Written Answers Nos. 377 - 397
377. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if he supports the tri-location model; why he has not submitted planning permission for the building of the maternity hospital at the St. James's Hospital site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16870/16]
View answerTri-location of adult, paediatric and maternity services provides mothers and babies with access to a full range of medical and support services should the need arise, including immediate access on-site to paediatric services when foetal or neonatal surgery and other interventions are required. The availability of these services helps ensure the delivery of an optimum, safe service, particularly for high risk mothers and babies.
Planning permission was obtained in April this year for the new children's hospital co-located with St. James's Hospital on its campus at Dublin 8. In line with Government policy, the Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital will also relocate to the campus in time, achieving tri-location of adult, paediatric and maternity services on the one campus. Accordingly, in submitting its planning application for the children's hospital, the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board, as a matter of good planning practice, provided information on all known future developments for the St James's Hospital campus, including the future maternity hospital. The design for the children's hospital provides for consideration of future maternity hospital requirements in certain shared service areas.
The decision to relocate the Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital to the St James's Hospital campus was announced on 30th June last year. This project is, as yet, in the very early stages of development, and significant work, including the preparation of a design brief and design development, will be required before any planning application can be made.
378. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the consultation his Department undertook with parents' groups, patient advocacy groups, staff and other stakeholders in respect of the location of the new children's hospital; when it undertook this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16871/16]
View answerThe new children's hospital will be co-located with St James's Hospital on its campus at Dublin 8, and ultimately tri-located with the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital, which will re-locate to the campus in due course. Satellite centres of the hospital, providing urgent and outpatient care, are to be built on the campuses of Connolly and Tallaght Hospitals. The decision of An Bord Pleanála on April 28 last to grant planning permission for the hospital, satellite centres and related buildings is a huge and very welcome milestone for the project, and means that construction can now commence on all three sites in the coming weeks and months.
At every stage of this project over the years, through the various reports and the design process, there has been extensive consultation with numerous stakeholders and interested parties.
In 2012, following the refusal by An Bord Pleanála of planning permission for the hospital at the Mater campus, Minister Reilly established the Dolphin Group to advise on next steps. The Group met with a range of stakeholder groups and interested parties, including advocacy groups such as the Jack and Jill foundation, Children in Hospital Ireland and the Youth Advisory Council, CEOs, clinicians, nurses and health and social care professionals from the existing hospitals, and representatives of children's research organisations.
Previous reports and reviews on the location also involved stakeholder consultation. The 2006 Joint HSE/Department of Health Task Force met with advocacy groups including Heart Children Ireland, Cystic Fibrosis Ireland, the Irish Patients Association and the New Crumlin Hospital Action Group, as well as with the existing hospitals and maternity hospitals. In 2011, an Independent Review Group established by Minister Reilly to review the project at the Mater campus also included stakeholder consultation as part of its work, consulting with parents and care givers as well as the hospitals themselves and the Faculty of Paediatrics.
During the design process for the hospital, there have also been extensive consultations with families, young people and children who are former or current users of the service, with staff of the existing hospitals, with clinical leads and with local residents. This process has led to the development of a world-class building which has been designed to enable staff to deliver the best possible clinical care for children and young people, while also seeking to provide a pleasant environment for staff and families.
379. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health to examine the case of a person (details supplied) who was left to wait almost two hours for an ambulance in extreme pain and discomfort after suffering a fall; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16873/16]
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.
380. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health why a person (details supplied) was not placed on a waiting list for a hip replacement procedure until 13 May 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16874/16]
View answer420. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17121/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 380 and 420 together.
Under 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 specific queries 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.
381. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his views that the figures released indicating that 16% of medical card holders are being prescribed anti-depressants are in line with international norms; if he has concerns over the rate of prescriptions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16876/16]
View answerUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for the administration of the primary care schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to you.
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.
382. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that 80% of blindness incidence is preventable and that five persons per week became blind here in the years 2013 to 2016; if he agrees that investment in cost effective interventions can reduce economic costs; if he is committed to the development and full implementation of a comprehensive national vision strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16904/16]
View answer389. Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Health if he has received correspondence from an organisation (details supplied) which is seeking the development of a strategic approach to the planning and provision of vision health services here; if he will consider the development and implementation of a comprehensive national vision strategy for Ireland; his plans to address these issues at an early date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16961/16]
View answer426. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health his plans to develop and implement a comprehensive national vision strategy as advocated by the National Vision Coalition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17182/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 382, 389 and 426 together.
