Written Answers Nos. 1034-1053
1034. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the details of the workforce planning strategy for the proposed new national children's hospital at St. James's Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41714/16]
View answerThe workforce planning strategy for the new children’s hospital and two satellite centres was commenced in 2015 by the Children’s Hospital Group as part of the planning and analysis to support the business case for the development of paediatric services for children and young people in the Greater Dublin Area and when appropriate, national paediatric services, to include the new capital builds. This workforce planning involved engagement with clinical leaders and management across the three children’s hospitals and was guided by the HSE approved National Model of Care for Paediatric and Neonatology Healthcare Services.
Workforce requirements have been modelled and developed as part of the planning process in line with the hospital’s strategic objectives, operating model and vision for the role of the hospital as a partner in the delivery of a new National Model of Care for Paediatrics and Neonatology. The workforce planning strategy is a dynamic five year planning process required to support the staffing requirements, change management and staff training requirements. In addition, it will enable a robust resource strategy to ensure we have the right number of staff in the right place at the right time to support the vision for paediatric services.
1035. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae 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. [41738/16]
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.
1036. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if the Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore, County Offaly has received funding for an MRI scanner; and if so, when it will be installed. [41740/16]
View answerCurrently it is expected that the project to deliver an MRI scanner and an additional ultrasound could be completed in Q2 2017.
1037. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if there are plans to fund an MRI scanner for the Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar, County Westmeath considering the demand and fundraising efforts being carried out [41741/16]
View answerThe provision of an MRI scanner for the Midlands Regional Hospital Mullingar is part of a project to extend the radiology department. The project is in line with the overall Development Control Plan for the hospital, which is currently being finalised. It is expected that the design team will be appointed by end January/early February 2017.
The project is currently funded to design stage only. Further funding for the next phase of development of this project is dependent on the costing and timing of the project, the availability of resources in the context of many other demands across the country, the future capital envelope for the health service and the overall priorities for future service development in the Ireland East Hospital Group. It is proposed that there will be a mid-term review of the State’s capital envelope, which will assess progress and review emerging pressures and demands. It is expected that this mid-term review will be completed in 2017.
There has been fundraising for this project by the Friends of Mullingar Hospital which I understand has raised in the region of €150,000.
1038. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if he will investigate the reason a person (details supplied) has not received an appointment with a consultant at Crumlin Hospital or received confirmation that they are on the list for spinal surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41744/16]
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.
1040. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if he will allow hemp oil to be made available to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41746/16]
View answerThe Health Service Executive (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.
As the Deputy is aware, I am urgently reviewing policy on medicinal cannabis. On the 3 November 2016, I requested the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) to provide expert advice on this matter. The HPRA’s statutory role is to protect and enhance human health by regulating medicines and other health products. I have asked the HPRA to advise on recent developments in the use of medicinal cannabis in other countries including an overview of emerging scientific research. I expect to receive the report from the HPRA by the end of January. I will then be in a position to consider future policy in this area.
1041. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41750/16]
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.
1042. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae 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. [41751/16]
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.
1044. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health if he will request the HSE to provide additional funding to the University Hospital Kerry dialysis unit, in view of the fact it is currently operating over capacity and holiday dialysis patients are not able to avail of the service as readily as is required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41754/16]
View answerIn relation to this particular query, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
1045. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in arranging a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41755/16]
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.
1046. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae 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. [41757/16]
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.
1047. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae 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. [41758/16]
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.
1048. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae 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. [41759/16]
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.
1049. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae 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. [41760/16]
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.
1050. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hearing aid application for a person (details supplied). [41761/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
1051. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an occupational therapy appointment for a person (details supplied). [41762/16]
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.
1052. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the reason there are currently no contracts in the midlands for pressure-relieving mattresses; and his plans to rectify this issue. [41764/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
