Written Answers Nos. 1006-1038
1006. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will request the HSE to outline the reason a person (details supplied) was told there are minimal case notes available in his or her case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24383/16]
View answer1133. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will secure the release of files for a person (details supplied) given that the review report referred to in a television programme of 14 July 2016 involved the examination of 1,080 files spanning a 30-year period. [24927/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1006 and 1133 together.
I understand that officials in the Department of Children and Youth Affairs have recently confirmed that these questions are more appropriate to that Department. I will ask my colleague Minister Katherine Zappone, to reply to the Deputy on this matter.
1007. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) is waiting almost a year and will not have an appointment until later in the year. [24389/16]
View answerEnquiries have been made in relation to the Deputy's question, and on receipt of further information from the Deputy the inquiry will proceed.
1008. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health the reason there is no HSE emergency respite bed in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24393/16]
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.
The Programme for Partnership Government states that the Government wishes to provide more accessible respite care to facilitate full support for people with a disability.
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.
1009. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an appointment for a child (details supplied) currently on the waiting list for 13 weeks for an operation. [24402/16]
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 is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient’s general practitioner consider 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.
1010. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if the HSE will provide approval under the GMS scheme for dental work in respect of a person (details supplied) who has a pre-existing health condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24403/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
1011. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health to expedite the diagnostic assessment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24405/16]
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.
1012. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 149 of 18 May 2016, the reason for the delay in the opening of the new theatre in Crumlin hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24409/16]
View answerMy Department has been working closely with the HSE to address access to scoliosis services, particularly in Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin (OLCHC), which is the largest provider of scoliosis surgery for children and young people. Additional funding of €1.042m was allocated under the 2015 Service Plan to increase capacity at OLCHC, and an additional orthopaedic surgeon, anaesthetist, and support staff, are now in place with recruitment of a further additional orthopaedic surgeon underway. Capital funding was also provided for a new theatre on site to expand theatre capacity further, and this theatre is currently being commissioned. The Children's Hospital Group is proactively working on nurse recruitment to support the opening of the new theatre.
The recently announced €40 million additional funding for the HSE Winter Initiative 2016/2017 also includes €2m provided specifically for scoliosis patients to treat 39 adolescent patients on the Tallaght waiting list and an additional 15-20 paediatric patients by year end. My Department will continue to work with the HSE and the relevant hospitals to ensure improvements in access to spinal surgery.
In relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy in relation to the opening of the theatre, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
1013. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health the current position regarding the shortage of the BCG tuberculosis vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24410/16]
View answer1403. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the shortage of the BCG vaccine here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25963/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1013 and 1403 together.
There is currently a worldwide shortage of BCG vaccine. In 2015 the United Nations Children's Funds (UNICEF) estimated a worldwide shortage of 65 million doses of BCG. The vaccine has not been available in Ireland since the end of April 2015. The manufacturer has had difficulties in the production of the BCG vaccine. The manufacturer has informed the HSE there will be no supply of BCG until 2017. Consequently, BCG vaccination clinics in HSE Clinics and Maternity hospitals have been postponed until new stock arrives.
There is only one licensed supplier of BCG vaccine to Ireland and to other countries within the EU. Since this problem became apparent, the HSE National Immunisation Office has been in regular contact with the manufacturer of BCG vaccine to ascertain when the vaccine might be available. The HSE has also asked the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), which licenses and regulates all human medicines in Ireland, to source an alternate supplier of the BCG vaccine. Efforts have been made to find a company who can provide the vaccine for use in Ireland which satisfies all the HPRA requirements on safety and efficacy. To date no suitable alternative BCG product has been found. Therefore the HSE has been unable to procure the BCG vaccine from any other source and still awaits the product from the HPRA licensed supplier of the vaccine.
The supplier has indicated that supplies of the vaccine are not expected to be delivered into Ireland until early 2017. When there is confirmation of the date of new supply a decision will be made, guided by the recommendations of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee, on who should be prioritised to receive the vaccine.
In Ireland the number of cases of tuberculosis (TB)has been falling. TB is a notifiable disease under the Infectious Diseases (Amendment) Regulations 2016 (S.I. No. 276 of 2016). In 2015, 318 cases of TB were notified to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre, giving a national TB notification rate of 6.9 per 100,000, the lowest rate reported since surveillance commenced. According to the World Health Organisation, the definition of a low incidence TB country is one with a national TB notification rate of less than 10 cases per 100,000, Ireland is in this category. The risk to babies remains unchanged, even allowing for delay in getting BCG vaccine in Ireland.
1014. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24415/16]
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 is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient’s general practitioner consider the patient’s condition warrants and 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.
