Alan Kelly
Question:620. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health his plans to publish the review carried out into the previous national intercultural health strategy 2007-2012; and the timeline for its publication [22264/16]
View answerHealth Strategies
Questions (620)
Written answers
As the National Intercultural Health Strategy 2007-2012 was a Health Service Executive document, the question has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days he should contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
Traveller Community
Questions (621)
Alan Kelly
Question:621. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if he will consider commissioning a new study into the health care of members of the Traveller community on a similar basis to the 2010 all-Ireland Traveller health study; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22265/16]
View answerWritten answers
My Department does not currently have plans to update the All Ireland Traveller Health Study. The Department of Justice and Equality is leading on the development of a new National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy. The Strategy aims to provide a set of specific actions that need to be taken to bring about a real improvement in quality of life for Travellers and Roma. It is intended that the Strategy will include agreed actions in relation to improving the health of travellers. The Strategy is expected to be completed later in 2016 and will cover the period up to 2020.
National Drugs Strategy Implementation
Questions (622)
Alan Kelly
Question:622. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health his plans to continue the implementation of the previous Government’s strategy on supervised injection centres; and if so, the timeline for the introduction of these services. [22266/16]
View answerWritten answers
The Government is committed to supporting a health-led rather than criminal justice approach to drugs use including legislating for supervised injecting facilities.
Drafting of a Bill to provide enabling measures for the licensing of such facilities is at an advanced stage. The Bill and the subsequent Ministerial regulations made thereunder, will allow for the licensing, provision and operation of supervised injecting facilities under specific circumstances, whilst protecting the public health and ensuring that the prohibition on possession and supply of illicit drugs outside of such facilities is adequately maintained. I intend to publish this Bill in the autumn and it is hoped that the legislation would be enacted by the end of 2016. Regulations will be required in relation to the operation of the facility and other matters necessary for the proper functioning and security of a supervised injecting facility. These regulations should be drafted by early Q2 2017.
It is envisaged that initially one supervised injecting facility would be established on a pilot basis in Dublin city centre. An independent evaluation would be an intrinsic element to this initiative, determining the utility, safety and cost-effectiveness of the supervised injecting facility in an Irish context. The outcome of such an evaluation will inform any decision to licence further facilities. In line with the experience of other countries which have established such facilities, it would be expected that the numbers would be few and the locations carefully selected to address most effectively the requirements and concerns of the service users and the wider community.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (623)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:623. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the status of the waiting lists nationally for inpatient procedures by acute hospital; the patient waiting times for each such procedure by individual hospital; the funding provided for such procedures for each hospital for each of the past three years; his plans to significantly reduce these waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22270/16]
View answerWritten answers
A key challenge for our health system is ensuring timely access to health services. There has been a considerable increase in demand for care in our health system in recent years. 100,000 patients have an elective inpatient procedure and 800,000 have a planned day case procedure. Up to the end of May 2016, there has been an increase of over 19,000 scheduled inpatient / daycase procedures, in comparison to the same period in 2015.
The key issue for patients is how long they wait. It is important to note that approximately 60% of patients wait less than 6 months for their required inpatient/daycase procedure and that 91% of patients wait less than the maximum permissible waiting time of 15 months for that procedure.
I met with the HSE National Director for Acute Hospitals on Friday, 15 July, regarding proposed measures to tackle waiting lists. I requested that the HSE prepare an action plan, setting out specific measures that the HSE will implement, in conjunction with hospitals, between now and the end of 2016 in order to tackle waiting lists. I have agreed with the HSE that the action plan should focus on process improvement in how hospitals manage their waiting lists, with a particular focus on validating waiting lists, as well as on actions to reduce waiting times for those patients waiting longest. The HSE will report to my Department on a regular basis regarding progress on implementing the action plan.
This Government recognises that a sustained commitment to improving waiting times is required. Consequently, the Programme for a Partnership Government commits to €15m funding to the NTPF to address waiting lists in 2017, as part of the Programme’s commitment to a continued investment of €50m per year to reduce waiting lists. This commitment seeks to utilise the expertise of the NTPF to further assist the HSE in addressing specific waiting list pressures. The Department of Health has commenced engagement with the NTPF and the HSE to deliver on these waiting list commitments in the Programme for a Partnership Government.
In respect of the detailed information sought by the Deputy, as these are service matters, 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 Waiting Lists
Questions (624)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:624. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the status of the waiting list nationally for cardiology tests, MRI, CT, EEG and bone scans in tabular form; the patient waiting times for such tests for each acute hospital; the funding provided for each hospital for each of the past three years; his plans to significantly reduce these waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22271/16]
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 they will follow the matter up with them.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (625)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:625. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will publish the comprehensive review undertaken by the HSE to establish the reason patients have to wait more than 12 months to be seen in a small number of hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22272/16]
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 they will follow the matter up with them.
Home Help Service Provision
Questions (626)
Pat Breen
Question:626. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be facilitated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22273/16]
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.
Hospital Facilities
Questions (627)
James Lawless
Question:627. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health if his Department will install facilities in the Coombe Hospital, Dublin 8, for the partners of expecting mothers who may need to stay overnight; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22274/16]
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.
