Written Answers Nos. 490-511
490. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the avenues of complaint available for persons mistreated in a private hospital; the controls in place regarding standards of care in private hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25865/17]
View answerAt present, the Department of Health has no role in relation to addressing individual complaints which may arise following treatment provided by a private hospital. However, it is open to the complainant to discuss their concerns with their private healthcare provider. In addition the complainant can refer their concerns to the appropriate Regulatory Body for the particular healthcare professional involved in their care. Doctors, Nurses, Health and Social Care Professionals and others are required to be registered with their relevant professional body which in turn oversees the maintenance of professional standards.
As the Deputy will be aware, work is currently underway in my department on legislative proposals relating to the development of a Health Information and Patient Safety Bill for health care facilities. It will provide for the extension of the remit of Health Information and Quality Authority to set and monitor standards in private hospitals, including the management of complaints. The Health Information and Patient Safety Bill has recently under gone pre-legislative scrutiny with the Oireachtas Health Committee.
Hospitals need to take complaints and their management very seriously, as they provide an opportunity for the healthcare facility to learn and improve. My Department is also in the process of undertaking a public consultation on the development of a Patient Safety Complaints and Advocacy Policy. We are seeking the opinion of the public and encourage everyone to complete the questionnaire which is available on the Department's website. The information received through this consultation will inform the National Patient Safety Complaints and Advocacy Policy.
The Department is also continuing to develop the Draft General Scheme of the Patients Safety Licensing Bill, which will introduce a regulatory regime for all hospitals, public and private.
491. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be considered for an earlier appointment at University Hospital Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25868/17]
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 the Deputy directly.
492. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health the reason it is proposed to reduce home help hours for a person (details supplied). [25907/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
493. 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. [25909/17]
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 the Deputy directly.
494. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if he will meet representatives from a group (detail supplied) regarding the staffing and transport crisis at an association; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25914/17]
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.
495. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if the HSE can begin implementing the international consensus criteria for myalgic encephalomyelitis in order that ME patients can get a clear diagnosis as quickly as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25915/17]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
496. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if he will instruct the HSE to develop a clear pathway of care for ME patients with prompt access to specialists and treatments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25916/17]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
497. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if a myalgic encephalomyelitis, ME, specialist can be retained to oversee patient care in view of the fact that ME is a multi-system central nervous system disorder similar to MS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25917/17]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
498. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if he will recommend the improvement of education, knowledge and experience in medical training institutions of myalgic encephalomyelitis which is recognised by the World Health Organization as a neurological disease classification G93.3; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25919/17]
View answerThis is not a matter for the Minister for Health as medical training on the diagnosis and management of diseases is provided at undergraduate level by the medical schools which are approved by the Medical Council and which has developed guidelines relating to professionalism in the undergraduate curriculum. Postgraduate medical training is provided by a range of Postgraduate training bodies which must meet Medical Council postgraduate accreditation standards.
499. 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. [25941/17]
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 the Deputy directly.
500. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to address the waiting lists in County Cork for speech and language, CAMHS and assessment of need to determine the scale of a child's disability; if his attention has been drawn to the recent survey carried out by a charity (details supplied) which shows that children in County Cork are waiting significantly longer than those in other parts of the country for these services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25960/17]
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.
501. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when an operation will be provided for a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25964/17]
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 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 the Deputy directly.
502. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health the status of a home health care package application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25999/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
503. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if he has satisfied himself regarding the HSE's processes for answering parliamentary questions and representations; his plans to initiate a review of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26000/17]
View answerI and my Ministerial colleagues at the Department of Health, and the Director General of the Health Service Executive take our responsibilities relating to the democratic process and to members of the Oireachtas very seriously.
In 2016 my Department answered 7,189 Parliamentary Questions of which 5,067, that related to service matters or individual queries were referred to the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy. In that same period a total of 5,703 representations were received of which over 2,000 were sent to the HSE for reply.
To ensure that members of the Oireachtas receive as effective a service as possible the HSE has a dedicated Parliamentary Affairs Division (PAD). This is a national office and is responsible for all communication between the Houses of the Oireachtas, Department of Health and the HSE. The Head of PAD reports directly to the Director General. The PAD processes all questions referred to it from the Department and representations received directly from Deputies. To assist members of the Oireachtas in contacting the HSE PAD has a dedicated email address for members pad@hse.ie.
