Thursday, 14 Dec 2017

Written Answers Nos. 486-498

Hospital Facilities

Questions (486)

James Browne

Question:

486. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made on the provision of high observation units in counties Donegal and Kerry. [54041/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a serviced matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Neuro-Rehabilitation Policy

Questions (487)

James Browne

Question:

487. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health if a model of care for a specialist rehab unit has been agreed; if a cohort of population for a specialist rehab unit has been identified; and if so, the details of both. [54042/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Programme for a Partnership Government includes a commitment to publish "a plan for advancing Neuro-rehabilitation services in the community". The Health Service Executive (HSE) Social Care Division and the HSE Clinical Programme and Strategy Division are working in tandem to progress the implementation of the National Policy & Strategy for the provision of Neuro-rehabilitation services.

The HSE has established a National Steering Group to develop an Implementation Framework for the National Neuro-rehabilitation Policy & Strategy. Following a consultation process in 2016, the HSE has reconstituted the National Steering Group, which is now comprised of representatives across the whole health system including Heads of Social Care and the National Clinical Programme for Rehabilitation Medicine, Acute Hospital services, Mental Health, Primary Care and Health & Wellbeing, Health & Social Care Professionals and the Neurological Alliance of Ireland.

The focus of the HSE National Steering Group is to develop a framework which is implementable across the country. The Steering Group considers that a Managed Clinical Rehabilitation Network model represents best practice as a means of providing neuro-rehabilitation care and support/accommodation needs. A Working Group has been established to support the Demonstration project pilot site. The Working Group has drafted both Terms of Reference and an Implementation Framework.

The HSE's 2017 National Service Plan also contains a priority action to 'establish an innovative pilot day service aimed at supporting people with severe acquired brain injuries'. Work is in progress to complete the requirements of the Service Arrangement with An Saol, to source a service location and recruit necessary staff.

With regard to the related service matters raised by the Deputy, I have arranged for the Deputy's question to be referred out to the Health Service Executive, for a direct reply to the Deputy.

Mental Health Services Data

Questions (488)

James Browne

Question:

488. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of new Central Mental Hospital beds for those admitted under section 21(2) of the Mental Health Act 2001 that have opened in 2017. [54043/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Mental Health Services Staff

Questions (489)

James Browne

Question:

489. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of new staff appointed in 2017 to support the National Forensic Service. [54044/17]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.

Mental Health Services Staff

Questions (490)

James Browne

Question:

490. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the recruitment and establishment of a CAMHS community based forensic mental health team. [54045/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Mental Health Services Provision

Questions (491)

James Browne

Question:

491. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the way in which the provision of mental health services for persons experiencing homelessness has been expanded in 2017. [54046/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Mental Health Services

Questions (492)

James Browne

Question:

492. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health if an agreed ARI contract with each CHO on delivery of programme of education and capacity building to support development of recovery oriented services is now in place. [54047/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Mental Health Services

Questions (493)

James Browne

Question:

493. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the status of the review of the care pathway for MHID patients within the central mental hospital. [54048/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Mental Health Services

Questions (494)

James Browne

Question:

494. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the initiatives being taken to address the shortage of clinical space from which community based mental health services can be delivered and to refurbish existing approved centres. [54049/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Home Help Service Provision

Questions (495)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

495. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if home help hours for a person (details supplied) will be increased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54059/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Commencement of Legislation

Questions (496)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

496. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health when parts 2 and 3 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 will be commenced; the transition arrangements which were put in place in 2015; the expected timeframe set out then; if the registry is set up; if not, when it will be; if clinics ceased using anonymous egg and sperm; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54091/17]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Draft regulations to facilitate the commencement of Parts 2 and 3 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 are being prepared. My Department is also working to resolve a small number of technical issues in order to ensure that the processes associated with Parts 2 and 3 of the Act can be commenced as soon as possible. Section 26 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 allows a transition period for the use of gametes and embryos acquired on an anonymous basis.

Hospital Services

Questions (497)

Tom Neville

Question:

497. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54106/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Question No. 498 answered with Question No. 427.