Disease Awareness
Questions (628)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:628. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if he will consider placing signs in places of recreation where ticks are prevalent in the Dublin area and other counties to raise awareness of Lyme disease as per the Health Protection Surveillance Centre campaign in Killarney, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22277/16]
View answerWritten answers
Lyme disease (also known as Lyme borreliosis or LB) is an infection caused by a spiral-shaped bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi that is transmitted to humans by bites from ticks infected with the bacteria. The infection is generally mild affecting only the skin, but can occasionally be more severe and highly debilitating. Lyme disease is the commonest cause of tick-borne infection in Europe.
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) of the HSE collects and collates surveillance data on notifiable infectious diseases. Lyme borreliosis is notifiable in Ireland since 2012; the notifiable entity being the more severe neurological form of LB: Lyme neuroborreliosis.
The number of annual neuroborreliosis notifications over the last few years is as follows:
- 2012 – 8 cases;
- 2013 – 13 cases;
- 2014 – 18 cases;
- 2015 – 12 cases.
This gives an average annual incidence rate of neuroborreliosis in Ireland of about 2.7 neuroborreliosis cases per million population.
Since 2013, the HPSC has held an annual ‘Lyme Awareness Week’ at the beginning of the tick biting season, the purpose of which is to draw attention - particularly in the media - to Lyme disease and the ticks that can spread this disease. The week beginning May 2 was designated as Lyme Awareness Week this year.
The literature on the HPSC website points out that that campers, walkers and certain occupational groups such as forestry workers, conservation workers, deer cullers and farmers are at particular risk of exposure to ticks (and therefore LB). That said, anyone walking or hiking in the countryside is at risk of biting ticks. The ticks responsible for LB are generally hard-bodied ticks (Ixodidae). Ixodes ticks are hosted by a wide range of mammals including deer, sheep and cows, and occasionally birds; their tiny size (less than 2mm unfed) means they can remain undetected for long periods.
Ixodes ticks are most likely to be found in:
- Shady and humid woodland clearings with grass;
- Open grassland, walking paths (especially those bordered by long grasses);
- Wooded and forested areas;
- Vegetation close to lakes and seaside beaches;
- Parkland areas; and
- Open fields and bushes.
They are present in both urban and rural environments and are active from spring to autumn. Lyme cases tend to appear in Ireland with greater frequency after April, hence the choice of this time of year for Lyme Awareness Week.
The HPSC emphasise that prevention of tick bites is the most effective way to prevent LB and a comprehensive amount of advisory material is available on the HPSC website which will enable the public to:
- Identify likely areas of tick infestation;
- Habits to develop to prevent tick biting them and their families; and
- Habits to develop to examine oneself (and one’s children and pets) to remove any ticks they discover after a day in the country.
In addition, a Lyme Borreliosis Subcommittee has been established to look at methods of raising awareness especially in those areas (including recreation areas) where Lyme carrying ticks can be most expected to be found.
Home Help Service Provision
Questions (629)
Pat Breen
Question:629. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be facilitated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22283/16]
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.
Orthodontic Services Waiting Lists
Questions (630)
Brendan Griffin
Question:630. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health when the HSE will provide a date to a person (details supplied) for a medical procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22287/16]
View answerWritten answers
As 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.
Home Help Service Provision
Questions (631)
Pat Breen
Question:631. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be facilitated with home help; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22311/16]
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.
Hospital Staff
Questions (632)
Pat Buckley
Question:632. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the staffing arrangements for the MRI Centre in Cork University Hospital for Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and if the number of staff available is hindering the ability of the centre to provide services when needed at these times. [22314/16]
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.
HSE Expenditure
Questions (633)
Clare Daly
Question:633. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health his views on the fact that public funds provided to the Central Remedial Clinic by the HSE are being spent on private consultancy groups, legal teams and public relations activity related to CRC management firefighting in the wake of the wind-up of the CRC pension fund; if the manner in which the wind-up of the CRC fund was conducted made the outlay on such organisations inevitable; and his views on whether such money would have been better spent on the continuance of the CRC pension plan rather than on administering its wind-up. [22340/16]
View answerWritten answers
In relation to the 44 employees of the Central Remedial Clinic (CRC) who were members of a funded Defined Benefit scheme, I understand that the HSE is currently examining a submission which has been provided by the CRC. My Department is awaiting receipt of the HSE's evaluation of the CRC submission and their recommendation on how to address the pension issues with the CRC. On receipt of this evaluation, my Department will, in conjunction with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, urgently examine the HSE recommendation in the context of current policy and legislation in relation to superannuation.
In relation to the use of funds provided by the HSE to the CRC, an agency funded under section 38 of the Health Act 2004, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on the 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.
Health Services Staff Recruitment
Questions (634)
Joan Collins
Question:634. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health if the canal communities local drug and alcohol task force co-ordinator position, which is vacant at the moment due to a retirement, will be replaced; and when the position will be advertised so that the position is filled as soon as possible. [22343/16]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days he should contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
Home Help Service Provision
Questions (635)
Billy Kelleher
Question:635. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) who was awarded a home care package is having their home help hour withdrawn leaving them without any assistance; if their time will be reinstated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22344/16]
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.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (636)
Shane Cassells
Question:636. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Health to expedite surgery for a person (details supplied). [22354/16]
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 any eligibility on any individual.
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.
Prescriptions Data
Questions (637)
Mick Wallace
Question:637. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the latest figures for State spending on prescriptions of specific serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors for persons under 18 years of age; the number of persons under 18 according to the latest data that are currently prescribed SSRIs and SNRIs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22359/16]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for the administration of the primary care schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to you.
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.