Written Answers Nos. 1088-1107
1088. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will respond to recent media reports (details supplied) of his plans to appoint a health tsar; the specific remit of this role; the timeframe for their appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37825/17]
View answer1089. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of the establishment of a clinic (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37826/17]
View answer1238. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Health the actions he has taken to implement the recommendations in the Sláintecare report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38481/17]
View answer1287. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the steps he has taken in respect of the cross-party Sláintecare plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38990/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1088, 1089, 1238 and 1287 together.
As the Deputies are aware, I supported the establishment of the cross-party Committee on the Future of Healthcare and have consistently supported its work. I have welcomed the publication of the Sláintecare report and in particular I have been encouraged by the level of cross party and stakeholder support that it has attracted.
I am committed to making tangible and sustainable improvements in our health services and the Committee’s work now provides a framework to do this. I have briefed Government colleagues on the report and I have received approval to move ahead with the establishment of a Sláintecare programme office. This office will be tasked with implementing a programme of reform, as agreed by Government, arising from the Sáintecare Report. It will be led by a senior executive with the appropriate experience and skillset. I expect the recruitment process to commence very shortly. Recruitment will be by way of open competition.
In parallel, work is underway to develop a detailed response to the report for consideration by Government in December. The report is wide reaching and it is important that appropriate time is allowed for it to be fully considered and for implementation arrangements to be properly designed.
As set out at the outset, we now have a level of consensus and support for delivering a real improvement in our health services that is unprecedented. I look forward to continued constructive engagement across all parties on this very important agenda.
1090. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of the meeting he has had with representatives of the physiotherapy and physical therapy represented organisations regarding the Health and Social Care Professions (Amendment) Bill 2017; the progress he has made in advancing the Bill since Committee Stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37828/17]
View answerThe Health and Social Care Professions (Amendment) Bill 2017 passed Committee stage in Dáil Éireann on 11 July without amendment.
In the course of the Committee Stage debate I indicated that my Department would, in advance of Report Stage, engage further with the two professional bodies involved, the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists and the Irish Association of Physical Therapists on the areas of concern to them. These relate to the designated professions’ codes of professional conduct and ethics and the proposed assessment of professional competence to be set for existing users of the title of physical therapist who do not hold the specified professional qualifications. These concerns had prompted a number of proposed amendments to the Bill at Committee Stage. While unable to accept these amendments I undertook to look at the possibility of addressing the concerns of both professional bodies in Ministerial amendments that could be tabled at the Bill’s Report Stage.
My Department's officials have since met with and corresponded with representatives of the two professional bodies on the matter and I am pleased to report that I expect to be in a position to table amendments to the Bill at Report Stage in the forthcoming Dáil session.
1091. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37833/17]
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.
1092. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding Lyme disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37834/17]
View answerLyme disease (also known as Lyme borreliosis) is an infection caused by a spiral-shaped bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi. It is transmitted to humans by bites from ticks infected with the bacteria. The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) of the HSE has extensive information concerning Lyme disease on its website http://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/vectorborne/lymedisease/.
Lyme borreliosis can be asymptomatic or have a range of clinical presentations. Current best advice is that diagnosis should be made only after careful examination of the patient's clinical history, physical findings, laboratory evidence and exposure risk evaluation. Exposure to ticks prior to disease manifestations is necessary for the diagnosis of Lyme borreliosis. Since an awareness or recollection of a tick-bite is not always present, however, this should not exclude the diagnosis of Lyme borreliosis. Later stages require the use of antibody detection tests (or advanced DNA detection techniques). Testing for Lyme Disease is undertaken in most of the larger hospitals in Ireland. In undertaking Lyme testing, it is essential that the results are interpreted in the light of the clinical condition of the patient. If the result of this initial screen is equivocal, the patient's samples are referred to the U.K.'s Public Health England Porton Down facility which uses a two-tier system recommended by American and European authorities. This involves a screening serological test followed by a confirmatory serological test.