The HSE's performance in replying to PQs and representations is monitored by the Parliamentary Affairs Unit in my Department and they meet regularly with their colleagues in the HSE to review performance.
PAD also makes every effort to facilitate members of the Oireachtas in obtaining information outside the Parliamentary Process. For example in the twelve months to May 2017 there were 28,000 email/phone engagements between TDs and the Primary Care Reimbursement Service on national medical card matters. PCRS have briefed members of the Oireachtas on several occasions as to how they can cater to requests for information outside the parliamentary system.
As noted above I am satisfied that the HSE takes its responsibility to the democratic process seriously and strives to provide as effective a service as possible. Systems are constantly reviewed to ensure they operate as effectively as possible and I have no plans to review processes at this time.
504. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of perinatal deaths and the perinatal mortality rate in each maternity unit in each of the years 2007 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; and the number of stillbirths and the number of early neonatal deaths within that timeframe. [26003/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
505. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the amount of compensation payments made by the HSE on foot of incidents in maternity units in each of the years 2007 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; the amount of each individual payment; and the maternity unit in which the incident took place. [26004/17]
View answerThe management of claims against the Health Service Executive and my Department is delegated under the National Treasury Management Agency Act to the State Claims Agency (SCA), which has a statutory mandate to investigate and manage these cases to completion. The SCA has supplied a report on the information requested by the Deputy. The data is extracted from the National Incident Management System (NIMS), a system which it hosts for the Health Service Executive, other healthcare enterprises and Delegated State Authorities.
The table supplied shows details on all compensation payments made and the number of claims they relate to with regard to Maternity Services in the 19 maternity units nationwide from 2007 to 2017 year to date. The figures include payments related to acute maternity units only and are broken down by hospitals groups as providing such information at a hospital level on a claim by claim basis could have the unfortunate and unintended consequence of causing the State Claims Agency to breach data protection legislation by potentially identifying individual plaintiffs or hospital employees.
Additionally, the State Claims Agency has indicated that this information could have a detrimental effect concerning the financially sensitive management of the active claims portfolio. Finally, the State Claims Agency has concerns that the provision of this information on a hospital by hospital basis could result in non-contextualised league tables giving the public a wrong impression of any individual hospital’s patient quality and safety risk.
It should be noted that:
- The figures relate to compensation payments made to patients and service users only.
- Private healthcare schemes are excluded.
- The compensation payments included can relate to any type of claim where the service has been recorded as Maternity Services, i.e. birth specific procedures, medication errors, hospital acquired infections etc.
- In order to avoid breaches of data protection legislation, some hospital groups have been merged where appropriate to avoid possible identification of individual patients or hospital employees.
- This report is correct as of 29/05/2017.
- It is important to note that payments outlined in the table may be made in relation to a single claim across multiple transactional years and that the total number of individual claims which the payments in this table relate to is 533.
