Written Answers Nos. 186-194
186. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of inpatient rehabilitation beds; the cost of increasing the number of inpatient beds to 270 to meet the needs of the population; the staff that would be needed to staff these beds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21445/16]
View answer207. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of providing an additional 150 inpatient rehabilitation beds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21584/16]
View answer210. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the plans in place to provide four regional inpatient specialist rehabilitation centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21587/16]
View answer211. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the number of inpatient rehabilitation beds outside Dublin and the location of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21588/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 186, 207, 210 and 211 together.
The 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.
As the Deputies' 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 Deputies. If the Deputies have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, they can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
188. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health when he will facilitate a person (details supplied) on a waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21447/16]
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.
189. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health to expedite a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied).; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21456/16]
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.
190. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of the regulation of nursing homes (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21464/16]
View answerThe Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) is an independent statutory authority established to drive high quality and safe care for people using health and social care services in Ireland. Since 2009 all nursing homes whether public or private are registered and inspected by HIQA. This includes a number of nursing homes operated by religious organisations. However, HIQA's remit does not extend to the regulation of residential centres catering for elderly members of religious orders. Under Section 2 of the Health (Nursing Homes) Act 1990, premises in which the majority of the persons being maintained are members of a religious order or priests of any religion are offered an exemption to registration. While there are currently no plans to extend HIQA’s remit to these institutions, I have had discussions on the matter and will look at it again in the future.
To qualify as an approved nursing home for the purposes of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme, a private nursing home will have to:
- be registered and subject to inspection by HIQA;
- reach a written agreement with NTPF on the maximum prices that will be charged for care under the Scheme; and
- be tax compliant.
191. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied) including when the person will receive an appointment. [21465/16]
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.
192. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health to expedite an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21468/16]
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.
193. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied) including when the person may expect an appointment. [21475/16]
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.
194. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health how a panel of independent practitioners which the Health Service Executive has contracted for orthodontic treatment as part of the national procurement process will affect waiting lists in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21489/16]
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.
