Written Answers Nos. 437-459
437. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of the April 2014 White Paper on universal health insurance; if this represents current policy on the health service; his views on a multi-payer model of universal health insurance; when will he produce a Green Paper on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40491/15]
View answerThe Government is committed to a major programme of health reform, the aim of which is to deliver universal healthcare, with access to quality services based on need and not ability to pay.
In April 2014, the White Paper on Universal Health Insurance was published. It proposed a competitive, multi-payer model of universal health insurance (UHI) as the means to achieve universal healthcare. Following publication of the White Paper, the Department of Health initiated a major costing project, involving the ESRI, the Health Insurance Authority and others, to examine the cost implications of a change to a multi-payer model, as proposed in the White Paper.
This initial costing project has now been completed and the underlying reports are about to be published. The results of the project are informing deliberation on next steps, including the need for further research and cost modelling. The next phases in the costing exercise are likely to include deeper analysis of the key issue of unmet need and a more detailed comparative analysis of the relative costs and benefits of alternative funding models to support universal healthcare.
When I assumed the Office of Minister for Health, I concluded that, whilst progress had and was being made in relation to the programme of health reform, the original timeline for implementation of UHI was too ambitious. However, I also emphasised my commitment to progressing health reform. I am determined to push ahead as quickly as possible with key reforms such as the phased extension of GP care without fees, the establishment of Hospital Groups, the implementation of activity-based funding and the improved management of chronic diseases. These are all major milestones on the road to universal healthcare and are also important initiatives in their own right with the potential to drive performance improvement and deliver significant benefits in terms of timely access to high quality care.
The recent extension of GP care without charge to children under 6 years of age and to adults aged 70 and over represents the first concrete step on the path to universal healthcare enabling over 300,000 more people to access GP care without having to pay fees.
438. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the reason no plan is in place to develop services across the pathway four years after the publication of the national neuro-rehabilitation strategy, given the lack of suitable rehabilitation services from the hospital and back to the community for persons (details supplied) living with an acquired brain injury; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40493/15]
View answer439. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if there will be an investment programme in rehabilitation services at every stage, including the development of regional in-patient rehabilitation units, intensive rehabilitation after the hospital stay, and long-term community-based supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40494/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 438 and 439 together.
A Steering Group led by the Health Service Executive (HSE) Social Care Division, with representation from the National Clinical Programmes for Rehabilitation Medicine and Neurology, Department of Health, Primary Care, Therapy Professions and the Neurological Alliance of Ireland has been assigned the task of developing an implementation framework for the National Policy & Strategy for Neuro-Rehabilitation Services. The Steering Group is finalising an implementation framework, which will be released for consultation in the coming weeks. The work of the Steering Group is overseen by an operational lead and a clinical lead. The Steering Group is proposing a two phased approach to implementation which will begin at Community Healthcare Organisation level and expand to in-patient specialist rehabilitation services, with connectivity across all service delivery sites.
In August 2015, my colleague, the Minister for Health, announced an additional €15 million for the redevelopment of the National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH) in Dun Laoghaire. This allocation will now enable the NRH and the HSE to proceed with a new 120 bed building on the Dun Laoghaire campus. The redeveloped facility will be purpose built to accommodate integrated therapy services, hydrotherapy and sports facilities.
As the Deputy's questions regarding facilities for young people with Acquired Brain Injury and plans for regional and community rehabilitation supports relate to service matters, I have arranged for the questions to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, she can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
440. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who have sustained high-level life-changing injuries, some of whom are ventilated and have spent long periods of time in nursing homes and acute hospitals; and if he has considered allocating a budget nationally, as there are inconsistencies in personal assistant services across the different Health Service Executive areas. [40495/15]
View answerAs 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, she can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
441. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if a budget will be allocated to supporting persons (details supplied) who have sustained a life-changing spinal cord injury; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40496/15]
View answerAs 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, she can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
442. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will examine and expedite an application for a medical card by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry, who has submitted all relevant information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40498/15]
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.
443. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the timeframe as to when the recruitment process to be employed in order to fill nursing posts which will form part of a home care package afforded to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will be formally completed; the progress made to date in filling these posts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40502/15]
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.
444. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the number of admissions to emergency departments in the past year for persons with dementia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40505/15]
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.
445. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied) in County Offaly. [40511/15]
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 the matter up.
446. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision of respite by the Health Service Executive at Birr community nursing unit for a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and when the person can expect to receive respite. [40512/15]
View answerAs this 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.
447. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health to clarify the nationally-set special delivery unit targets for scoliosis surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40521/15]
View answerSpinal conditions, including scoliosis, in children and young people are predominantly managed at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin (OLCHC). It is acknowledged that the waiting times for spinal surgery services at Our Lady’s Hospital Crumlin have been unsatisfactory. I am determined that waiting times for spinal services at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin must be addressed as a priority. Accordingly, additional funding was allocated in the HSE Service Plan for 2015 for the appointment of an orthopaedic surgeon, anaesthetist and support staff at Crumlin. This will maximise the use of available theatre sessions in the hospital. The first of these additional staff is now in post, and recruitment for the remaining posts is in process. In addition, capital funding has been provided for a new theatre on site at Crumlin, which will expand theatre capacity further, this development is already underway and due for completion in March 2016. As a further measure, available capacity has been identified in other hospitals and some children are being transferred for their surgery, where it is considered clinically appropriate for them.
The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust (Stanmore) has also confirmed it has the capacity to carry out a number of scoliosis surgeries for Crumlin patients by end January 2016. A number of patients have been identified who may be suitable for transfer to Stanmore and Crumlin have made contact with the families.
