Written Answers Nos. 725-744
725. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health when a homecare package will issue to a person (details supplied); the waiting time for home care packages in County Kildare to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35896/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
726. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if it is planned to revise the consent section of the E112 form (details supplied). [35901/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
727. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment at University Hospital Limerick, UHL; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35917/18]
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, 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.
728. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the expected waiting time for results for women who have cervical smear tests carried out under the CervicalCheck programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35918/18]
View answerI am aware that issues in relation to CervicalCheck have caused concern for many women, and my Department is working with the HSE to restore confidence in this life-saving screening programme.
The HSE has advised that, due to the increased volume of smear tests which have been carried out in recent weeks, women are experiencing some delay in receiving their results.Currently, results may take up to 12 weeks, but in some cases this may take longer.
Every effort is being made to ensure that tests are processed as quickly as possible, having regard to the high standards required for testing. These delays remain a priority concern for the HSE.
I would like to again emphasise that if a woman is experiencing symptoms which are causing concern, she should consult her GP without delay.
729. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the capital and annual operational cost of establishing five new publicly owned dementia specific units with a capacity of 20 places for dementia patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35919/18]
View answerThere is no one capital cost for additional beds/places. The capital cost is dependent on a variety of factors including the clinical requirements and where the places will be provided (whether as an extension or refurbishment of an existing facility or as a new development on a greenfield site).
As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of healthcare services and infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond directly you in relation to this matter.
730. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the cost of extending the nursing home support scheme to all dementia sufferers requiring long-stay care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35920/18]
View answerAnyone who has applied for NHSS and is assessed as requiring long-term residential care including dementia patients can avail of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme, regardless of age or condition, as long as the person’s care needs can be appropriately met in a nursing home that participates in the Scheme. The applicant can choose any public, voluntary or approved private nursing home. The home must have availability and be able to cater for the applicant's particular needs.
731. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the cost of increasing the nursing home support scheme maximum agreed prices for private and voluntary nursing homes by 5% for all places in dementia specific units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35921/18]
View answerThe Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS), commonly referred to as Fair Deal, is a system of financial support for people who require long-term residential care. The Scheme aims to ensure that long-term nursing home care is accessible and affordable for everyone and that people are cared for in the most appropriate settings.
Anyone who has applied for NHSS and is assessed as requiring long-term residential care, including people with dementia, can avail of the Scheme, regardless of age or condition, as long as the person’s care needs can be appropriately met in a nursing home that participates in the Scheme. The applicant can choose any public, voluntary or approved private nursing home. The home must have availability and be able to cater for the applicant's particular needs.
Dementia is an umbrella term for loss of memory and other cognitive abilities severe enough to interfere with daily life, caused by physical changes in the brain. There are over 400 different types of dementia. Not all people with dementia who are being cared for in a nursing home reside in a Specialist Care Unit (SCU) for dementia. Whilst the majority of nursing home residents have some type of cognitive impairment or dementia, only a small proportion of nursing homes operate an SCU for dementia.
The HSE estimate that the current average price for a private/voluntary bed in the NHSS is €1,000 per week, a 5% increase would result in an increase of €50 per bed per week. As there are approximately 17,475 people being supported in private/voluntary nursing homes under the NHSS, a general increase in the NTPF agreed rate would amount to an additional weekly cost of €873,750.
732. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied); and when they can expect an appointment in the Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore, County Offaly. [35929/18]
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, 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.
734. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the number of patients on waiting lists at Letterkenny University Hospital for cataract surgery; the number waiting 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 and more than 15 months, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35935/18]
View answerImproving waiting times for hospital procedures is a key commitment in the Programme for Government and in 2018 €50 million was allocated to the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to provide treatment for patients. Earlier this year, the Minister launched the Inpatient/Day Case Action Plan which outlines the combined impact of HSE and NTPF activity in 2018 to reduce the number of patients waiting for treatment.
The Action Plan places a particular focus on cataract surgery. All cataract patients who are clinically suitable for outsourcing, and who have been waiting more than 9 months, will be offered treatment by the end of 2018. In total the NTPF will fund 5,000 cataract procedures planned in both public and private hospitals in 2018.
In addition, my Department is continuing to work with the HSE and the NTPF to identify sustainable initiatives to improve waiting times.
Please see table below for requested data concerning the cataract waiting list at Letterkenny University Hospital.
|
0-3 Months |
3-6 Months |
6-9 Months |
9-12 Months |
12-15 Months |
15-18 Months |
Total |
|
19 |
15 |
10 |
13 |
9 |
1 |
67 |
735. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the equipment utilised by Letterkenny University Hospital's ophthalmology service; the costings and date of purchase of same in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35936/18]
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.
736. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health the number of occupational therapists working in CHO1; the number of retirements in the past 12 months; when these positions will be filled; when a post (details supplied) will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35954/18]
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.
737. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health when a site (details supplied) will be sold; and if it will be considered for community use. [35955/18]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the healthcare property estate, I have asked the HSE to respond directly you in relation to this matter.
738. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health his plans to ratify the Convention against Trafficking in Human Organs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35957/18]
View answer739. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the reason the Convention against Trafficking in Human Organs has not been ratified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35958/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 738 and 739 together.
Ireland signed the Council of Europe Convention against Trafficking in Human Organs on 8 October 2015, and thereby signaled its intention to adhere to the provisions pending the development of the necessary legislation to give effect to the Convention.
Ireland will only be in a position to ratify the Convention when the necessary legislation is in place. The General Scheme of a Human Tissue Bill is being finalised at present and will be submitted to Government for approval shortly. This proposed legislation will, among other things, prohibit the commercialisation of human organs and tissue for transplantation and the trafficking of organs for transplantation. In addition, the European Union (Quality and Safety of Human Organs intended for Transplantation) Regulations 2012 which transpose Directive 2010/53/EU provide that a person who procures or sells, including brokering the procurement or sale, for exchange of money or value an organ contrary to the Regulations and the Directive, is guilty of an offence.
740. 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. [35962/18]
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, 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.
741. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if scoliosis patients who require surgery can avail of treatment elsewhere if they have been waiting more than 18 weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35963/18]
View answerThe long-term strategy to develop sustainable scoliosis services has been prioritised by my Department and the HSE in the 2018 HSE National Service Plan. An additional €9 million has been provided to the HSE in 2018 specifically to develop paediatric orthopaedic services, including further increasing access to scoliosis services. The increased investment in the service in 2018 will stabilise and expand the current capacity to meet the demand for timely scoliosis treatment. In 2018, the Children's Hospital Group (CHG) aims to deliver 447 procedures, compared to 371 in 2017 and 224 in 2016.
The HSE operates two schemes which facilitate patients accessing treatments abroad. The first is the Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS) which applies where the treatment is not available in the Irish Republic hospital system.
The second is under the Cross Border Directive (CBD) and reimburses patients for treatments received in another EU/EEA Member State where the treatment is one which is provided in Ireland. The HSE provides information for patients on the CBD and TAS on its website which can be accessed at http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/1/ schemes and also through the HSE TAS and CBD Office. The contact details are: HSE TAS and CBD Office, St Canices, Laken, Dublin Road, Kilkenny, R95 P231. Ph: 056 778 4551. e-mail: treatmentabroadscheme@hse.ie. Patients should contact this HSE office to discuss the possibility of availing of either of the schemes.
742. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35964/18]
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, 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.
743. Deputy Niamh Smyth 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. [35965/18]
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, 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.
744. Deputy Niamh Smyth 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. [35966/18]
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, 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.
