Written Answers Nos. 490-510
490. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if he will set a date for an operation at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin 9, for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; why the person was not admitted on previous admission dates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36408/15]
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.
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.
491. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that the Health Service Executive, in response to Parliamentary Question No. 115 of 28 May 2015, refused to provide the information requested, and instead committed to write directly to the person, as explained in its response of 15 June 2015, but to date no such letter has issued to the person; and if he will expedite a positive reply [36409/15]
View answerI understand from the HSE that a response issued to the person concerned on 15 June 2015. I have now asked the HSE to provide a copy of this response to the person concerned.
492. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health the expenditure on mental health for each of the years 2011 to 2014; and the budgeted expenditure for 2015 and 2016 [36418/15]
View answerDetails of the overall gross non-capital mental health budget are published annually in the Revised Book of Estimates. Based on that information, the following table details the mental health budget for each of the years 2011 - 2015 inclusive.
|
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
Estimated Provision 2015 |
|
€712 million |
€711 million |
€737 million |
€766 million |
€791.8 million |
Actual expenditure on mental health services for the years cited by the Deputy is a service issue and I have, therefore, arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply. 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.
The budget for mental health services in 2015 is €791.8 million while the budget for 2016 is currently being considered in the context of the formulation of the 2016 HSE Service Plan.
493. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to regulate independent private clinics and main street eye surgery clinics; his views that, it is acceptable that 19 legal cases have been taken against one such clinic over a six year period; the primary objective is to sell the procedure rather than assess the suitability of the patient; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36424/15]
View answerAt present, as Minister for Health, I do not have powers to regulate independent private clinics or eye surgery clinics. However, it should be noted that healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, pharmacists etc. employed in such independent private clinics or private healthcare facilities in Ireland are required to be registered with their relevant professional regulatory body and adhere to a professional code of conduct. Cosmetic surgery and non-surgical cosmetic treatments are regularly sought by Irish patients. All surgery contains a certain element of risk and patients should seek to inform themselves of both the risks and benefits of any procedures before making a decision to proceed.
I am adopting a phased approach to the regulation of healthcare. My Department continues to progress the Patient Safety Licensing Bill and is engaging with the Health Service Executive, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) and the independent healthcare sector to inform the finalisation of the General Scheme of the Bill prior to its consideration by Government. In advance of a formal licensing regime for public and private hospitals it is proposed to bring the private/independent healthcare sector within the remit of the Health Act 2007. The Government has given approval in principle to allow my Department draft amendments to the Health Act 2007 as an interim step towards licensing by extending HIQA’s powers to set and monitor standards, and undertake investigations, where necessary, in the private healthcare sector. Work in currently ongoing in that regard.
494. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an operation in Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospital in Dublin 11 for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36439/15]
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.
495. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Carlow with a serious skull deformity will be called for a Peek Cranioplasty in Beaumont Hospital in Dublin 9 [36445/15]
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.
496. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify the reason non-European Union citizens are effectively being denied the constitutional right to marry European Union citizens, as the Health Service Executive and An Garda Síochána cannot facilitate them with the necessary meetings, to ensure the marriage is genuine, because members of An Garda Síochána are not yet trained in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36456/15]
View answerThe Civil Registration (Amendment) Act 2014 was enacted by the Oireachtas on 4 December 2014. Provisions of the Act which introduced additional duties for Registrars employed by the Civil Registration Service were commenced on 18 August 2015. I understand that the HSE are engaging with IMPACT on any industrial relations issues which have arisen for the registrars as a result of the additional duties provided for by this legislation. A hearing under the auspices of the conciliation services of the Workplace Relations Commission is scheduled for 27 October 2015.
497. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the number of offers made and accepted under the surgical symphysiotomy payment scheme to date [36478/15]
View answerThe Surgical Symphysiotomy Payment Scheme is operating very well since it was established on 10 November 2014. It was estimated that 350 women would apply to the Scheme, but in fact 578 applications have been accepted by the Scheme and as at 9 October 2015, 306 offers have been made.
