Written Answers Nos. 71-91
71. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health if approval will be forthcoming for a request for additional funding of €1.8 million from Letterkenny University Hospital to enable it to open an additional 20 bed ward and staff it appropriately in order to address an issue with persons waiting on trolleys for hospital admission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27817/18]
View answerIn the light of the conclusions of the Health Service Capacity Review that the system will need nearly 2,600 additional acute hospital beds by 2031, I have asked my Department to work with the HSE to identify the location and mix of beds across the hospital system which can be opened and staffed this year and into 2019 in order to improve preparedness for Winter 2018/2019.
A submission in this regard from the HSE is currently under consideration by my Department, which includes proposals from Saolta Hospital Group in relation to opening additional capacity at Letterkenny University Hospital.
72. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Health his views on whether waiting lists for speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and psychologists in County Meath are acceptable; if there is a shortage of professionals in these areas; and when a person (details supplied) will receive a psychological appointment. [28175/18]
View answerI share the Deputy’s concerns about waiting lists for primary care services, but I can assure him that every effort is being made to reduce waiting times and that the available resources are being used to best effect in order to provide assessment and ongoing therapy to those that need it in line with their prioritised needs.
At a national level, funding has been provided for a number of specific initiatives to support development of primary care services. In 2016, €4m was provided for the recruitment of 83 additional full-time speech and language therapists (SLT) and 74 of these posts are now filled. Also in 2016, €5m was provided for the recruitment of 114 assistant psychologists and 20 staff grade psychology posts and 131 of these staff are now in role. In addition, Budget 2018 included funding for the provision of 40 additional occupational therapy posts from the third quarter of this year. I am aware that County Meath benefitted from the allocation of both SLT and psychologist posts under these initiatives, while the recruitment of occupational therapists will have a geographical spread.
In addition, I understand that the HSE is finalising reports on new national models of therapy provision that should also help to improve access to services.
To provide further information on service levels in County Meath and to respond to the question concerning the named individual, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
73. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the way in which the recently announced review of ambulance provision in south and west County Donegal will be carried out; the timeline for the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28257/18]
View answerAs this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
74. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health when the HSE will have a new director general; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28314/18]
View answerThe recruitment competition for the appointment of a Director General to the Health Service Executive has commenced. It was advertised on Friday 22 June 2018 with a closing date of Thursday 9 August 2018.
It is expected that an appointment will be announced by year end.
75. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the initiatives being taken to improve psychiatric services in County Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28232/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
76. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the status of the measures to reduce overcrowding in emergency departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28315/18]
View answerAgainst a background of rising demand for unscheduled care, €30m was allocated to the HSE in 2017 and a further €40m provided in 2018 to respond to winter pressures and alleviate overcrowding in hospital Emergency Departments (EDs).
This Government is committed to breaking the cycle of overcrowding in our health service. In the light of the conclusions of the Health Service Capacity Review that the system will need nearly 2,600 additional acute hospital beds by 2031, I have asked my Department to work with the HSE to identify the location and mix of beds across the hospital system which can be opened and staffed this year and into 2019 in order to improve preparedness for Winter 2018/2019. My Department has received proposals from the HSE in this regard, which are currently under consideration.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
77. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health his plans to improve services for children awaiting appointments under assessment of needs and follow-up services in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28238/18]
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.
78. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to an increase in funding for local drugs task forces in view of the increase in demand on such services and budget increases to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26082/18]
View answerThe Department of Health secured an additional €6.5 million for drug-related actions in Budget 2018, as a first step in implementing the national drugs strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery. This additional funding is being used to expand the availability of drug and alcohol treatment services and to improve health services for drug-users who are homeless.
Drug and alcohol task forces play a key role in assessing the extent and nature of the drug problem and in initiating appropriate responses, so that there is a coordinated approach involving all sectors to the problem of substance misuse in local communities. The 24 task forces currently receive approximately €28 million in funding per annum from the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive.
An additional €250,000 was provided in Budget 2018 to improve the organisational effectiveness of the task forces in implementing the national drugs strategy. Task forces were recently invited to apply for up to €10,000 in additional funding, on a once-off basis, under this scheme. Their applications are currently being processed by my Department.
I strongly believe that resources should be directed towards interventions that are most effective in reducing problem substance use. Measuring the effectiveness of responses to the drug problem is therefore an important objective of public policy. Towards this end, the Department of Health will develop a performance measurement system by 2020 which will improve accountability across all sectors, including the task forces.
79. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of consultant posts vacant across the State; the vacant consultant posts by specialisation; the consultant posts filled by locum and or agency staff by specialisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27854/18]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to you directly on this matter.
80. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the steps contained within the HSE waiting list action plans and initiatives for 2018 to reduce waiting lists for gynaecological services at Cork University Maternity Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28286/18]
View answerThe waiting list data from the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) for the end of May 2018 indicates that there were 395 people waiting for Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH) gynaecology inpatient services, compared with 495 waiting in May 2017. Of these, 54% were waiting for less than 6 months, and 81% were waiting for less than 12 months. The outpatient waiting list data for May indicates there were 3,629 people waiting for gynaecology services, compared with 4,610 in May 2017, a decrease of 21%. Of these, 44% were waiting for less than 6 months, 74% were waiting less than 12 months.
In recent years, CUMH has received funding to invest in the improvement in its Gynaecology Services. The South/South West Hospital Group (SSWHG) committed an additional €700,000 to the service for 2017 to provide increased theatre capacity and staffing resources to deliver improved waiting times for inpatient/day case treatment and outpatient appointments. An additional €0.4m in funding has also been allocated by SSWHG for CUMH gynaecology services in 2018.
