Tuesday, 8 Nov 2016

Written Replies Nos. 295 to 313

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (295)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

295. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a medical procedure in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33292/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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 eligibility on any individual.

The scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred for a medical procedure. 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.

Health Services Staff

Questions (296)

Hildegarde Naughton

Question:

296. Deputy Hildegarde Naughton asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in sanctioning staff for the new 75 bed ward block at University Hospital Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33306/16]

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.

Speech and Language Therapy Provision

Questions (297)

Michael McGrath

Question:

297. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive speech and language therapy intervention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33307/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The 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 an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

Patient Data

Questions (298)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

298. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Health where records from a nursing home (details supplied) are currently stored. [33308/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Registration of Maternity Homes Act, 1934, required maternity homes to maintain certain birth records. These records were kept at the home. Given the passage of time, I am not sure if all records relating to the private maternity home in question still exist. I am, however, aware that some historic maternity records are held by the National Archives. Accordingly, it might be worth addressing your query to that Office.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (299)

Martin Ferris

Question:

299. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment in Beaumont Hospital. [33309/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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 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.

Health Services Provision

Questions (300)

Kevin O'Keeffe

Question:

300. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health the reason children in County Cork who require orthotics are subjected to a long waiting list when this is not the case in other counties; and the reason orthotics for children in County Cork are under funded. [33315/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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

Health Services Provision

Questions (301)

Kevin O'Keeffe

Question:

301. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if he will assist in making orthotics available to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [33316/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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

Health Services Staff

Questions (302)

Kevin O'Keeffe

Question:

302. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if he will investigate the delays in relation to staffing at a hospital (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the delay in having all staff in place is resulting in a delay in the commencement of the new double kidney and pancreas transplant programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33319/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

An extensive programme of work has been undertaken in St Vincent’s University Hospital (SVUH) to enable the transfer of the Pancreatic Transplant Programme from Beaumont Hospital. This work included:

- the development and implementation of a multi-disciplinary team approach:

- the recruitment of additional personnel including an additional transplant surgeon, an additional transplant fellow, two transplant co-ordinators, a clinical nurse manager and a clinical facilitator for transplant in theatre;

- engagement with external parties including establishing links with the Royal Infirmary Transplant Centre in Edinburgh; and

- nurse education and training.

The level of staffing required to undertake this work is in place. However, a delay in progressing nurse training has arisen due to an Industrial Relations issue. I am advised that SVUH and the INMO are continuing to engage in an effort to resolve this issue.

Health Services Staff

Questions (303)

Martin Kenny

Question:

303. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health if the vacancies in the south Leitrim early intervention team have been filled; and if not, when he expects to have the south Leitrim early intervention team fully staffed. [33320/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The 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.

Health Services Staff

Questions (304)

Martin Kenny

Question:

304. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health if cover was provided earlier in 2016 while a person (details supplied) was on maternity leave. [33321/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this 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.

Speech and Language Therapy

Questions (305)

Martin Kenny

Question:

305. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health if he will consider approving the recruitment of an additional speech therapist to the Ballyshannon health centre (details supplied). [33322/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this 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.

Mental Health Services Provision

Questions (306)

Declan Breathnach

Question:

306. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Health the medical and psychological interventions and supports that have been provided to a person (details supplied) since the person was found guilty of grievous bodily harm and remanded to prison; if his Department will liaise with the Department of Justice and Equality to urgently provide the person with necessary psychiatric medical intervention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33324/16]

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.

General Practitioner Training

Questions (307)

Fiona O'Loughlin

Question:

307. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health his plans to establish a general practitioner training programme in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33326/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Programme for Partnership Government emphasises the need to focus on enhancing primary healthcare services, including building up GP capacity. There are currently 14 GP Specialist (Vocational) Training Programmes in operation in Ireland and doctors who wish to pursue GP training in Ireland may apply for a general practice training post in one of these programmes. At present, all GP training programmes are of 4 years duration and all trainees are required to complete 2 years in a hospital setting and 2 years in general practice with a GP trainer. The number of GP training places has increased from 120 prior to 2010 to the current level of 172 per annum.

As the training of GPs is currently a matter for the Health Service Executive, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.

Hospital Facilities

Questions (308)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

308. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision of a dedicated obstetrics theatre at University Hospital Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33344/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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

Health Services Data

Questions (309)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

309. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if he will provide for each month to date in 2016, in tabular form, the number of occasions when scans and images from the radiology department at Letterkenny University Hospital were physically transported to other hospitals to be analysed; the mode of transportation used in each such case; the cost of transportation incurred by the hospital in each such case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33355/16]

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.

Patient Data

Questions (310)

Alan Kelly

Question:

310. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of patients who have been permanent patients in Kerry general hospital since January 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33356/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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

General Practitioner Services

Questions (311)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

311. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the status of plans to provide alternative facilities for a general practitioner surgery (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33358/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service issue, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Primary Care Centres

Questions (312)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

312. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the status of plans to develop a new primary care centre (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33359/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As the HSE has responsibility for the provision of Primary Care Centres and other Primary Care facilities, the Executive has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy in relation to the progress of planned and proposed Primary Care Centres.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (313)

Mary Butler

Question:

313. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33371/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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 eligibility on any individual.

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