Written Answers Nos. 500-514
500. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health his views on whether persons with visual impairments are adequately catered for in the Disability Act 2005; his plans to increase services for those who are blind and visually impaired; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20622/16]
View answer501. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health to consider implementing a comprehensive national vision strategy to address adequately the needs of the 224,000 adults and children here that are blind or visually impaired; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20623/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 500 and 501 together.
Part 2 of the Disability Act 2005 provides for a statutory system for the assessment of individual health and personal social services needs for persons with a disability including those who are blind or who have a visual impairment. This section of the Act was partly commenced in 2007 and currently all children including blind/visually impaired children born on or after 1st June 2002 have been deemed as being eligible to apply for an assessment of need under the Act.
Questions in respect of other aspects of the Disability Act 2005 should be referred to my colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality in the first instance.
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 Programme for a Partnership Government places a particular focus on updating the national eye care plan. On the particular call for a National Vision Strategy, the National Clinical Programme for Ophthalmology is providing the necessary clinical leadership 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.
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.
In relation to the provision of health and personal social services for people who are blind/visually impaired, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the 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.
502. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health his plans to make resources available for diabetes care over multiple years in order that services and planning can be directed in a more strategic way to support patients and provide optimum care. [20624/16]
View answerDiabetes has become an important public health issue for Ireland as diabetes is now one of our most common chronic diseases, affecting nearly 5% of Irish adults and consuming up to 10% of the Irish healthcare budget. A number of strategic developments are now in place as follows: In October, 2015 a Cycle of Care for patients with Type 2 Diabetes who hold a medical card or GP visit card was introduced which will help improve clinical outcomes for patients and reduce complications often experienced with this condition. In February 2016, Comprehensive Diabetes Integrated Care Guidelines for patients with type 2 diabetes were published, which include elements of prevention, treatment and importantly self care and management.
In December 2015 a National model of care for paediatric diabetes was launched which was developed with expert input and is in line with international evidence. The model proposes to organise paediatric diabetes care around Integrated Practice Units, which will consist of one centre of reference and a number of additional units that will undertake all forms of diabetes care. These models of care will be regularly reviewed and evaluated.
The Deputy will be interested to know that an Obesity Policy and Action Plan 2016 - 2025 will be considered by Cabinet shortly which will address the linkage between Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes.
503. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that there is an extremely long waiting list for scoliosis patients to meet with a consultant and that the subsequent waiting list for surgery is also very long; the current waiting list periods; his plans to deal with the waiting list for this debilitating condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20649/16]
View answerScoliosis affects approximately 1% of children and adolescents in Ireland. The management of scoliosis is complex and is determined by the severity of the curvature and skeletal maturity.
The most recent waiting list data for procedures showed, as of 30 June 2016, 189 patients aged 18 and under awaiting a procedure in hospitals in Ireland, specifically at Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin (145), Children's University Hospital Temple Street (33), Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospital (2) and Tallaght Hospital (9). Of these patients, 23 patients were waiting between 12 and 15 months and 21 patients were waiting longer than 15 months.
These long waiting times are not acceptable, and my Department has been working closely with the HSE to address services pressures, particularly in Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin (OLCHC), which is the largest provider of scoliosis surgery for children and young people. Additional funding of €1.042m was allocated under the 2015 Service Plan to increase capacity at OLCHC, and an additional orthopaedic surgeon, anaesthetist, and support staff, are now in place with recruitment of a further additional orthopaedic surgeon underway. Capital funding was also provided for a new theatre on site to expand theatre capacity further, and this is currently being commissioned. The Children's Hospital Group is proactively working on nurse recruitment to support the opening of the new theatre.
In the interim, significant external capacity was sourced in 2015 for OLCHC patients and 66 patients have been treated at other hospitals, including the Blackrock Clinic and the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore, UK. Further potential for additional external capacity to address waiting times is being examined. My Department will continue to work with the HSE and the relevant hospitals to ensure improvements in access to spinal surgery.
504. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae 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. [20653/16]
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.
505. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will transfer a property in County Longford back to its original owner (details supplied). [20656/16]
View answerI must advise you that the Health Service Executive is required to obtain value for money when disposing of surplus property assets. Proceeds of disposals of surplus assets are re-invested in delivering much needed health care infrastructure. 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.
