Written Answers Nos. 126-133
126. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the situation in north Tipperary where children do not have access to physiotherapy services under the early intervention programme and that currently cover is not being provided for planned absences (details supplied); when it is envisaged that full access to these physiotherapy services will be restored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30173/16]
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.
127. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if he will publish any HSE guidelines that guide general practitioners, doctors and medical professionals in hormone treatment for gender transition; his plans for his Department or the HSE to provide for an information campaign that will provide referral, advice and support for persons undergoing or considering undergoing gender transition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30008/16]
View answerEndocrinology services for individuals seeking treatment for gender transition are provided by the HSE within the wider context of an individual patient's care needs. As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
128. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health if the prioritisation for a second cath lab at University Hospital Waterford was previously assessed and approved by the South-South West Hospital Group prior to commissioning of the Herity report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30010/16]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for a Partnership Government committed to the development of a second Cath Lab in University Hospital Waterford, (UHW) subject to a favourable recommendation from an independent clinical review of the needs of the region. The review was undertaken by Dr Niall Herity, a highly respected, Belfast based NHS cardiologist. It is a comprehensive report which reflects the fact that Dr Herity consulted widely and met with all of the key stakeholders including the management and staff of both UHW and Cork University Hospital.
Dr Herity has made clear recommendations that a second cardiac cath lab at UHW is not justified and I accept this. However, he also recommends investing in UHW to enhance the existing cardiology services including increasing the number of weekly sessions currently provided, in order to address waiting times and to provide improved access for patients. He also recommends that new specialist equipment be provided to improve contingency for radiological equipment failure during a procedure. I am happy to provide the additional resources necessary to implement these recommendations. This investment will be reflected in the HSE National Service Plan for 2017. During this period of investment and enhancement of services, the situation will be closely monitored. A further independent review will be carried out in early 2017 to assess the impact that these improvements have had on the volume of patients attending the cath lab.
Dr Herity also recommends that some services be provided elsewhere. I want to be certain that any change to how a service is delivered will result in improved services for the patients using that service. Therefore, I have asked my Department to address the implications of ceasing primary PCI services at UHW by undertaking a national review of all primary PCI services with the aim to ensure that as many patients as possible have access to a 24/7 basis to safe and sustainable emergency interventions following a heart attack. I expect the review to be completed by the end of July 2017.
I intend to visit UHW next month and I will take the opportunity to speak with staff and management on a broad range of issues. With regard to the specific query raised by the Deputy, as this is an operational matter I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
129. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30011/16]
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 National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
130. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health if he will examine and expedite a hospital appointment in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30018/16]
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 National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
131. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health the procedures in place to ensure a patient's position on a waiting list for appointment in cases where referral letters have been misplaced or are unaccounted for in a hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30019/16]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised, 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.
132. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health when his Department's national lottery grants for 2016 will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30023/16]
View answerMy Department administers a National Lottery Discretionary Fund from which once-off grants are paid to community and voluntary organisations providing a range of health related services. Funding in 2016 amounts to €3.286m of which € 585,000 has been allocated to date. There are a large number of applications currently being assessed by my Department.
I will decide on the allocation of the remaining funds in the coming weeks. Once a decision has been made, organisations will be notified of the outcome of their application.
133. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health if he will examine and expedite a hospital appointment in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30024/16]
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 National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
