Written Answers Nos. 178-197
178. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that a meeting is held to address the unacceptable level of staffing shortages at a service (details supplied) where a shortfall of 64 nursing staff and four from the multidisciplinary team is having a major detrimental effect on residents and their families. [39170/16]
View answer241. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the efforts that have been made by him and his Department to improve staffing levels at St. Joseph’s Service, Portrane; if he will meet with a group (details supplied) with a view to addressing their concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39137/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 178 and 241 together.
The HSE has primary responsibility under Section 22 of the Health Act 2004 in relation to the appointment of health service employees. As St Joseph's, Portrane, is a HSE facility this encompasses the appointment of staff to posts in St Joseph's.
I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputies directly on the staffing challenges at St. Joseph's, including the measures being taken to address these, and to engage with the St. Joseph’s Association Parent and Friends Group on the matter.
179. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that County Limerick was recently without an audiologist for almost a year, which has resulted in a huge backlog of persons trying to access the service; and if he will intervene to ensure the huge waiting list to see the new audiologist is addressed. [38888/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
180. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that in County Limerick there are inadequate children’s respite spaces available for persons; and the number of persons waiting to access these services. [38891/16]
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.
181. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that in County Limerick there is inadequate funding available for persons to access home support services; and the waiting list for same. [38892/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
182. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an appointment for back surgery in respect of a person (details supplied). [38893/16]
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.
183. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an appointment for a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [38894/16]
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.
184. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the total number of personnel working within Donegal intellectual disability services in tabular form; the contract type, including the duration of same, currently held by each employee working in the service; if an employee is an agency employee or if the person is directly employed by the HSE in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38902/16]
View answer185. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the total number of employees working within Donegal intellectual disability services, and who are employed on short fixed term contracts of employment of periods lesser than one year in duration and will be offered a permanent contract of employment upon the expiry of the former; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38903/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 184 and 185 together.
I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
186. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will have a decision on their medical card application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38911/16]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to you directly. The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information was issued to Oireachtas members.
187. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health the status of an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38913/16]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to you directly. The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information was issued to Oireachtas members.
188. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) is waiting a significant time for a transfer to the National Rehabilitation Hospital; if the person will be transferred as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38914/16]
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.
189. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of consultants who have resigned their positions at hospitals in the past five years, by hospital and year in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38916/16]
View answer191. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of consultants who have been hired in the past five years broken down by hospital and year in tabular form to include area of consultant expertise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38918/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 189 and 191 together.
I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
190. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38917/16]
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.
192. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health the status of a person (details supplied) who is awaiting a hospital appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38921/16]
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.
193. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) is waiting almost a year for a transfer to the National Rehabilitation Hospital; if the person will be transferred as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38922/16]
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.
194. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Health the number and the percentage of nurses, doctors and consultants working in the health service on long-term sick leave. [38934/16]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
195. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health his views on the fact that there is a problem in accessing theatre availability and access to radiological facilities at Temple Street Children's Hospital (details supplied) by consultants; his further views on the fact that this is having a negative impact on patient welfare at the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38955/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
196. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a procedure for a person (details supplied). [38961/16]
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.
197. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will review a decision not to grant home help to a person (details supplied) with a view to making hours available in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38967/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
