Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:302. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied). [51427/17]
View answerHospital Appointments Status
Questions (302)
Written 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.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
Departmental Funding
Questions (303)
Mattie McGrath
Question:303. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the funding provided by his Department to each member of a group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51439/17]
View answerWritten answers
My Department administered a National Lottery Discretionary Fund up to 2016 from which once-off grants were paid to community and voluntary organisations providing a range of health related services. My Department no longer operates a National Lottery Fund.
I have arranged for this question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Question No. 304 answered with Question No. 300.
Bullying in the Workplace
Questions (305)
Clare Daly
Question:305. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the number of complaints to an organisation (details supplied) regarding workplace bullying that were lodged by nursing and midwifery staff working in the Rotunda Hospital in each of the years 2010 to 2016 and to date in 2017. [51447/17]
View answerWritten answers
I would like to advise the Deputy that the organisation referred to has no role in relation to dealing with complaints of bullying from nurses and midwives.
Mental Health Services Provision
Questions (306)
James Browne
Question:306. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide 24/7 mental health services in hospitals here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51455/17]
View answerWritten answers
The HSE Mental Health Division is seeking to expand upon the services available in the community to ensure a 7-day-a-week service. Based on an extensive data collection process, areas have been identified that would require additional resources to achieve 7/7 cover. The HSE has indicated that it expects the additional staff needed to progress this expanded service to be in place by the end of Quarter 1 2018 with the enhanced 7/7 Services commencing from then.
Currently the HSE Mental Health Services provide a 24-hour service through the Acute Units located in General Hospitals for people requiring urgent assessment and treatment.
During normal working hours i.e. 9 am -5pm Monday to Friday, a person who may have harmed themselves may present to the Emergency Department. The HSE Mental Health Division, through the Programme for Government, has now ensured that all Level 4 hospitals have a Liaison Psychiatry Service available on the site of the acute hospital. This service provides prompt assessments in the Emergency Department. Most Level 3 hospitals have either a service in place or have been allocated one through the Programme for Government.
The National Clinical Programme for the Assessment and Management of Self-Harm in Emergency Departments began in December 2014. This programme has trained and deployed 33 senior mental health nurses at Clinical Nurse Specialist level to EDs around the country. This facilitates an on-site, rapid response to those who have self-harmed and/or are suicidal. It supplements and works with the Liaison Psychiatry Service to provide a bespoke response to those who are suicidal or have self-harmed.
During the on-call period, i.e. between 5 p.m. and 9 a.m. Monday to Friday and throughout the weekend period, there is a Consultant Psychiatrist together with a Psychiatric Registrar or Senior House Officer on duty in acute hospitals. This provides the urgent/crisis response to people presenting to Emergency Departments during the on call period. Since December 2014, this has been supplemented by the development of the Self-Harm Clinical Programme such that where two nurses are available, extended hours are provided to the Emergency Department.
Services for People with Disabilities
Questions (307)
Catherine Connolly
Question:307. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the steps that have been taken on foot of a report (details supplied) into the care of a person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51459/17]
View answerWritten answers
The 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 services matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (308)
Niamh Smyth
Question:308. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details supplied); if this appointment will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51460/17]
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 (309)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:309. 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. [51461/17]
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.
Transport Support Scheme
Questions (310)
Seán Fleming
Question:310. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when the new transport support scheme will be introduced for persons who require assistance in respect of the old motorised transport grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51466/17]
View answerWritten answers
I was pleased to have the opportunity to discuss the proposed Health (Transport Support) Bill with the Joint Committee on Public Petitions on Wednesday, 11th October. The Deputy may be familiar with the background to the closure of both the Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Grant schemes in February 2013. Since the closure of the Mobility Allowance, the Government has directed that the Health Service Executive should continue to pay an equivalent monthly payment of up to €208.50 per month to the people in receipt of the Mobility Allowance, on an interim basis, pending the establishment of a new Transport Support Scheme. The Health Service Executive has advised that there are currently 4,133 individuals in receipt of this payment.
The Government decided that the detailed preparatory work required for a new Transport Support Scheme and associated statutory provisions should be progressed by the Minister for Health. The Programme for a Partnership Government acknowledges the ongoing drafting of primary legislation for a new Transport Support Scheme to assist those with a disability to meet their mobility costs. The Government's legislative programme for 2017 includes the Health (Transport Support) Bill. I can confirm that work on the policy proposals for the new Scheme is at an advanced stage. The proposals seek to ensure that:
- There is a firm statutory basis to the Scheme's operation;
- There is transparency and equity in the eligibility criteria attaching to the Scheme;
- Resources are targeted at those with greatest needs; and
- The Scheme is capable of being costed and is affordable on its introduction and on an ongoing basis.
The draft General Scheme and Heads of Bill were circulated to other government Departments and have been the subject of consultation between the Department of Health and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. When the consultation with other relevant Departments has been completed, the next step will be to seek Government approval to the drafting of a Bill for the new Scheme.
It is important to note that the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers scheme operated by the Revenue Commissioners, remains in place. This scheme provides VRT and VAT relief, an exemption from road tax and a fuel grant to drivers and passengers with a disability, who qualify under the relevant criteria set out in governing regulations made by the Minister for Finance.
Specifically adapted vehicles driven by disabled persons are also exempt from payment of tolls on national toll roads and toll bridges. Transport Infrastructure Ireland has responsibility for this particular Scheme.
Services for People with Disabilities
Questions (311)
Clare Daly
Question:311. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the steps that can be taken by a family (details supplied) that have received a rejection from the HSE early intervention team to access support for a person. [51469/17]
View answerWritten answers
The 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 service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
Hospital Appointments Delays
Questions (312)
Fiona O'Loughlin
Question:312. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health if he will examine the case of a person (details supplied) who has been waiting almost six months for a scan in St. James's Hospital. [51480/17]
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.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
Hospital Staff Data
Questions (313)
Clare Daly
Question:313. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the staffing levels in the maternity unit, St. Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny, on 26 to 28 March 2016, by categories (details supplied). [51481/17]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
Medical Qualifications
Questions (314)
Clare Daly
Question:314. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the number of the 128 doctors who do not have full specialist training but are currently working as obstetricians in consultant posts in the health service. [51482/17]
View answerWritten answers
I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
Nursing Education
Questions (315)
Clare Daly
Question:315. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the number of students per year from each of the six institutions (details supplied) that run the pre-registration direct entry midwifery degree who did not proceed with the fourth and final year of this degree and did not qualify; and that were failed in the course of this fourth and final year and did not qualify. [51484/17]
View answerWritten answers
I would like to advise the Deputy that this is a matter for my colleague, Richard Bruton, T.D., Minister for Education and Skills.