Written Answers Nos. 155-176
155. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the reason families affected by cases linked to a clinician at Wexford General Hospital were not contacted regarding concerns expressed by a person who reported the matter to the HSE, as noted in a case report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10262/18]
View answerThe Deputy's question relates to service delivery matters and accordingly I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him.
156. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if a second dialysis unit is being developed in Letterkenny University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10267/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
157. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect an appointment. [10279/18]
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 the Deputy directly.
158. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the scanning or diagnostic equipment which the HSE will be installing in the new primary care centre in Balbriggan; the staff that have or will be recruited to operate this equipment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10282/18]
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.
159. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the newspapers his Department officials have engaged with in promoting or explaining Government business in his Department; when these meetings took place; if they are held on a regular basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10295/18]
View answerOfficials in my Department hold briefing sessions where necessary to provide information to members of the media on Department policies. Representatives of all relevant media organisations are invited to attend. My Department also responds on a daily basis to media queries and facilitates requests for interviews where possible.
A key public health information campaign for my Department is Healthy Ireland - the national framework for action to improve the health and well-being of people living in Ireland.
As part of the initial phase of the Healthy Ireland 2018 Campaign, the following outputs were delivered with the Irish Independent:
the 2018 calendar which accompanied the newspaper as a supplement on 16th December 2017, three sponsored features which appeared in the newspaper's Saturday magazine on 13; 20 and 27 January 2018 (respectively on Walking, Healthy Eating and Mental Well-being); and a 48-page magazine supplement which accompanied the newspaper on Saturday 3rd February 2018.
The content of the magazine and the three sponsored features was aligned to the key themes and messages of the campaign, i.e. Healthy Eating, Physical Activity and Mental Well-being.
The purpose of the articles and the magazine was to promote awareness for the public of these themes and the campaign, provide information and tips about what changes people can make in their daily lives to improve their own health, and signpost to various initiatives and supports such as HSE websites and resources and cross-sectoral initiatives such as Get Ireland Walking and Healthy Ireland At Your Library.
Department Officials met with an editorial team from the Irish Independent on Thursday 4 January 2018 to agree a high level content plan for the magazine. During the subsequent weeks until delivery of the outputs my Department had ongoing engagement with the Irish Independent on the final content to ensure the information given to the public was accurate and in line with national guidelines.
160. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if an application by a person (details supplied) under the fair deal nursing home scheme will be expedited. [10301/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
161. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the status of the e-health strategy; if the plan has been implemented in full; if the electronic health record and individual health identifier is rolled out fully; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10304/18]
View answerSince the publication of 'eHealth Strategy for Ireland’ in 2013 there has been continued progress on the delivery of eHealth initiatives and the deployment of ICT in healthcare settings. This includes new HSE organisational structures for the delivery of eHealth and the setting up of eHealth Ireland as an entity within the HSE, the establishment of the Irish eHealth ecosystem and the development of the eHealth Ireland Advisory Committee. The role of the Office of Chief Information Officer and head of eHealth Ireland was established and the vacancy left by the previous holder of that role is currently being filled.
The Sláintecare report of the Committee on the Future of Healthcare advocates the
“Continued strong support of the e-health strategy – particularly ensuring the necessary funding for timely roll-out of the EHR system"
Working closely with the Sláintecare Project team, the eHealth aspects of the implementation plan are being developed and will address how eHealth and ICT can support the wider goals of health service reform outlined in Sláintecare. Work is also continuing on developing the eHealth strategy to identify the most effective and appropriate approach to the approvals process for the procurement of a national Electronic Health Record solution particularly in the context of the New Children’s Hospital development. The recently published Project Ireland 2040: National Development Plan 2018-2027 states that:
"The National Development Plan will support the provision of digital health services, including the development of electronic health records in many health care settings such as the New Children’s Hospital over the 10-year implementation timescale and reflects what was envisaged in the eHealth strategy for Ireland."
This vision will also be reflected in the forthcoming response to the Sláintecare report.
The Individual Health Identifier (I.H.I.) is an integral part of the eHealth strategy and is given a legal basis in the Health Identifiers Act 2014. On 30 May 2017, a Commencement Order and Regulations under the Health Identifiers Act 2014 were signed, allowing for the implementation of the Individual Health Identifier. An Individual Health Identifier (I.H.I.) pilot programme was initiated by the HSE across a number of selected services and users in May/June 2017 and GP Practice Systems are configured to store and display the IHI and is available to GPs for eReferrals.
The implementation of a national Electronic Health Record and the Individual Health Identifier are challenging long-term programmes within the context of the overall eHealth strategy that will be supported in the years ahead in the context of Sláintecare and the National Development Plan.
Further information and updates on eHealth strategic programmes can be found at http://www.ehealthireland.ie/.
162. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of persons availing of the long-term illness scheme and the high-tech scheme in 2017; the amount of expenditure on both schemes respectively in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10307/18]
View answerUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
163. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the expenditure on medicines in each of the years 2015 to 2017; the projected spend in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10308/18]
View answerUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
164. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the value and volume of generic medicines and branded medicines reimbursed by the HSE in each of the years 2013 to 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10309/18]
View answerUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
165. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 36 of 8 February 2018, 25 and 204 of 7 February 2018, if there are places for all persons who need them at a school (details supplied); if not, if he is liaising with the school and the HSE regarding additional resources required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10316/18]
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.
I understand that this question relates to school leavers who are entering a day service. As the Deputy's question relates to a service issue, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
166. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the number of cataract surgery procedures that were carried out in hospitals in County Cork in each of the years 2014 to 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10348/18]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
167. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 368 and 369 of 28 November 2017, when the deferred response will issue from the HSE further to the provisions contained in Standing Order 42A of Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10353/18]
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.
168. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if he will request the HSE to reassess a person (details supplied) with a view to providing additional home help service in the mornings. [10355/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
169. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the number of nurses and doctors, by grade and type, at Bantry hospital on 1 January in each of the years 2014 to 2017 and 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10356/18]
View answer170. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the number of administrative staff, by grade and type at Bantry General Hospital on 1 January 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10359/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 169 and 170 together.
I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on these matters.
171. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the contact or meetings he or his Department have had with members of a group (details supplied) in the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10363/18]
View answerI met with the group referred to by the Deputy on 9 February 2018.
172. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if it is now the practice that incontinence wear will be supplied to persons who need it free of charge by section 38 agencies which care for persons with an intellectual disability in full-time residential settings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10367/18]
View answer174. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who have been recompensed and repaid the cost of the incontinence charges by section 38 agencies that care for persons with an intellectual disability in full-time residential settings between 2001 and 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10369/18]
View answer175. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who were charged for incontinence wear by section 38 agencies that care for persons with an intellectual disability in full-time residential settings between 2001 and 2013 but have not received repayment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10370/18]
View answer176. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the number of persons with an intellectual disability in full-time residential settings between 2001 and 2013 who were recompensed for charges they had paid for incontinence wear under the terms of the health repayment scheme 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10371/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 172, and 174 to176, inclusive, together.
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 questions relate to service matters, I have arranged for the questions to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
173. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if it was the practice to charge persons for incontinence wear in addition to the normal charges by section 38 agencies that care for persons with an intellectual disability in full time residential settings between 2001 and 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10368/18]
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 service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
