Written Answers Nos. 535-557
535. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the number of purpose built theatres in Cork University Hospital for gynaecology surgery; and the number of hours each are used for each of the past six months [19403/16]
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.
536. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive occupational therapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19405/16]
View answerAs this is a service issue, this question 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 them.
538. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will be given treatment at an available clinic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19438/16]
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.
539. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health when a medical device will be supplied to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19441/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter, 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 them.
540. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health when a medical device will be supplied to a person (details supplied)); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19442/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter, 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 them.
541. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when he will arrange an appointment for speech and language therapy for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19443/16]
View answerAs this is a service issue, this question 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 them.
542. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the progress made with regard to the development of a new implementation framework for the reconfiguration and development of neuro-rehabilitation services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19445/16]
View answerThe Programme for Partnership Government places a particular focus on a number of key programmes and strategies including publishing a plan for advancing Neuro-rehabilitation services in the community. Currently a steering group led by the Health Service Executive Social Care Division has drafted an implementation framework for the National Policy & Strategy for Neuro-rehabilitation Services, which will guide and oversee the reconfiguration and development of Neuro-rehabilitation structures and services at national and local level.
The National Policy & Strategy for the Provision of Neuro-rehabilitation Services in Ireland Report made a number of recommendations for services for people with neuro rehabilitation needs. Following the development of the Neuro-rehabilitation Policy & Strategy, the Health Service Executive established the Clinical Programme on Rehabilitation Medicine Programme. The scope of the Rehabilitation Medicine Programme covers the whole of the patient journey from self-management and prevention through primary, secondary and tertiary care and provide a national, strategic and coordinated approach to a wide range of clinical services. The Rehabilitation Medicine Programme has almost completed the Model of Care for the provision of specialist rehabilitation services in Ireland, which will be the basis for the delivery of services.
Alongside these developments, the Government announced a major development of the National Rehabilitation Hospital which will deliver a purpose built hospital on the site with 120 beds and include support therapies, paediatric and acquired brain injury wards, a hydrotherapy unit and a sports hall.
543. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when he will provide an operation for a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay in issuing a date for this procedure; if the person can undergo the procedure on the treatment purchase fund scheme or in any other way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19446/16]
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.
544. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the status of a case (details supplied); his views on the issues raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19484/16]
View answerThe CEO of the RCSI hospital group has confirmed to me that Ms Angela Fitzgerald, Deputy National Director, Acute Hospital Division is dealing directly with the concerns raised. As a result of this I have referred this matter to 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.
546. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if the work of palliative care teams will be extended to include end of life patients with dementia and Alzheimer's disease; the funding made available by his Department and the Health Service Executive for such services in the past three years; and if he will support such a request. [19494/16]
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.
547. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if he will publish the full report of an investigation into the damage caused to children while under the care of the public orthodontic services; if he will publish the results of the examination of 6,000 clients' charts relative to the investigation; if he is satisfied that those children affected have been recalled to rectify any issues that might have been identified; the action his Department has taken since concerns were first raised in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19496/16]
View answerThe provision of orthodontic services is an operational matter for which the HSE has responsibility. I am informed by the HSE that a statement of concern regarding Orthodontic Services in the Dublin area during the period 1999 to 2000 is being examined by the HSE in accordance with normal look-back procedures. This arises due to concerns expressed by a clinician in relation to the care provided. The review is being overseen by a multi-disciplinary team and supported by external orthodontic expertise. The initial examination of 6,000 patient charts has been protracted due to the paper-based nature of the files and the passage of time, but is almost complete. The initial indications are that alternative care arrangements, including private care arrangements, were provided by the Eastern Regional Health Authority. However, as not all records are complete, the HSE plans to arrange physical dental examinations for 50 of the patients to ensure that all matters were followed up appropriately. It is the HSE's intention to publish the report as soon as the examinations of this statement of concern are concluded.
548. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an early date for a procedure at Cork University Hospital will be arranged for a person (details supplied) given the fact that the person attended the hospital for injections and an assessment almost three months ago and is three years waiting for the procedure. [19497/16]
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.
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.
549. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if a walker frame for outdoor use will be approved for a person (details supplied). [19499/16]
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.
550. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if there is currently a full-time endocrinologist in place at Letterkenny University Hospital for the treatment of adult diabetes patients; the waiting times for persons to receive an appointment with the endocrinologist at the hospital, specifically regarding those waiting for three months, six months, nine months,12 months or greater then 12 months, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19505/16]
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.
551. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to have a person (details supplied) admitted immediately for a procedure at Tallaght hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19519/16]
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.
552. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an application for medical equipment by a person (details supplied). [19525/16]
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.
553. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health if the treatment abroad scheme can be considered by families seeking treatment in the USA given that the best treatment is available there for a condition (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19530/16]
View answerThe HSE operates the Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS) for persons entitled to treatment in another EU/EEA Member State or Switzerland under EU Regulation (EC) No. 883/2004, as per the procedures set out in EU Regulations (EC) No. 987/2009, and in accordance with Department of Health Guidelines. Patients apply to the HSE TAS seeking access to public healthcare outside the State through model form E112. The application requires the patient's Irish-based public referring hospital consultant, following clinical assessment, to certify, among other things, that the treatment is medically necessary and will meet the patient’s needs. 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.
There is no statutory framework for referral of patients outside the EU/EEA member states. In the instance that a consultant wishes to refer a patient to a non-EU/EEA country e.g. the USA, the HSE TAS applies the TAS administrative process and documentation for the purposes of such applications. Such applications for treatment in non-EU/EEA countries are required to provide evidence that treatment is not available within the EU/EEA.
554. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of the working group set up in 2005 with the aim of developing standards in all residential care settings and if this does not mean all homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19533/16]
View answerThe Health Service Executive was responsible for inspecting private nursing homes up to 2009 when statutory responsibility was given to the Health Information and Quality Authority for the registration and inspection of certain categories of designated centres, including nursing homes for older people. The definition of a designated centre is set out in the Health Act 2007 and there are a number of exceptions included in that definition.
Prior to the introduction of statutory regulation, in 2007 the Minister for Health and Children published a set of draft national standards for residential care. As the inspection function was be taken over by HIQA, the draft standards were formally referred to the Authority for consultation and finalisation. HIQA established a Working Group to finalise the draft standards which included a public consultation process.
The National Standards were approved by the Minister in 2009. They have since been reviewed and revised National Standards came into effect in 2016.
555. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health if he will allocate additional funding to ensure that new applicants can avail of home help assistance and home care packages; the present funding arrangements for both schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19534/16]
View answerThe HSE provides home support services, either directly or through service agreements with private and voluntary sector providers, to assist older people to live independently in their own homes. In addition to the mainstream Home Help Service, enhanced home care is provided through the Home Care Packages (HCP) Scheme. The core resources allocated for these services in 2016 were in the region of €304m. A further €27m is held in the Primary Care Directorate providing posts such as nursing, case managers, therapy posts and aids and appliances to assist older people to remain at home.
The revised health estimate for 2016 has increased the resources available for home care services by €40m; of which €20m will be allocated to ensure that the 10.4 million home help hours, 15,450 home care packages, 130 intensive home care packages and 313 transitional care beds provided in 2015 are maintained; €10m will ensure that the rate of service allocation can be maintained during the summer months; and €10m has been ring fenced for home care as part of the new winter initiative. The targets for 2016 will be reviewed in light of these extra resources.
556. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of applications for home help hours applied for in Dublin city by area; the number of those applications which qualified for home help hours; and the number provided to those who qualify for home help. [19536/16]
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.
