Written Answers Nos. 252 - 262
252. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which he can provide or avail of step-down bed accommodation in all areas throughout the country as a means of alleviating overcrowding in public hospitals in general; if he has examined the potential use of decommissioned beds or wards in or adjacent to the public hospitals thereby providing an available solution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12414/17]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the HSE launched the ‘Winter Initiative Plan 2016-2017’ in September 2016 which provided €40 million of additional funding for winter preparedness and to assist hospitals to deal with increased demand. A key focus of the Winter Initiative is to improve access for hospitals to step-down care, social care and community measures to discharge patients, when deemed clinically appropriate, to return home or to a more appropriate community setting. Since the start of the Winter Initiative delayed discharges have reduced nationally from 638 to 517, freeing up hospitals beds to alleviate ED pressures.
In addition the Winter Initiative was cognisant of the need to support increased bed capacity within the system and as such 90 additional beds, including step-down beds, have been opened at the following hospitals: Galway University Hospital, the Mater Hospital, Beaumont Hospital, the Regional Midland Hospital Tullamore, the Regional Midland Hospital Mullingar and the Mercy Hospital in Cork.
My Department has also commenced a bed capacity review in line with the Programme for Government commitment. The intention is that this review will be broader than previous exercises that focused solely on acute bed capacity. The Department will utilise the information within this review to feed into planning and developing initiatives aimed at alleviating pressure within our acute hospital system.
254. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which medical, nursing or consultant posts remain to be filled throughout the public health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12416/17]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
255. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the provision of primary care centres in County Kildare; the details of those already constructed and operational; the details of those planned; when they are likely to become available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12417/17]
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.
256. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health when a service will be provided at a hospital (details supplied); if the recruitment of the necessary personnel has commenced; the date for the introduction of this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12418/17]
View answerI am advised that foetal anomaly scans are available in all Hospital Groups. Those hospitals/maternity units currently providing anomaly scans accept referrals from other maternity units, if requested. This occurs where the medical team in the referring maternity unit consider that an anomaly scan is clinically indicated.
The National Maternity Strategy is very clear that all women must have equal access to standardised ultrasound services and, consequently, the issue of anomaly scanning is a priority issue for the newly established HSE National Women & Infants Health Programme (NWIHP). An early priority for the Programme will be to develop clinical guidance regarding routine detailed scans at 20 weeks. In the meantime, the NWIHP will continue to work with the six Hospital Groups to assist in increasing access to anomaly scans for those units with limited availability.
One of the current challenges to increase access to anomaly scans is the recruitment of ultra-sonographers. In this context it is expected that the establishment of maternity networks across hospital groups will assist in developing a sustainable model that ensures that all women within each hospital group can access anomaly scans.
In relation to your specific query regarding Cavan General Hospital, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
257. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied) who had planned surgery cancelled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12422/17]
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.
258. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12425/17]
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.
259. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive a date for an operation at Sligo University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12426/17]
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.
260. Deputy Michael D'Arcy asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will receive full-time residential care suitable for their needs; and his plans to build a new residential unit and to expand respite services in County Wexford. [12427/17]
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 service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
261. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an application for a transfer by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12431/17]
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 service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
262. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if payment under the voluntary milk reduction scheme for 2016 will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry. [12213/17]
View answerIn Phase 1 of this scheme, applicants were required to reduce milk production in the period October 2016 to December 2016, compared to the same period in 2015. Applicants had until February 3rd to apply via their cooperative/purchaser for payment.
My Department is currently processing the applications and payment will be made to qualifying participants following administrative checks per EU requirements. As set out under the terms of the scheme, which were fixed at EU level, payments will be made within 90 days of the final date of the reduction period for phase 1 i.e. 90 days from 31st December 2016 which is the 31st March 2017. I can confirm that an application for payment has been received from the person concerned.
