Michael Healy-Rae
Question:177. 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. [21418/16]
View answerHospital Appointments Status
Questions (177)
Written answers
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 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.
Health and Social Care Professionals Registration Boards
Questions (178)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:178. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of the title of physical therapist (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21423/16]
View answerWritten answers
By end 2018, the title of "physiotherapist" is due to be protected, under the provisions of Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005, for the exclusive use of registrants of the physiotherapists register. In addition, and in order to eliminate an ongoing risk of title confusion and consequent risks to public safety, I intend to make regulations under the Act to prescribe the title of physical therapist as a variant of the title of physiotherapist thereby protecting both titles.
I also intend to amend the Act to facilitate existing users of the title of physical therapist who are not qualified physiotherapists but who are graduates of the Institute of Physical Therapy and Applied Science, Dublin, or who hold equivalent qualifications, to continue to use the title. New and separate grand parenting provisions will be introduced to permit such practitioners to register, on a once-off basis and for a limited period, in the physiotherapists register.
My Department is preparing the necessary legislation to give effect to the detail of these decisions which have been communicated to the Physiotherapists Registration Board and other interested parties.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (179)
John Brassil
Question:179. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health to expedite appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21429/16]
View answerWritten answers
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.
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.
National Treatment Purchase Fund
Questions (180)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:180. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when he will provide an appointment for an operation for a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay; if the person can undergo the procedure under the National Treatment Purchase Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21435/16]
View answerWritten answers
The NTPF previously arranged for the provision of hospital treatment to classes of persons determined by the Minister. Since 2011 this function has been suspended. Currently, in accordance with Reg 4(1) of the NTPF Board (Establishment) Order 2004, the NTPF carries out activities in respect of data and analytics, audit and quality assurance of waiting lists and pricing under the Nursing Home Support Scheme.
The NTPF supports the management of in-patient, day-case and outpatient waiting lists, by working with the HSE to assist hospitals in developing local demand and capacity planning and providing technical guidance materials to ensure the highest standard of data quality and practice.
The expertise amassed by the NTPF in respect of waiting lists has proven invaluable in assisting the HSE to administer previous waiting list initiatives and in carrying out smaller-scale targeted initiatives in areas such as endoscopy.
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.
Regarding 2016, my Department is currently engaging with the NTPF and the HSE in finalising a dedicated waiting list initiative focussed on endoscopy. The future role of the NTPF will be considered in the context of wider health reform.
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 Appointments Delays
Questions (181)
Brendan Griffin
Question:181. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the additional resources necessary (detail supplied) to address the unacceptable waiting times for cataract surgeries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21436/16]
View answerWritten answers
The Deputy will be aware that 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.
Improving waiting times for planned or scheduled care for all patients is a key priority for the HSE, my Department and for the Government. To this end a Scheduled Care Governance Group has been established in the HSE to coordinate key initiatives to reduce waiting times and the number of patients awaiting treatment. My Department is also engaging with the HSE regarding the development of an Action Plan to address waiting times. Individual hospitals will be required to develop process improvement plans which will focus on improving chronological scheduling, validating waiting lists and ensuring that existing capacity is optimised and maximised. The Action Plan will be implemented over the remainder of 2016.
In relation to the individual question 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.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (182)
Robert Troy
Question:182. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a hospital appointment for a person (detail supplied). [21437/16]
View answerWritten answers
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.
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.
General Medical Services Scheme
Questions (183)
Kathleen Funchion
Question:183. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health the action the Health Service Executive took in respect of a centre (details supplied) where patients covered by the medical card scheme are still being charged €10 for routine blood tests, given that the Minister of State at his Department previously stated that it was not acceptable for such patients and patients covered under the general practitioner-visit card scheme to be charged for procedures associated with routine diagnosis and treatment. [21438/16]
View answerWritten answers
Persons covered by the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme should not be charged for routine phlebotomy services provided by their GP, or the Practice Nurse on behalf of the GP, which are required to either assist in the diagnosis of illness or the treatment of a condition.
In relation to the specific case mentioned, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this issue. 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.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (184)
John Brassil
Question:184. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health if he will urgently examine and expedite a referral of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21442/16]
View answerWritten answers
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.
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.
Neuro-Rehabilitation Services
Questions (185, 187, 208, 209)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:185. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the progress being made to date on the development of an implementation plan for the neuro-rehabilitation policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21444/16]
View answerLouise O'Reilly
Question:187. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of community neuro-rehabilitation teams here; the number of staff and the services as part of these teams; the cost of increasing the number of these teams to include one in each local health office and to provide staffing for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21446/16]
View answer
Margaret Murphy O'Mahony
Question:208. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health to provide for each community health care organisation, the number of staff in community neuro-rehabilitation teams in each in tabular form; the specific medical or health-care posts in each team in each community health care organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21585/16]
View answerMargaret Murphy O'Mahony
Question:209. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the funding provided in each year since 2011 for the implementation of the neuro-rehabilitation policy; the outcomes and improvements in services achieved by this funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21586/16]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 185, 187, 208 and 209 together.
The Programme for Partnership Government places a particular focus on a number of key programmes and strategies including the publication of 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 and 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. Community-based specialist Neuro-rehabilitation Teams will form part of these developments.
The National Policy and Strategy for the Provision of Neuro-rehabilitation Services in Ireland Report made a number of recommendations for services with neuro-rehabilitation needs. Following the development of the Neuro rehabilitation Policy and Strategy, the Health Service Executive established the Clinical Programme on Rehabilitation Medicine. 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 provides a national, strategic and co-ordinated 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.
As the Deputies' questions relate to service matters, I have arranged for the Deputies' questions to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for detailed replies directly to the Deputies. If the Deputies have not received replies from the HSE within 15 working days, they can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.