1015. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health if the National Ambulance Service ran a temporary competition to fill two operations resource manager positions in the north Leinster area without recourse to a then live national panel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24420/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
1016. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health if the National Ambulance Service Management transferred an operations resource manager from Cork city to a vacant quality safety and risk manager position in the absence of a transfer policy and subsequently appointed a person into the position without any recourse to a then live national officer panel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24421/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
1017. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 73 of 21 April 2016, if the National Ambulance Service can provide the exact dates that the six vacant officer positions became vacant, specifying month and year (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24422/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
1018. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of recruitment panels for all grades in the HSE currently being used by the HSE national recruitment service that are over four years in existence and are still being drawn from for the purposes of promotion and appointment; the start dates for all panels that are still live and over four years old; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24423/16]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
1019. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health if the Public Appointments Service notified the National Ambulance Service that its grade 6 panels for ambulance officers could no longer be drawn from and must be disbanded; if so, the date of that correspondence and by whom was it made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24424/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
1020. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the steps and procedures being taken in the transfer of Console clients' files to ensure the protection of confidentiality and consent of clients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24429/16]
View answerOn the 14 of July, the HSE confirmed that after discussion Pieta House had agreed to commence provision of services previously available through Console. These services comprise the 24/7 Suicide Helpline, the Suicide Bereavement Liaison Service and the Suicide Bereavement Counselling Service. Throughout this process, the importance of ensuring the protection of individual clients’ confidentiality was a priority, regardless of who is providing the service.
To this end, all HSE and public service staff have responsibilities under Data Protection legislation. These responsibilities include ensuring that personal data, such as medical records, is:
- used and shared both appropriately and legally;
- stored securely;
- not disclosed to unauthorised third parties; and
- disposed of appropriately when no longer required.
Compliance with Data Protection Legislation has been included in the HSE Controls Assurance Statement which is signed by senior managers in the annual Health Service internal control review process.
In addition, any organisation providing services on behalf of the HSE who may have access to service user’s personal information must sign the HSE’s Service Provider Confidentiality Agreement.
These controls help to ensure that each client's confidentiality is protected. For further information, 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 10 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
1021. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of call outs the ambulance service made which did not meet the national standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24431/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
1022. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of ambulance stations in each county and the ratio per population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24432/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
1023. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health if, with regard to changes to the display of alcohol products on business premises contained within the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill, to indicate the evidence that this will cause a reduction in the abuse of alcohol; if his Department has estimated the cost to retailers entailed in enacting these proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24433/16]
View answerThe general availability of alcohol is an important indicator when assessing alcohol related harm. Studies have shown reducing the availability of alcohol is an effective measure to reduce alcohol harms. Alcohol is not an ordinary consumer product and this is recognised by the State through a licensing system and a specific excise tax. However, when it comes to mixed retail outlets, e.g. supermarkets and convenience stores, it is frequently displayed like a regular grocery item. The regulation of the way it is displayed for sale it is an important mechanism to highlight the harm it can cause and to protect children from overexposure.
Section 9 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act, 2008 provided for the structural separation of alcohol products but has not been commenced. The aim was to assist in tackling the increased availability, visibility and accessibility of alcohol products. Section 20 of the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill provides for restrictions on the display and advertisement of alcohol products in mixed trade retail outlets. Mixed trade retailers can only display and advertise alcohol products in:
- A separate area of the shop and/or behind the counter in a closed storage unit
or
- Closed storage units and/or behind the counter in a closed storage unit.
The range of options provided for in Section 20 of the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill address the reasonable need for flexible implementation of the requirements. The provisions in this Bill make it easier for mixed trading outlets to comply with the requirements than those previously set out in Section 9 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008 as retailers have a number of options to achieve ‘structural separation’ and no longer require a point of sale in the ‘separated area’.
1024. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the status of the proposed construction of the ambulance stations for Gorey and Enniscorthy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24434/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
1025. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health when a full-time psychiatrist will be appointed to a centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24435/16]
View answerAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If you have not received a reply within 10 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
1026. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the value of drugs under the control of the HSE but the whereabouts of which are unknown, missing or unaccounted for at the end of each of the years 2013 to 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24436/16]
View answerUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the primary care schemes, including the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
1027. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health his views on a recently published paper (details supplied); the actions he will take to promote the appropriate early detection and management of malnutrition in the community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24443/16]
View answerEarly detection and management of malnutrition in the community by Primary Care Health professionals has the potential to reduce disease related malnutrition and reduce hospitalisations, particularly in older and chronically ill patients.
Early detection and management of malnutrition in the community is a priority for the HSE.
The Primary Care Division in the HSE is currently reviewing malnutrition in the community and has a national multidisciplinary group developing national integrated care pathways and national standards for early identification and management of malnutrition.
