Written Answers Nos. 67 - 70
67. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding dementia; his plans to address the concerns raised; if he has provided funding for it under any of the headings of the 2016 budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35867/15]
View answerThe National Dementia Strategy was launched in December 2014. This delivers on a commitment in the Programme for Government to develop a national Alzheimer's and other dementia's strategy to increase awareness, ensure early diagnosis and intervention and develop enhanced community based services.
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 roll-out of a programme of Intensive Home Supports and Home Care Packages for people with dementia;
- the provision of additional dementia-specific resources for GP's, 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;
- 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 National Dementia Strategy, including the National Dementia Strategy Implementation Programme. This Group includes health professionals, administrators, researchers and advocates. The Group also includes a person living with dementia and a representative of those who care for people with dementia. The most recent meeting of this Monitoring Group was held on 24 September 2015.
As the delivery of dementia services 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.
68. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the serious concerns being expressed by the community throughout the Tallaght area of Dublin 24 regarding reports that over 1,000 operations were cancelled at Tallaght Hospital over the past six months; his plans to order an immediate investigation into this matter; if he will provide assurances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35868/15]
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.
69. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) was one of the patients who had a delayed diagnosis in Bantry Hospital in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35873/15]
View answerIn relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, 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.
70. 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. [35882/15]
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.
