Tuesday, 16 Jan 2018

Written Answers Nos. 1046-1067

Health Services

Questions (1046)

Pat the Cope Gallagher

Question:

1046. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health the consultation his Department or HSE officials have had with the Church of Ireland community on the retention of the Church of Ireland at St. Joseph’s Community Hospital, Stranorlar; the level of engagement they had with the community prior to the submission of the plan to the national social care division of the HSE; the outcome of consultations other than initial contact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1461/18]

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.

Hospital Accommodation Provision

Questions (1047)

Pat the Cope Gallagher

Question:

1047. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health the grant level which was approved for the retention of the long-term residential accommodation capacity in Lifford, Ramelton and St. Joseph’s Community Hospitals, County Donegal in 2016 and 2017; if applications made in either 2016, 2017 or to date for the three hospitals are still awaiting funding approval by the HSE for long-term accommodation capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1462/18]

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.

Hospital Accommodation Provision

Questions (1048)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

1048. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the average number of acute hospital beds available in public hospitals for each of the years from 2015 to 2017, by public, private and non-designated hospitals, in tabular form. [1481/18]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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.

Mental Health Services Provision

Questions (1049)

Michael McGrath

Question:

1049. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the date on which a person (details supplied) in County Cork joined the waiting list for an assessment by the child and adolescent mental health services in Cork; the timeframe for the assessment to be carried out; the number of persons ahead of this person on the waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1483/18]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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

Medical Card Applications

Questions (1050)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1050. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an application for a medical card by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1489/18]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.

Health Services Provision

Questions (1051)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

1051. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if dialectical behaviour therapy is available to service users in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1494/18]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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

General Practitioner Contracts

Questions (1052)

Joe Carey

Question:

1052. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health the status of general practitioner contract negotiations; his views on whether the outcome of these talks will have a positive impact on the delivery of out-of-hours GP services, such as the County Clare service known as Shannondoc; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1532/18]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The development of primary care is central to the Government's objective to deliver a high-quality, integrated and cost effective health service. The Programme for Government and Sláintecare commit to shifting the model of healthcare towards a more comprehensive and accessible primary care service in order to deliver better care close to home in communities across the country. The development of a new, modernised contract for the provision of general practitioner services will be a key element in facilitating this process.

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. A new contract should be flexible and be able to respond to the changing nature of the GP workforce. It should also include provisions in relation to service quality and standards, performance, accountability and transparency. This will be key in making general practice a more attractive career.

Since 2015, negotiations have resulted in a number of service developments including the provision of free GP care to under 6's and over 70's, the introduction of a Diabetes Cycle of Care for adult GMS patients with Type 2 Diabetes and enhanced supports for rural GPs. The next phase of discussions on a new GP contract is under way and officials from the Department of Health and the HSE meet with GP representatives on a regular basis.

I am hopeful that agreement can be reached with GP representatives in the coming months on service developments that can be introduced during 2018.

Separately, the HSE's National Primary Care Division has undertaken a national review of current GP out of hours services and a final report is expected to be completed shortly. This report will make recommendations regarding the future provision of GP out of hours services.

I am confident that the GP contract review process and the out of hours review will result in service improvements across general practice, including out of hours services, benefitting both patients and GPs.

Road Traffic Accidents Data

Questions (1053)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

1053. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the way in which data on serious injuries from road traffic collisions are collected and collated; the number of persons who presented to hospitals around the country with serious injuries due to road traffic collisions in each of the years 2015, 2016 and 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1542/18]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.

Road Traffic Accidents Data

Questions (1054)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

1054. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the way in which data on cyclists' injuries are collected and collated; the number of persons who presented to hospitals around the country with such injuries in each of the years 2015, 2016 and 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1543/18]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.

Pharmacy Services

Questions (1055)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

1055. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to parliamentary question number 213 of 4 May 2017 and subsequent replies, if he will arrange for a comprehensive answer to be provided; and the reason for the inability to provide such an answer to date. [1556/18]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As the HSE has responsibility for this matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this issue.