The Children's Hospital Group, OLCHC and the HSE are working together on an ongoing basis to identify all options to increase capacity further to improve access times for surgery.
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.
448. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the number of persons, who undergo scoliosis surgery to correct spinal curvatures each year; the number who are awaiting this surgery; the waiting periods involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40522/15]
View answerSpinal conditions, including scoliosis, in children and young people are predominantly managed at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin (OLCHC). It is acknowledged that the waiting times for spinal surgery services at Our Lady’s Hospital Crumlin have been unsatisfactory. I am determined that waiting times for spinal services at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin must be addressed as a priority. Accordingly, additional funding was allocated in the HSE Service Plan for 2015 for the appointment of an orthopaedic surgeon, anaesthetist and support staff at Crumlin. This will maximise the use of available theatre sessions in the hospital. The first of these additional staff is now in post, and recruitment for the remaining posts is in process. In addition, capital funding has been provided for a new theatre on site at Crumlin, which will expand theatre capacity further, this development is already underway and due for completion in March 2016. As a further measure, available capacity has been identified in other hospitals and some children are being transferred for their surgery, where it is considered clinically appropriate for them.
The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust (Stanmore) has also confirmed it has the capacity to carry out a number of scoliosis surgeries for Crumlin patients by end January 2016. A number of patients have been identified who may be suitable for transfer to Stanmore and Crumlin have made contact with the families.
The Children's Hospital Group, OLCHC and the HSE are working together on an ongoing basis to identify all options to increase capacity further to improve access times for surgery.
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.
449. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the number of patients who have undergone scoliosis surgery to correct spinal curvatures in the Saolta group of hospitals in each of the years 2010 to 2014, in tabular form; the number of such operations that have been performed in these hospitals in 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40523/15]
View answerThe Saolta University Healthcare Group has assured my Department that the waiting list for such surgery is a high priority and that Galway University Hospital has been actively working to ensure that the necessary arrangements are in place in order to facilitate the level of complexity involved. In particular, significant progress is being made in relation to ensuring the required resources are in place in the context of bed availability, access to diagnostics, purchase of specialist spinal equipment and access to theatre. My Department is informed that the waiting list for spinal surgery at Galway University Hospital currently comprises thirteen patients, that one scoliosis patient was treated between January and May 2015 and that 3 scoliosis patients have been treated since May 2015.
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.
450. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if specialists are available to perform spinal monitoring during surgery to correct scoliosis spinal curvature; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40524/15]
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.
451. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if it is open to patients who have been waiting for scoliosis surgery to correct spinal curvature, and whose condition is deteriorating, to access the treatment abroad scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40525/15]
View answerThe HSE operates a Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS), for persons entitled to treatment in another EU/EEA member state or Switzerland under EU Regulation 1408/71, as per the procedures set out in EU Regulations 574/72, and in accordance with Department of Health Guidelines. Patients, in conjunction with their Irish based public referring hospital consultant, have the ability to apply to the HSE TAS seeking access to public healthcare outside the state through model form E112. The treatment must not be available within the State or not available within a time normally necessary for obtaining it. Applications to TAS are processed and a determination given in accordance with the statutory framework prior to a patient travelling to avail of treatment.
The TAS allows for an Irish based medical consultant to refer a patient that is normally resident in Ireland for treatment, in a public hospital, in another EU/EEA member state or Switzerland, where the treatment in question meets the following criteria:
(a) The application to refer a patient abroad has been assessed and a determination given before that patient goes abroad.
(b) Following clinical assessment, the referring Consultant certifies the following:
- They recommend the patient be treated in another EU/EEA country or Switzerland;
- The treatment is medically necessary and will meet the patient’s needs;
- The treatment is a proven form of medical treatment and is not experimental or test treatment;
- The treatment is in a recognised hospital or other institution and is under the control of a registered medical practitioner;
- The hospital outside the state will accept EU/EEA form E112 (IE).
Each application to TAS is processed and given a formal written decision. If that decision is one of decline, the reason for that decision is clearly outlined and the option of an appeal is afforded.
The Health Service Executive also operates the EU Directive on Patients’ Rights in Cross Border Healthcare in Ireland under which patients may access healthcare in another EU/EEA member state. More information on the so-called Cross Border Directive is available at http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/1/schemes/cbd/
452. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health further to Question No. 835 of 3 November 2015, and the reply provided by the Health Service Executive (details supplied), if he will arrange for the question asked to be answered. [40531/15]
View answerIn relation to your further query in this 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.
454. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if a bed will be provided at the National Rehabilitation Hospital, as a matter of urgency, for a person (details supplied) in County Waterford who has been referred there by a consultant at Waterford Regional Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40537/15]
View answerAs 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.
455. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the criteria for patients to be referred to Nua Healthcare. [40577/15]
View answerAs 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.
456. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if he will investigate reports that the accident and emergency department at St. Luke's Hospital in Kilkenny is understaffed and under-resourced; if the new unit is fully open and operational; if staff are needed for the new unit, or if staff have to be recruited; if he will provide a breakdown of the different categories of staff that are required for this unit; the numbers required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40621/15]
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.
457. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the number of children on the waiting list for orthopaedic surgery in Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Dublin 12; the number of years that these young children are waiting; when an operation required by a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny will be arranged; and the action he will take to deal with this issue. [40622/15]
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.
458. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in County Longford has to wait two years to have an operation at the Midlands Regional Hospital in Tullamore in County Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40630/15]
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.
459. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in County Longford has to wait 18 months to have an operation at the Midlands Regional Hospital in Tullamore in County Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40631/15]
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.