|
Transaction Year |
Hospital Group |
Amount |
Number of Claims |
|
2007 |
Group 1 - RCSI Dublin North East Hospital Group (Academic Partner: RCSI) |
€263,000 |
4 |
|
Group 2 - Dublin Midlands Hospital Group (Academic Partner: TCD) |
€177,000 |
2 |
|
|
Group 5 - Saolta West/North West Hospital Group (Academic Partner: NUIG) |
€1,825,000 |
2 |
|
|
Group 3 - Ireland East Hospital Group (Academic Partner: UCD) Group 4 - South/South West Hospital Group (Academic Partner: UCC) Group 6 - UL Midwest Hospital Group (Academic Partner: UL) |
€1,731,200 |
3 |
|
|
Total |
€3,996,200 |
11 |
|
|
2008 |
Group 1 - RCSI Dublin North East Hospital Group (Academic Partner: RCSI) |
€8,528,676 |
12 |
|
Group 2 - Dublin Midlands Hospital Group (Academic Partner: TCD) |
€229,000 |
3 |
|
|
Group 3 - Ireland East Hospital Group (Academic Partner: UCD) |
€495,664 |
3 |
|
|
Group 5 - Saolta West/North West Hospital Group (Academic Partner: NUIG) |
€1,910,000 |
5 |
|
|
Group 4 - South/South West Hospital Group (Academic Partner: UCC) Group 6 - UL Midwest Hospital Group (Academic Partner: UL) |
€148,000 |
4 |
|
|
Total |
€11,311,340 |
27 |
|
|
2009 |
Group 1 - RCSI Dublin North East Hospital Group (Academic Partner: RCSI) |
€3,388,000 |
7 |
|
Group 2 - Dublin Midlands Hospital Group (Academic Partner: TCD) |
€2,272,000 |
6 |
|
|
Group 3 - Ireland East Hospital Group (Academic Partner: UCD) |
€4,965,000 |
4 |
|
|
Group 5 - Saolta West/North West Hospital Group (Academic Partner: NUIG) |
€288,600 |
6 |
|
|
Group 4 - South/South West Hospital Group (Academic Partner: UCC) Group 6 - UL Midwest Hospital Group (Academic Partner: UL) |
€1,087,932 |
11 |
|
|
Total |
€12,001,532 |
34 |
|
|
2010 |
Group 1 - RCSI Dublin North East Hospital Group (Academic Partner: RCSI) |
€943,601 |
12 |
|
Group 2 - Dublin Midlands Hospital Group (Academic Partner: TCD) |
€5,555,500 |
5 |
|
|
Group 3 - Ireland East Hospital Group (Academic Partner: UCD) |
€2,184,168 |
9 |
|
|
Group 5 - Saolta West/North West Hospital Group (Academic Partner: NUIG) |
€5,394,720 |
8 |
|
|
Group 4 - South/South West Hospital Group (Academic Partner: UCC) Group 6 - UL Midwest Hospital Group (Academic Partner: UL) |
€2,607,895 |
12 |
|
|
Total |
€16,685,884 |
46 |
|
|
2011 |
Group 1 - RCSI Dublin North East Hospital Group (Academic Partner: RCSI) |
€5,351,697 |
17 |
|
Group 2 - Dublin Midlands Hospital Group (Academic Partner: TCD) |
€2,412,500 |
7 |
|
|
Group 3 - Ireland East Hospital Group (Academic Partner: UCD) |
€9,370,822 |
8 |
|
|
Group 5 - Saolta West/North West Hospital Group (Academic Partner: NUIG) |
€3,269,048 |
8 |
|
|
Group 4 - South/South West Hospital Group (Academic Partner: UCC) Group 6 - UL Midwest Hospital Group (Academic Partner: UL) |
€2,528,240 |
15 |
|
|
Total |
€22,932,308 |
55 |
|
|
2012 |
Group 1 - RCSI Dublin North East Hospital Group (Academic Partner: RCSI) |
€3,343,810 |
14 |
|
Group 2 - Dublin Midlands Hospital Group (Academic Partner: TCD) |
€78,400 |
4 |
|
|
Group 3 - Ireland East Hospital Group (Academic Partner: UCD) |
€697,500 |
8 |
|
|
Group 5 - Saolta West/North West Hospital Group (Academic Partner: NUIG) |
€4,766,674 |
11 |
|
|
Group 4 - South/South West Hospital Group (Academic Partner: UCC) Group 6 - UL Midwest Hospital Group (Academic Partner: UL) |
€9,404,500 |
11 |
|
|
Total |
€18,290,884 |
48 |
|
|
2013 |
Group 1 - RCSI Dublin North East Hospital Group (Academic Partner: RCSI) |
€2,490,625 |
10 |
|
Group 2 - Dublin Midlands Hospital Group (Academic Partner: TCD) |
€8,082,408 |
12 |
|
|
Group 3 - Ireland East Hospital Group (Academic Partner: UCD) |
€2,262,711 |
7 |
|
|
Group 5 - Saolta West/North West Hospital Group (Academic Partner: NUIG) |
€6,840,956 |
20 |
|
|
Group 4 - South/South West Hospital Group (Academic Partner: UCC) Group 6 - UL Midwest Hospital Group (Academic Partner: UL) |
€15,677,421 |
16 |
|
|
Total |
€35,354,121 |
65 |
|
|
2014 |
Group 1 - RCSI Dublin North East Hospital Group (Academic Partner: RCSI) |
€2,439,604 |
8 |
|
Group 2 - Dublin Midlands Hospital Group (Academic Partner: TCD) |
€6,886,120 |
20 |
|
|
Group 3 - Ireland East Hospital Group (Academic Partner: UCD) |
€8,026,000 |
11 |
|
|
