Written Answers Nos. 202-210
202. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the status of replacement operation theatres and a critical care unit for the Midland Regional Hospital in Mullingar including where this project is positioned on the capital programme. [21831/16]
View answerSufficient funding has been made available in the Capital Plan to appraise and begin the design feasibility of future infrastructural developments at the hospital. Each hospital group will be required to develop a strategic plan to describe how it will provide more efficient and effective patient services and reorganise its services to provide optimal care to the populations it serves. Any future capital investment at the Midland Regional Hospital Mullingar must be considered within the context of future service developments and associated investment in the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group, within the overall acute hospital sector infrastructure programme, and also within the overall capital envelope available to the health service.
In the meantime investment in the hospital infrastructure at the Midland Regional Hospital Mullingar is ongoing. Construction has been completed on the project to refurbish the Emergency Department. This included the refurbishment of the existing ED to modern standards and to deliver improved operational efficiencies, a dedicated paediatric waiting area, a waiting area for adults and an upgrade of the public concourse. The refurbished facility is being opened on a phased basis; phase 1 is operational and phase 2 is imminent. There are also capital funded minor projects recently completed and underway. The HSE is concentrating on applying the funding available for infrastructure development in the most effective way possible to meet current and future needs.
203. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the number of whole-time equivalent nursing staff in Midlands Regional Hospital, Mullingar, in 2015 and 2016. [21833/16]
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.
204. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the amount the Midlands Regional Hospital in Mullingar, County Westmeath, spent on agency nursing in each of the years 2011 to 2016 to date in tabular form. [21834/16]
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.
205. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the number of home help hours provided in counties Longford and Westmeath in each of the years 2011 to 2016 to date in tabular form. [21835/16]
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.
206. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide alternative services in the areas previously served by Console; and if he will engage with other charity groups in these areas to ensure the service users are not left without a service. [21836/16]
View answerConsole provides counselling, therapy and support to people who have been bereaved by suicide. It operates a national Freephone 24/7 Helpline and provides counselling and therapy at Console centre or outreach locations in several centres countrywide.
All of Console’s services are delivered by fully qualified and accredited counsellors, psychotherapists or psychologists who operate to strict procedural and ethical guidelines and under strict clinical supervision. Its counsellors and therapists are experienced in addressing trauma, loss, crisis intervention and complicated grief.
The HSE audit into Console was initiated in April 2015 by the National Office for Suicide Prevention following an examination of the 2013 returns from Console to the HSE, which were received in late 2014. The HSE has confirmed that concerns arose in a number of areas, including in relation to the corporate governance and financial management of the agency. It should be noted, however, that the HSE has informed the Department of Health that it has not uncovered any issues with the standard of the Console services funded by the Executive. The audit process has been concluded and an audit report sent to the HSE’s Mental Health Division.
Ministers Harris & McEntee were briefed on 4 July 2016 by the HSE Mental Health Division on the HSE audit of Console. At this meeting, both Ministers emphasised that the continuation of services was an over-riding priority.
On 7 July 2016, a series of meetings were held involving the HSE, Department of Health, Ministerial Advisers, Charities Regulator, service providers and the Interim CEO of Console. The purpose of the meetings was to clarify the current position with respect to Console and to consider how arrangements could be put in place to ensure the seamless continuation of the three services funded by the HSE currently provided by Console; the 24/7 Suicide Helpline, the Suicide Bereavement Liaison Service, and the Suicide Bereavement Counselling Service.
Ministers Harris & McEntee met with Console’s Interim CEO on 8 July and since then work has continued to ensure that the services provided by Console are continued.
HSE management has assured the Department of Health that its first priority will be to ensure continuity of the various services provided by Console, having equal regard to the financial controls and the guidelines around the funding of agencies by the HSE.
207. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health to provide day care hours for a person (details supplied). [21838/16]
View answerThe Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.
As the issue raised by the Deputy relates to an individual case, this is a service matter for the Health Service Executive. I have asked the HSE to look into the particular matter raised and to reply directly 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.
208. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if he will provide funding for a long-term care plan for a person (details supplied); the number of persons on the waiting list for disability services in counties Carlow and Kilkenny; his plans to eliminate the waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21841/16]
View answerThe Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (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.
209. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the action his Department and the Health Service Executive will take following a meeting with a person (details supplied); if the HSE has drawn up a specific plan of action on the issues raised at this meeting on 5 February, 2016; if contact was made with the person since this meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21843/16]
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.
210. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if he will arrange an early date for an operation for a person (details supplied) which has been deemed urgent by their general practitioner and consultant; the reason this operation was not carried out in December 2014 as promised, when the urgency of the case was highlighted on an ongoing basis by their general practitioner; if he will insist on an early date, as the stress and anxiety of the wait is causing further distress and worry to the person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21844/16]
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.
