Written Answers Nos. 417 - 441
417. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the ratio of managers to consultants and managers to nursing staff in each acute hospital; if efficiencies can be made at administrative management level, especially in hospitals with longer than six month waiting lists for procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6926/17]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
418. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the consultative process that exists within his Department to receive input, feedback, complaints and suggested solutions from health care staff on the improvement and management of health care services; if he will consider creating such a process to ensure that front-line staff can also give honest critique of the way a hospital is managed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6927/17]
View answerI am absolutely convinced of the value of hearing from frontline staff and greatly appreciate their views as I visit hospitals around the country. I am very open to considering new ideas and new ways of facilitating the input of frontline staff.
The Health Service Executive has developed its People Strategy 2015 – 2018 which is underpinned by a commitment to engage, develop, value and support its workforce. This includes a range of initiatives extending to the entire health sector workforce and managers at all levels. Since the Deputy’s question relates to receiving input, feedback, complaints and solutions from healthcare staff on the improvement and management of healthcare services I have referred this to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
419. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if his Department and the HSE have estimated the cost of reducing hospital waiting lists below nine weeks; if he has requested that a review of waiting lists be conducted to ensure that the correct dates are entered into the systems; his views on the need for a mother to access information through freedom of information and advocate on her child's behalf for spinal surgery; the protections and advocacy available to those persons who may not be able to access such information on their own files with hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6928/17]
View answerReducing waiting times for the longest waiting patients is one of this Government's key priorities. Consequently, Budget 2017 allocated €20 million to the NTPF, rising to €55 million in 2018.
In December 2016, I granted approval to the NTPF to dedicate €5m to a daycase waiting list initiative with the aim of ensuring that no patient will be waiting more than 18 months for a daycase procedure by 30 June 2017. In excess of 2000 daycases will be managed through this process and outsourcing of treatment will commence shortly.
The HSE has committed to submit to me by 17 February Waiting List Action Plans for 2017 to ensure that no patient is waiting more than 15 months for an inpatient, daycase procedure or outpatient appointment by the end of October 2017. The Plans are being developed in conjunction with, and supported by, the NTPF's proposal for utilisation of the remaining €10m of 2017 funding for patient treatment, which I expect to receive by 24 February.
My Department commissioned the NTPF to lead the development of a new National Inpatient/Daycase Planned Procedure Waiting List Management Protocol. This Protocol will provide guidance to hospitals and hospital group to ensure there is consistent and standardised approach to management.
The role of the Scheduled Care National Audit and Quality Assurance Programme within the NTPF is to ensure that hospitals are returning complete, accurate and validated patient information.
In line with the Health Act 2004 the HSE has implemented a complaints management system with designated Complaints Officers and Review Officers and procedures for the management of complaints.
420. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the number of acute hospital beds in hospitals in 1987, 1997, 2007 and 2017; the number of consultants or specialist doctors per capita in 1987, 1997, 2007 and 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6929/17]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
421. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health his views on a programme (details supplied), which showed a number of children in severe pain due to waiting lists for surgeries; the immediate action he is going to take to address waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6930/17]
View answerThe personal stories of people waiting for treatment included in the RTE programme 'Living on the List' are deeply moving and the experiences they describe are absolutely inexcusable.
Reducing waiting times for the longest waiting patients is one of this Government's key priorities. In 2016, I made over €11m of 2016 Winter Initiative funding available to provide additional patient treatment in 2016. Specifically, €2m of the funding was made available for surgery for scoliosis patients. The Children's Hospital Group has advised me that, in 2016, over fifty additional patients were treated under this initiative.
The HSE has committed to submit to me by 17 February, Waiting List Action Plans for 2017 to ensure that no patient is waiting more than 15 months for an inpatient, daycase procedure or outpatient appointment by the end of October 2017.
On 7th February a number of actions in relation to scoliosis were announced. Additional theatre capacity will be provided for scoliosis procedures in Crumlin Children's Hospital from April. An orthopaedic post in Crumlin will be filled by June and an Action Plan for Scoliosis will be presented to me by the HSE by the end of February.
422. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the number of children here with scoliosis who have been waiting for surgery for between three months and six months, six months and nine months, nine months and 12 months, 12 months and 18 months and more than 18 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6932/17]
View answer423. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the number of surgeries for scoliosis taking place each week in hospitals around the country in 2016 and to date in 2017 indicating the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6933/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 422 and 423 together.
Long waiting times for scoliosis surgery have to be addressed, and the Department has been working closely with the HSE to address services pressures, particularly in Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin, which is the largest provider of scoliosis surgery for children and young people.