Legislative Process

Questions (1056)

Imelda Munster

Question:

1056. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health the projects undertaken to consolidate or amalgamate existing legislation, including the cost, the duration, the number of staff required and if this process was carried out by his Department or outsourced in each of the years from 2007 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form. [1567/18]

Written answers

Minister for Health

My Department did not undertake any projects on Bills to consolidate or amalgamate existing Acts during the years 2007 to 2017.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (1057)

Pat Deering

Question:

1057. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be called for surgery in St. Vincent's University Hospital. [1587/18]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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 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 you directly.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (1058)

Pat Deering

Question:

1058. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be called for surgery in the outpatient's department at Waterford University Hospital. [1588/18]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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 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 you directly.

Primary Care Centres

Questions (1059)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

1059. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of a primary care centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1595/18]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As 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.

Services for People with Disabilities

Questions (1060)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

1060. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if a centre (details supplied) in County Donegal will be in receipt of capital funding in view of the fact that the interim building has been occupied for nearly two years and service users are in need of a permanent structure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1608/18]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

Home Care Packages Data

Questions (1061)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

1061. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of home care packages being provided, by county, in tabular form; if he is satisfied that the current provision of home care packages is sufficient; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1609/18]

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.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (1062)

Peter Burke

Question:

1062. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for a person (details supplied) will be expedited. [1617/18]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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 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 you directly.

Home Care Packages Provision

Questions (1063)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

1063. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of a home support package for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1634/18]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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 an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

Hospital Services

Questions (1064)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

1064. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 777 of 7 November 2017, if the repair works on the operating theatres at Merlin Park University Hospital have been completed; if so, the date on which the works were completed; if not, the reason therefor; the date on which it is expected that the works will be completed; if the operating theatres are operational; if so, the date on which they opened; if not, the reason therefor; when it is expected that they will be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1639/18]

Written answers

Minister for Health

In response to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Hospital Services

Questions (1065)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

1065. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 777 of 7 November 2017, the number of appointments that have been postponed, cancelled or transferred to another location due to the closure of the theatres in Merlin Park University Hospital, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1640/18]

Written answers

Minister for Health

In response to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Hospital Services

Questions (1066)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

1066. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 777 of 7 November 2017, if all persons whose appointments have been postponed or cancelled or transferred to another location have been contacted by the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1641/18]

Written answers

Minister for Health

In response to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Services for People with Disabilities

Questions (1067)

Danny Healy-Rae

Question:

1067. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the amount that has been spent on moving persons from congregated settings in County Kerry since the beginning of this model; the number of persons who have now been placed in decongregated settings in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1642/18]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The HSE’s report “Time to Move on from Congregated Settings – A Strategy for Community Inclusion”, (2011) proposes a new model of support in the community by moving people from institutional settings to the community. The plan is being rolled out at a regional and local level and involves full consultation with stakeholders.

The Programme for Government contains a commitment to continue to move people with disabilities out of congregated settings, to enable them to live independently and to be included in the community. In May 2016, 2725 people lived in congregated settings and our objective is to reduce this figure by one-third by 2021 and ultimately, to eliminate all congregated settings. A congregated setting is defined as a residential setting where people live with ten or more people.

The HSE has established a subgroup, under ‘Transforming Lives’, the Programme to implement the recommendations of the Value for Money and Policy Review of Disability Services, which is developing an implementation plan for moving people from institutions. I welcome the fact that the needs of people moving from congregated settings will be fully taken into account during this process as the model of care for individuals will be based on a person centred plan.

At the end of December 2017, less than 2,500 people with a disability were living in congregated settings. The HSE's 2018 National Service Plan has set a target of 170 people to move from institutions to community living this year. I want to emphasise that the appropriate supports and resources are being put in place to ensure that people are supported as they move out of residential centres.

As the HSE is responsible for leading out on the recommendations on "Time to Move on from Congregated Settings - A Strategy for Community Inclusion", I have arranged for the Deputy's question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy with specific regard to the information sought by the Deputy in relation to Kerry.