Written Answers Nos. 1090-1111
1090. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of children on the waiting list for child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS, in County Meath; the average waiting time; and the length of time the person who has been on the list for longest has been waiting. [1916/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1091. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the number of advanced nurse practitioners, ANPs, employed at Letterkenny University Hospital in each of the years from 2011 to 2017 and to date in 2018; the number of ANP posts that are vacant at the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1917/18]
View answerIn response to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
1092. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the reason nursing homes support scheme payments are not backdated to the date of completion of assessment; his plans to backdate them; the date on which this change will come into effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1928/18]
View answerThe Nursing Homes Support Scheme is a system of financial support for those in need of long-term nursing home care. Participants contribute to the cost of their care according to their means while the State pays the balance of the cost. The Scheme aims to ensure that long-term nursing home care is accessible and affordable for everyone and that people are cared for in the most appropriate settings. Anyone who is assessed as requiring long-term residential care can avail of the Scheme, regardless of age, as long as the person’s care needs can be appropriately met in a nursing home that participates in the Scheme. The applicant can choose any public, voluntary or approved private nursing home. The home must have availability and be able to cater for the applicant's particular needs.
The Department of Health agree a set level of funding for the NHSS with the HSE each year having regard for the demand for the Scheme and the overall fiscal position. In 2017 the funding was set at €940m and provided long term residential care for over 23,000 people. In order to manage the demand for the Scheme over a 12 month period, the HSE has a target of maintaining the wait time for funding approval at no more than 4 weeks. This target has consistently been achieved since April 2015 and it is a significant reduction from the October 2014 wait time of 15 weeks. The target of 4 weeks for approval of funding remains a commitment in the Programme for Partnership Government. The budget for NHSS in 2018 has been set at €962m.
1093. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of persons availing of the nursing homes support scheme who were required to make up the difference themselves between the date of completion of assessment and actual date of payment for 2016 and 2017; the amount involved in these years; if there are variations by geographic region as to the time involved; if so, the variations; the differences depending on the time of year the length of time spent waiting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1929/18]
View answer1094. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the way in which funding for the nursing homes support scheme is released; if those who apply early in the financial year get funded differently from those who apply at the end of the year; the way in which it is decided that a person must wait for funding following the completion of assessment; the waiting time by county in 2016 and 2017, in tabular form; if an assessment has been carried out as to the cost involved in persons waiting in acute hospitals against a more speedy process; if the ability to pay for those that must make up the shortfall is considered; if so, the way in which this is done; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1931/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1093 and 1094 together.
As these are service matters I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1095. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to correspondence (details supplied) that was circulated to Ministers and Members of Dáil Éireann; his plans to raise the issue with the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1933/18]
View answerA key principle of the Protected Disclosure Act 2014 is that the identity of the person making such a disclosure should be protected as far as possible. On that basis, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on this case. I can confirm, however, that all protected disclosures are dealt with in accordance with agreed Departmental guidelines and every effort is made to maintain the person's anonymity.
1096. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health if the arrangement of a HSE psychology appointment for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will be prioritised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1937/18]
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.
1097. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the extra resources and supports being put into hospitals to deal with the latest outbreak of influenza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1945/18]
View answerAs part of Winter planning this year, all Acute Hospitals and Community Health Organisations (CHOs) were required to developed integrated Winter Plans setting out the set of measures to be put in place at each hospital to ensure they are prepared for the increased demand for services, including from the spread of influenza, that the Winter months bring.
In addition as part of the Budget 2018 announcements, an additional €40 million was provided in 2017 for additional measures to alleviate pressure on our Acute Hospitals this winter. An element of this funding was provided to support a public health campaign aimed at improving uptake of the influenza vaccination this winter.
In response to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly.
1098. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if surgery for a person (details supplied) will be scheduled. [1946/18]
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 you directly.
1100. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a replacement hearing aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1960/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
1101. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the duration of the period for which a blood sample is retained that had been taken for the newborn bloodspot screening; the reasons it is retained after it has been tested for its original purposes; the location at which it is stored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1961/18]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to service matters I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
1102. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when an appointment for an operation will be issued to a person (details supplied). [1970/18]
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 you directly.
1103. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if persons using Respreeza will continue to have this medication made available to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1971/18]
View answerThe HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drug schemes, in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
1105. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Health if he will request the HSE to investigate the case of a person (details supplied). [1979/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1106. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding now allocated to community drug and alcohol support programmes operated by the North Eastern Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force in view of the Health Service Executive national service plan for 2018. [2006/18]
View answerWith effect from 1 January 2014, operational and financial responsibility for the North East Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force was transferred to the Health Service Executive. Therefore, this service matter has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
1107. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 338 of 14 November 2017, the additional resources that will be allocated to develop a new programme to mobilise community action on alcohol in line with action No. 1.1.1 of Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery; the proposed out-working of this scheme; and if it will complement existing community drug and alcohol support programmes in the north east region. [2007/18]
View answerIn recognition of the key role Drug and Alcohol Task Forces play in providing a targeted response to the drug problem in local communities, I will shortly be announcing details of a range of new funding initiatives to strengthen the capacity of Task Forces to support the implementation of Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery during 2018.
1108. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) was not provided with person-specific treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2010/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
1109. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health his plans to make medicinal cannabis available under the current medical card scheme or under the long-term illness scheme; his views on whether it is time to make it available on an equitable basis to all persons, irrespective of income, in view of the fact that medicinal cannabis is now available by licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2011/18]
View answerUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the pricing and reimbursement of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
1110. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) can avail of the National Treatment Purchase Fund for dental treatment. [2019/18]
View answerReducing waiting times for the longest waiting patients is one of this Government's key priorities. Consequently, Budget 2018 allocated €55 million for the National Treatment Purchase Fund in 2018. This significant increase in funding more than doubles their 2017 total allocation which was €20m.
The HSE and NTPF are working together to develop coherent and synergistic Waiting List Action Plans in 2018 for inpatients/daycase and outpatients which will continue to arrange the provision of treatment for patients across a range of specialties and procedures. These initiatives will continue to focus on long-waiting patients and overall waiting list numbers.
The NTPF advise that they do have provision to send people for dental treatment if they are on a hospital waiting list. 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.
1111. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if the wording used as part of a Government statement concerning the programme of investment in public nursing home facilities, HSE capital plan 2016 to 2021, in respect of a facility (details supplied) remains the position; if not, the future of services at the facility; the planned changes to service provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2021/18]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that since the announcement of the 5 year Capital Investment Programme for Community Nursing Units and following discussions with public representatives, Health Forum members and local community groups, local HSE management in Donegal agreed to review overall requirements for the area. This included an assessment of the adequacy of existing facilities in St Joseph’s Hospital Stranorlar, Ramelton and Lifford, taking account of amended legislation governing residential care standards 2016. I understand that a report has been submitted to the HSE National Social Care Division and the HSE National Capital Property Steering Group. The report will be considered by the HSE National Capital Property Steering Group in due course. Any proposals for changes to the approved Capital Investment Programme will be considered in the context of capital funding available to Health, potential revenue implications and compliance with the agreed capital approval process.
