Tuesday, 27 Sep 2016

Written Answers Nos. 683-700

Maternity Services Provision

Questions (683)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

683. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his views on whether a hospital-wide audit of vaginal birth after caesarean section, VBAC, counselling is necessary at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, following the case of a person (details supplied); in view of the findings relating to documentation of counselling of the risks of VBAC identified in the recent audit, the lack of investigation by the HSE when it first came to light in 2013 and its proposed review, and that it does not intend investigating any other cases, the action he intends to take in this regard; his further views on whether patients have a right to be informed of the risks of VBAC and if there is a reason the senior Our Lady of Lourdes obstetricians did not do this; the reason there was a delay by the HSE in its proposed review until the hospital manager had left the organisation; the reason there was a communications breakdown when the family in question raised these matters with the HSE director general in a letter in November 2015; if he plans to meet the family as they will not deal with the HSE following their experience with the organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27038/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The case referred to has been the subject of correspondence between the family involved, the HSE and the Department of Health. The Deputy National Director, Acute Hospitals Division, HSE is dealing directly with the concerns raised. As a result of this I have referred this matter to the HSE to respond to you directly.

A new model of care has been developed for maternity services within the National Maternity Strategy which was launched in January 2016. The Strategy recommends that services should be woman-centred and provide integrated, team-based care, with women seeing the most appropriate professional, based on their need. This will ensure that specialist care will be available to women as required.

Mobility Allowance

Questions (684)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

684. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health when the replacement scheme for the mobility allowance and motorised transport grant will be announced in view of the fact that a replacement has been more than three years in the making and that a commitment was given for this replacement in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27040/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Conscious of reports of the Ombudsman in 2013 regarding the legal status of both the Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Grant Schemes in the context of the Equal Status Acts, the Government decided to close both schemes. Both schemes remain closed.

However, the Government also decided that monthly payments will continue to be made by the Health Service Executive to 4,700 people who were in receipt of the Mobility Allowance at the time the scheme closed, on the basis that this would prevent hardship and, on an interim basis, alleviate stress, anxiety and uncertainty among a vulnerable group in society.

The Government decided that the detailed preparatory work required for a new Transport Support Scheme and associated statutory provisions should be progressed by the Minister for Health. The Department is seeking a solution which would best meet the aim of supporting people with severe disabilities who require additional income to contribute towards the cost of their mobility needs, while remaining within the available budget and satisfying all legal and equality concerns.

Work is ongoing on the policy proposals to be brought to Government for the drafting of primary legislation for a new scheme. The proposals seek to ensure that:

- There is a firm statutory basis to the Scheme's operation;

- There is transparency and equity in the eligibility criteria attaching to the Scheme;

- Resources are targeted at those with the greatest needs; and

- The Scheme is capable of being costed and it is affordable on its introduction and on an ongoing basis.

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the Programme for Partnership Government acknowledges the ongoing drafting of primary legislation for a new Transport Support Scheme.

Water Fluoridation

Questions (685, 688)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

685. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his views on the findings of the 2015 fluoride and caring for children’s teeth, FACCT, survey as regards the lowest socioeconomic groups; the way in which his Department proposes to deal with the emerging crisis in oral health for those children and their families who can least afford to attend for dental care and treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27046/16]

Billy Kelleher

Question:

688. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his views on the delay in publishing the oral health policy which was commenced in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27049/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 685 and 688 together.

The FACCT (Fluoride And Caring for Children's Teeth) study is a 6-year research programme to evaluate the impact and outcome of the change in policy on water fluoridation and on the use of fluoride toothpaste on dental caries and enamel fluorosis in children with and without lifetime exposure to water fluoridation. The study is not complete and has not yet been published. Preliminary results show that 73 - 76% of children living in fluoridated areas show no evidence of dental caries. This compares very well with other European countries and is clear evidence of a substantial improvement in the oral health of children in Ireland. While there are indications that deprivation may be linked to poorer oral health, further work needs to be completed to support this assertion. The Department of Health and the HSE will continue to monitor the findings of the FACCT surveys as they emerge.

There is a commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government to introduce a preventive dental health package for children under 6. Together with existing dental checks at 6, 9 and 12 years, every child under 12 will be entitled to a comprehensive preventive dental health programme. The National Oral Health Policy, which the Department of Health is currently developing, will inform future provision of dental services. There has been no delay in publishing the policy. This three-year project commenced in 2014 and is due to be completed early in 2017. The project, which is being led by the Chief Dental Officer, includes a needs assessment, a review of resources and involves consultation with stakeholders, including dental professionals and the public. These are matters which I intend to consider in the context of the implementation of the Health commitments in the Programme for Government and having regard to the funding available to facilitate such measures.  Detailed financial analysis will be required in order to establish as accurately as possible the expected costs to the Exchequer in each case.

Dental Services

Questions (686, 687)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

686. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his views on the documented increase in acute hospital admissions for urgent dental treatments; his estimate of the cost of such admissions and the cost-benefit savings which would be realised by greater access to preventive oral health care for patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27047/16]

Billy Kelleher

Question:

687. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his views on the findings of the recently published report entitled National Clinical Programme for Paediatrics and Neonatology: A National Model of Care for Paediatric Healthcare Services in Ireland (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27048/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 686 and 687 together.

No specific study has been undertaken to measure the cost of providing dental services in hospitals. Nevertheless the current policy is that dental care should, as far as possible, be provided in a primary care setting. It should be noted that Orthodontic Departments are frequently located in hospitals and that dental treatment under general anaesthetic is also provided in hospitals. While it is the policy of the HSE that general anaesthesia should, if possible, be avoided in the practice of dentistry, such treatments are provided in hospitals on determination of clinical need.

