Tuesday, 11 Jul 2017

Written Answers Nos. 416-430

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (416)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

416. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting for scoliosis treatment in Our Lady's Children's hospital, Crumlin; the waiting times; the number of children waiting more than four months; the co-ordinators appointed to co-ordinate the scoliosis service across treating hospitals as set out under the HSE scoliosis waiting list action plan; the plans being put in place for children waiting more than six months; when they will receive treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32422/17]

Written answers

Minister for Health

In relation to the queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service issues, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

Health Services Provision

Questions (417)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

417. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made in the employment of additional resources in south Tipperary therapy services to meet the need for assessment of need and to address the waiting lists for assessment; the number of new therapists who have been employed by the HSE in south Tipperary in the past six months; the number of new therapists required and the specialties of each; the length of time that such therapist vacancies have existed; the exact steps taken to fill these vacancies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32423/17]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.

Obesity Strategy

Questions (418, 419, 420, 421)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

418. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 191 of 21 June 2017, when exactly the national reformulation technical working group to agree targets for reducing fat, sugar and salt will be established; the person who will decide upon membership of this group; the person with responsibility for co-operation with the EU reformulation project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32428/17]

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

419. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the data that exists in relation to sugar, fat and salt reformulation by the food and beverage industry here in the past ten years; the body which is monitoring the reformulation; the body which has monitored and verified the reduction in sugar in still and carbonated soft drinks since 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32429/17]

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

420. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the details of the reformulation sub-group of the special action group on obesity; the terms of reference of the group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32430/17]

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

421. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that an assessment of a report (details supplied) noted that it contained some unsubstantiated assumptions; the action being taken to ensure that the industry is being monitored in its reformulation targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32431/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 418 to 421, inclusive, together.

In line with the relevant actions in the National Obesity Policy and Action Plan 2016-2025, a Food Reformulation Working Group is being established and membership is being determined by my Department.

Ireland is actively involved in the EU Food Reformulation Project and is represented by my Department on the EU High Level Group on Nutrition and Physical Activity. The EU High Level Group is agreeing EU targets for reformulation of foods and beverages with Member States across Europe.

I am not in a position to pre-empt the work of the group in advance of the process to it being finalised, but I can say that the Working Group will be a technical group and appropriate health, nutrition and food experts are being identified by my Department and draft terms of reference are being prepared. The Working Group is expected to meet in early autumn to draw up a draft national Roadmap for Food Reformulation following which there will be consultation with the food industry.

The food industry, Food Drink Ireland, has annually presented their reformulation programme and updates to the Department’s Special Action Group on Obesity, the most recent being the Crème Report and the food industry have liaised with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland for validation of their work.

Health Services Provision

Questions (422)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

422. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health when diagnostic services will be extended to a medical centre (details supplied) to help alleviate pressures on South Tipperary General Hospital; if he will issue a response on this matter as promised by An Taoiseach during Leaders' Questions on 23 May 2017; the exact date of an extension of such a contract following a successful short-term initiative carried out by community healthcare organisation, CHO, 5 to relieve pressures in South Tipperary General Hospital; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this short-term initiative was not continued despite the fact that the hospital continues to operate a full capacity protocol; the steps he will take to ensure that the HSE finalise this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32443/17]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Delivering on the commitment made during the Leaders' Questions referred to above, I understand that the Deputy has have received the response which issued recently from my office.

The initiative at Mary Street Medical Centre commenced in CHO 5 on Monday, 6th February 2017 and referrals were to be accepted for a two week period, concluding on Friday 17th February 2017. I understand the short time frame and level of spend was informed by obligations under financial regulations. In this regard, predicted activity and associated costs indicated a two week time frame to be appropriate.

As advised, I understand that this initiative was developed as a temporary intervention and, as such, has not been extended. However, I am assured that CHO 5 remains committed to securing a long term solution to the provision of GP direct access to diagnostics and to progressing this matter in collaboration with the HSE Primary Care Division. Appraisal of options and any such solution will be informed by the principles of sound clinical governance, value for money, sustainability and maximisation of existing facilities. All potential solutions will be subject to procurement and financial regulations as appropriate.

I am aware that a key priority for the HSE, as set out in the National Service Plan, 2017 is to consolidate the provision of ultrasound in primary care sites and expand the provision of direct access to x-ray services within existing resources. I can advise you that the HSE is currently working on proposals from the Community Health Organisation areas and Hospital Groups to support the development and enhancement of diagnostic primary care services.

Health Services Provision

Questions (423)

Carol Nolan

Question:

423. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if art therapists are employed by the HSE; if so, the number of same, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32448/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Health Services Staff Remuneration

Questions (424, 507)

John McGuinness

Question:

424. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if section 39 organisations will be funded by his Department or the HSE relative to pay restoration and increments due to some staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32461/17]

Micheál Martin

Question:

507. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health if he will increase the allocation to section 38 and section 39 agencies to enable them to pay their employees the most recent interim pay increase lump sum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32806/17]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 424 and 507 together.

