Wednesday, 17 Jan 2018

Written Answers Nos. 116-121

Home Help Service Provision

Questions (116)

Frank O'Rourke

Question:

116. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if a review will be conducted of the allocation of home help hours to a person (details supplied) with a view to reinstating the additional three hours awarded after a hospital stay in September 2017, bringing the total hours to five per week; the way in which the approved agency failed to provide a replacement on the occasion on which the home help failed to attend from 15 November 2017; the reason the home help manager was unaware of this fact until the matter was raised via a representation in December 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2216/18]

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.

Speech and Language Therapy Provision

Questions (117, 118, 119)

Martin Kenny

Question:

117. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health if a matter (details supplied) will be addressed regarding speech and language therapy services in south County Leitrim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2226/18]

Martin Kenny

Question:

118. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting to be seen by the speech and language therapist in the south County Leitrim area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2227/18]

Martin Kenny

Question:

119. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health his plans for the appointment of a second speech and language therapist for the south County Leitrim area to reduce the waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2228/18]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 117 to 119, inclusive, together.

As these questions relate to service matters, I have arranged for them to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (120)

Peter Burke

Question:

120. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for a person (details supplied) will be expedited. [2229/18]

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.

General Practitioner Services Provision

Questions (121)

John Brady

Question:

121. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health if funding will be allocated for the delivery of a general practitioner out-of-hours service for north County Wicklow in the HSE service plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2242/18]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I remain committed to the development of an improved GP out of hours service for North Wicklow which can provide the appropriate level of cover for the population of the area. The development of such a service will allow GPs to participate fully in the provision of an integrated healthcare system providing medical services that are appropriate, timely and effective, easily accessible and responsive to the needs of patients.

The HSE 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 remain committed to the development of an improved GP out of hours service for North Wicklow which can provide the appropriate level of cover for the population of the area. The development of such a service will allow GPs to participate fully in the provision of an integrated healthcare system providing medical services that are appropriate, timely and effective, easily accessible and responsive to the needs of patients.

The HSE 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.