The Report to which the Deputy refers is currently under consideration in my Department. Future service provision will be informed by the National Oral Health Policy, which the Department of Health is currently developing. The project includes a needs assessment, a review of resources and involves consultation with stakeholders, including dental professionals and the public.

Question No. 688 answered with Question No. 685.

Dental Services

Questions (689)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

689. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the estimated numbers of children who are not being provided with regular school screening programmes in view of the official policy dating back to 1984 which suggests that oral health screenings should be provided at three different primary school classes each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27050/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.

Dental Services Provision

Questions (690)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

690. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of additional dentists the HSE would need to employ in order to provide school screenings at three different classes annually in view of the 20% increase in the number of children under 16 over the past decade and the 20% reduction in the number of general dental surgeons employed by the HSE in the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27051/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.

Proposed Legislation

Questions (691)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

691. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the likely publication date of the dental Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27052/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Work is continuing in relation to the development of new legislation to replace the Dentists Act 1985. Key policy issues for inclusion in the new legislation have been approved and a Regulatory Impact Analysis is currently underway. The drafting of the Scheme of the Bill is the next step in the process to develop the new legislation. It is not possible to provide a publication date at this early stage in the legislative process.

Department officials are currently committed to drafting a priority Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, the primary purpose of which is to amend all health professional regulatory Acts as a consequence of the transposition of the modernised European Union Professional Qualifications Directive (2013/55/EU). Work on the preparation of the Dental Bill continues to be progressed in line with competing legislative priorities.

Departmental Appointments

Questions (692)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

692. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his plans to appoint a chief dental officer on a full-time and ongoing basis in accordance with standard public service appointments following the recent expiry of the tenure of this post on a part-time basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27053/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The position of Chief Dental Officer in my Department has been filled on a part-time basis since 2013 and the principal focus of the post-holder is the development of a new National Oral Health Policy. The Department's future requirements in relation to oral health policy leadership are a matter for consideration at a later date.

Question No. 693 answered with Question No. 610.

Mental Health Services Provision

Questions (694)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

694. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if a placement in St. John of God's, Stillorgan, can be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27062/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Medicinal Products Availability

Questions (695)

Gerry Adams

Question:

695. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the status of the commitment to provide wider availability of adrenaline auto-injectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27110/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

There are currently four adrenaline auto-injectors authorised and marketed in Ireland. Brands include Anapen®, Epipen®, Jext® and Emerade®. Adrenaline auto-injector pens are normally ordered by pharmacies from wholesalers and dispensed to patients on foot of a prescription.

On Thursday 15th October 2015, Minister Leo Varadkar signed new regulations which allowed certain prescription-only medicines, including adrenaline auto-injectors, to be administered by trained members of the public and by Pharmacists in emergency situations.

Organisations such as colleges, schools, restaurants and sports clubs are allowed to hold adrenaline auto-injectors and to arrange for staff to be trained in their use in the event of an emergency. Under the new arrangements it is a condition of administration of the medication concerned by lay persons that such persons must have undergone appropriate training in this regard.

The arrangements which the new regulations permit are voluntary. Organisations are not obliged to participate unless they wish to do so.

Hospitals Funding

Questions (696)

Noel Grealish

Question:

696. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the amount of money which has been allocated to the Galway hospitals broken down by Merlin Park Hospital and University Hospital Galway from 2002 to 2016 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27116/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Hospice Services Provision

Questions (697)

Michael Ring

Question:

697. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health the reason a response has not issued to a query which was raised with his office (details supplied). [27167/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

My Department received your original correspondence and asked the HSE to provide a full report on the matter.

I have contacted the HSE again asking them to expedite the matter and I will write to you as soon as I receive the necessary information.

Long-Term Illness Scheme Administration

Questions (698)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

698. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 515 of 14 April 2016, the progress made to amend the scheme's application form to reflect the rewording of one of the qualifying conditions to the correct term of intellectual disability; when this change will occur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27168/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The term "mental handicap" as used on the Long Term Illness Scheme application form reflects the wording used in the Health Act 1970, as amended by S.I. No. 277/1971 - Health Services (Amendment) Regulations 1971, under which the scheme was introduced.

Officials in my Department are seeking advice as to whether legislation will be required to amend the wording on the LTI application form.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (699)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

699. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which any revision has identified weaknesses in the health services resulting in waiting lists for various procedures including orthopaedic and coronary; if he expects an improvement in the situation arising therefrom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27170/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The numbers of patients currently on waiting lists has continued to increase in the first half of 2016. As such it is clear that the health system is currently dealing with a considerable demand for health services that must be planned for and effectively managed. The Department and HSE are committed to driving the necessary process improvements and resources to tackle this issue.

The HSE has developed an Action Plan aimed at reducing the number of patients on waiting lists to be implemented in the latter half of 2016. The focus of this Plan is on those waiting the longest for inpatient or daycase procedures and the HSE is committed to reducing by half, the number of patients waiting over 18 months for this type of procedure. This will be achieved through a combination of strict adherence to chronological scheduling, clinical validation and the implementation of process improvement plans at hospital level.

The Winter Initiative 2016-2017 includes a €7 million fund for a targeted waiting list programme to reduce the numbers of patients waiting for orthopaedic, spinal and scoliosis procedures in designated sites.

The Programme for Partnership Government (PfPG) clearly commits €50 million in 2017 for waiting list initiatives, with at least €15 million of this allocated specifically to the NTPF. The Department of Health is working closely with the HSE and the NTPF to develop specific initiatives focused on reducing waiting lists in 2017 in accordance with the PfPG's commitments.

Emergency Departments Services

Questions (700)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

700. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that full accident and emergency services will continue at Naas and all other general hospitals in the region, with particular reference to ensuring ready access and availability to full accident and emergency services within easy reach of the community and catchment area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27171/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.