Written Answers Nos. 128-33
128. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health given a previous reassurance from him that the director would contact this Deputy to facilitate a meeting that this Deputy has repeatedly requested, why this Deputy has yet to hear from the director of the National Ambulance Service; and if it is acceptable for the National Ambulance Service to behave in this fashion. [2426/16]
View answerI am advised by the Director of the HSE National Ambulance Service that his office has contacted the Deputy's office and left voice mail messages with a view to facilitating the Deputy's request. I understand that they have not received a response from the Deputy's office, however the Office of the Director of the National Ambulance Services is contactable at:
director.nas@hse.ie
phone number: 01 4631624 and
National Ambulance Service, Rivers Building, Tallaght Cross, Tallaght, Dublin 24.
129. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the progress made since September 2015 in cutting the excessive waiting times being experienced by schoolchildren in the Health Service Executive west region for orthodontic care; the steps being taken to alleviate these excessive waiting times; if he will sanction the appointment of additional staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2428/16]
View answerThe 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.
The information on the waiting lists for assessment and treatment for HSE West region for Quarter 4 2015 is not yet available. The information for Quarter 2 and Quarter 3 of 2015 is as follows:
|
Waiting time from referral to assessment |
1 - 6 months |
7 - 12 months |
13 - 24 months |
>2 years |
Total |
|
No. of Patients - Quarter 2 2015 |
1,281 |
348 |
150 |
27 |
1,806 |
|
No. of Patients - Quarter 3 2015 |
1,392 |
395 |
0 |
0 |
1,787 |
|
Waiting time from assessment to commencement of treatment |
1 - 6 months |
7 - 12 months |
13 - 24 months |
25-48 months |
Over 48 months |
TOTAL |
|
No. of Patients - Quarter 2 2015 |
582 |
1,051 |
2,158 |
1,296 |
46 |
5,133 |
|
No. of Patients - Quarter 3 2015 |
450 |
793 |
2,021 |
1,304 |
28 |
4,596 |
Following a national procurement process, a panel of independent practitioners will be contracted by the HSE in the coming weeks to provide treatment for certain categories of misalignment. The practitioners will be under contract 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. It is expected that these initiatives will have a positive impact on waiting times.
In addition, 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.
The appointment of additional staff is a service matter for the HSE and I have asked them to reply directly to the Deputy on this. 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.
130. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath receives an appointment as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2432/16]
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.
131. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health to schedule a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath for surgery without further delay. [2435/16]
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.
132. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health it is entirely appropriate to comment on the facts of the case; the action which he proposes to take on foot of this ruling and if this will include a Health Service Executive inquiry into the person's death and a Health Information and Quality Authority investigation into standards in the hospital concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2464/16]
View answerAs this matter is the subject of a medico-legal case it would not be appropriate for me to comment further. I have asked the HSE to contact the Deputy with an update on the case.
133. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Clare, will have a procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2489/16]
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.
