Written Answers Nos. 637-651
637. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health to set out the annual cost of providing care for those with Alzheimer's disease or dementia, by county; the average annual cost per person with dementia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28897/15]
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.
638. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health to outline the progress to date regarding focusing on timely diagnosis for persons with dementia; and the resources that have been invested in early intervention in counties Louth and Meath. [28898/15]
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.
639. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a detailed breakdown of the services that are available to persons suffering with Alzheimer's disease or dementia, including services available in a community setting as well as services available in their homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28899/15]
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.
640. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he will provide figures for persons who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or dementia in the years 2011 to 2014 and in 2015 to date, by county; and if he will provide a breakdown of funding allocated, by person, by county. [28900/15]
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.
641. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health to outline the actions identified from the national dementia strategy; the progress that has been made to date; and his views on the likely implementation of further actions identified as part of the strategy's implementation. [28901/15]
View answer642. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health to outline the number of general practitioners in counties Louth and Meath who have signed up for training, as part of the of the implementation of the national dementia strategy; and if he will provide an update on when the proposed training will commence, and be completed. [28902/15]
View answer643. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health to set out the meetings that have taken place to date with the monitoring group to assist with implementation of the national dementia strategy; and if he will provide an update in respect of these meetings. [28903/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 641 to 643, inclusive, together.
In December 2014 the Government launched the Irish National Dementia Strategy. This delivered on a commitment in the Programme for Government to develop a national Alzheimer’s and other dementias strategy to increase awareness, ensure early diagnosis and intervention and develop enhanced community based services.
The Strategy distinguishes between those Actions that can be progressed within existing resources and others to be addressed as more resources become available. Those identified for first implementation include:
- Clear responsibility for dementia to be assigned within the HSE. A dedicated Office, led at General Manager level by Mr. John Linehan, Specialist, Services for Older People, has been established within the HSE to support implementation of the Strategy;
- Clear descriptions of care pathways, and better information and guidance on services to be made available to GPs and to people with dementia and their families and carers;
- A better understanding of dementia, including modifiable risk factors, to be promoted;
- The use of existing resources to be reviewed to ensure that they are used in the best way possible;
- Research to inform the design and delivery of dementia services in Ireland to be supported and given appropriate priority.
The Department of Health and the HSE have agreed a joint initiative with the Atlantic Philanthropies to implement significant elements of the Strategy over the period 2014-2017. This National Dementia Strategy Implementation Programme will represent a combined investment of €27.5m, with Atlantic Philanthropies contributing €12m, and the HSE contributing €15.5m.
This programme will promote a greater focus on timely diagnosis of dementia and on the value of early intervention, along with the long-term objective of making people in Ireland generally more aware and understanding of the needs of people with dementia, and of the contribution that those with dementia continue to make to our society. Key elements of the initiative include:
- the rollout of a programme of Intensive Home Supports and Homecare Packages for people with dementia;
- the provision of additional dementia-specific resources for GPs, who are the critical and initial point of contact with the health system for those with dementia - the resource material will include training materials and guidance on local services and contact points, etc.; and
- Measures to raise public awareness, address stigma, and promote the inclusion and involvement in society of those with dementia.
A Monitoring Group, chaired by the Department of Health, has been established to assist with and advise on implementation of the Strategy, including the National Dementia Strategy Implementation Programme. This Group includes health professionals, administrators, researchers, and advocates. In addition, the Group includes a number of new members including a person living with dementia and a representative of those who care for people with dementia. The Group held its first meeting in April 2015 at which it commenced consideration of an Implementation Plan for the Strategy. A further meeting is scheduled for 24 September 2015.
Progress has already been made on a number of fronts. The HSE has established a central Dementia Office to drive and oversee implementation of the Strategy. Work has commenced on the development of a Dementia Friendly Ireland programme to raise awareness and increase understanding of the condition. Research into the educational needs of GPs and Primary Care Team members is underway, and a body of training will follow when this is complete. Roll-out has commenced of intensive home care packages for people with dementia, and 38 people with dementia have benefitted to date.
There is no formal signing-up process for GPs in this context:-the Irish College of General Practitioners are collaborators on and supportive of this project. We are still in the early stages of implementation, but the National Dementia Strategy is a clear indication by Government of the importance that it attaches to dementia, and of our commitment to ensuring that those with dementia can live well for as long as possible.
644. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form, by county, the number and list of general practitioners who have signed up to the proposed scheme of free general practitioner care for children under six years of age. [28905/15]
View answerAs at 16.00 on 10th July 2015, 2,122 contracts had been received from GPs (over 88% of GMS contract holders). Information is collated by former Local Health Office area rather than by county. The attached table reflects the spread of contract holders across Local Health Office areas. All areas have over 75% coverage except South Tipperary, which has 25% coverage.
