Written Answers Nos. 526-538
526. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the date on which authorities were first formally notified that the vacant consultant medical oncologist post at Letterkenny University Hospital was to become vacant; the date on which the post became vacant; the date on which the vacant post was first advertised; the dates on which the vacant post was subsequently re-advertised, if applicable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3994/17]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
527. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the date on which authorities were first formally notified that a locum (details supplied) was to vacate the post; the date on which the locum vacated the post; the date on which a successor locum was appointed; the date on which this successor is expected to take up this position at the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3995/17]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
528. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a cataract operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3996/17]
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.
529. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will have an assessment of needs done under the Disability Act 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3998/17]
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 an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
530. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a psychiatrist who had been dealing with inpatient care at St. Vincent's Psychiatric Hospital, Fairview, tendered a resignation in the summer of 2016 and left the post just after Christmas, and has not yet been replaced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4020/17]
View answerAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
531. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health the number of schoolchildren in south Leitrim that have received a routine dental check between 1 September 2016 and 31 December 2016; the number of schoolchildren in south Leitrim that have received a routine dental check between 1 September 2015 and 31 December 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4028/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
532. Deputy Pat Casey asked the Minister for Health the consultation process undertaken by the HSE to ensure that the public were informed regarding the changes to the operating hours of Arklow and Baltinglass ambulance stations made in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4029/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
533. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Waterford can expect to receive services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4043/17]
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 an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
534. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) who was advised that of the entitlement to an external review of treatment received at Portiuncula Hospital has now been told that the person will not receive an external review, in view of the fact the reviewers are now appointed by the national forum and this particular case does not fall within its criteria. [4044/17]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
535. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health the date on which the National Treatment Purchase Fund will resume arranging the provision of hospital treatment to persons on waiting lists; and the procedure whereby persons that have been waiting a long time for treatment will be able to apply to the fund. [4047/17]
View answerReducing waiting times for the longest waiting patients is one of the Government's key priorities. Last year, the NTPF rolled out the Endoscopy Waiting List Initiative to arrange for the provision of endoscopy procedures to patients waiting over 12 months. By the end of December, over 5,500 people had come of the Endoscopy waiting list and the NTPF had managed to clear over 99% of the long waiters on that list. Building on this successful initiative, €20 million was allocated to the NTPF in the Budget 2017, rising to €55 million in 2018.
In December 2016, I granted approval to the NTPF for the first tranche of funding in the region of €5m, for an initiative focusing on day case procedures. It is estimated that around 3,000 day cases will be managed through this process with the aim of ensuring that no patient will be waiting more than 18 months for treatment by 30 June 2017. Tender documentation was issued last week and it is expected that the outsourcing of treatment will commence shortly.
In addition, the HSE is currently developing a 2017 Waiting List Action Plan for inpatient/daycase procedures to ensure that no patient is waiting more than 15 months by the end of October. This Plan is being developed in conjunction with the NTPF's proposal for utilisation of its remaining €10m funding for patient treatment in 2017. A similar plan is being developed for outpatient appointments. I expect to make known the details of both plans in the coming weeks.
Under this initiative, public hospitals will identify patients waiting for 18 months or more for a day case procedure who are suitable to have their treatment outsourced. The NTPF will then contact these patients in relation to availing of services under the initiative.
536. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the entitlement of medical card holders to receive certain pieces of medical equipment (details supplied) for a lifelong condition free of charge or if this equipment is subject to regular prescription charges. [4051/17]
View answerUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
537. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the revenue generated from car parking services in each public hospital in 2016; the purposes for which this money is used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4052/17]
View answerIt is important to note that parking charges form part of a series of measures which ensure that the operational costs of providing parking services do not impact negatively on a hospital’s overall budget. The HSE advises that a number of hospitals use parking revenue solely for maintenance and re-investment in parking facilities, including repayment of loans obtained for upgrading such facilities and investment in security. The remainder of hospitals use parking revenue to cover the cost of parking services, with any additional income being used to contribute to the general hospital budget, or to fund research or specific patient facilities.
As demand for parking services at our hospitals increases, so too do the associated costs such as the initial capital costs of purchasing or renting parking areas; the cost of developing extra parking spaces; the need to provide and upgrade security systems in hospital car parks; staffing and general maintenance of parking services.
Obviously the costs in providing these services need to be recouped; provision of these services to visitors, staff and patients should not impact on hospital budgets intended to provide healthcare services to patients.
The HSE has advised that it does not have one single contract to provide parking services at all hospitals. Instead each hospital has a unique arrangement which reflects its specific circumstances. Some hospitals do not provide public car parks while a minority of others do not charge a car parking fee.
Hospitals which charge parking fees are very cognisant of the financial implications of parking costs for patients and their families particularly those with long-term illnesses. Consequently hospitals have introduced a maximum daily fixed parking charge, thus capping this expense. While there is no national HSE policy governing car park charges, the HSE advises that it keeps hospital parking charges under review.
In terms of the future development of our hospital system, we must take account of public transport services. This is evident in relation to the planned development of a new Children’s Hospital. By supporting the expansion of public transport facilities, we continue to provide more transportation choices to the public when visiting their loved ones in our hospitals.
In relation to the particular query regarding the revenue generated from car parking services in each public hospital in 2016, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly as this is a service matter.
538. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if visiting times at Cavan General Hospital can be extended (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4064/17]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
