Written Answers Nos. 863-880
863. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health his plans to roll out psychology drop-in clinics on a State-wide basis; the success of such schemes to date; the number of persons engaged in these services; and the funding that has been allocated to these services. [30868/15]
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.
865. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of community geriatricians in counties Louth and Meath. [30870/15]
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.
866. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an estimated annual cost to provide a community geriatrician post. [30871/15]
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.
868. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the review of the Mental Health Act 2001 and the subsequent commitment to replace and-or review the A Vision for Change policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30873/15]
View answerThe Expert Group Review of the Mental Health Act 2001 was published in March this year. The report contains 165 recommendations, and in particular emphasised the need to move from the often paternalistic interpretation of the existing legislation, to one where insofar as is possible, the individual has the final say in what he/she deems to be in his/her best interests and receives the best quality of service required to attain the highest standard of mental health. It also includes provisions which are intended to strengthen the protections for people who are detained without consent in approved centres.
I have received Government approval for the drafting of a General Scheme of a Bill to amend the existing legislation to reflect the recommendations of the Expert Group and work in the Department is progressing on these important amendments. In addition, I have also received approval for an early change to the legislation in respect of the administration of Electro-convulsive therapy (ECT) and the administration of medicine.In both cases, the existing legislation will be amended to remove the authority to give ECT or medicine (after 3 months) without consent in any circumstances where the patient is capable of giving consent but unwilling to do so. I plan to have a Bill before the Oireachtas this term to enact these amendments.
'A Vision for Change, which was published in 2006, provides a seven-to-ten year framework for the development of our mental health services. Since 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. Implementation of Vision is ongoing and work is being undertaken during 2015 to prioritise outstanding actions informing the identification of any gaps in service. Preliminary work on the development of a successor policy to A Vision for Change is underway and the parameters of a review will be agreed shortly.
869. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card renewal by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30889/15]
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.
870. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in the appeal for medical card in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30896/15]
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.
871. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a list of residential psychiatric units here (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30901/15]
View answerThe Mental Health Commission maintains the Register of Approved Centres and the centres listed below are the centres currently on the Register. Subject to the provisions of the Mental Health Act 2001, each centre's registration lasts for three years from the date of registration.
This list of approved centres includes all types of in-patient units; including acute and continuing care, rehabilitation, child and adolescent and psychiatry of old age. It does not include community-based residential units. I have asked the HSE to provide the Deputy with details of High Support, Medium Support and Low Support Hostels. 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.
The following is the list of Approved Centres maintained by the Mental Health Commision:
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Area/Sector |
Approved Centre Name |
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Acute Psychiatric Unit, Tallaght Hospital |
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Admission Unit & St Edna's Ward, St Loman's Hospital, Mullingar |
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Avonmore & Glencree Units, Newcastle Hospital |
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Central Mental Hospital |
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Department of Psychiatry, Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise |
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Elm Mount Unit, St Vincent's University Hospital |
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Jonathan Swift Clinic |
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Lakeview Unit, Naas General Hospital |
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Le Brun House & Whitethorn House, Vergemount Mental Health Facility |
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St Bridget's Ward & St Marie Goretti's Ward, Cluain Lir Care Centre |
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HSE Dublin Mid-Leinster |
St Fintan's Hospital - Ward 6 |
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Acute Psychiatric Unit, Cavan General Hospital |
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Ashlin Centre |
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Department of Psychiatry, Connolly Hospital |
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Department of Psychiatry, Our Lady's Hospital |
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O'Casey Rooms, Fairview Community Unit |
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Phoenix Care Centre |
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St Aloysius Ward, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital |
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St Davnet's Hospital - Blackwater House |
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St Ita's Ward & Unit One, St Brigid's Hospital, Ardee |
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St Joseph's Intellectual Disability Service |
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St Vincent's Hospital |
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HSE Dublin North East |
Sycamore Unit, Connolly Hospital |
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Acute Mental Health Admission Unit, Kerry General Hospital |
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Acute Mental Health Unit, Cork University Hospital |
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Carraig Mór Centre |
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Centre for Mental Health Care & Recovery, Bantry General Hospital |
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Department of Psychiatry, St Luke's Hospital |
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Department of Psychiatry, Waterford Regional Hospital |
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Grangemore Ward & St Aidan's Ward, St Otteran's Hospital |
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Haywood Lodge |
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O'Connor Unit, St Finan's Hospital |
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Selskar House, Farnogue Residential Healthcare Unit |
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St Catherine's Ward, St Finbarr's Hospital |
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St Gabriel's Ward, St Canice's Hospital |
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St Michael's Unit, Mercy University Hospital |
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HSE South |
Units 2, 3, 4, 5, and Unit 8 (Floor 2), St Stephen's Hospital |
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Acute Psychiatric Unit 5B, University Hospital Limerick |
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Acute Psychiatric Unit, University Hospital Ennis |
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Adult Mental Health Unit, Mayo General Hospital |
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An Coillín |
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Cappahard Lodge |
