Shane Cassells
Question:341. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29117/18]
View answerHospital Appointments Status
Questions (341)
Written answers
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, since 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.
Hospital Facilities
Questions (342)
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:342. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the status of the wards and-or departments that are closed in the Mater Hospital; the length of time each has been closed; when each will be reopened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29125/18]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly, as soon as possible.
Health Services Staff Data
Questions (343)
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:343. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the number of medical consultant posts and nursing posts for which funding was approved in 2016 and 2017 that remain vacant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29126/18]
View answerWritten answers
I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly on this matter.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (344)
Niamh Smyth
Question:344. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); the timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29133/18]
View answerWritten answers
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, since 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.
Health Services
Questions (345)
Seán Fleming
Question:345. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the arrangements for the provision of services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29135/18]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Data
Questions (346)
James Browne
Question:346. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the longest waiting time for CAMHS in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29137/18]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Data
Questions (347)
James Browne
Question:347. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of children awaiting a CAMHS appointment in County Wexford; the number of these children waiting more than six, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36 and 42 months, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29138/18]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Medical Card Administration
Questions (348)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:348. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) who is employed on a rural social scheme was asked to provide a notice of assessment in respect of employment and-or self-employment when the person is entitled to retain a medical card for the duration of participation on the scheme; if the HSE will issue the medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29139/18]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
Hospital Staff
Questions (349)
Niamh Smyth
Question:349. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if all sonographers are in place to provide the anomaly scan at Cavan and Monaghan Hospital; the timeline for the provision of the scan on site in Cavan to all women; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29143/18]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
Services for People with Disabilities
Questions (350)
Seán Fleming
Question:350. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when funding will be approved for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29146/18]
View answerWritten answers
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.
The Programme for Partnership Government states that the Government wishes to provide more accessible respite care to facilitate full support for people with a disability.
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.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (351)
John Brassil
Question:351. Deputy John Brassil 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. [29159/18]
View answerWritten answers
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, since 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.
Health Services Provision
Questions (352)
Seán Fleming
Question:352. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if the HSE puts arrangements in place in respect of funding for a person who lives in a county and in which a service has been approved in the adjoining county (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29171/18]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (353)
Peter Fitzpatrick
Question:353. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a hospital appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29174/18]
View answerWritten answers
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, since 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.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (354)
Kevin O'Keeffe
Question:354. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will be called for a hospital appointment as a matter of urgency. [29175/18]
View answerWritten answers
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, since 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.
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services
Questions (355)
Robert Troy
Question:355. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if a CAMHS referral to a psychologist in CHO 8 for a person (details supplied) will be scheduled without further delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29176/18]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Hospital Admissions
Questions (356)
Eugene Murphy
Question:356. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health the reason no trauma patients are being taken in Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29180/18]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
Health Services Reports
Questions (357)
Eugene Murphy
Question:357. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health the reason only two national trauma centres have been identified for the delivery of trauma treatment in the report of the trauma steering group, A Trauma System for Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29181/18]
View answerWritten answers
In an inclusive Trauma System, as recommended for Ireland by the Trauma Steering Group, the trauma care pathway is not organised around individual institutions but in the context of networked ones whereby all acute hospitals participate – each has a role as either a Major Trauma Centre, Trauma Unit with Specialist Services, Trauma Unit, Local Emergency Hospital or Injury Unit.
In regard to the number of regions/networks, this is based on international evidence of the required volumes. By international standards, with a population of 4.7 million and an estimated 1,600 major trauma cases per year, it would be reasonable to expect that Ireland would have one Trauma Network, with one Major Trauma Centre linked to a number of Trauma Units. The recommendation for two networks is based on the geographical spread of the population and current hospital configuration.
There will be one designated Major Trauma Centre in each of these networks, which should treat a minimum number of major trauma patients in order to maintain a critical mass of specialist expertise. The networks will also include a number of other Trauma Units and, in addition, a Trauma Unit with Specialist Services at Galway University Hospital, which will also deal with trauma cases.
The overall aim of Ireland's trauma system is to address the needs of all injured patients wherever they are injured, and wherever they receive care.
Hospital Services
Questions (358)
Pearse Doherty
Question:358. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 329 of 19 June 2018, the reason the reply received from the HSE does not contain the information as requested; if this information will now be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29182/18]
View answerWritten answers
The HSE have advised me that the incomplete response issued was due to an inadvertent HSE clerical error. The correct response has now been issued to the deputy.
Gender Recognition
Questions (359)
Joan Burton
Question:359. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health the actions being taken on foot of the World Health Organisation declaration that transgender identities are no longer and can no longer be classified or considered to be a mental health or behavioural disorder; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29186/18]
View answerWritten answers
On the 18 June 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued an updated international classification of diseases, ICD-11. In this new classification, "gender incongruence" is now categorised under conditions related to sexual health, instead of mental, behavioural or neurodevelopmental disorders.
WHO said gender incongruence "is characterized by a marked and persistent incongruence between an individual's experienced gender and the assigned sex". The rationale for the new classification is that while evidence is now clear that it is not a mental disorder, and indeed classifying it in this can cause enormous stigma for people who are transgender, there remain significant health care needs that can best be met if the condition is coded under the ICD.
It is anticipated that the ICD-11 will be presented to the World Health Assembly, in 2019, for adoption by countries. It will come into effect in 2022. The advance preview will allow countries to plan how to use the new version and to train health professionals
The Department's National Sexual Health Strategy 2015-2020, developed under Healthy Ireland, is a strategic framework for the sexual health and wellbeing of the Irish population. The vision is that everyone experiences positive sexual health and wellbeing, and has access to high quality sexual health information, education and services. The strategy takes a life course approach to sexual health which acknowledges the importance of developing healthy sexuality throughout childhood and adolescence and builds on that foundation for positive sexual health and wellbeing into adulthood and older age. The three goals key goals of the strategy are:
- To ensure that everyone has access to appropriate sexual health education and information;
- To ensure that high quality sexual health services are available and affordable;
- Ensure that good quality data is available to guide the service.
I welcome this new classification of transgender as a sexual health condition as one that can best meet the health care needs of transgender people.
Gender Recognition
Questions (360)
Joan Burton
Question:360. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health if he will meet a group (details supplied) regarding the implementation of guidelines on the standards of care for transgender persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29187/18]
View answerWritten answers
Transgender-specific guidelines have been developed by WPATH (World Professional Association for Transgender Health) and the Endocrine Society (who updated their guidelines in 2017) and were devised by experts in transgender healthcare, along with members of the International Transgender, Transsexual and LGBT community, and supported by the Transgender Equality Network of Ireland (TENI). A comprehensive multidisciplinary psychosocial assessment is recommended prior to hormone therapy by Endocrinology services.
Ireland has adapted these guidelines for local implementation. Clinical services to specific patient groups are a matter for the patient and their clinical team. It would be inappropriate for the Minister to meet any group to discuss clinical issues.