Written Answers Nos. 354-371
354. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health if allegations are being independently investigated regarding reports from a whistleblower concerning patients' deaths in the Mid Western Regional Hospital in Limerick (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38644/16]
View answer355. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health if he and his Department are assured that protections for whistleblowers are in place to prevent isolation and harassment of them after they make allegations in the workplace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38645/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 354 and 355 together.
Under Section 21 of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014, all public bodies must establish and maintain procedures for the making of protected disclosures by workers who are or were employed by the public body and for dealing with such disclosures. I can confirm that my Department and the HSE have procedures in place to deal with protected disclosures in line with that Act. Reports in the media on 22 November referred to a protected disclosure alleging links between deaths in University Hospital Limerick and multi-resistant infection in the hospital. Regarding the specific protected disclosure, I have written to the person concerned and my Department is in contact with the HSE and the disclosure is being managed in accordance with the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 and it would not be appropriate for me to comment on such matters.
356. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health when the proposed new primary care centre in Bettystown, County Meath, will open; the range of services to be provided at the centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38647/16]
View answerAs this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
357. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if it is compulsory or lawful for a nursing home to charge families a €20 recreational fee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38678/16]
View answerThe Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS) is a system of financial support for people who require long-term nursing home care. Participants contribute to the cost of their care according to their means while the State pays the balance of the cost.
The NHSS covers the cost of the standard components of long-term residential care which are:
- Nursing and personal care appropriate to the level of care needs of the person;
- Bed and board;
- Basic aids and appliances necessary to assist a person with the activities of daily living; and
- Laundry service.
A person's eligibility for other schemes, such as the medical card scheme or the drugs payment scheme, is unaffected by participation in the NHSS or residence in a nursing home.
Although the NHSS covers core living expenses, residents can still incur some costs in a nursing home, e.g. social programmes, newspapers or hairdressing. In recognition of this, anyone in receipt of financial support under the NHSS retains at least 20% of their income. The minimum amount that is retained is the equivalent of 20% of the State Pension (Non-Contributory). An operator should not seek payment from residents for items which are covered by the NHSS, the medical card or any other existing scheme.
Part 7 of the Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2013 stipulates that the registered provider of the nursing home must agree a contract in writing with each resident on their admission to the nursing home. This contract must include details of the services to be provided to that resident and the fees to be charged. Residents should never be charged fees which are not set out in the contract. The Department of Health and the HSE are not a party to such contracts which are concluded between each resident and their nursing home.
Registered providers of nursing home care are obliged to provide an accessible and effective complaints procedure. Concerns about additional charges should in the first instance be taken up with the nursing home provider. The Office of the Ombudsman can examine complaints about the actions of a range of public bodies and, from 24 August 2015, complaints relating to the administrative actions of private nursing homes. The Office of the Ombudsman normally only deals with a complaint once the individual has already gone through the complaints procedure of the private nursing home concerned.
358. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health the status of extra home help hours in respect of persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38679/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
359. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that a person (details supplied) receives the home help hours which were allocated to the person from both the HSE and a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38689/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
360. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health if he proposes to include a device (details supplied) for testing blood glucose levels for a diabetic on the long-term illness scheme as it is a cheaper method of testing than blood strips and blood machines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38690/16]
View answerThe HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicinal products under the community drug schemes in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
361. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if a gym for persons with disabilities (details supplied) in County Longford is being closed; the reason this would occur despite the need for such a facility; the research that has been conducted by his Department or the HSE on the facility; the ongoing staffing issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38701/16]
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.
362. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the replacement services that will be in situ for the service users of a centre (details supplied) when it closes in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38703/16]
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.
363. 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. [38714/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
364. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of times the full capacity protocol in South Tipperary General Hospital was implemented in each of the years 2011 to 2015 and 2016 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38718/16]
View answerFollowing the formation of Government an additional €40 million was provided to assist in the management of winter pressures. Utilising this additional funding the HSE developed the Winter Initiative Plan 2016 – 2017 which was published in September. Key aspects of this plan are being implemented at hospital and community services level across the country.
South Tipperary General Hospital is one of nine hospitals which have been targeted in this year’s Winter Initiative. In order to alleviate ED overcrowding at the hospital, a range of specific measures have been put in place. These include the expansion of access to Community Intervention Teams services to support the hospital by facilitating hospital avoidance and timely discharge. Additional home care packages are also being provided; from 3 October to the 5 February, an additional 3 home care packages per week will be provided in the South Tipperary area. Additional access to aids and appliances to support timely discharge will also be provided. A tender process to establish a National Framework Agreement for Temporary Accommodation is currently being evaluated. Based on the outcome of this process, the HSE will consider options, to provide additional capacity at the hospital.
Last week the HSE convened a Winter Initiative Health Summit and I met with Hospital Group CEOs, as well as hospital and Community Health Organisation managers, to reinforce the importance of driving key performance improvements across primary, acute and social care to reduce ED overcrowding and to plan for expected surges in demand in our EDs in the New Year.
In relation to this particular query, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
365. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health his plans to review the terms of the financial assessment in the nursing home support scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38719/16]
View answerThe Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS) is a system of financial support for those in need of long-term nursing home care. Participants contribute to the cost of their care according to their income and assets while the State pays the balance of the cost. The Scheme aims to ensure that long-term nursing home care is accessible and affordable for everyone and that people are cared for in the most appropriate settings. A financial assessment is carried out by the HSE to determine how much a participant in the Scheme will contribute to the cost of their care.
When the NHSS commenced in 2009, a commitment was made that it would be reviewed after three years. The Report of the Review was published in July 2015. Arising out of the Review, a number of key issues have been identified for more detailed consideration across Departments and Agencies. These issues include examining the treatment of business and farm assets for the purposes of the financial assessment element of the Scheme. This work is currently underway and the IFA has made a submission in this context to the Interdepartmental Group which is overseeing the Review. Changes arising from this Review may require legislative implementation. There are no plans at present to review the terms of the NHSS financial assessment more generally.
366. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied) who is waiting for long-term residential care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38720/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
367. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an application to the HSE in respect of a person (details supplied). [38725/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
368. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the amounts spent by HSE Wexford disability services on full-time adult residential placements, both locally delivered residential services and external agencies, in each of the years from 2008 to 2015 and to date in 2016; and the amount by which each annual spend by HSE Wexford disability services on full-time adult residential placements was above or below the allocated central HSE budget for each year. [38739/16]
View answer369. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the amounts spent by HSE Wexford disability services across all areas of respite care for adults in each of the years from 2008 to 2015 and to date in 2016; and the amount by which each annual spend by HSE Wexford disability services on respite care was above or below the allocated central HSE budget for each year. [38740/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 368 and 369 together.
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.
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 questions relate to service matters for the Health Service Executive (HSE), I have arranged for the questions to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
370. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health when a cataract appointment will be provided for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38756/16]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
371. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health when a cataract appointment will be provided for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38757/16]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