Group 5 - Saolta West/North West Hospital Group (Academic Partner: NUIG) |
€3,690,000 |
9 |
|
|
Group 4 - South/South West Hospital Group (Academic Partner: UCC) Group 6 - UL Midwest Hospital Group (Academic Partner: UL) |
€8,047,000 |
9 |
|
|
Total |
€29,088,724 |
57 |
|
|
2015 |
Group 1 - RCSI Dublin North East Hospital Group (Academic Partner: RCSI) |
€9,160,791 |
21 |
|
Group 2 - Dublin Midlands Hospital Group (Academic Partner: TCD) |
€20,632,157 |
14 |
|
|
Group 3 - Ireland East Hospital Group (Academic Partner: UCD) |
€12,104,577 |
24 |
|
|
Group 5 - Saolta West/North West Hospital Group (Academic Partner: NUIG) |
€2,101,645 |
13 |
|
|
Group 4 - South/South West Hospital Group (Academic Partner: UCC) Group 6 - UL Midwest Hospital Group (Academic Partner: UL) |
€28,301,746 |
25 |
|
|
Total |
€72,300,916 |
97 |
|
|
2016 |
Group 1 - RCSI Dublin North East Hospital Group (Academic Partner: RCSI) |
€6,253,978 |
19 |
|
Group 2 - Dublin Midlands Hospital Group (Academic Partner: TCD) |
€13,982,369 |
17 |
|
|
Group 3 - Ireland East Hospital Group (Academic Partner: UCD) |
€13,005,494 |
13 |
|
|
Group 5 - Saolta West/North West Hospital Group (Academic Partner: NUIG) |
€17,520,015 |
20 |
|
|
Group 4 - South/South West Hospital Group (Academic Partner: UCC) Group 6 - UL Midwest Hospital Group (Academic Partner: UL) |
€13,028,594 |
30 |
|
|
Total |
€63,790,449 |
99 |
|
|
2017 |
Group 1 - RCSI Dublin North East Hospital Group (Academic Partner: RCSI) |
€1,602,481 |
9 |
|
Group 2 - Dublin Midlands Hospital Group (Academic Partner: TCD) |
€1,652,000 |
8 |
|
|
Group 3 - Ireland East Hospital Group (Academic Partner: UCD) |
€16,877,939 |
10 |
|
|
Group 5 - Saolta West/North West Hospital Group (Academic Partner: NUIG) |
€8,036,073 |
7 |
|
|
Group 4 - South/South West Hospital Group (Academic Partner: UCC) Group 6 - UL Midwest Hospital Group (Academic Partner: UL) |
€19,247,500 |
8 |
|
|
Total |
€47,415,993 |
42 |
506. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the action he is taking to ensure that services for young persons with autism after they reach 18 years of age will be improved in the north Dublin area. [26005/17]
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.
507. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of heart failure units in the State and the location of same; the locations of the geographical gaps in heart failure services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26010/17]
View answerIn response to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
508. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the location of the geographical gaps in heart failure services; the way in which heart failure activity is monitored; the steps that are being taken at hospital, hospital group and HSE levels to address geographical gaps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26011/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
509. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of hospital discharges for heart failure in each of the past five years by hospital group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26012/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
510. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 249, 250 and 252 of 3 May 2017, his plans to address the geographical gap in heart failure services in the South/South West hospital group; if a business case has been made for the €750,000 investment that is needed to establish heart failure services in Cork University Hospital and Kerry general hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26013/17]
View answer511. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 249, 250 and 252 of 3 May 2017, the short-term and long-term plans for dealing with heart failure patients in the area in view of the lack of heart failure services in Cork University Hospital and Kerry general hospital; the number of persons who have not been able to access specialist services in the area in view of the lack of a heart failure unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26014/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 510 and 511 together.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
