Brendan Smith
Question:51. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the proposals there are to increase the number of home help hours in counties Cavan and Monaghan. [20979/16]
View answerHome Help Service Provision
Questions (51)
Written answers
As 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.
Mental Health Services
Questions (52)
Jackie Cahill
Question:52. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health if he will review with the Health Service Executive the decision to transfer all psychiatric beds from County Tipperary to Kilkenny and Ennis, County Clare, as this is clearly not working on the evidence provided by staff of the service in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20600/16]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If you have not received a reply within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (53)
Anne Rabbitte
Question:53. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the reason for the substantial increase between December 2015 and May 2016 in the number of outpatients waiting more than a year for a consultation in University Hospital Galway. [20971/16]
View answerWritten answers
A key challenge for our health system is ensuring timely access to health services. This Government recognises that a sustained commitment to improving waiting times is required, with a particular focus on those waiting longest.
While waiting list numbers nationally have increased in the first half of the year, this must be seen in the context of increased demand for care in our health system. There has been a 4% increase in inpatient and day-case activity in acute hospitals and an almost 6% increase in attendances at EDs in comparison with last year. The key issue for patients is how long they wait. Approximately 60% of patients wait less than 6 months for a required outpatient appointment or inpatient/day-case procedures.
Regarding 2016, my Department is currently engaging with the NTPF and the HSE in finalising a dedicated waiting list initiative focussed on endoscopy. In addition, my Department has asked the HSE to implement an action plan addressing waiting times with hospitals and Hospital Groups. This will focus on improving chronological scheduling, clinical and administrative validation of lists and optimising existing capacity.
The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to €15m funding for the NTPF in 2017 to address waiting lists for those waiting longest, as part of a continued investment of €50m per year to reduce waiting times. My Department is currently engaging with the NTPF and the HSE to deliver on the Programme's waiting list commitments.
In relation to waiting lists in University Hospital Galway 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.
Health Services Data
Questions (54)
Martin Ferris
Question:54. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that there is an adequate number of intensive care beds to make full use of the recent announcement of the investment in the all-island Congenital Heart Disease Network over the next five years; if this initiative and these beds will be fully staffed; the number of additional staff that will be employed as part of this; if contracts have been signed; the duration of these contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20939/16]
View answerWritten answers
An All-Island Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) Network has been developed to ensure that all of the children and young people on the island of Ireland can access world class specialist care. The CHD Network Board prepared a business case for the development of the Network which I have approved in principle.
At present children from Northern Ireland requiring emergency surgical cardiology intervention are receiving services in Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin (OLCHC). The Business Case sets out a plan for the phased transfer of all urgent cases from Northern Ireland to OLCHC between now and the end of 2017 and the transfer of elective cases by the end of 2018.
In order to facilitate this increase in service an increase in Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) capacity will be required. This will involve the opening of currently unopened PICU beds and the proposed addition of a three-bed modular extension to the PICU unit.
As part of the Business Case for the All-island CHD Network, resources approved for 2016 under the HSE National Service Plan included 19 clinical staff and 6 administrative and portering staff. Of these 13 staff have been recruited on permanent contracts and recruitment procedures continue for the remainder.
Cross-Border Health Services Provision
Questions (55)
Imelda Munster
Question:55. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health the health services that have been sought by persons who have accessed health care under the European Union cross-border health care directive in another European Union and European Economic Area member state in each year since Directive 2011/24/EU was transposed; if he will provide this information in terms of the most common services, treatments and procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20927/16]
View answerWritten answers
The Health Service Executive operates the EU Directive on Patients’ Rights in Cross Border Healthcare in Ireland. The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine the matter of the data requested and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (56)
Seán Haughey
Question:56. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health the reason for the substantial increase between December 2015 and May 2016 in the number of outpatients waiting more than a year for a consultation in the Mater Hospital, Dublin 7. [20969/16]
View answerWritten answers
A key challenge for our health system is ensuring timely access to health services. This Government recognises that a sustained commitment to improving waiting times is required, with a particular focus on those waiting longest.
While waiting list numbers nationally have increased in the first half of the year, this must be seen in the context of increased demand for care in our health system. There has been a 4% increase in inpatient and day-case activity in acute hospitals and an almost 6% increase in attendances at EDs in comparison with last year. The key issue for patients is how long they wait. Approximately 60% of patients wait less than 6 months for a required outpatient appointment or inpatient/day-case procedures.
Regarding 2016, my Department is currently engaging with the NTPF and the HSE in finalising a dedicated waiting list initiative focussed on endoscopy. In addition, my Department has asked the HSE to implement an action plan addressing waiting times with hospitals and Hospital Groups. This will focus on improving chronological scheduling, clinical and administrative validation of lists and optimising existing capacity.
The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to €15m funding for the NTPF in 2017 to address waiting lists for those waiting longest, as part of a continued investment of €50m per year to reduce waiting times. My Department is currently engaging with the NTPF and the HSE to deliver on the Programme's waiting list commitments.
In relation to waiting lists at the Mater Hospital, 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 Trusts
Questions (57)
Jack Chambers
Question:57. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health to halt the devolution of control of hospitals to trusts as part of the new ten-year health plan; and his plans to put hospital trusts on a statutory basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20452/16]
View answerWritten answers
The establishment of Hospital Groups represents a very significant reform of our hospital services. As I have stated previously, I intend to continue to implement Hospital Groups on an administrative basis. An Oireachtas All-Party Committee has been established to develop a single long-term vision for healthcare over a 10 year period. I think it important that those discussions are progressed before we give further consideration to the issue of establishing Hospital Groups on a legislative basis.