Additional funding has been provided in recent years to develop the paediatric orthopaedic services, including scoliosis services. €2m was made available under the Winter Initiative Funding in 2016 and over fifty additional patients have been treated to date under this initiative. As a result of investment, we made some progress but there is much more to do to provide the level service that is needed.
I recently met with the CEO of the Children’s Hospital Group and of Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin (OLCHC) to discuss immediate action that can be taken to reduce waiting times for children and adolescents with scoliosis.
While the new theatre in OLCHC was commissioned in 2016, it is only now being used for scoliosis surgery due to challenges with recruiting nurses. The hospital has undertaken an aggressive recruitment drive to attract new theatre nurses with the necessary paediatric training. As a result four new nurses will be in place by April. A further 16 international nurses have been offered posts, and have commenced the registration process. The recruitment of these nurses means that the new theatre will be used to provide the additional capacity for scoliosis procedures in OLCHC from April. This will allow an additional day of procedures to be carried out in the medium term. I am advised by OLCHC that an orthopaedic surgeon post in the hospital will also be filled by June. This means that from July, the hospital expects that the theatre use will be further increased. In addition I will receive an Action Plan for Scoliosis from the HSE by the end of February which will take on board the concerns of the advocacy groups.
In relation to the specific issue raised by the Deputy regarding the waiting list and waiting times for children for scoliosis surgery and activity levels in hospital across the country, as this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
424. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the assessment his Department is making of the use of resources by the HSE; the areas that are creating waiting lists of over six months for surgery; the steps he is taking along with the director general of the HSE to immediately remedy and reduce these waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6934/17]
View answerThe Department oversees and monitors the HSE's implementation of its Performance Accountability Framework and monitors implementation of the HSE corporate plan and annual National Service Plans.
Reducing waiting times for the longest waiting patients is one of this Government's key priorities. Consequently, Budget 2017 allocated €20 million to the NTPF, rising to €55 million in 2018.
In December 2016, I granted approval to the NTPF to dedicate €5m to a daycase waiting list initiative with the aim of ensuring that no patient will be waiting more than 18 months for a daycase procedure by 30 June 2017. In excess of 2000 daycases will be managed through this process and outsourcing of treatment will commence shortly.
The HSE has committed to submit to me by 17 February Waiting List Action Plans for 2017 to ensure that no patient is waiting more than 15 months for an inpatient, daycase procedure or outpatient appointment by the end of October 2017. The Plans are being developed in conjunction with, and supported by, the NTPF's proposal for utilisation of the remaining €10m of 2017 funding for patient treatment, which I expect to receive by 24 February.
The NTPF publishes waiting list data by speciality, hospital and hospital group each month. This data can be viewed on its website at NTPF.ie.
425. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the annual cost of running the national treatment purchase fund, NTPF; the outcomes of the NTPF; the way in which it is meeting its aim of supporting performance improvement to treat patients faster; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6935/17]
View answerThe NTPF was established on a statutory basis in 2004. Since its establishment, the NTPF has carried out a range of functions including: arranging the provision of hospital treatment; maintaining and validating waiting list data; and making arrangements in relation to the price for long-term residential care services under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme.
Since 2012, the NTPF's role has focussed on: the maintenance, audit and quality assurance of waiting lists; pricing under the Nursing Home Support Scheme; and supporting the HSE in the delivery of a number of waiting list initiatives. During this time, the NTPF has also directly delivered a number of smaller waiting list initiatives such as the Endoscopy Initiative in 2016. Its annual budget allocation has been aligned with these functions, for 2016 this budget was €5m.
Reducing waiting times for the longest waiting patients is one of this Government's key priorities. Consequently, Budget 2017 allocated €20 million to the NTPF, rising to €55 million in 2018.
Embedded in all NTPF Initiatives are procedures to report on the type, nature and cost of treatments commissioned, including controls to ensure quality patient treatment, value for money and efficient processes. My Department will also implement a robust monitoring framework in this regard.
In December 2016, I granted approval to the NTPF to dedicate €5m to a daycase waiting list initiative with the aim of ensuring that no patient will be waiting more than 18 months for a daycase procedure by 30 June 2017. Over 2,000 daycases will be managed through this process and outsourcing of treatment will commence shortly.
In addition to this daycase initiative, the NTPF will be working closely with my Department and the HSE to agree an approach to the remaining 2017 allocation as well as planning the approach for the significant increase in the allocation to address long waiting in 2018.
426. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the National Treatment Purchase Fund, NTPF, pre-admit procedures list for between three months and six months, six months and nine months, nine months and 12 months, 12 months and 18 months and more than 18 months indicating the procedures where possible; the number of these that are classified as urgent; to report on the number of persons on the NTPF pre-planned procedures list for between three months and six months, six months and nine months, nine months and 12 months, 12 months and 18 months and more than 18 months indicating the procedures; the number of these that are classified as urgent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6936/17]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised, I have asked the NTPF to provide the information sought by the Deputy and I will forward this information to him as soon as it is available.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
427. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a specialised wheelchair to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6943/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
428. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when previously available respite services will be restored in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6944/17]
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.
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 an individual case, I have referred the question to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
429. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for orthopaedic shoes by county; and the waiting time for these shoes by county. [6951/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
430. Deputy Hildegarde Naughton asked the Minister for Health the number of persons currently on pre-planned and pre-admit waiting lists for Galway University Hospital; the number currently on waiting lists published by the NTPF (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6952/17]
View answerThe NTPF publishes waiting list data by speciality, hospital and hospital group each month. This data can be viewed on its website at NTPF.ie.
With regard to the information about preplanned and preadmit lists for Galway University Hospital, I have asked the NTPF to provide the information sought by the Deputy and I will forward this information to her as soon as it is available.
431. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Health if a drug can be supplied to a person (details supplied) as recommended by a consultant neurologist at Cork University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6953/17]
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.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
432. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health his plans to assist parents who are unable to access the free general practitioner scheme for children under six years due to lack of availability in certain areas; and if he will use child benefit data to anticipate the areas in which there is a need. [6954/17]
View answerThe introduction of GP care without fees to children under 6 represents a major step forward in improving access, quality and affordability of health care in Ireland. The under-6s GP service contract, which includes age-based preventive checks focused on health and well-being and a cycle of care for children with asthma, underlines the Government’s commitment to enhancing primary care and keeping people well in their own community. To date, approximately 94% of GMS GPs have entered into agreements with the HSE for the provision of services to children under 6 and almost 364,000 children under 6 have access to GP care without fees through a medical card or GP visit card.
Nationally the HSE has recently written to those GMS GPs who have not yet signed up to the under-6 contract, and provided them with a copy of the contract and the Form of Agreement for their consideration. I would hope that those GPs who have not yet signed up to offer this improved and expanded primary care service will do so and so ensure that all children aged under 6 are easily able to access general practitioner services without their parent or guardian having to pay a fee. Where a GMS patient experiences difficulty in finding a GP to accept him/her as a patient, and has unsuccessfully applied to at least three GPs in the area who are contracted to provide services under the GMS, then the HSE will assign that person to a GP's GMS patient list.
In relation to the difficulties described by the Deputy in particular areas, I have asked the HSE to examine this issue and to reply directly to the Deputy.
433. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if emergency surgery will be scheduled for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6957/17]
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.
434. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health his plans to ensure the continuing operation of an ambulance service based in Midleton, County Cork, and increase its hours of operation from the current 12 hours, in view of the heavy demand on this service relative to neighbouring areas which retain a similar service. [6961/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you.
435. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the number of ambulance call-outs for services in each area of Cork, particularly Midleton and Youghal, for 2015 and 2016, in tabular form. [6962/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you.
436. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health the amount his Department spent on grant aid to the meals on wheels project in 2016; and the projected amount of spend for 2017, by county. [6968/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
437. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health if a report into the HSE’s ambulance service handling of a 999 call on 28 October 2010 (details supplied) has been completed following a full review; if the document can be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6972/17]
View answerAt the outset I would like to offer my sincerest condolences to the family involved in this case.
The Deputy will be aware that it would be inappropriate for me to comment other than to acknowledge with regret the distress and upset the family have experienced throughout this difficult time. With regard to the specific information sought by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
438. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision of primary school dental services by Health Service Executive region, with particular reference to the waiting times and availability of dentists visiting primary schools, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6978/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
439. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the reason dental services in Dublin West continue to be restricted; the reason dentists have not been replaced who have resigned or are on maternity leave; if he will replace them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6979/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
440. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision of primary school dental services in Dublin West, with particular reference to the waiting times and availability of dentists visiting primary schools, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6980/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
441. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the status of the plan to fund the establishment of a national service for narcolepsy in St. James's Hospital; if he will expedite this plan to avoid further delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6993/17]
View answerWork is underway on the proposed Centre of Excellence for Narcolepsy based in St James's Hospital which will cater for all people diagnosed with narcolepsy, including those diagnosed with narcolepsy after receiving pandemic influenza vaccine. The HSE has indicated that a business case, including a funding requirement of €1.6 million, was submitted as part of the estimates process. In relation to allocation of resources by the HSE, I have asked the Executive to reply directly to the Deputy.
