Thursday, 17 Dec 2015

Written Answers Nos. 429-439

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (429, 430)

Michael McGrath

Question:

429. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health to provide certain information regarding public hospital waiting lists (details supplied). [45828/15]

Michael McGrath

Question:

430. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health to provide certain information regarding public hospital waiting lists for surgery (details supplied). [45829/15]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 429 and 430 together.

In relation to the specific queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service matters, 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.

Orthodontic Services Waiting Lists

Questions (431)

Michael McGrath

Question:

431. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of children on a waiting list for orthodontic assessment and treatment in Cork city and county, including, in each case, the number of those waiting up to six months, those waiting six months to 12 months, those waiting 12 months to 24 months and those waiting more than 24 months; the steps the Health Service Executive is taking to reduce these waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45832/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The HSE provides orthodontic treatment to those who have been assessed and referred for treatment before their 16th birthday. It should be noted that the nature of orthodontic care means that immediate treatment is not always desirable. It is estimated that in up to 5% of cases it is necessary to wait for further growth to take place before treatment commences. Patients are assessed by the HSE Orthodontic Service under the modified Index of Treatment Need. Patients with the greatest level of need are provided with treatment by the HSE. Information on waiting times is collated by the HSE by region and for the intervals as shown below. Cork City and County are part of the HSE South region. The most recent information relates to the third quarter of 2015.

HSE South

Waiting time from referral to assessment	1 - 6 months	7 - 12 months	13 - 24 months	>2 years	Total
No. of Patients	1,329	551	3	0	1,883

Waiting time from assessment to commencement of treatment	1 - 6 months	7 - 12 months	13 - 24 months	25 - 36 months	37 - 48 months	Over 48 months	TOTAL
No. of patients	662	802	994	783	666	306	4,213

A pilot scheme in the Dublin North East area (DNE), which involves up-skilling staff to work as orthodontic therapists, is currently underway. One member of the dental hygienist staff and one member of the dental nursing staff completed a one-year training course in September 2015. They are now working in the HSE under the supervision of specialist orthodontists. The scheme is currently undergoing an evaluation, which includes consideration of how the scheme is affecting waiting lists. Figures are currently being collated and early indications are positive. It is planned to extend the scheme nationally after the evaluation has been completed.

In addition, a national procurement process is currently underway to provide treatment for certain categories of misalignment by a panel of independent practitioners under contract to the HSE over the next three years, with consideration of an extension to four years. This initiative will especially focus on those waiting for four years or longer. Tenders are currently being evaluated and contracts will be awarded in the coming weeks. It is expected that these initiatives will have a positive impact on waiting times.

HSE Properties

Questions (432)

Robert Troy

Question:

432. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the number of community homes that were bought in counties Longford and Westmeath over the past ten years; the cost of each; and his long-term objective for them. [45840/15]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As the management of the health property portfolio is a service matter, the HSE has been requested to reply directly to you.

If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office who will follow up.

HSE Staff

Questions (433)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

433. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding Health Service Executive drivers in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45897/15]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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.

Home Help Service Provision

Questions (434)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

434. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 195 of 19 November 2015, the criteria which were not met by a person (details supplied) in County Cavan to enable the person to receive home help hours, and the issues that were taken into account; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45900/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, it has again 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.

Disability Services Funding

Questions (435)

Eoghan Murphy

Question:

435. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Health to ensure that the Health Service Executive immediately engages in meaningful negotiations (details supplied) with representatives of Camphill Communities, as the financial situation requires immediate action. [45903/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Government is committed to protecting frontline health and personal social services needs for people with disabilities. The Government currently provides funding of approximately €1.5 billion to the Disability Services Programme through the Health Service Executive's National Service Plan for 2015.

In 2015, the HSE is seeking to maximise the provision of services within available resources and to maintaining a consistent level to that provided in 2014, by providing the following specialist disability services:

- residential services to around 9,000 people with a disability;

- day services to over 22,000 people with intellectual and physical disabilities;

- respite residential support of 190,000 overnights for people with intellectual and physical disabilities; and

- 3.9 million hours of Personal Assistant/Home Support Hours.