In January 2017, a National Women & Infants Health Programme was established within the HSE to lead the management, organisation and delivery of maternity, gynaecological and neonatal services.
In addition, the SSWHG has developed a phased approach to improve waiting times for gynaecology services at CUMH. This includes the establishment of the SSWHG Women and Children Services Directorate last year, which, I expect, will ensure better coordination and utilisation of maternity gynaecological resources across the group.
More broadly, the Inpatient/Day Case Action Plan 2018 which was published in April outlines the combined impact of HSE and NTPF activity in 2018 to reduce the number of patients waiting for treatment. Under the Plan, the HSE will deliver 1.14 million hospital procedures across a range of specialties. The NTPF will deliver 22,000 Inpatient Day Case treatments across a range of specialties through both outsourcing and HSE insourcing. As outlined in the Plan, the NTPF and the HSE will invite proposals from hospitals for waiting list initiatives. The NTPF will provide funding to the solutions proposed if appropriate.
81. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to address the increase in the suicides of young mothers in CHO 7; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28152/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
82. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the future plans for Crumlin children’s hospital once the new national children’s hospital is operational; if consideration has been given to making it an elective only hospital or for other health or medical purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27852/18]
View answerThe new children's hospital on the campus shared with St James's Hospital, is scheduled to become operational in 2022. Until such time as all inpatient services transfer to the new hospital, they will continue to be provided in the facilities on the site of Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin.
The potential future uses to which the Crumlin land and buildings, or the proceeds of same, can be put for the benefit of children’s services is under consideration. No decision has been taken on this as yet.
83. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health if he has discussed with the Ministers for Children and Youth Affairs and Communications, Climate Action and the Environment the issue of establishing a monitoring body to monitor the voluntary codes of practice on the marketing of food and non-alcoholic beverages aimed at children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25558/18]
View answerIn February, I launched new voluntary Codes of Practice for the advertising and marketing of food and non-alcoholic drinks in the non-broadcast media - including digital media - in accordance with a recommendation in the national Obesity Policy and Action Plan (OPAP). The OPAP was launched in September 2016 under the auspices of the Healthy Ireland agenda.
The purpose of the Codes, which have been agreed with the food industry, is to ensure that foods high in fat, salt and sugar are marketed in a responsible way. In particular the Codes seek to ensure that children are not exposed to inappropriate marketing, advertising or sponsorship associated with these kinds of food and drink products, and that healthier food choices are actively promoted.
In effect, the purpose of the Codes is to reduce the exposure of children to unhealthy foods.
Both the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, under the auspices of the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, were represented on the multi-stakeholder group established by the then Minister for Health to develop the Codes of Practice; and it was in this context that my Department would have worked with both representatives of these Departments, including section 10 of the Codes that refers to the designation of a monitoring body.
84. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for home care packages in the Dublin north west LHO area. [28322/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
85. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the increasing number of children and adolescents on CAMHS waiting lists in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28258/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
87. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health his plans to carry out an audit of the number of children that are being prescribed psychostimulant drugs in view of the interim report of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Future of Mental Health Care that highlights the over reliance on medication in the absence of sufficient primary care resources across mental health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28376/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
88. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the physical and mental health supports which have been put in place for those in direct provision (details suppled); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27850/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
89. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the actions he will take to insure there is sufficient capacity and resources to conduct the new HPV cervical screening testing here without outsourcing the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28377/18]
View answerThe outcome of a health technology assessment carried out by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) for the National Screening Service was that the HPV test is a more accurate testing mechanism than the current liquid-based cytology, that the use of the HPV test would result in fewer false negative results, and that the use of the HPV test would result in more cancers being prevented.
I approved the switch to HPV testing as the primary screening mechanism for the CervicalCheck programme in February. Under the proposals, cytology testing will still be done on a smaller cohort as a secondary test. I have asked the HSE to implement the move to HPV testing as the primary screening method as soon as possible.
While the extent to which the HPV testing can be done in Ireland is being assessed, it is likely that a tendering process will be needed to meet at least some of the HPV testing requirement. Any decisions regarding the provision of screening laboratory services are subject to competition rules governed by HSE procurement policy and will form part of the project planning and implementation.
90. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the efforts he has taken to address chronic recruitment issues in the CHO 1 region; his plans to revisit the centralised system of recruitment via the Consultant Appointments Advisory Committee and the Public Appointments Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28256/18]
View answerThe need to increase the numbers of consultants and other health professionals in the public health service is a priority for me against a backdrop of global shortages in health professionals and international competition for staff trained in Ireland.
The HSE has been focused on addressing issues associated with the creation and approval of consultant posts and successful recruitment. The Consultant Appointments Advisory Committee remains in place and is considered a necessary measure to manage consultant appointments. The HSE is also giving effect to the report 'Towards Successful Consultant Recruitment, Appointment and Retention', completed in December 2016. It is also focused on implementing the recommendations of the 'MacCraith Group' to support the recruitment and retention of NCHDs.
I have asked the HSE to reply to the Deputy directly on measures being taken to address specific recruitment issues in the CHO 1 region.
91. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health his views on whether the over-reliance on medication in the absence of sufficient primary care resources across mental health services (details supplied) is in part the reason for the resignation of three consultant psychiatrists in the south east; his plans to carry out an audit of the number of children that are being prescribed psychostimulant drugs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28385/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
