Finian McGrath
Question:134. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter regarding the treatment of a person (details supplied) in a hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2491/16]
View answerHospital Complaints Procedures
Questions (134)
Written answers
With regard to specific complaints in relation to experiences of individuals in our hospitals, there is a formal complaints policy, entitled “Your Service Your Say”, details of which are on the HSE website, at: http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/yourhealthservice/feedback/complaints/.
In accordance with this procedure, a complaint must be made in the first instance to the hospital in which the incident causing the complaint occurred. If an individual is not satisfied with the response from the hospital, a review can be sought from the HSE Director of Advocacy and the Ombudsman, whose details are set out as follows.
HSE Director of Advocacy
Oak House
Millennium Park
Naas
Co Kildare
Tel 1890 424 555.
Office of the Ombudsman
18, Lower Leeson Street
Dublin 2
Tel 1890 223 030
Email: ombudsman@ombudsman.gov.ie.
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.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (135)
Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Question:135. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for the National Rehabilitation Hospital before a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2502/16]
View answerWritten answers
As 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.
Hospital Staff Recruitment
Questions (136)
Michael McNamara
Question:136. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health if the addiction counsellor in Shannon Day Hospital who is retiring on 15 January 2016 will be replaced; if so, when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2507/16]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days he should contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
Hospital Services
Questions (137, 138)
Seán Fleming
Question:137. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the status of additional staff and improved facilities at a location (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2512/16]
View answerSeán Fleming
Question:138. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will reverse an earlier statement in relation to a hospital (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2513/16]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 137 and 138 together.
The Department and HSE are committed to securing and further developing the role of Portlaoise Hospital. The future of the hospital is as a constituent hospital within the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group. That Group also includes St James's; Tallaght; Tullamore; Naas and the Coombe Hospitals. The Dublin Midlands Hospital Group is currently working to finalise the development of a draft plan on future services at Midlands Regional Portlaoise Hospital. The plan will be informed by three reports by HIQA, the HSE and Chief Medical Officer (CMO) which all recommended enhancements to services at the hospital.
The primary goal is to provide high-quality sustainable patient care at the hospital. Central to achieving this goal is ensuring that all improvements are informed by local views, including those of GPs and patients. While initial consultations have taken place, further and extensive engagement is planned. This will include GPs, patients, hospital staff, elected representatives, all local support services and the general public.
Any change to services at Portlaoise Hospital, will be undertaken in a planned and orderly manner and will take account of existing patient flows, demands in other hospitals and the need to develop particular services at Portlaoise in the context of overall service reorganisation in the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group.
In relation to your specific query on the status of additional staff, 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.
Human Rights Issues
Questions (139)
Finian McGrath
Question:139. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to support a matter (details supplied) regarding an initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2490/16]
View answerWritten answers
Human Rights issues form part of Ireland’s continuing dialogues with other countries, across all regions of the world. Human rights issues are discussed on a regular basis with the Chinese authorities during both bilateral and multilateral meetings, including during the visit of Premier Li Keqiang to Ireland in May 2015. The Government follows closely reports of human rights violations against Falun Gong practitioners. Through the formal framework of the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue, which was established in 1995, the EU continues to share with China its experience in the field of human rights protection and promotion, and to urge China to take clear steps to improve the human rights situation. The latest session of this dialogue took place on 30 November – 1 December 2015 and provided the EU with the opportunity to have a detailed exchange of views on a wide range of human rights issues with China. The EU raised a number of issues including the rights of persons belonging to minorities, and freedom of religion or belief. In 2013, officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade held a series of meetings with representatives of the Irish Falun Dafa Association and human rights lawyers. During these meetings the Irish Falun Dafa Association discussed ways in which human rights issues are raised with Chinese authorities by both Ireland and the EU. However, it should be noted that the Chinese Government denies accusations of human rights abuses against those who practice Falun Gong.
Ireland, together with our EU partners, will continue to address human rights issues with China, in frequent and regular dialogue, through our contacts in both Dublin and Beijing and through the relevant multilateral channels.