Written Answers Nos. 343-354
343. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the status of the implementation of a range of improvement actions based on the national standards for bereavement care following pregnancy loss and perinatal death across all 19 maternity units. [53618/17]
View answerThe HSE National Standards for Bereavement Care following Pregnancy Loss and Perinatal Death provide that clinical and counselling services should be in place to support women and their families in all pregnancy loss situations, from early pregnancy loss to perinatal death, as well as situations where there is a diagnosis of foetal anomaly that may be life limiting or fatal. Each hospital will be required to have systems in place to ensure that bereavement care and end-of-life care for babies is central to the mission of the hospital and is organised around the needs of babies and their families. I am advised that the Standards will be implemented on a phased basis by a dedicated Bereavement Standards Implementation Group in association with the National Women & Infants Health Programme.
In relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
344. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the status of the relocation of the Rotunda Hospital, the National Maternity Hospital and University of Limerick Maternity Hospital. [53619/17]
View answerThe model of stand-alone maternity hospitals is not the norm internationally. Government policy is therefore to co-locate all remaining maternity hospitals with adult acute services in order to provide optimal clinical outcomes. Co-location of maternity services with adult services provides mothers with access to a full range of medical and support services should the need arise. The availability of these services helps ensure the delivery of an optimum, safe service, particularly for high risk mothers and babies.
Following the grant of planning permission for the new National Maternity Hospital on the St Vincent's University Hospital campus, the Design Team is continuing to work on the detailed design of the hospital and the preparation of tender documents. This development will of course represent the flagship project of the National Maternity Strategy and will constitute the largest single investment ever made in maternity services in Ireland. Work on a legal framework to protect the State's interest in the project is expected to conclude shortly.
I have been advised that the Rotunda hospital has commissioned consultants to prepare a draft Design Brief. In addition, I understand that work is nearing completion on a Development Control Plan for the Connolly campus and this will support the orderly development of future capital projects on that campus. In relation to the redevelopment and relocation of University Maternity Hospital Limerick, I understand that a site feasibility study has been completed and a location has been determined for a new maternity hospital on the grounds of University Hospital Limerick at Dooradoyle.
345. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision of monthly hospital safety statements; and the hospitals that provide them, in tabular form. [53620/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter the question has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
These Reports are an important step in the enhancement of patient safety and quality which is of paramount importance to both the Department of Health and the HSE. The publication of these reports were key recommendations of the Chief Medical Officer's report: HSE Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise Perinatal Deaths (2006-date), 24 February 2014 and of the HIQA Report of the Investigation into the Safety, Quality and Standards of Services Provided by the HSE to patients in the Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise, 8 May 2015.
The HSE undertook as part of the 2017 Service Plan that all publicly funded hospitals would actively engage in the reporting of monthly Hospital Patient Safety Indicator Reports. The Department will continue to engage with the Executive on the regular reporting and assessment of these statements.
346. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the status of the roll-out of the model of care of hereditary haemochromatosis and the model of care for therapeutic phlebotomy in association with primary care services. [53621/17]
View answerReports on a Model of Care for Hereditary Haemochromatosis and a Model of Care for Therapeutic Phlebotomy for Patients with Hereditary Haemochromatosis have been drawn up by the HSE.
The recommendations of the reports include a number that involve more treatment for people with haemochromatosis being made available in primary care settings. My Department is reviewing the reports, with a view to commencing implementation in the light of available resources.
347. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision of new health facilities (details supplied); when these projects will proceed to the next stage; if specific funding will be provided in 2018 for these developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53710/17]
View answerAs the HSE has responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres and other Primary Care facilities, the Executive has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.
348. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the HSE's policy in relation to the operation of car parks within hospital grounds; the amount of revenue collected by hospital in respect of those car parks nationally; his views on the charges persons have to pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53773/17]
View answerThe efficient management of parking spaces and traffic flow on hospital campuses is of crucial importance. This is to ensure on-going availability of parking spaces; free flow of traffic on campus; unobstructed access for emergency vehicles at all times; proper use of spaces designated for drivers with disabled permits; and proper use of spaces designated as drop off points near the hospital entrance.
I am advised that some hospitals have introduced a maximum daily fixed parking charge while others provide reduced parking rates for long-term patients and visitors for whom the payment of the full rate would cause hardship. The HSE has advised me that it keeps hospital parking charges under review.
As the issue of car parking is an operational matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly regarding the particular queries raised.
349. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of hospital groups and CHOs that have completed Healthy Ireland implementation plans. [53796/17]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up on the matter.
350. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if an implementation plan for the Healthy Ireland framework for brief intervention and health behaviour change has been developed; and if it has been commenced. [53798/17]
View answerMaking Every Contact Count (MECC) was launched in May as a framework to support the implementation of Healthy Ireland in the health services. The vision for MECC is that health behaviour change interventions will become part of routine clinical care delivered by health professionals in the health service. It will capitalise on the opportunities that every health professional has on a daily basis to support patients to make healthy lifestyle choices for chronic disease prevention and the self-management of existing chronic diseases. Implementing this programme will result in patients being routinely asked about the main lifestyle risk factors for chronic disease - tobacco use, alcohol & substance use, diet, and physical activity.
A five year implementation plan has been developed for the Framework which will be implemented at a strategic and operational level under the following areas:
- Leadership;
- Staff Engagement, Training and Support;
- Partnership and Cross Sectoral Working; and
- Monitoring and Evaluation.
As implementation of the MECC is an operational matter for the Health Service Executive, I have forwarded the question to the Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up on the matter.
351. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if each newly diagnosed person with diabetes is now being offered a place on the next available structured patient education course. [53799/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
352. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if a self-management support framework for diabetes, asthma, COPD and cardiovascular disease has been developed; and when the implementation plan will commence. [53800/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
353. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if a needs assessment for cardiac rehabilitation has been undertaken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53801/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
354. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the development of the standardised chronic disease pathway. [53802/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