Until the legislation is advanced, Hospital Groups will continue to operate within the existing policy and accountability frameworks of the Department of Health and the HSE.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (58)
Seán Haughey
Question:58. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health the reason for the substantial increase between December 2015 and May 2016 in the number of outpatients waiting more than a year for a consultation in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9. [20968/16]
View answerWritten answers
A key challenge for our health system is ensuring timely access to health services. This Government recognises that a sustained commitment to improving waiting times is required, with a particular focus on those waiting longest.
While waiting list numbers have increased nationally in the first half of the year, this must be seen in the context of increased demand for care in our health system. There has been a 4% increase in inpatient and day-case activity in acute hospitals and an almost 6% increase in attendances at EDs in comparison with last year. The key issue for patients is how long they wait. Approximately 60% of patients wait less than 6 months for a required outpatient appointment or inpatient/day-case procedures.
Regarding 2016, my Department is currently engaging with the NTPF and the HSE in finalising a dedicated waiting list initiative focussed on endoscopy. In addition, my Department has asked the HSE to implement an action plan addressing waiting times with hospitals and Hospital Groups. This will focus on improving chronological scheduling, clinical and administrative validation of lists and optimising existing capacity.
The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to €15m funding for the NTPF in 2017 to address waiting lists for those waiting longest, as part of a continued investment of €50m per year to reduce waiting times. My Department is currently engaging with the NTPF and the HSE to deliver on the Programme's waiting list commitments.
In relation to the waiting lists in Beaumont Hospital, 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.
Hospitals Building Programme
Questions (59)
Marc MacSharry
Question:59. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health the status of development plans for Sligo University Hospital. [20989/16]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Abortion Services Provision
Questions (60, 100)
Paul Murphy
Question:60. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied that the level of abortion services provided under the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act 2015, as recently reported to the Houses of the Oireachtas, is sufficient to guarantee the highest standard of health care to women here. [20998/16]
View answer
Mick Barry
Question:100. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Health his views on whether women's health is adequately protected given the restrictions on health care for pregnant women in view of the eighth amendment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20999/16]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 60 and 100 together.
The main purpose of the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act 2013 is to restate the general prohibition on abortion in Ireland while regulating access to lawful termination of pregnancy in accordance with the X case and the judgment of the European Court of Human rights in the A, B and C v Ireland case. Its purpose is to confer procedural rights on a woman who believes she has a life-threatening condition, so that she can have certainty as to whether she requires this treatment or not.
The objectives of these procedures are, firstly, to ensure that, where lawful termination of pregnancy is under consideration, the right to life of both the unborn and the mother are respected and afforded protection, in accordance with constitutional requirements, and secondly to ensure that a woman can ascertain by means of a clear process whether she is entitled to medical treatment to which the Act applies.
The purpose of the legislation is not to regulate obstetric procedures which do not constitute termination of pregnancy, or to dictate the practice of obstetrics.
The Department is committed to high quality maternity services and published the first Maternity Strategy earlier this year entitled Creating a Better Future Together.
The strategy sets out the vision for the future of Ireland’s maternity services - one which places women and families at the centre of all services and ensures that they have access to safe, high quality maternity care, in a setting that is most appropriate to their needs.
Home Help Service Provision
Questions (61)
Marc MacSharry
Question:61. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health his proposals to increase the number of home help hours in counties Sligo, Leitrim, west Cavan and south Donegal. [20990/16]
View answerWritten answers
As 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.
Home Help Service
Questions (62)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:62. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the reason when a person is in need of home help hours and is awarded the hours these hours cannot be accessed due to a lack of availability among private care companies that are recommended by the Health Service Executive; the alternatives in place to ensure that the much-needed hours are made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20704/16]
View answerWritten answers
As 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.
Home Help Service Provision
Questions (63)
Mary Butler
Question:63. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health his plans for a systematic and sustained increase in the provision of home care for older persons. [20965/16]
View answerWritten answers
The HSE’s National Service Plan for 2016 provides for a target of 10.4 million Home Help Hours to support about 47,800 people. It also provides for 15,450 Home Care Packages and 130 Intensive Home Care Packages for clients with complex needs. A further 60 clients with dementia will be supported with co-funding from Atlantic Philanthropies under the Irish National Dementia Strategy.
Home support services across the country are being stretched by demands from more people, and for more hours at times outside of core hours, in the evenings and at weekends, all of which cost more. Activity in the first quarter of 2016 was ahead of the same period last year as efforts continued to alleviate pressure on the acute hospital system.
I am delighted that the Government has been able to respond to this demand by providing an extra €40m for home care in 2016. As a result, not only are we maintaining home care services at 2015 levels, but increasing them.
The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to increasing provision for home care in the years ahead. The planning and management of future health expenditure will be considered as part of the annual estimates and budgetary process which seeks to balance available funding across all of service areas to achieve the best possible outcomes for the greatest number of service users and prioritise areas of greatest need. I am confident that with continued economic growth, we will be able to further expand services to older people based on effective use of existing resources and additional funding.
General Practitioner Services
Questions (64)
Fiona O'Loughlin
Question:64. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health his plans to alleviate the pressures on general practitioners in County Kildare in the view of the introduction of free general practitioner care for the under-sixes. [20993/16]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, 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 the Executive.