Written Answers Nos. 928-944
928. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health when he plans to extend the general practitioner visit card scheme to persons in receipt of carer's allowance as announced in December 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16162/18]
View answerGovernment approval was given on the 11th of April 2018 to provide GP services without charge to persons in receipt of Carer's Allowance or Carer's Benefit. Permission was also granted to draft the Heads of the Bill to legislate for this measure. My officials are now undertaking the necessary work to prepare the draft Heads of the Bill. It is my intention that this change will be implemented this year, subject to the drafting and enactment of the necessary legislation.
930. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health if the HSE has invited tenders for the sale of the old Keadue health centre, County Roscommon; the position regarding this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16165/18]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the health care infrastructure estate, the Executive has been requested to reply directly to you in relation to the sale of Keadue Health Centre, County Roscommon.
931. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if home help hours which have been allocated but have not been filled will be filled in the case of a person (details supplied). [16196/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
932. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the person or body with which responsibility for the children’s hospital parking arrangements currently resides; the reason there is a recent survey of parking needs for the new hospital being conducted; the cost of same; the reason this was not undertaken in advance of the decision to relocate the children’s hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16198/18]
View answerThe National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB) has statutory responsibility for the construction of the new children’s hospital at St. James's Hospital and all associated issues.
All matters relating to car parking, access and traffic management were dealt with rigorously as part of the planning process. An Bord Pleánala confirmed that it was satisfied that appropriate plans were in place when it granted planning permission in April 2016.
I understand from the NPHDB that in March 2018 a further scheduled patient/visitor travel survey was undertaken in Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital in Crumlin, to further assist and develop the carpark operating model.
I have asked the NPHDB to respond to you directly regarding that survey as soon as possible.
933. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) is awaiting an operation in Tallaght Hospital; the length of time the person is waiting for an appointment date for the operation; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the person is also waiting to see a gynaecologist; the length of time the person is waiting for this appointment; and when the person will receive a gynaecology appointment and a date for surgery. [16199/18]
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.
934. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health when persons (details supplied) will receive an ENT clinic appointment in Drogheda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16200/18]
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.
936. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of referrals of persons in County Wexford to the department of psychiatry in Newcastle Hospital in each of the years 2015 to 2017; the number of referrals of persons who do not reside in County Wexford to the department in each of the years 2015 to 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16223/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
937. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of operations which have been cancelled in the past year in Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, and Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, due to beds being used to deal with alleviating the trolley crisis. [16227/18]
View answerAgainst a background of growing demand for unscheduled care and high acute hospital occupancy rates, as highlighted by the Health Service Capacity Review, Government provided €30m in 2017 and a further €40 million in 2018 for measures to increase acute hospital capacity and alleviate overcrowding in Emergency Departments this winter.
As of today, over 200 additional beds have been opened, including 25 in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda in December. Further beds are scheduled to open in 2018, including at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda, which will see new ED and ward capacity come on line later this year.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
938. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the status of a business case prepared for the proposed redevelopment of a facility (details supplied) for adults with disabilities in County Donegal; when the proposal will be assessed in full and a decision made in respect of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16244/18]
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.
939. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health his plans to further expand specialised hospital supports and increase specialist staff for persons with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome; if resources will be made available for this condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16246/18]
View answerAs this P.Q. relates to a service matter is has been referred to the Health Service Executive for a direct reply.
940. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) is waiting for surgery while receiving chemotherapy; and when this operation will be expedited. [16247/18]
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.
943. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe 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. [16261/18]
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.
944. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health when a full residential place will be provided for a person (details supplied). [16235/18]
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.