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Clonfert Ward, St Brigid's Hospital, Ballinasloe |
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Department of Psychiatry, Letterkenny General Hospital |
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Department of Psychiatry, Roscommon County Hospital |
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Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Galway |
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Sligo/Leitrim Mental Health In-patient Unit |
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St Anne's Unit, Sacred Heart Hospital |
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Teach Aisling |
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HSE West |
Tearmann Ward, St Camillus' Hospital |
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Adolescent In-patient Unit, St Vincent's Hospital |
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Child & Adolescent Mental Health In-patient Unit, Merlin Park University Hospital |
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Eist Linn Child & Adolescent In-patient Unit |
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Linn Dara Child & Adolescent In-patient Unit |
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Child/Adolescent |
Willow Grove Adolescent Unit, St Patrick's University Hospital |
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Bloomfield Hospital |
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Highfield Hospital |
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Lois Bridges |
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St Edmundsbury Hospital |
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St John of God Hospital Limited |
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Independent |
St Patrick's University Hospital |
872. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the number of bed nights provided in 2013, or the most recent year for which information is available in the services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30902/15]
View answer873. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the number of bed nights provided in 2013, or the most recent year for which information is available in the services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30903/15]
View answer874. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the number of bed nights provided in 2013, or the most recent year for which information is available in the services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30904/15]
View answer875. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the number of bed nights provided in 2013, or the most recent year for which information is available in the services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30905/15]
View answer876. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the number of bed nights provided in 2013 or the most recent year for which information is available in the services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30906/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 872 to 876, inclusive, together.
As this is a service issue these questions have 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.
877. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30907/15]
View answerUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
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.
878. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding funding for provision of day care services for persons with special needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30911/15]
View answerGovernment policy is to enable young people with disabilities to develop the skills they will need to live independent lives to the greatest extent possible, and to receive the supports they need in order to achieve this. Additional funding of €12 million, was allocated by the Health Service Executive (HSE) to meet the needs of around 1,500 young people who will require continuing health-funded supports on leaving school or rehabilitative training this year, of which €6 million is available to provide services from September.
In January 2015, a National Project Group was established by the HSE to develop and oversee a national process to responding to the needs of these young people and to ensure a consistent approach is taken across the country to meeting those needs. This initially involved identifying all individuals who would require a day service in 2015. Some young people with disabilities progress to vocational training, which is the responsibility of the Department of Education and Skills, or to further education, or employment and do not require a health-funded service. Other young people attend mainstream schools and are not in contact with the health services until they require health-funded supports on leaving school. Once individuals are identified and their individualised needs are assessed, the capacity of the existing services to meet those needs is determined. It is not until this process is completed that the number, location and type of additional support needs and resources can be finalised.
Finding the resources and the physical capacity to meet the needs of a growing number of new service users every year is a challenging task. When this year’s support requirements were identified, the cost of meeting those needs in full exceeded the amount available, therefore, an additional €1.5 million was added by the HSE to the overall allocation, making a total of €13.5 million full-year costs available to meet those needs. A further €1.5 million once-off capital funding was also allocated by the HSE for the provision of suitable buildings, premises and accommodation.
The approach adopted by the National Project Group from the outset was that a cost banding structure would be developed to inform the allocation of the available funds. The costing bands were then applied to the identified need in each of the county’s nine regions so that a nationally consistent approach would be applied, which was needs-based as opposed to population-based. Based on this cost-band structure, five support levels were identified and the following amounts were allocated for new placements at each support level: intensive support (€34,000); high (€16,000); moderate (€11,000); low (€7,000) and minimum (€5,000).
Most young people have been offered a placement from September which meets their needs. Only a small minority of placements remain to be finalised. The HSE is in contact with these young people and their families in order to resolve matters as quickly as possible. Over the coming weeks, the HSE will continue to actively work with service providers and families until placements are finalised for all young people at this important transition point in their lives and they will ensure that resources available for specialist disability services are used in the most effective manner possible.
879. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if his Department publishes all data available for the purposes of health policy planning; the format and location of where it is published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30927/15]
View answerMy Department publishes a broad range of health data on its website which can be accessed at http://health.gov.ie/publications-research/statistics/ and is available in a number of formats, including Excel. This includes the annual publication Health in Ireland: Key Trends, which is available both on-line in PDF format and is provided in booklet form, together with an archive of statistics publications from past years.
The Department also produces and regularly updates the detailed Public Health Information System disseminated via the Department's website. Tables are available in both Excel format and through an interactive database. This system includes detailed tables on areas such as demography, mortality, hospital discharges and cancer.
880. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to investigate allegations of serious health and safety breaches in Naas General Hospital, County Kildare in the 1980s and 1990s, including disposal of toxic waste from the radiography department into public drains, and inadequate handwashing facilities in that department, in contravention of the 1995 MRSA regulations, as notified to him (details supplied). [30928/15]
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.
