Pat Buckley
Question:870. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the funding providing for mental health crisis hotline telephone services. [34490/17]
View answerMental Health Services Expenditure
Questions (870)
Written answers
As this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (871)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:871. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a cataract operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34494/17]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (872)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:872. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a cataract operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34496/17]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (873)
Niamh Smyth
Question:873. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will review the case of a person (details supplied). [34497/17]
View answerWritten answers
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 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.
Hospitals Capital Programme
Questions (874)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:874. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the proposed 100-bed unit for St. Mary's Hospital in Drogheda, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34499/17]
View answerWritten answers
The Capital Programme announced in January 2016 provides for the replacement and refurbishment of 90 public nursing homes across the country over the next five years including St. Mary's Hospital, Drogheda. Under this Programme it is proposed to deliver a new build community nursing home by 2020. This will replace existing beds where the physical environment requires substantial improvement.
Significant work has been undertaken by the HSE in determining the most appropriate scheduling of projects over the multi-annual period from 2016 to 2021, within the phased provision of funding, to achieve compliance and registration with HIQA. All healthcare infrastructure developments, including this development, must comply with DPER guidelines and EU directives and will require a lead-in time to complete the various stages. These stages include appraisal, project brief, design feasibility, detailed design, some of which may overlap, the review of costing estimates and finalisation of financing.
Hospitals Building Programme
Questions (875)
Aindrias Moynihan
Question:875. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the status of development for two centres (details supplied); the planned opening date for each of the two centres; and the planned opening times for the two centres. [34501/17]
View answerWritten answers
The new children’s hospital on a campus shared with St James’s Hospital will provide specialist and complex care for children and young people from all over Ireland, and with the Paediatric OPD and Urgent Care Centres at Connolly and Tallaght Hospitals, will be the regional hospital for the children of the Greater Dublin area, as well as Wicklow, Kildare and parts of Meath.
On 26 April 2017 the Government approved the investment required to enable the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board to award the construction contracts for the building of the main children’s hospital on the St. James’s Hospital campus and the two Paediatric Outpatients and Urgent Care Centres on the Tallaght and Connolly Hospitals campuses.
The Paediatric Outpatient and Urgent Care Satellite Centres at Tallaght and Connolly Hospitals will improve geographic access to urgent care for children in the Greater Dublin Area. The two centres will support primary and community care through the provision of general community and paediatric clinics, including developmental paediatrics, multidisciplinary care for children with chronic stable conditions and other outpatient services. The centres will help to reduce Emergency Department and outpatient attendance at the new children’s hospital on a campus shared with St James’s.
Each Paediatric OPD and Urgent Care Centre will provide consultant-led urgent care, with 4-6 hour observation beds, appropriate diagnostics and secondary outpatient services including rapid access general paediatric clinics as well as child sexual abuse unit examination, observation and therapy rooms. Each centre is projected to deal with 25,000 urgent care and 15,000 outpatient attendances every year.
The construction of the Paediatric OPD and Urgent Care Satellite Centres is scheduled to be completed with a phased opening from Q4 2018 for Connolly and Q1 2019 for Tallaght and the new children’s hospital in 2021.
The centres will be open during the known busiest daytime and evening hours and closed during the night when departments are at their quietest. It is anticipated that the Paediatric OPD and Urgent Care Centres at Tallaght and Connolly will open from 08.00 to 24.00, diagnostic services from 08.00 to 20.00 and outpatient services from 08.00 to 18.00.
Hospital Facilities
Questions (876)
Aindrias Moynihan
Question:876. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if the proposed satellite emergency and urgent care centres for children planned for Tallaght and Connolly hospitals in Dublin will have inpatient beds. [34502/17]
View answerWritten answers
The new children’s hospital on a campus shared with St James’s Hospital will provide specialist and complex care for children and young people from all over Ireland, and with the Paediatric OPD and Urgent Care Centres at Connolly and Tallaght Hospitals, will be the regional hospital for the children of the Greater Dublin area, as well as Wicklow, Kildare and parts of Meath.
The Paediatric Outpatient and Urgent Care Satellite Centres at Tallaght and Connolly Hospitals will improve geographic access to urgent care for children in the Greater Dublin Area. The two centres will support primary and community care through the provision of general community and paediatric clinics, including developmental paediatrics, multidisciplinary care for children with chronic stable conditions and other outpatient services. The centres will help to reduce Emergency Department and outpatient attendance at the new children’s hospital on a campus shared with St James’s.
