Written Answers Nos. 180-199
180. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of an orthodontic appointment for a person (details supplied); if he or she is eligible for the cross-border directive scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6124/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
181. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health his views on the health hazard posed by blocked and overflowing communal sewerage pipes that serve private houses; if the routine intervention by health authorities to deal with such situations will be ensured; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6125/18]
View answerI have been advised by the HSE that responsibility for clearing blockages or repairing defects in a private shared drain rests with the residents that are served by it.
Further information in this regard is available on the Irish Water website at: https://www.water.ie/wastewater/issues/blockages/ .
The HSE Environmental Health Services do not have the statutory authority to intervene and deal with such situations.
182. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6134/18]
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.
183. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who have signed up to an organisation (details supplied) for accreditation. [6138/18]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that the Department of Health has no function in the oversight of the Irish Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists and therefore does not have any information on the number of its members.
Counsellors and psychotherapists are not currently designated under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005. The Minister for Health may designate health or social care professions not currently designated if he or she considers that it is in the public interest to do so and if the specified criteria have been met. Following a public consultation I decided to proceed with the designation of two distinct professions under the Act, that of counsellor and psychotherapist. Each will have its own register under one registration board. This decision was communicated to the Health and Social Care Professionals Council (CORU), the relevant professional bodies and all the respondents to the public consultation process.
The draft Regulations to designate the professions of counsellor and psychotherapist and to establish a registration board for the professions have now, in accordance with the provisions of the Act, been laid before each House of the Oireachtas on 9th November 2017 and resolutions approving the drafts have been submitted to each House for consideration.
184. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health if the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will be examined. [6142/18]
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
185. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will have a hip operation in Croom hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6143/18]
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.
186. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the availability of palliative care services, by area; the level of service provided; the staff provided, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6144/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
187. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health if the doctor on-call service meets all relevant EU laws, guidelines and standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6145/18]
View answerAs this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
188. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health his plans to conduct a pilot programme to provide palliative care training to carers; if successful, his further plans to roll out this scheme on a much greater level; when such a scheme may be rolled out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6146/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
189. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a date for an outpatient appointment. [6147/18]
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.
190. Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Health if he has received feedback from the HSE regarding a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6171/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly.
191. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 342 of 23 January 2018, the number of treatment abroad scheme payments issued by year since its inception, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6174/18]
View answerThe HSE operates the Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS) for persons entitled to treatment in another EU/EEA Member State or Switzerland under EU Regulation (EC) No. 883/2004, as per the procedures set out in EU Regulations (EC) No. 987/2009, and in accordance with Department of Health Guidelines.
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.
192. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the number of inpatient transfers that took place between Mallow General Hospital and other hospitals in the South/South West hospital group for each of the years from 2015 to 2017, by hospital and in tabular form. [6180/18]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
193. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6182/18]
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.
194. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the efforts being made to tackle the orthodontic treatment waiting lists in counties Tipperary and Waterford (details supplied); and if more dentists have been employed [6187/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
195. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health if an amendment will be accepted (details supplied). [6195/18]
View answer197. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health his views on concerns arising from chiropractors about their exclusion from the list of qualified professionals within the European Union (Basic Safety Standards for Protection Against Dangers Arising From Medical Exposure to Ionising Radiation) Regulations 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6209/18]
View answer213. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health his plans to postpone the implementation of the European Union (Basic Safety Standards for Protection against Dangers arising from Medical Exposure to Ionising Radiation) Regulations 2018 in view of the concerns of chiropractors (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6268/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 195, 197 and 213 together.
These questions relates to the transposition of the medical provisions of the Basic Safety Standards Directive (BSSD) by my Department and whether chiropractors will be designated as referrers and practitioners in the transposing regulations. The previous regulations did not designate chiropractors as referrers or practitioners.
Ionising radiation has many beneficial applications however as the use of ionising radiation increases, so does the potential for health hazards if not properly used or contained. The BSSD is an essential piece of legislation which protects the public, patients, workers and others from all forms of ionising radiation.
My Department conducted a general consultation on the BSSD in June 2017 and sought views on the provisions of the Directive where Member States had discretion. The Chiropractic Association of Ireland (CAI) was included in my Department's notification of the consultation process and arrangements were made to contact all licence-holders of ionising radiation equipment advising them of the consultation. Information on the consultation process was also posted on my Department’s website. No response was received from the CAI or any individual identifying as a chiropractor.
The statutory instrument transposing the BSSD will designate those who may refer for radiological tests, those who may carry them out and other functions and in this regard I propose to designate nurses, doctors, dentists and radiographers as appropriate. The proposed designation of relevant professionals is based on patient safety and public health considerations reflected in the advice of the Chief Medical Officer.
The previous regulations lacked inspection or enforcement provisions, however, in the new regulations HIQA will have the inspection and enforcement powers to enforce compliance and contravention of the new regulations will be an offence.
The Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment has overall responsibility for the transposition of the BSSD. My Department will finalise the medical provisions of the BSSD in the coming weeks.
196. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the status of a home care package for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6200/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
198. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of times, in tabular form, full capacity protocol was implemented at hospitals across the State in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6214/18]
View answerIn response to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly.
199. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health his views on the fact that medical card holders in Finglas have been transferred to a general practitioner in Ballymun; if he will address the need for a general practitioner in Finglas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6220/18]
View answerAs this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
