Tuesday, 6 Oct 2015

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (542)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

542. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical procedure for a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34485/15]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

Under 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 the Deputy directly. If he has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.

Health Services Provision

Questions (543)

Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

543. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a service delivered in schools (details supplied); his views on its current operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34486/15]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The particular issue raised by the Deputy 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 he has 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 Data

Questions (544, 545)

Gerry Adams

Question:

544. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the status of the investigations under way following the recent recovery of patient data by members of the public near Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, County Louth; his plans to review data protection procedures at the hospital as a result of this; the number of similar incidents that have occurred since 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34488/15]

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Gerry Adams

Question:

545. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of persons affected following the recent recovery of patient data by a member of the public near Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, County Louth; if these persons have been contacted by the Health Service Executive and Royal College of Surgeons Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34489/15]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 544 and 545 together.

As these are service matters, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly. If he has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (546)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

546. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical appointment for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34492/15]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

Home Help Service Expenditure

Questions (547, 548, 549)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

547. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the amount the Health Service Executive has paid to private home care providers in each year since 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34493/15]

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Billy Kelleher

Question:

548. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of home help hours the Health Service Executive has provided to private home care providers to make up its shortfall in each year since 2011; if the executive charges the private companies for these hours; if so, the amount paid to the executive in each year since 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34494/15]

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Billy Kelleher

Question:

549. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the total reduction in hours for the Health Service Executive home helps in each year since 2011; the amount in hours that have been given to private care companies; the number of these hours that have been completely taken out of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34495/15]

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Written answers

Written answers

Minister for Health

Under 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 the Deputy directly. If he has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.

Hospital Facilities

Questions (555)

Dan Neville

Question:

555. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the opening of the cystic fibrosis unit at University Hospital Limerick. [34532/15]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly. If he has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (556)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

556. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when a cataract removal operation will be facilitated for a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34537/15]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

Under 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 the Deputy directly. If he has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.

Health Services Provision

Questions (557)

Michael McGrath

Question:

557. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in Cork city and county who are awaiting community podiatry services; the number of podiatrists currently employed to service the region; if steps are being taken to fill any current vacancies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34540/15]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy. If the Deputy has 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.

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Applications

Questions (558)

Jack Wall

Question:

558. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health if he will consider a request from a family for nursing home support for a parent (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34541/15]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply. If the Deputy has 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 Waiting Lists

Questions (559)

Jim Daly

Question:

559. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will request an update from the Health Service Executive regarding a person (details supplied) in County Cork further to the matter having been raised in a Topical Issue debate in Dáil Éireann on 5 November 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34547/15]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly. If he has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (560)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

560. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive an appointment in Galway University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34549/15]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

Under 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 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 should take the matter up with the consultant and the hospital involved. In relation to the specific case raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly. If he has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (561)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

561. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive an appointment in Beaumont Hospital in Dublin 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34550/15]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Health

Under 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 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 should take the matter up with the consultant and the hospital involved. In relation to the specific case raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly. If he has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.

Hospitals Capital Programme

Questions (562)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

562. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if the building of a new 50-bed unit at the Sacred Heart Hospital in Roscommon is included in the list of projects to be undertaken under the current capital programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34563/15]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

It is Government policy to support Older People to live in dignity and independence in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. The case for funding community nursing units has been presented as effectively as possible and we will work with the HSE to prioritise available funding. In this context the safety and welfare of residents is our primary concern.

Talks relating to the national CNU programme including the Sacred Heart Hospital Roscommon are ongoing between the HSE and the regulator HIQA. As with all capital projects further developments of this programme must be considered within the context of the overall capital envelope available to the health service.

Medical Card Applications

Questions (563)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

563. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34564/15]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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 Staff Recruitment

Questions (564)

Finian McGrath

Question:

564. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost to the Health Service Executive of filling an additional 100 physiotherapist and dietician posts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34573/15]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on the matter. If he has 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 Data

Questions (565)

Finian McGrath

Question:

565. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of persons at national director and assistant national director level within the Health Service Executive at 31 December 2013, 31 December 2014 and 25 September 2015, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34574/15]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

The staff of the health services continue to be its most valuable resource and are central to improvement in patient care, productivity and performance and without them it would not be possible to deliver the wide range of health services provided every day across the country. An effective health service requires managers and the functions performed by personnel at National Director or Assistant National Director have always been essential to the efficient and effective running of the health services.

The Deputy will be aware that following the introduction of the Government moratorium on the recruitment and promotion across the public health sector in March 2009, significant reductions in health sector funding, together with various exit schemes, resulted in a reduction of 15.8% in health service management/administrative staff equating to approximately 2,842 whole-time equivalents. The period following the moratorium also saw extensive reorganisation, restructuring and reform which required a significant managerial input.

Details of the number of National Director and Assistant National Director or equivalent posts as returned through the Health Service Personnel Census at 31 December 2013, and 2014, together with the latest available date are as set out in the following table:

National Director, Assistant National Director & Equivalent Posts as 31 December 2013, 2014 & 31 August 2015

-	31 Dec 2013	31 Dec 2014	31 August 2015
National Director	14	14	17
Assistant National Director & Equivalent	101	119	130
Total	115	133	147

The increase in National Directors and Assistant National Directors is related to the period of reorganisation, restructuring and reform.

Ambulance Service Provision

Questions (566)

Finian McGrath

Question:

566. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will instruct the Health Service Executive to release the necessary funding of €500,000 to open the new Health Service Executive ambulance station in Swords, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34575/15]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly. If he has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.