Of these offers made, 295 have been accepted, nine offers are awaiting a response, one offer was rejected and one woman died before she had accepted her offer. Of the 295 offers accepted by applicants, 162 were assessed at €50,000, 124 at €100,000 and nine at €150,000. 268 awards have been made.
It may be useful for the Deputy to note that Judge Clark provides regular updates on the Scheme's website: www.payment-scheme.gov.ie.
498. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health for a breakdown of the cost of training ten paramedics to full qualification [36494/15]
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.
499. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if his Department or the Health Service Executive will provide funding for a child (details supplied) in County Cork to attend the John Tracey Clinic in Los Angeles in the United States of America [36498/15]
View answerThe HSE operates the Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS) for persons entitled to treatment in another EU/EEA member state or Switzerland under EU Regulation (EC) No. 883/2004, as per the procedures set out in EU Regulations (EC) No. 987/2009, and in accordance with Department of Health Guidelines. 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 Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. 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.
500. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an appointment for a kidney transplant at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin 9 for a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36502/15]
View answerIn recent months St Vincent’s University Hospital has been collaborating with Beaumont Hospital in relation to the transfer of pancreas transplantation to St Vincent's. As St Vincent’s University Hospital is already established as the national liver transplant centre, and is a designated centre for pancreas cancer services, it is well placed to undertake pancreas transplants. The arrangements being put in place will involve transplant surgeons from both St Vincent’s University Hospital and Beaumont Hospital working together on the St Vincent’s campus. The two hospitals, together with the HSE and my Department, are putting the necessary arrangements and protocols in place to facilitate the commencement of pancreas transplantation in St Vincent’s University Hospital in the coming weeks, should a suitable donor/recipient match occur.
Interviews were held recently for consultant transplant surgeons and it is expected that two surgeons will commence work at St Vincent’s University Hospital in January 2016 to support the pancreatic transplant programme. St. Vincent’s University Hospital has also established a link with the pancreas transplant programme in Edinburgh's Royal Infirmary Hospital to provide oversight of the transfer of the pancreas transplant service.
The deceased donor transplant programme is dependent on the availability of suitable donors who can be matched with recipients. My Department and the HSE continue to work to improve organ donation and transplantation rates with the aim of reducing waiting times for patients.
The Deputy's question relates to service delivery matters and accordingly I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him.
If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow up the matter with them.
501. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health for an update on the case of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and when the person can expect an appointment for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan at the Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore in County Offaly [36503/15]
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 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 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 up the matter.
502. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health for an update on the case of a child (details supplied) in County Offaly; and when the child can expect an appointment at Our Lady's Children's Hospital in Crumlin in Dublin 12 [36504/15]
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. In relation to the specific case raised, 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 up the matter.
503. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health for an update on the case of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and when the person can expect an appointment at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital in Dublin 7 [36505/15]
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 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 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 up the matter.
504. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health for an update on the case of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and when the person can expect an appointment at the Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore in County Offaly [36506/15]
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 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 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 up the matter.
505. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health for an update on the case of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and when the person can expect an appointment at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin 9 [36507/15]
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 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 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 up the matter.
506. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health for an update on the case of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and when the person can expect an appointment at the Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore in County Offaly [36508/15]
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 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 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 up the matter.
507. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health The Programme for Government commitments on health that he deems to be fully delivered, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36517/15]
View answerEach year the Department of An Taoiseach publishes a report setting out progress made on the implementation of the Programme for Government. The fourth annual report, published in March 2015, sets out the work carried out across all Government Departments, including my Department. The report is available on the Department of An Taoiseach's website: http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/eng/Publications/Publications_2015/Programme_for_Government_Annual_Report_2015.pdf.
508. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the measures being taken to improve the situation in emergency departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36518/15]
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 up the matter.
509. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health for an update on the implementation of the National Dementia Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36519/15]
View answerThe Irish National Dementia Strategy was launched in December 2014. This delivers on an 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.