Additional funding of €6 million has been allocated in the HSE National Service Plan in 2015 to provide day places for an estimated 1,400 young people finishing school and rehabilitative (life-skills) training. €4m in additional funding has also been allocated in the Plan to deliver an increase in the services for children with disabilities and reduce waiting lists under the Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People (0-18s) Programme.

I have been informed that the HSE is acutely aware of the resource shortfall presented by Camphill and is currently engaging with them to develop an agreed set of proposals to resolve the challenges over an agreed period of time. This includes a commitment to supporting the organisation to re-configure the current model of service and funding arrangements to a more sustainable model while still maintaining the particular ethos of the service.

I understand that as part of this process of engagement, the HSE requested Camphill to consider how its model of service provision may change over the coming years as Disability Services are reformed. The HSE will work closely with Camphill to shape a five year plan to secure the additional resources required to ensure the future of the organisation in a sustainable way.

I have been assured by the HSE that it will continue to work with Camphill and be as supportive as possible within current financial constraints.

HSE Staff

Questions (436)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Question:

436. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the overwhelming vote by cleaners at Letterkenny General Hospital in favour of industrial action over a decision to outsource the cleaning of the outpatient department and their fears regarding creeping privatisation of cleaning services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45904/15]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I 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.

Ambulance Service Provision

Questions (437)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

437. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision of additional ambulances for County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45911/15]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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.

HSE Properties

Questions (438)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

438. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the Health Service Executive's plans for a hospital building and site (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45925/15]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Health Service Executive (HSE) operates a protocol for the disposal of surplus property assets. This protocol sets out three options.

1. Does a State Agency require the property?

2. Open market sale, subject to favourable market conditions.

3. Community/voluntary use will be considered only if points 1 and 2 above do not materialise.

Any proposals for the property in question to must be considered in the context of the capital funding available to Health and the Government's Reform Plan relating to the State's property asset use and management. In this context, I must advise you that the Health Service Executive is required to obtain value for money when disposing of surplus property assets. These proceeds will be re-invested in delivering much needed health care infrastructure. As there will always be more projects than can be funded by the Exchequer, facilities which support the delivery of core health services must be prioritised within the context of the overall capital envelope available to us. Given the limited funding available and our health infrastructure needs, priority for funding must be based on verified service needs and all capital funding must be directed to supporting these core services. The HSE is concentrating on applying the limited funding available for capital works in the most effective way possible to meet health care needs now and in the future.

In addition, consideration must be given to the Government's Reform Plan which sets out commitments relating to property asset use and management. These commitments include ensuring that optimal value for money is achieved in the management of the State's property portfolio. The development and implementation of the Property Management Delivery Plan has been one of the outcomes of the reform process. This plan aims to improve the planning and management of the public service property portfolio by improving co-ordination of strategies and activities, processes for strategic planning, projects and property management, standards for accommodation fit-out and data capture, accountability for decision making and deployment of resources.

The HSE has been requested to reply directly to you as regards its plans for the property in question. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office who will follow up.

General Practitioner Contracts

Questions (439)

Denis Naughten

Question:

439. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1 of 3 December 2015, the progress following the ongoing negotiations; if he or the Health Service Executive has an indication of the number of rural general practitioners expected to retire in each of the next five years; if he is satisfied with the executive's revisions to the rural general practitioner supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45999/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Discussions between the HSE, the Department of Health and the Irish Medical Organisation on a comprehensive review of the General Medical Services (GMS) and other publicly-funded health sector contracts involving GPs are ongoing.

As stated previously, the HSE has recently reviewed its guidelines for dealing with applications for a Rural Practice Allowance. I am satisfied that this will help ensure consistency, transparency and fairness in decision-making in respect of the relevant discretionary provisions of the GMS contract pertaining to the granting or otherwise of the allowance to new applicants.

In regard to the number of rural GPs expected to retire over the next five years, as this is a service issue, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy. 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 the Executive.