the Group's recommendations is being actively pursued and monitored. It is noted in particular that revised pay rates for new entrant consultants, incorporating incremental credit for relevant experience and qualifications, were proposed by the LRC in January this year to address the barrier caused by the variation in rates of remuneration between new entrant consultants and their established peers that had emerged since 2012 and that these are now being implemented. Significant progress is also being made in improving the training experience of NCHDs and in improving their working conditions.
With regard to workforce planning, Action 46 of Future Health (DoH, 2012) provides for the Department to work with the HSE to implement an effective approach to workforce planning and development with the objectives of: recruiting and retaining the right mix of staff; training and upskilling the workforce; providing for professional and career development; and creating supportive and healthy workplaces. In 2015, the Department of Health will develop a national integrated strategic framework for health workforce planning, on a cross-sectoral basis. A cross-sectoral Working Group will be convened to develop the framework in the near future. The Group's deliberations will take into account issues including population aging. Consultation with key stakeholders will form part of the Group's work.
I hope this reply proves useful for the Deputy.
226. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the number of applications for medical cards made in each of the past 12 months to date; the number refused or granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28173/15]
View answerThe 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.
227. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the number of orthodontists operating in the public health system; the number of children receiving treatment; the number pending; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28174/15]
View answerThe most recent figures for the number of orthodontists employed by the HSE are for 31st December 2014. The number of Consultant Orthodontists employed was 11.75 WTE and the figure for Specialist Orthodontists was 39.22 WTE. It should be noted that other oral health professionals, such as dentists, assist orthodontists in treating patients. The HSE has established a pilot scheme in Dublin North East involving the use of orthodontic therapists in the treatment of a number of eligible children. Consideration will be given to expanding this Scheme to other HSE areas in the future. In addition to the services provided by HSE staff, orthodontic treatment for certain categories of misalignment will be provided by a panel of independent practitioners under contract to the HSE over the next three years. A national procurement process is being finalised. This initiative will especially focus on those waiting for 4 years or longer. It is expected that this initiative will commence later this year and will have a positive impact on waiting times.
The orthodontic waiting list figures for Q1 of 2015 are contained in the following tables:
|
Patients |
- |
|
No. of patients in active treatment |
17,666 |
|
No. of patients in retention following treatment |
5,550 |
|
No. of patients on Treatment Waiting List |
18,025 |
228. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the comparisons that have been made between the public and the private health sector in respect of the number of patients awaiting elective procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28175/15]
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.
229. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which adequate provision remains available to meet the needs of those seeking respite care for themselves or their carers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28176/15]
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.
230. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which his initiatives in respect of extra nursing staff at Naas General Hospital in County Kildare have been implemented; the extent to which extra staff have taken up duty; and the extent to which the extra accommodation has become available at the hospital; if he is satisfied that overcrowding at the accident and emergency unit is now fully alleviated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28177/15]
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.
231. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the number of medical cards withdrawn from old-age pensioners over the past four years, and subsequently restored; if it is recognised that elderly patients may require the extra expenditure arising from their particular situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28178/15]
View answerThe 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.