The use of oral nutritional supplements is being considered as part of this review.
My Department intends to develop a National Nutrition Policy commencing in 2017.
1028. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health if dietetic services will be made available in all new primary care centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24444/16]
View answerAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
1029. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health his views on the Health Information Quality Authority report of the review of nutrition and hydration care in public acute hospitals; the actions he will take to ensure nutritional risk screening is carried out for every patient within 24 hours of admission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24445/16]
View answerOne of our commitments in the Programme for Government is to improve the quality of food in our hospitals. I welcome the publication last May of the HIQA Report of the review of nutrition and hydration care in public acute hospitals. The report has been designed to present the findings so that hospitals can share identified areas of good practice and develop opportunities for improvement in relation to nutrition and hydration for patients in hospital.
I am pleased to see that during this review HIQA found that, for the most part, our hospitals are already doing a good job in relation to hospital food, with 86% of patients satisfied with the food served to them in hospitals. HIQA also found that the majority of patients spoke positively about the quality and taste of the food served to them in hospitals and that patients who required assistance at mealtimes were offered that assistance in a prompt manner. However, we know that there are some people arriving into hospitals already suffering from malnutrition and others who struggle to maintain a good level of nutrition so hospitals need to be aware of those people and ensure that all patients are screened on admission for risk of malnutrition and given the appropriate care and monitoring.
While I am aware that recently published follow up HIQA unannounced inspections in a number of hospitals identified a number of opportunities for improvement in the hospitals, it also found many areas of practice that worked well and that were in line with the National Standards for Safer Better Healthcare. In particular, I welcome the fact that each of the hospitals inspected has a nutrition steering committee and that these committees were seen to be having an important role in improving the quality of nutrition in the hospitals.
I expect that all hospitals will continue to build on their areas of good practice and continue to develop the opportunities for improvement in relation to nutrition and hydration for patients in their hospital, including implementing a nutritional screening programme to identify patients at risk of malnutrition. Work on the development of a clinical guideline on the Prevention and Treatment of Undernutrition in the Acute Care Setting, supported by the Health and Wellbeing Division in the HSE, is due to commence shortly.
I understand that the HSE will ensure that the findings of the HIQA review and inspections will be used by hospitals to further improve performance in this area, to share the learning from those hospitals that are already implementing best practice in this area and provide support to those who need to raise their standards further.
1030. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health his plans to end discrimination suffered by couples over 70 years of age in terms of the limit allowance set on 1 January 2014 (details supplied); the amount it would cost to increase the limit by couples to €1,000 per week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24448/16]
View answerThe Health (Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) (No. 2) Act 2013 sets out that, when a person attains the age of 70, the medical card income limits are €500 gross income per week for a single person and €900 gross income per week for a couple.
The Deputy will be aware that persons aged 70 or older, who are assessed as ineligible under the gross income thresholds, may also have their eligibility assessed under the means tested medical card scheme in the event that they face particularly high expenses, e.g. nursing home or medication costs. This scheme is open to all persons, irrespective of their age and assessment is based on net income and assessable outgoing expenses. The qualifying income thresholds under this scheme are lower than over 70s gross income thresholds.
Furthermore, persons, including those aged over 70 years, may be eligible for a medical card where discretion is exercised where they face undue hardship in arranging medical services as a result of medical or social circumstances.
The Deputy will be fully aware that, from August 2015, the Government ensured that all persons aged 70 or older can access a GP service without charges regardless of income under the second phase of universal GP care .
The gross income limits are reviewed annually and considered in the context of the budget.
1031. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health to provide transport for a person (details supplied) to attend work in a placement in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24451/16]
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.
1032. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect a hospital appointment. [24458/16]
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.
1033. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (detail supplied) can expect a hospital appointment in the Mid-Western Hospital, Dooradoyle, County Limerick. [24459/16]
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.
1034. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if accommodation will be provided to a person (details supplied) to participate on a course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24460/16]
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.
1035. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect to receive the home help hours that had been allocated to him or her; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24465/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
1037. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health if he will review the process for organ donation to provide for those who do not wish to donate organs to be added to a non-donor registry allowing for all others to provide organs on the basis of presumed consent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24470/16]
View answerLegislation to introduce an opt-out register for organ donation will be developed in line with the Programme for Government. Under the proposed system, consent will be deemed unless the person has, while alive, registered his/her wish not to become an organ donor after death. However, it is proposed that, even though consent is deemed, the next-of-kin will always be consulted prior to removing any organ.
1038. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding which has been allocated to mental health in the Cavan Monaghan Hospital Group for 2016; the new services planned for introduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24471/16]
View answerAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If you have not received a reply within 10 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