Each Paediatric OPD and Urgent Care Centre will provide consultant-led urgent care, with 4-6 hour observation beds, appropriate diagnostics and secondary outpatient services including rapid access to general paediatric clinics as well as child sexual abuse unit examination, observation and therapy rooms. There are no in patient or daycase beds planned for either of the OPD and urgent care centres, however short stay beds will be available in both centres. Each centre is projected to deal with 25,000 urgent care and 15,000 outpatient attendances every year.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (877)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:877. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a cataract operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34510/17]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Departmental Expenditure
Questions (878)
Ruth Coppinger
Question:878. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health the total spend on homeless services by his Department and agencies under the aegis of his Department for each year since 2013; and the estimated spend for 2017 and 2018. [34563/17]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
General Practitioner Services Provision
Questions (879)
Ruth Coppinger
Question:879. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health the estimated annual cost of introducing universal free GP care. [34564/17]
View answerWritten answers
The cost of GP visit and medical cards varies significantly with the age of the cardholder. The following table outlines the current indicative annual cost for GP visit card eligibility and medical card eligibility, by age group.
|
Indicative Annual Cost per Card |
||
|
Age Group |
GP Visit Card |
Medical Card |
|
0 – 4 Yrs |
€243 |
€392 |
|
5 – 15 Yrs |
€163 |
€214 |
|
16 - 44 Yrs |
€149 |
€595 |
|
45 – 64 Yrs |
€221 |
€1,217 |
|
65 – 69 Yrs |
€250 |
€1,602 |
|
Aged 70 and over |
€500 |
€2,092 |
Note: Data is compiled by the HSE Primary Care Reimbursement Service, based on available information for the 6 month period to February 2017 and by extrapolation to full year costs.
The extension of free GP care to all citizens not currently covered by a medical card or GP visit card would encompass a further 2.6 million people approximately.
The Deputy will be aware of the ongoing review of the GMS and other publicly funded contracts involving GPs, and that the next phase of discussions to progress this work is underway. The estimated cost of extending free GP care to all citizens will vary depending on the outcome of these negotiations and any implications they may have for the future scope and content of the general practitioner service, and the relevant fees and payments to GPs. As with any negotiation type process, and given the range and complexity of the issues to be discussed, the engagement may take some time.
Health Services Data
Questions (880)
Ruth Coppinger
Question:880. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health the estimated annual cost of maximum waiting times of 12 weeks for inpatient procedures, ten weeks for outpatient appointments and ten days for diagnostic tests as recommended in the Committee on the Future of Healthcare’s Report. [34565/17]
View answerWritten answers
The Committee on the Future of Healthcare Slaintecare report, the recent publication of which I welcome, has recommended a universal single-tier public health system. The report is the culmination of a year-long process of unprecedented cross-party collaboration, dialogue and engagement and is testament of the desire across the political spectrum and across the broader stakeholder community to work collaboratively to address the challenges in the health service. It is vital that we now that we reflect on the wide-ranging and far-reaching findings and recommendations of the Committee. To that end, I am currently developing a response to the report, which I hope to bring to Government quickly.
I acknowledge that waiting times are often unacceptably long and I am conscious of the burden that this places on patients and their families.
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 order to reduce the numbers of long-waiting patients, I asked the HSE to develop Waiting List Action Plans for 2017 in the areas of Inpatient/Daycase, Scoliosis and Outpatient Services. These plans have been published and their implementation is ongoing. The Inpatient / Daycase and Outpatient Plans focus on reducing the number of patients waiting 15 months or more for inpatient and daycase treatment or for an outpatient appointment by the end of October. The Scoliosis Action Plan aims to ensure that no patient who requires scoliosis surgery will be waiting more than four months for surgery by the end of 2017. Under these Plans, since early February, over 15,800 patients have come off the Inpatient/Daycase Waiting List and nearly 57,000 patients have come off the Outpatient Waiting List.
In addition, the NTPF is currently rolling out its Daycase Waiting List Initiative focused on those waiting longest for daycase treatment, with a view to ensuring that in excess of 2,000 patients waiting more than 18 months for a daycase procedure will have received an offer of an appointment for their procedure by the end of June. The NTPF has advised that to date nearly 3000 patients files have been transferred to private hospitals under this Initiative, close to 900 patients have accepted an offer of treatment in a private hospital and around 400 patients have received their procedure.
Health Services Staff Data
Questions (881)
Ruth Coppinger
Question:881. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health the estimated annual cost of appointing 100 additional obstetricians and gynaecologists. [34566/17]
View answerWritten answers
I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
Health Services Expenditure
Questions (882)
Ruth Coppinger
Question:882. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health the estimated annual cost of introducing universal free hospital care, including the abolition of all inpatient, outpatient and accident and emergency charges. [34567/17]
View answerWritten answers
The Government’s on-going programme of health reform is intended to put in place the building blocks towards universal healthcare, where all people can access the health services they need, of sufficient quality to be effective, while ensuring that the use of these services does not expose them to financial hardship.
