Written Answers Nos. 323-339
323. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the provision of funding to an organisation (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to the need for funding to be provided to meet the needs in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39397/18]
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 a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
324. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting for an appointment with CAMHS in County Tipperary; the length of time they are waiting for an appointment; the efforts being made to reduce these waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39416/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
325. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the reason the HSE is not paying a person (details supplied) for the treatment abroad scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39417/18]
View answerThe 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 public hospital system.
The second is under the Cross Border Directive (CBD). Under the terms of the Directive, patients of an EU/EEA Member State who meet the necessary criteria may opt to avail of healthcare provided under the legislation of their Member State of affiliation in another EU/EEA Member State and be reimbursed the lesser of the cost of receiving the treatment abroad, or the cost in their own Member State.
The HSE have confirmed that they have not received an application from Mr Poslada in respect of either the TAS or CBD.
On the basis of the information given, Mr Poslada was not eligible for the TAS as the treatment did not meet the criteria for that scheme, one of which is that the treatment is not available in the patient's member state.
If Mr Poslada would like to contact HSE National Contact Point office they will advise him on how to make an application under the CBD, which the HSE will then assess. The contact details are: National Contact Point: HSE Cross Border Directive, St Canice's Hospital, Dublin Road, Kilkenny. Tel: 056 778 4547 or 056 778 4546 or 056 778 4556. email:
crossborderdirective@hse.ie.
326. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied); and when an appointment with a consultant cardiologist in the Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore will be expedited. [39427/18]
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.
327. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the recourse or redress available for persons who were subject to electroconvulsive therapy in earlier years and who suffered long-term negative effects in view of the damage caused by the health service. [39428/18]
View answerElectroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is a treatment which can be used for severe and often intractable cases of clinical depression and other psychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It is an individual specific treatment prescribed by the treating consultant psychiatrist based on an assessment of the patient concerned.
ECT can be administered as a lifesaving treatment in catatonia, acute suicidality and where patients have stopped eating and drinking as a result of severe depressive illness. Elderly persons may be administered ECT where an individual’s health or life is at risk due to self-neglect. It is also occasionally used in patients who are unable to tolerate antidepressant treatment as a result of severe side effects or adverse side effects.
ECT is an extremely effective treatment in appropriately assessed and selected patients and the evidence base for its use is significant. Early use of ECT is also associated with shorter and less costly hospital stays while it has also been reported to enhance health related quality of life and activities of daily living.
The College of Psychiatry of Ireland carried out an analysis of treatment outcomes for a group of involuntary patients administered ECT under section 59(1)(b) of the Mental Health Act 2001. 93% of patients were recorded as having made either a significant recovery or complete recovery. These figures are in keeping with international figures.
The Mental Health Commission is the regulator for mental health services in Ireland and the use of ECT is regulated in accordance with the Mental Health Act 2001 as amended. This Act includes robust legal safeguards which provide that ECT can only be administered to involuntary patients in accordance with Rules drawn up by the Commission. The most recent legislative change regarding ECT was in 2016 when the 2001 Act was amended to ensure that involuntary patients with capacity can no longer be given ECT against their will.
The latest available figures from the Commission on the use of ECT in approved centres show that 263 people were administered ECT in 2016. The majority of programmes of ECT were administered to residents who were admitted on a voluntary basis when they commenced their programme of ECT, accounting for in excess of 80% of programmes of ECT.
ECT is one form of treatment used for treating persons with mental illness and I have no specific plans to make available any recourse or redress measures for persons who have received ECT or any other treatment for mental illness.
328. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if the Sláintecare evaluation was commissioned by the HSE or his Department (details supplied); the reason it has not been published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39429/18]
View answerAs this is a matter for the Health Service Executive, I have requested the Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
329. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 289 of 29 March 2018, the status of the implementation of the recommendations contained in the civil registrations national review report; the details of the working group that has been established on foot of this report; the number of times it has met since its establishment; the number of recommendations from the report that have been implemented to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39430/18]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to you directly on this matter.
330. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment at Cork University Hospital, CUH, for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39431/18]
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.
331. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of physiotherapists, occupational therapists and psychologists for neurodisability services in the community in County Meath. [39432/18]
View answer332. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of persons accessing disability services in the community in County Meath. [39433/18]
View answer333. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the provisions that are made in cases in which health care professionals working with those with disability take leave of absence in view of the fact that a psychologist went on leave of absence for a year and was not replaced. [39434/18]
View answer334. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of services that are dedicated to persons living with neurological disabilities in County Meath; and the number of same nationally. [39435/18]
View answer335. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of services that are dedicated to persons living with neurological disabilities; the respite available to persons with neurological disabilities in County Meath; and the number for same nationally. [39436/18]
View answer336. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health his plans to upgrade disability services in line with need in County Meath. [39438/18]
View answer337. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the way in which the budget for disability services in County Meath compares with other counties per capita in tabular form. [39439/18]
View answer428. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the HSE's plans to increase and provide a dedicated neurological day service facility in County Meath. [39920/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 331 to 337, inclusive and No. 428 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 issues, I have arranged for the questions to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
338. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if extra funding will be provided for disability services in County Meath in budget 2019 in view of the fact that services are now worse than during the recession. [39440/18]
View answerThe level of funding available for my Department is being considered as part of the national Estimates and budgetary process for 2019 which is currently underway. Pending completion of this process it is not appropriate for me to comment further at this stage.
339. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health when a wheelchair will be made available to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39445/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