The HSE's Estate Office in Tullamore should be contacted if the person wishes to progress the matter further. The contact details are - HSE Estates, Central Office, Arden Road, Tullamore Co Offaly; Tel 057-935-9965.
506. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he will consider introducing a health amendment card for Magdalen laundry survivors; to define the entitlements under the current scheme particularly in respect of aids, appliances and medicines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20665/16]
View answerAs part of a support package, including a range of financial payments, that was approved by Government for former residents of Magdalen Laundries, eligibility for health services for the Magdalen women is provided by the Redress for Women Resident in Certain Institutions Act 2015. The Act sets out the primary and community health services made available, free of charge, to qualifying women. The health services included in the legislation are: a general practitioner service; prescribed drugs, medicines, aids and appliances; dental, ophthalmic and aural services; home nursing; home support; chiropody; physiotherapy; and counselling services. In addition, the prescription fee is not be payable for all medicines, medical devices or other medical products that are reimbursed by the community drug schemes. A specific card has been issued to the qualifying women so that they can access the health services they require without charge, as set out in the Act.
The Deputy may be aware that the Health (Amendment) Act 1996 (HAA) provides primary and community health services for people who contracted Hepatitis C from the use of State blood or blood products. The HAA card was introduced to ensure that people infected by Hepatitis C would be able to access primary and community services to help treat the symptoms of Hepatitis C, irrespective of whether they qualified for a medical card or not.
507. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has been waiting 14 months for an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20666/16]
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.
508. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health if assistance will be provided to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20670/16]
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.
509. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health regarding the coroner's inquest, the Health Information and Quality Authority report and the internal and external reviews into the death of a person (details supplied) to outline in detail and in tabular form the number of recommendations that have emanated from these reviews, specifically each of those recommendations; the recommendations that have been implemented; the number of recommendations that remain to be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20676/16]
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.
For the Deputy's information, the National Clinical Effectiveness Committee (NCEC) has endorsed and published a number of Clinical Guidelines for the health system, arising from the Galway Report, including an Early Warning System (EWS) (February 2013) Guideline for the deteriorating patient, Maternity Early Warning Score Guideline (2014) specifically for maternity patients and a Sepsis Guideline (2014). Monitoring of implementation of the Guidelines is a continuing process by the HSE.
510. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the number of positions on the boards of bodies and agencies under the aegis of his Department; the number of vacant positions; when each vacancy occurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20686/16]
View answerThe nomination and appointment process for boards of bodies under the aegis of my Department is set out in legislation. In line with Government Decision S180/20/10/1617 of 2014 and Guidelines set out by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform relating to the advertising for expressions of interest in vacancies on State Boards, my Department in conjunction with the Public Appointments Service currently advertises for board vacancies as they arise, where I, as Minister for Health, have nominating rights under relevant legislation. I also appoint members on the nomination of various bodies, again in accordance with the relevant legislation.
The following tables set out the information requested by the Deputy.
|
Board |
Number of positions on the board as per legislation |
Number of vacant positions |
Date vacancy occurred |
|
Beaumont Hospital Board |
15 |
4 |
Decision made in 2013 that number of positions would reduce to 11. |
|
Consultative Council on Hepatitis C |
8 |
2 |
Positive Action no longer members of the Council. |
|
Dental Council |
19 |
Nil |
N/A |
|
Dietitians Registration Board |
13 |
4 |
Feb/March ‘16 |
|
Dublin Dental Hospital Board |
14 |
3 |
One in May '15, One in April '16 and One in July '16. |
|
Food Safety Authority of Ireland |
10 |
Nil |
N/A |
|
Heath and Social Care Professionals Council |
29 |
8 |
March ‘16 |
|
Health Information and Quality Authority |
12 |
Nil |
N/A |
|
Health Insurance Authority |
5 |
Nil |
N/A |
|
Health Products Regulatory Authority |
9 |
Nil |