Lyme disease can be very successfully treated using common antibiotics. These antibiotics are effective at clearing the rash and helping to prevent the development of complications. Antibiotics are generally given for up to three weeks. If complications develop, intravenous antibiotics may be considered. In Ireland, treatment by most clinicians is based on that laid out in evidence-based guidelines for the management of patients with Lyme disease, human granulocytic anaplasmosis (formerly known as human granulocytic ehrlichiosis), and babesiosis published by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) in 2006. This pharmacological regime can be summarised thus:
- Doxycycline, amoxicillin or cefuroxime for the treatment of adults with early localized or early disseminated Lyme disease associated with erythema migrans, in the absence of specific neurologic manifestations (ceftriaxone in early Lyme disease for adults with acute neurologic disease manifested by meningitis or radiculopathy);
- Doxycycline, amoxicillin, or cefuroxime for adults with Lyme arthritis but without clinical evidence of neurologic disease;
- For late neurological disease in adults - intravenous ceftriaxone, cefotaxime or Penicillin G.
As testing and treatment for Lyme borreliosis is widely available in Ireland there is no requirement for people to travel to other EU Member States to access these services.
1093. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will advise on additional hours for a person (details supplied). [37840/17]
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.
1094. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if it is the case that children, including those with special needs, who have been attending the ophthalmic clinic in Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar, are now having to travel to Clonbrusk primary care centre, Athlone, for the same procedures; if he will confirm that it is presently not possible to reschedule these ophthalmic appointments to Mullingar hospital; and if his Department has information on the potential loss of ophthalmic doctors at Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37841/17]
View answer1095. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health his views on whether is it reasonable that children with special needs are expected to travel to Athlone for appointments; and his plans to increase ophthalmic services at Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar [37842/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1094 and 1095 together.
In relation to the queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service issues, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
1096. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to an organisation's (details supplied) campaign to invest over €40 million towards community supports for persons with dementia; and if he will consider this proposal in the context of budget 2018. [37843/17]
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 the end of July 2017, a total of 235 people had benefitted from a dementia-specific intensive homecare package and there are 138 people with dementia currently in receipt of a package. 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.
Funding of €1.23 million has recently been secured under the 2017 Dormant Accounts Action Plan to support a number of dementia projects. These include post-diagnostic supports, dementia friendly communities, assistive technology libraries and further exploratory work on the development of a national dementia registry. These measures will help people with dementia to live well in their communities for as long as possible.
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 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 received and noted the content of the submission referred to. I also had a very constructive meeting on 29 August with representatives from ASI. As outlined, such matters will be considered in the overall context of the budget process and having regard to work undertaken in relation to the National Dementia Strategy.
1097. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the progress made to date on the proposal submitted for consideration from a group (details supplied) in County Donegal; his plans to meet the group to discuss the outcome of their proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37844/17]
View answerCommunity Healthcare Organisation 1 has recently appointed a Service Manager for Children with Complex Care needs. The role includes conducting a "Determination of Need" which will look at the wide range of supports currently in place, and the new services required in the future, to support all children with complex needs across CHO 1.
The Determination of Need will be completed based on several factors which include clinical diagnosis, prognosis and clinical need identified by the multi-disciplinary teams supporting each child, which includes tertiary hospitals, regional hospitals and other services.
It is expected that the determination of need will be completed by the end of December 2017. A further meeting with Our Children’s Voice would be appropriate at that stage.
1098. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of children registered in each CHO area as having a life limiting condition. [37845/17]
View answer1099. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of children in County Donegal registered as needing palliative care treatment, end of life care, and associated respite care services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37846/17]
View answer1100. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the existing services for hospice care for persons under 18 years of age in each CHO area. [37847/17]
View answer1101. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the services for hospice care for persons over 18 years of age in each CHO area. [37848/17]
View answer1102. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the palliative care services that exist for children under 18 years of age in County Donegal; the way in which children access these services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37849/17]
View answer1103. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the palliative care services for children under 18 years of age in each CHO area. [37850/17]
View answer1104. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the respite services for children under 18 years of age with life limiting conditions and highly complex needs in each CHO area. [37851/17]
View answer1105. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the service level agreements in place between the HSE and services in Northern Ireland for the provision of hospice care for children under 18 years of age. [37852/17]
View answer1106. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the service level agreements in place between the HSE and services in Northern Ireland for the provision of palliative care for children under 18 years of age. [37853/17]
View answer1107. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if there are discussions under way between the HSE and services in Northern Ireland to specifically examine cross-Border palliative care, and palliative respite care for children under 18 years of age; if so, if he will provide an update in respect of these discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37854/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1098 to 1107, inclusive, together.
As these are service matters I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