The Government is committed to providing and developing vision services and supports through health prevention, screening and intervention policies and programmes, all of which contribute to address the priority goal of the World Health Organisation's Vision 2020, namely to eliminate avoidable blindness. The health service is addressing the prevention of eye disease and blindness across the broad range of health services including acute, primary and community based services.
The aim of the National Clinical Programme for Ophthalmology is to ensure equitable and high quality care for ophthalmic patients and to minimise the incidence of needless blindness. The Programme has devised a high level strategy for the delivery of eye care and is of the view that a community based model is most appropriate. This is supportive of the aims of the Primary Care Eye Services Review Group, which was established by the Health Service Executive's Primary Care Division. This Review Group is currently preparing an implementation plan to support its Review. The overall aim of the Review Group is to shift the management of many eye conditions from acute care services to primary care and community services, as appropriate. The Programme for Partnership Government is committed to updating the national eye care plan, including evaluation of the Sligo model for cataract surgery.
People with disabilities, including blind and visually-impaired people, can access specialist disability services, which are provided in a variety of community and residential settings. These may be provided directly by the HSE or in partnership with voluntary service providers such as the National Council for the Blind and the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind.
I have received correspondence from Fighting Blindness in relation to these matters, which I intend to consider in the context of the implementation of the Health commitments in the Programme for Partnership Government and having regard to the funding available to facilitate such measures.
383. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health to release the required funding to the Health Service Executive for extra home help for a person (details supplied). [16908/16]
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.
384. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the completion date of the review of the primary eye care services review group; when he will publicly comment on the outcome of the review; if he will act on the recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16912/16]
View answer440. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the reason for delays in implementing the national eye care plan, which advocates for a shift from a hospital-led model of care, including an increased role for community based optometry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17206/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 384 and 440 together.
The Primary Care Eye Services Review Group, which was established by the HSE, is currently preparing an implementation plan to support its Review. The overall aim of the Review Group is to shift the management of many eye conditions from acute care services to primary care and community services, as appropriate. The Government is committed to updating the national eye care plan, including evaluation of the Sligo model for cataract surgery. These are matters which I intend to consider in the context of the implementation of the Health commitments in the Programme for Government and having regard to the funding available to facilitate such measures.
385. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health if broadband Internet access is available to patients for each public hospital, in tabular form; if this service is available to patients on a majority of wards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16935/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly. 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.
386. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16945/16]
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 HSE, 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.
387. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16946/16]
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 HSE, 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.
388. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16948/16]
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 HSE, 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.
390. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a manual wheelchair to a person (details supplied). [16967/16]
View answerAs the particular issue raised relates to an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to you. 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.
391. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if there are any work placement or internship schemes available within the Health Service Executive for recently qualified psychologists to assist them in attaining the 450 hours practical experience to enable them to become fully accredited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16971/16]
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.
392. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding previous parliamentary questions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16975/16]
View answerWith regard 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.
393. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health to expedite an application by a person (details supplied) under the fair deal scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16976/16]
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.
394. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to restore and ensure that there are appropriate emergency beds available in St. Mary’s, Drumcar, for service users who would otherwise need to leave St. Mary's for one week every month and who are then forced to use private nursing home care which is not always appropriate for their needs. [16981/16]
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, the Deputy can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
395. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health the number of staff working in an institution (details supplied); if this is the full complement of staff required for the number of residents in this unit; if there are plans to add additional staff to this unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16982/16]
View answer396. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health the transport arrangements for residents in an institution (details supplied); the number of vehicles available to this institution; if this unit has a specific allocation of specialised vehicles or is in a share arrangement for use of these vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16983/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 395 and 396 together.
As the Deputy's questions relate to service matters, I have arranged for the questions to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy. If the Deputy has not received replies from the HSE within 15 working days, the Deputy can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
397. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health the policy of the Health Service Executive on receiving transport vehicles (details supplied) that have been sponsored by charitable organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16984/16]
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.
