Written Answers Nos. 116-21
116. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health his Department's strategy to develop the content of the Alzheimer Society of Ireland's pre-budget submission 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39669/15]
View answerThe Irish 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 dementias 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 €12million, and the HSE contributing €15.5million.
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 Home-care 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.
- 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.
117. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in an ambulance arriving to assist at the scene of a critically injured person (details supplied) who later died in Dundalk in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39672/15]
View answerFirstly I would like to express my sympathy to the family of the person concerned.
I understand from the National Ambulance Service (NAS) that an emergency call was received for the Dundalk area at 3:06 am on Monday 26 October 2015. The call was classed as life-threatening. At the time the call was received, the NAS was dealing with a number of other emergency calls; however, the nearest available emergency resources were immediately dispatched to the incident. A rapid response vehicle, crewed by an advanced paramedic, arrived at the scene at 3:29 a.m. An emergency ambulance arrived at 3:45 a.m.
While the emergency paramedics were en route, the NAS call taker stayed on the telephone line and gave emergency first aid instructions to the caller. On arrival, the paramedics did everything they could to help the patient, including advanced life support interventions and attempted resuscitation. Regrettably the patient passed away.
I am advised that in line with normal procedure following an adverse incident, all matters relating to the response of the NAS in this case are being reviewed. The review will involve every aspect of the response process, from initial receipt of the call and triaging, through to clinical treatment at the scene.
The Deputy can be assured that the Government is committed to the improvement of our ambulance services. A significant reform programme is underway to reconfigure the way pre-hospital care services are managed and delivered. To this end, the NAS received an increase of €5.4m in funding in 2015, to improve technology and clinical audit and address gaps in service. Further additional funding will be provided to the NAS in 2016.
118. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive will allow Skype interviews in lieu of face-to-face interviews for the post of occupational therapist as the applicants (details supplied) are currently abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39674/15]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this 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.
119. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of emergency ambulances prior to his announcement of 64 new ambulances on 5 November 2015; and the number of emergency ambulances there will be when these come into use. [39689/15]
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.
120. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health if funding is available for a person to be treated in Anderson House in County Derry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39691/15]
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.
121. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Health the status of the establishment of a primary care centre in Kilcock in County Kildare; when the centre will be completed and open to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39696/15]
View answerThe Kilcock primary care centre project is one of 14 to be delivered as a single PPP project. Following a detailed tender evaluation process the National Development Finance Agency announced the Prime-Balfour Beatty consortium as the preferred tenderer in May 2015. Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2016 and it is expected that the primary care centres will be delivered by early 2017. In the meantime work is continuing on the financial and legal provisions of the project contract.
