Written Answers Nos. 283-299
283. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the reason correspondence coming from Our Lady's Hospital, Cashel to persons has on its letterhead Our Lady's Campus, Cashel rather than Our Lady' Hospital, Cashel; if this is part of a downgrading of Our Lady's Hospital, Cashel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50761/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
284. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the date for the re-opening of beds at a hospital (details supplied) following receipt of Health Information and Quality Authority registration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50769/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
285. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if a specific allowance which is being made available in a certain location for respite care (details supplied) can be used to avail of respite care in a suitable nursing home. [50778/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
286. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the status of residential care for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50780/17]
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.
287. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) can secure an urgent sleep study appointment in Merlin Park University Hospital, Galway in view of serious health concerns and retention of employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50783/17]
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 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 the Deputy directly.
288. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of nursing home spaces available in County Meath; the number of persons on the waiting lists for these nursing homes; the average wait time for those waiting; the longest wait time; and his plans to increase the number of spaces available [50784/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
289. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if a review of a medical card can be undertaken in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50805/17]
View answerAs this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
290. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the policy regarding surrogacy and the rights and entitlements of new parents via surrogacy to avail of social welfare and health services support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50813/17]
View answerOn Tuesday 3 October 2017 the Government approved the drafting of a Bill on assisted human reproduction (AHR) and associated areas of research. Officials in my Department are engaging with the Office of the Attorney General in relation to the process of drafting this Bill. The General Scheme is published on the Department's website and has been submitted to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health for review.
The specific provisions relating to surrogacy are outlined in Part 6 of the General Scheme. These provisions outline the specific conditions under which surrogacy in Ireland will be permitted, including a prohibition on commercial surrogacy and a requirement for all surrogacy agreements to be pre-authorised by the AHR Regulatory Authority. The Scheme also sets out a court-based mechanism through which the parentage of a child born through surrogacy may be transferred from the surrogate (and her husband, if applicable) to the intending parent(s).
All persons who are ordinarily resident in the State have eligibility for health services as provided in the 1970 Health Act (as amended). The rights and entitlements of new parents via surrogacy to avail of social welfare is a matter for the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection.
291. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if all maternity units are complying with the obligation to publish a monthly maternity patient safety statement; if not, the hospitals which have never submitted a monthly maternity patient safety statement; and the hospitals which failed to publish a monthly maternity patient safety statement in each of the months December 2015 to date in 2017. [50816/17]
View answerSince March 2016, Maternity Patient Safety Statements have been published on a monthly basis by maternity hospitals/units. These statements represent a key building block to provide assurance regarding the safety of our maternity services.
The National Women & Infants Health Programme has been established to lead the management, organisation and delivery of maternity, gynaecology and neonatal services, strengthening such services by bringing together work that is currently undertaken across primary, community and acute care. This work includes the oversight and monitoring of the safety statements. I have asked the Programme to reply to the Deputy directly concerning maternity hospitals/units' compliance with the relevant targets for publication of the statements.
292. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if funding and resources will be made available to facilitate additional spinal fusion operations for children with scoliosis before Christmas 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50818/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
293. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health when the HSE expects to replace the ophthalmologist in Bindon Street clinic, Ennis, County Clare; the implications this doctor's departure has had on waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50823/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
294. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Health if he has met consultants at Merlin Park University Hospital regarding the need for investment following roof leaks that closed two operating theatres; the outcome of the meeting regarding all suspended procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50830/17]
View answerI can confirm that I and officials from my Department met with representatives of the Saolta University Health Care Group, including two Consultants, and national HSE representatives on 4 October 2017 regarding the closure of the two orthopaedic theatres at Merlin Park University Hospital.
I understand from information supplied by the Saolta Group that the Orthopaedic Waiting List Office at Merlin Park has been actively communicating with patients to manage the situation, and where possible, patients are being accommodated at University Hospital Galway.
Work commenced on the roof repair on 31 October and the Saolta Group advise that HSE Estates have sought emergency capital funding to progress the remedial works in Merlin Park, and the estimate of time to complete the works is 4 – 6 weeks, weather dependant.
A tendering process is also progressing for the procurement of a temporary theatre facility as a matter of urgency, to enable the reinstatement of the elective orthopaedic service. I have requested an update from the HSE and asked that they respond directly to you in this regard.
295. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Health if blood tests which are carried out by general practitioners are covered free under the medical card scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50831/17]
View answerThere is no provision under the GMS GP contract for persons who hold a medical card or GP visit card to be charged for routine phlebotomy services provided by their GP, or the practice nurse on behalf of the GP, which are required to either assist in the diagnosis of illness or the treatment of a condition. The HSE has advised GPs that where a blood test forms part of the investigation or necessary treatment of a patient’s symptoms or conditions, this should be free of charge for patients who hold a medical card or GP visit card. Notwithstanding this, I am aware that in recent times some GPs have begun to charge GMS patients for phlebotomy services in some circumstances.
This is a matter of concern for me as it has long been the position, under successive Governments, that no user charges should apply to GP services provided to GMS and GP visit card patients. If a patient who holds a medical card or GP visit card believes he or she has been incorrectly charged for routine phlebotomy services by his or her GP, then that patient may take the matter up with the HSE Local Health Office, who will deal with the matter in accordance with the HSE's Complaints Policy.
In order to achieve clarity on this issue, I have asked that any difference of perspective in relation to the provision of phlebotomy services be addressed in the GP contractual review process, which is currently underway. The aim is to develop a contract which has a population health focus, providing in particular for health promotion and disease prevention and for the structured ongoing care of chronic conditions. I look forward to constructive and positive engagements with a view to achieving a satisfactory outcome.
296. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health his views on the provision of capital funding for Phase 3C of Naas General Hospital, Naas, County Kildare, from the additional capital allocation of €471 million announced under the mid-term capital review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50840/17]
View answerHealth capital funding was outlined in the recently published Public Service Estimates for 2018 and the HSE is currently developing its Capital Plan for 2018 - 2021.
The Government is also preparing a new 10 year National Investment Plan for the period 2018-2027, which is expected to be published by the end of the year alongside and in support of the forthcoming new National Planning Framework, to sustain national economic and social progress over the long term.
My Department has asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy in respect of proposed capital developments at Naas General Hospital.
297. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied); the reason for the refusal of the application by a charity for an education officer and information officer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50845/17]
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.
298. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter regarding the lack of dental treatment under the primary dental programme at a school (details supplied); his plans to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50846/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
299. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if he will request the HSE to provide generators to persons in their homes who need continuous access to electricity for their medical supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50849/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