N/A |
|
Health Research Board |
10 |
Nil |
N/A |
|
Hepatitis C and HIV Compensation Tribunal |
15 |
7 |
Agreement that 8 members are adequate to assess cases. |
|
Irish Blood Transfusion Service Board |
12 |
Nil |
N/A |
|
Leopardstown Park Hospital Board |
7 |
Nil |
N/A |
|
Medical Council |
25 |
Nil |
N/A |
|
Mental Health Commission |
13 |
Nil |
N/A |
|
National Cancer Registry |
7 |
Nil |
N/A |
|
National Committee for the Protection of Animals used for Scientific Purposes |
10 |
Nil |
N/A |
|
National Haemophilia Council |
11 |
Nil |
N/A |
|
National Paediatric Hospital Development Board |
13 |
1 |
June 2014 |
|
National Treatment Purchase Fund |
9 |
Nil |
N/A |
|
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland |
23 |
Nil |
N/A |
|
Occupational Therapists Registration Board |
13 |
6 |
Feb – July ‘16 |
|
Optical Registration Board |
13 |
Nil |
N/A |
|
Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland Council |
21 |
Nil |
N/A |
|
Physiotherapists Registration Board |
13 |
3 |
May/June '16 |
|
Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council |
17 |
8 |
June ‘16 |
|
Radiographers Registration Board |
13 |
2 |
Jan '16 |
|
Social Care Workers Registration Board |
13 |
Nil |
N/A |
|
Social Workers Registration Board |
13 |
1 |
Mar '16 |
|
Speech and Language Therapists Registration Board |
13 |
4 |
Feb - Apr '16 |
|
St. James’s Hospital Board |
15 |
3 |
Decision made in 2013 that number of positions would reduce to 11. |
|
Tallaght Hospital Board |
11 |
Nil |
N/A |
|
Voluntary Health Insurance Board |
12 |
1 |
PAS process to be undertaken |
|
Total |
456 |
59 |
The Hospital Group Boards have been set up on an administrative basis. In relation to Hospital Group Board appointments, Chairs are in place for all Hospital Groups, and Board members were appointed to three out of seven hospital groups - Saolta University Healthcare Group, UL Hospitals Group and the Children’s Hospital Group. The terms of office of the Saolta University Healthcare Group and UL Hospitals Group Boards are shortly due to expire. Given the scale of the change process involved in implementing Hospital Groups, the Hospital Group Boards must be populated with individuals with the expertise and competencies necessary to deliver on the strategic and change management agenda. My Department will shortly advertise, through the Public Appointments Service process, for nominees to all of the Hospital Group Boards excluding the Children's Hospital Group and I expect to be in a position to appoint Board members in the Autumn.
|
Board |
Number of positions on the board as per legislation |
Number of vacant positions |
|
Children’s Hospital Group Board |
12 |
1 |
|
South/South West Hospitals Group Board |
12 |
11 |
|
University of Limerick Hospital Group Board |
12 |
6 |
|
Dublin Midlands Hospital Group Board |
12 |
11 |
|
Ireland East Hospital Group Board |
12 |
11 |
|
Saolta University Healthcare Group Board |
12 |
7 |
|
RCSI Hospital Group Board |
12 |
11 |
|
Total |
84 |
58 |
511. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the reason the issuing of letters to persons has been outsourced in some areas by the Health Service Executive; the number of administrative staff employed by the HSE; the costs incurred in contracting the outsourced company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20741/16]
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.
513. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Health if those receiving a pension from the United Kingdom and living here will still be entitled to a non-means-tested medical card despite the United Kingdom no longer being part of the European Union, as in the case of a person (details supplied). [20750/16]
View answerRegulation (EC) 883/2004 deals with the coordination of social security, including health care, for those moving within the European Union. Under its provisions, persons residing in Ireland who are attached to the social security system of another member state, are entitled to receive health care services in Ireland at the cost of that member state provided they are not subject to Irish social security legislation. Persons in this category are entitled to full eligibility and receive a medical card as evidence of their entitlement.
The result of the recent EU Referendum in the UK means that the UK electorate have declared their wish to leave the EU. It is important to be clear that the UK has not yet left the EU. Until it formally withdraws from the Union, it remains a full Member, with all of its existing rights and obligations.
I wish to assure the Deputy that there will be no immediate changes in the area of health as a consequence of the UK’s decision to leave the EU. Health cooperation between the UK and Ireland will not be affected in the immediate term. Arrangements are in place, building on an already completed initial risk assessment plan, to consider any longer-term implications of the referendum result.
514. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if there are positions available within the field of health and safety specialists; and if persons who are fully qualified in this field have been refused employment. [20759/16]
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.