Under 6's Contract Position
|
Local Health office |
Contracts Received |
Total Contracts |
Percentage Received |
|
Carlow/Kilkenny |
62 |
69 |
90% |
|
Cavan/Monaghan |
60 |
66 |
91% |
|
Clare |
47 |
53 |
89% |
|
Cork - North Lee |
103 |
120 |
86% |
|
Cork - South Lee |
118 |
133 |
89% |
|
Donegal |
86 |
89 |
97% |
|
Dublin North Central |
66 |
76 |
87% |
|
Dublin South City |
72 |
92 |
78% |
|
Dublin South East |
50 |
57 |
88% |
|
Dublin South West |
66 |
75 |
88% |
|
Dublin West |
39 |
44 |
89% |
|
Dun Laoghaire |
56 |
75 |
75% |
|
Galway |
159 |
169 |
94% |
|
Kerry |
77 |
88 |
88% |
|
Kildare/West Wicklow |
61 |
81 |
75% |
|
Laois/Offaly |
66 |
67 |
99% |
|
Limerick |
99 |
111 |
89% |
|
Longford/Westmeath |
66 |
68 |
97% |
|
Louth |
59 |
73 |
81% |
|
Mayo |
78 |
86 |
91% |
|
Meath |
61 |
68 |
90% |
|
North Cork |
51 |
55 |
93% |
|
North Dublin |
106 |
120 |
88% |
|
North Tipp./East Limerick |
35 |
38 |
92% |
|
North West Dublin |
58 |
62 |
94% |
|
Roscommon |
28 |
29 |
97% |
|
Sligo/Leitrim |
57 |
59 |
97% |
|
South Tipperary |
13 |
52 |
25% |
|
Waterford |
62 |
68 |
91% |
|
West Cork |
33 |
38 |
87% |
|
Wexford |
62 |
67 |
93% |
|
Wicklow |
65 |
68 |
96% |
|
TOTAL |
2122 |
2417 |
88% |
Generated: 10/07/2015 - 16:00
645. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health to set out the cost of the North East Doctor on Call Service in the north east, by location, for each year since 2011; the number of patients seen annually, by location, since 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28906/15]
View answer666. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health whether he is satisfied with the service provided by the North East Doctor on Call Service. [29036/15]
View answer667. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of difficulties surrounding the provision of cover at the four sites of the North East Doctor on Call Service, particularly during the night. [29037/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 645, 666 and 667 together.
As these are service matters, they have been referred to the Health Service Executive 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.
646. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health to set out the cost of general practitioner services in the north east, by location, for each year since 2011; the numbers of patients seen annually, by location, since 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28907/15]
View answerAs the information requested by the Deputy relates to service issues and is not routinely provided to my Department, I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply directly to the Deputy on these matters. 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.
647. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties being encountered by persons in County Louth who are effectively unable to register with a general practitioner in their locality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28908/15]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive 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.
648. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of general practitioners, per capita, for the years 2011 to 2014 and for 2015 to date, by county; his views on whether there are sufficient general practitioners to meet demands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28909/15]
View answer668. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health to set down the number of general practitioners currently active within the State; the population to general practitioner ratio; and how this compares with the European Union average. [29038/15]
View answer669. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied with the numbers of general practitioners joining the health service [29039/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 648, 668 and 669 together.
The OECD Health Data 2014 shows the number of General Practitioners (GPs) per 1,000 population in Ireland in 2014 was approximately 0.78. The OECD average number of GPs across OECD countries in 2013 was approximately 0.68 per 1,000 population (not enough countries have reported back, as yet, to give a 2014 average). It should be noted that figures for some countries exclude trainees, while others (including Ireland) include all registered GPs.
The OECD Health Data 2013 shows the average number of General Practitioners (GPs) per 1,000 population across OECD countries in 2011 was approximately 0.68. It also shows that Ireland had approximately 0.73 GPs per 1,000 population in 2013. It should be noted that figures for some countries exclude trainees, while others (including Ireland) include all registered GPs.
The HSE is currently engaged in medical workforce planning, which includes workforce planning for GPs. This work is being carried out within the HSE's National Doctor Training and Planning Unit where a medical workforce planning system is due to be completed and implemented shortly. The system will be based on a statistical model of supply and demand for medical specialists, which will be informed by expert stakeholders, population and medical workforce data. Both entrants into and exits from the workforce will be accounted for. Furthermore, a measure of patient need and the demand for medical specialist services will be determined and included in the statistical model. Medical workforce planning for General Practice is being prioritised in the development of workforce projections based on both the supply of GPs and the demand for GP services over the next 10 years.
As the information requested by the Deputy in relation to GP numbers by County is not routinely provided to my Department, I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply directly to the Deputy on these matters. 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.
649. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health to set down the number of holders of medical cards who are aged from six to 17 years of age. [28910/15]
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.
650. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health to outline the position regarding the provision of spectacles for a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28911/15]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive 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.
651. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the assistance necessary to allow Cork University Hospital to increase its staffing levels in its paediatric high-dependancy unit, and allow the hospital to use the currently vacant beds in this unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28917/15]
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.