The Lansdowne Road Agreement provided for an increase of €1,000 in annualised salaries of those earning up to €65,000 due to be paid from 1 September 2017. However, in order to address the anomalies which arose following the Labour Court Recommendation for certain Garda Associations, the Government agreed to bring this date forward to 1 April 2017 for these civil and public servants who did not stand to benefit from this Labour Court Recommendation.

No additional funding has been provided to the HSE to pay for this increase for the period 1 April 2017 to 31 August 2017 to its employees. Funding had been provided in the National Service Plan to fund this payment from 1 September 2017.

Section 39 organisations are not encompassed by the Public Service Stability Agreements and are therefore not obliged to pass on any pay reductions to their staff members or to provide for any pay restoration that may be negotiated as part of these public service agreements. Neither the HSE nor the Department of Health has any role in determining the pay rates or terms and conditions of Section 39 staff. It is a matter for Section 39 organisations to negotiate salaries with their staff as part of their employment relationship and within the overall funding available for the delivery of agreed services.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (425)

John McGuinness

Question:

425. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an immediate appointment will be arranged for a person (details supplied). [32462/17]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Under 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 you directly.

Medical Card Applications

Questions (426)

John McGuinness

Question:

426. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if he will recognise the EU rights of a person (details supplied) under regulation (EC) 883/04 relative to their current application for a medical card; if a medical card will be issued based on the information provided and as stipulated under the EU regulation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32465/17]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information was issued to Oireachtas members.

National Children's Hospital

Questions (427)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

427. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1195 of 20 June 2017, the details of the referenced 25 UK hospitals, 200 US hospitals and those hospitals in the Middle East; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32485/17]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB) is the statutory body charged with delivery of the capital project.

I have asked the NPHDB to respond to you directly regarding the details of the 25 UK hospitals, 200 US hospitals and those hospitals in the Middle East referenced in the HSE reply to Parliamentary Question No. 1195 of 20 June 2017.

National Maternity Strategy

Questions (428)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

428. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the status of the application for planning permission for the new national maternity hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32495/17]

Written answers

Minister for Health

On 10 March last, a planning application for the new National Maternity Hospital was submitted to An Bord Pleanála. A public oral hearing was held at the end of May and a decision on the application is expected by 11 September 2017.

National Maternity Strategy

Questions (429)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

429. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the implementation of the national maternity strategy; the composition of the steering group; the number of times it has met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32496/17]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Ireland's first National Maternity Strategy - Creating A Better Future Together 2016 - 2026 - will be implemented on a phased basis led by the National Women & Infants Health Programme. The Programme is currently finalising a detailed action plan to inform this process; this work includes the identification of funding requirements, which will in turn inform the annual Estimates process over the lifetime of the Strategy.

€3 million development funding provided for maternity services in 2016 was allocated in line with the Strategy, and included funding for additional staff, including 100 midwives, the development of specialist bereavement teams and for the implementation of the Maternal and Newborn Clinical Management System. Increased funding of €6.8m has been provided for maternity services in 2017 which will allow for the continued implementation of the Strategy.

In relation to the Deputy's question regarding the steering group, I assume he is referring to the group which was established to advise on the development of the Strategy Implementation plan. That group has convened 4 times since April 2017 and the composition is as follows:

1. Mr. Kilian McGrane (Chair) National Programme Director, National Women and Infants’ Health Programme;

2. Dr. Peter McKenna, National Clinical Director, National Women and Infants’ Health Programme;

3. Ms Angela Dunne, Director of Midwifery, National Women and Infants’ Health Programme;

4. Ms Emma Bradley, Department of Health;

5. Ms Joan Regan, Department of Health;

6. Ms Sheila Surgue, HSE ONMSD Midwifery Lead;

7. Dr. Peter Boylan, Chair Institute of Obstetrics & Gynaecology;

8. Ms Mary Brosnan, Director of Midwifery, NMH;

9. Ms Martina Durkan, Patient Focus;

10. Ms Brigid Doherty, Patient Focus;

11. Mr. Declan Devane, Professor of Midwifery, NUIG;

12. Ms Meabh Ni Bhuinneain, Consultant Obstetrician, UHM;

13. Ms Colette Cowan, Group CEO, UL Hospital Group;

14. Mr. Pat O’Dowd, HSE Assistant National Director, Primary Care; and

15. Ms. Angela Fitzgerald, HSE Assistant National Director, AHD.

Hospital Accommodation Provision

Questions (430)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

430. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the details of plans to develop a new master plan for South Tipperary General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32497/17]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Master Plan for South Tipperary General Hospital will provide for the orderly development of the campus. The HSE has advised that the Master Plan has been drafted and is currently being reviewed by the South/South West Hospital Group.