These building blocks are all significant milestones on the road to universal healthcare and have the potential to drive performance improvement and deliver significant benefits in terms of timely access to high quality care.
The recently published report of the Committee on the Future of Healthcare, Sláintecare, has recommended the development of a universal single-tier public health system. As the Deputy is aware, the Committee has recommended the removal of a variety of user charges as part of its proposals in this regard.
I have welcomed the publication of the Committee’s report, which is the culmination of a year-long process of unprecedented cross-party collaboration, dialogue and engagement and is testament of the desire across the political spectrum and across the broader stakeholder community to work collaboratively to address the challenges in the health service. It is vital that we now allow time to reflect on the findings and recommendations of the Committee. To that end, I am currently developing a response to the report, which I hope to bring to Government quickly.
Home Care Packages Data
Questions (883)
Ruth Coppinger
Question:883. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health the estimated annual cost of introducing universal free nursing home care. [34568/17]
View answerWritten answers
The Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS) is a system of financial support for those in need of long-term nursing home care. Participants contribute to the cost of their care according to their income and assets while the State pays the balance of the cost. The Scheme aims to ensure that long-term nursing home care is accessible and affordable for everyone and that people are cared for in the most appropriate settings.
The Scheme has a budget of €940 million in 2017, providing support to just over 23,600 people by the end of the year with a waiting time for funding not expected to exceed four weeks this year. This equates to an approximate cost of care of almost €40,000 per person in 2017. However, it should be noted that any estimation of the cost of universal free nursing home care would depend on a number of factors, including demand for long-term residential care at any particular point in time; changes in population health status; changes in the cost of care; possible new models of care of older people in the future; and the average length of stay of residents in long-term residential care facilities.
It is also important to note that there are residents in long-term residential care facilities who are privately funding their own care i.e. they are not in receipt of state support under the NHSS.
Furthermore, the NHSS covers the cost of the standard components of long-term residential care which are:
- Nursing and personal care appropriate to the level of care needs of the person;
- Bed and board;
- Basic aids and appliances necessary to assist a person with the activities of everyday living;
- Laundry service.
An estimated cost of services provided by nursing home providers and which are not covered under the NHSS basket of services is not available.
As such, it is not possible to provide an estimated annual cost of introducing universal free nursing home care.
Health Services Expenditure
Questions (884)
Ruth Coppinger
Question:884. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health the estimated annual cost of ensuring universal free access to drug rehabilitation and treatment programmes. [34569/17]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Questions (885)
Ruth Coppinger
Question:885. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health the estimated annual cost of introducing universal free screening, prevention and treatment programmes for sexually transmitted diseases. [34570/17]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service issue, the question has been referred to the HSE to respond directly to you.
Home Care Packages Data
Questions (886)
Ruth Coppinger
Question:886. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health the estimated annual cost of introducing universal free home care. [34571/17]
View answerWritten answers
The HSE has operational responsibility for planning, managing and delivering home and other community - based services for older people. Services are provided on the basis of assessed health-care need and there is currently no means-testing. The overall funding for Services for Older People in 2017 is €765 million. This includes about €373 million for the direct provision of home care and the HSE’s National Service Plan provides for a target of 10.57 million Home Help Hours, 16,750 Home Care Packages and 190 Intensive Home Care Packages for clients with complex needs. Despite this significant level of service provision, the demand for Home Care continues to grow as many more of older people with complex care needs are maintained at home. As well as the demand for additional service levels, the need for services outside of core hours Monday to Friday is also increasing.
The Department is currently engaged in a detailed process to determine what type of home care scheme is best for Ireland, in relation to both regulation and funding. As part of the process the Minister for Health and I launched a public consultation process on 6 July. The purpose of this consultation is to allow all those who have views on this topic to have their say, including older people themselves, their families, and healthcare workers and I strongly urge all those with an interest in home care services to make a submission to the consultation.
Medicinal Products Expenditure
Questions (887)
Ruth Coppinger
Question:887. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health the estimated annual cost of abolishing all out-of-pocket payments for health care and medicines for public patients. [34572/17]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Medicinal Products Expenditure
Questions (888)
Ruth Coppinger
Question:888. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health the estimated annual cost of abolishing all out-of-pocket payments for health care and medicines. [34573/17]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Medicinal Products Expenditure
Questions (889)
Ruth Coppinger
Question:889. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health the estimated annual cost of introducing universal free contraception. [34574/17]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service issue, the question has been referred to the HSE to respond directly to you.