Written Answers Nos. 162-181
162. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will provide access to a child psychologist for a person (details supplied) in County Cork with special needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31866/17]
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.
164. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a budget submission (details supplied) which calls for significant investments in community supports for persons living with dementia; if he will include these proposals as part of his Department's estimates for budget 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31872/17]
View answerThe Irish National Dementia Strategy was launched in December 2014, with the objective of increasing awareness, ensuring early diagnosis and intervention and developing enhanced community based services.
In parallel with the Strategy, the Department of Health and the HSE have agreed a joint initiative with the Atlantic Philanthropies to implement significant elements of the Strategy over the period 2014-2017. This Implementation Programme represents a combined investment of €27.5m, with the Atlantic Philanthropies contributing €12m and the HSE €15.5m.
Key elements of the initiative include:
- the roll-out of a programme of Intensive Home Supports and Home Care Packages for people with dementia valued at €22.1 million over a three-year period;
- the provision of additional dementia-specific resources for GPs, to include training materials and guidance on local services and contact points valued at €1.2 million;
- measures to raise public awareness, address stigma and promote the inclusion and involvement in society of those with dementia valued at €2.7 million.
The roll-out of Intensive Home Care packages commenced in January 2015 and monitoring of the allocation and uptake of these packages to persons with dementia is ongoing. By May 2017, the HSE had delivered a total of 217 dementia-specific intensive homecare packages at an average cost of €953 per week. There are currently 122 people with dementia in receipt of an Intensive Home Care Package with a further 16 approved and 12 applications in progress. In addition to the Intensive Home Care Packages the HSE has continued to provide mainstream home help and routine Home Care packages to people with dementia whose needs have been assessed as requiring these supports and within available resources. Up to 500 people with dementia and their families are expected to benefit from Intensive Home Care Packages over the lifetime of the implementation programme.
It is Government policy that, wherever possible and appropriate, people should be cared for in their own homes and communities, and the National Dementia Strategy specifically restates this commitment to those living with dementia.
The Department and the HSE are working on a mid-term review of the implementation of the National Dementia Strategy which will be published in the Autumn and will identify the achievements so far and set out the further work that is required to implement the Strategy over the next 12 months and beyond. The resources required for the ongoing implementation of the Strategy can only be considered in the context of the Estimates and Budget process. The mid-term review will assist in identifying further actions required and will be helpful in the context of budgetary considerations.
I have seen the the Alzheimer Society of Ireland pre-budget submission and have noted the contents. The proposals contained in the pre-buget submission will be considered as part of this process.
166. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if ambulances used by private ambulance providers must meet the same standards as those public ambulances run and operated by the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31874/17]
View answerIn 2007, the EU published standards for ambulance vehicles. These standards focus on the construction of the vehicle as an ambulance, and minimum equipment requirements are outlined. All ambulances, regardless as to whether they are statutory or private, are required to meet this standard.
167. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if ambulances used by private ambulance providers must have the same number of whole-time equivalents as those public ambulances run and operated by the State; if not, the number of whole time equivalents they operate with; the way in which this compares to a public ambulance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31875/17]
View answer168. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if ambulances used by private ambulance providers are equipped to the same standard as those public ambulances run and operated by the State; if not, the number of whole-time equivalents they operate with; the way in which this compares to a public ambulance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31876/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 167 and 168 together.
The Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) has published the Interfacility Patient Transport Standard which specifies the clinical level required to crew an ambulance relative to the acuity of the patient. In that regard, ambulances must be crewed by a minimum of two persons, one whose primary role is to provide patient care, and the second whose role is combined with patient care and driving. The Standards also require that the necessary equipment and medications are available on the ambulance to enable the practitioner to manage patients within the scope of their practice.
PHECC standards are voluntary to all except the National Ambulance Service. However, to be approved by PHECC to implement clinical practice guidelines, there is a requirement on the ambulance provider to comply with the standards. It is understood that private health insurance companies, and the HSE, only avail of the services of PHECC-approved private ambulance companies.
169. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of times an on duty private ambulance has been involved in an accident while on-duty in each of the years since 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31877/17]
View answer170. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of times an on duty private ambulance has experienced mechanical difficulties while on-duty, including ambulances that are on duty but cannot leave their starting location due to mechanical difficulties and had to be removed from duty as a result in each year since 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31878/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 169 and 170 together.
While the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) has oversight of private ambulances from a clinical perspective, there is no requirement on private ambulance providers to report on operational incidents such as a mechanical failure. In these circumstances, I am not in a position to provide the information requested by the Deputy.
However, the Deputy may wish to note that as part of the annual approval process, private ambulance companies are required to report on adverse events within the previous 12 months. Any adverse incident involving the care of a patient must be included in this annual report to the PHECC.
171. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of complaints lodged by persons regarding private ambulances in each year since 2010; the way in which this compares with complaints lodged by persons regarding public ambulances in each year since 2010, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31879/17]
View answerThe Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) received one complaint in respect of an approved ambulance provider in this timeframe. The complaint was examined and the company in question was issued with a safety notice to address immediate concerns, and to address other issues in the short to medium term. The company has since ceased trading and is no longer PHECC approved.
PHECC have received three complaints regarding statutory ambulance services. These complaints have been investigated and any issues arising have been addressed. However, as some complaints regarding the National Ambulance Service may have been made directly to the HSE, I have asked the Executive to reply directly to you on this matter.
172. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of fatalities that have occurred to persons being transported by private ambulances; if there were questions regarding treatment and equipment in each year since 2010, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31880/17]
View answerI am advised by the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council, that as part of the annual approval process, private ambulance companies are required to report on adverse events within the previous 12 months. In that context, to date, no private ambulance company has reported a fatality.
173. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the body which assesses the safety and standards of private ambulances, the equipment and resources within same and the staff operating them; the frequency with which safety and standard checks are carried out; the way in which this compares to public ambulances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31881/17]
View answerAmbulance vehicles are required, by law, to have an annual vehicle safety check, the Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness Test. This is a function of the Road Safety Authority.
Private ambulance companies, approved by the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC), are required to sign a statutory declaration annually, indicating that they have the necessary equipment and medications available for their practitioners. The statutory declaration also includes the requirement to maintain currency for PHECC registered practitioners. This requirement also applies to the National Ambulance Service.
I am advised that PHECC has carried out inspections on all approved private ambulance organisations; such inspections include an examination of the equipment and resources available. The Deputy may also wish to note that in order to provide an evidenced based inspection process, PHECC has developed the Governance Validation Framework (GVF) which is expected to be approved by Council shortly. The GVF will involve an annual self-assessment and a tri-annual site visit by PHECC for each organisation.
174. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age that are on waiting lists for surgery for hip dysplasia; the time they have been on the waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31882/17]
View answer175. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of surgeries for hip dysplasia that have been carried out for children under 18 years of age in each year since 2010 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31883/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 174 and 175 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
176. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the hiring of staff for the provision of a service (details supplied). [31884/17]
View answerThe National Maternity Strategy is very clear that all women must have equal access to standardised ultrasound services. The Strategy will be implemented on a phased basis and this work will be led by the HSE National Women & Infants Health Programme. Indeed, the issue of anomaly scanning is a priority issue for the Programme and, accordingly, it will develop clinical guidance regarding routine detailed scans. In the meantime, the Programme 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 ultrasonographers who are skilled in using these machines. 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 the specific query regarding Cavan General Hospital, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
177. 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. [31902/17]
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 HSE is working with the Children's Hospital Group and Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin to ensure all children receive the treatment they require. In relation to the specific case raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
178. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of ambulances that cover the County Louth region. [31905/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
179. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of ambulances based at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda. [31906/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
180. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of ambulances based at Louth County Hospital. [31907/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
181. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of ambulances that cover the Louth area outside of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda and Louth County Hospital; and the locations in which these ambulances are based. [31908/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
