Wednesday, 24 Oct 2018

Written Answers Nos. 234-253

Nursing Staff Data

Questions (234)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

234. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the number of nurses and midwives on administrative leave; the reason therefor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44079/18]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly on this matter.

Nursing Staff Data

Questions (235)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

235. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the number of nurses and midwives not working due to work related stress; if this number is considered as actively working; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44080/18]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly on this matter.

Health Services

Questions (236)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

236. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of works on a site (details supplied); when works will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44089/18]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

Hospitals Funding

Questions (237, 241)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

237. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health his views on the need for investment in regional hospitals and in particular in a hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44090/18]

Niamh Smyth

Question:

241. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health his plans to extend and invest in services at a hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44097/18]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 237 and 241 together.

The establishment of hospital groups has enabled a better configuration of hospital services with benefits relating to safety, quality, access, cost and sustainable medical staffing. The structure ensures that hospitals working together in a group will be able to support each other, providing a stronger role for smaller hospitals in delivering less complex care, and ensuring that those who require emergency or complex planned care are managed safely in larger hospitals.

The RCSI Hospital Group, which includes both Cavan General Hospital and Monaghan Hospital, has identified the need for development of the resuscitation area in Cavan Emergency Department. Future investment in Cavan General Hospital will be considered within the overall acute hospital infrastructure programme, the prioritised needs of the hospital groups and within the overall capital envelope available to the health service.

With regard to Monaghan Hospital, the Smaller Hospitals Framework focuses in particular on the future role of smaller hospitals and outlines the wide range of services that can be provided within these smaller hospitals. As a Model 2 hospital, in line with the Smaller Hospitals Framework, Monaghan Hospital has a Minor Injuries Unit located on site which provides an important service to the local community. I recently met with the RCSI Hospital Group to discuss how all hospitals within the group can develop and contribute to improvements in both scheduled and unscheduled care for patients.

I am committed to securing and further developing the role of our smaller hospitals with the expansion of services delivered in these hospitals, especially in services such as day surgery; ambulatory care; medical services and diagnostics.

The National Development Plan provides €10.9 billion for Health capital developments across the country, including both national programmes and individual projects, across acute, primary and social care. Health capital projects and programmes currently underway will continue. As to be expected with a ten year plan, many proposals are at an early stage and will require to progress through appraisal, planning design and tender before a firm timeline or funding required can be established.

As these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.

Emergency Departments Data

Questions (238)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

238. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of emergency department attendances at Cavan General Hospital in each of the years 2012 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44091/18]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

Primary Care Services Provision

Questions (239)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

239. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of children awaiting a primary care psychology appointment in counties Cavan, Monaghan and Meath more for than 3, 6, 12, 18, 24 and 36 months, respectively. [44094/18]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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 Accommodation Provision

Questions (240)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

240. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if five additional beds allocated to Monaghan Hospital in 2013 have been opened; if not, the reason therefor; his plans for additional allocation of beds to ease pressure on Our Lady of Lourdes, Drogheda, and Cavan General Hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44095/18]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Increasing bed capacity is a Government priority.

Over the past 12 months an additional 240 beds have been opened nationally of which:

- 25 additional beds opened in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda by end quarter 4 2017;

- A further 4 additional beds opened in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda by end quarter 3 2018;

- 30 additional beds are planned for Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda for early 2019.

- Other capacity developments funded this year include the new  Emergency Department at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, which is  part of a major capital infrastructure project. The capital development of  the campus includes additional beds, theatres and an expanded ED. The HSE have advised the Department that the new ED extension will be completed  and available to open in quarter 1 2019.

This investment has contributed to a 28.7% reduction in trolleys in OLOL this year compared to last year.

This increase in capacity does not take account of the impact of the €10 million in funding in Budget 2019 to increase acute bed capacity in line with the recommendations of the Health Service Capacity Review. My Department is currently in discussions with the HSE, in the context of the National Service Plan 2019, to identify the sites for investment and the associated number of beds, as part of an agreed capacity programme for 2019.

In relation to the particular query raised on the 5 Rehab/Step down beds in Monaghan, RCSI Hospital Group has informed the Department that those beds remain closed. The opening of these beds will be considered as part of the process outlined above.

Question No. 241 answered with Question No. 237.

Home Help Service

Questions (242)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

242. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if extra resources are being allocated to assist with the backlog of those that have been approved home help hours but cannot get them due to a lack of carers and-or resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44098/18]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Home Support Service is a core service for older people and is highly valued by service users, their families and by the HSE. It provides supports which assist older people to live independently in their own homes for longer and enables large numbers of people to return home following acute hospital admission who otherwise would remain in hospital or would be admitted to long stay residential care. 

Following the recent Budget announcement, the HSE and officials from the Department of Health have commenced the process of developing and agreeing the HSE National Service Plan 2019, which will set out, in detail, the type and quantum of services to be delivered in 2019 including in relation to services for older people. The Service Plan will be developed over, approximately, the next month.

Home Help Service Data

Questions (243)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

243. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of home help hours approved by the HSE team but waiting to be provided the hours in counties Cavan, Monaghan and Meath; the length of time they have been waiting for by 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months, respectively in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44099/18]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Primary Care Centres Provision

Questions (244)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

244. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of negotiations on plans to introduce a centre (details supplied) first announced in 2013 for County Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44101/18]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.

Primary Care Centres Data

Questions (245)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

245. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of primary care centres (details supplied); the stages these are at; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44102/18]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As the HSE has responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres and other Primary Care facilities, the Executive has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.

Medical Products

Questions (246)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

246. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44104/18]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Staff

Questions (247)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

247. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of vacant posts in whole-time equivalent terms in the CAMHS service for each CHO in tabular form. [44105/18]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Public Health Policy

Questions (248)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

248. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when the regulations referred to in section 12(1) of the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015 which is now passed into law will be published and come into force in view of the urgency of this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44106/18]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Draft regulations under Section 12(1) of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 must be submitted to the European Commission for assessment under Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers before they can be finalised and published.

Services for People with Disabilities

Questions (249)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

249. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 891 of 7 September 2018, the number of children aged 0 to 18 years of age on waiting lists for an assessment of need under the Disability Act 2005; the number of these that are overdue; the length of time they have been waiting by community healthcare organisation area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44112/18]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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 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.

National Treatment Purchase Fund Data

Questions (250)

Stephen Donnelly

Question:

250. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the schedule of types of medical treatments covered by the NTPF for 2017 and to date in 2018, including each treatment type; the number of procedures; the average fee paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44113/18]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) has advised that in 2017 a total of 8,192 people were removed from the Active Inpatient Day Case (IPDC) waiting list as a result of accepting offers of treatment funded through the NTPF. As a result of the NTPF Scopes Initiative, 1,328 patients were removed from the GI Scopes waiting list. The total estimated cost of treatment for those who accepted offers in 2017 is €20.5m. (Please note that the 2017 Annual Financial Statements have not been finalised).

In the first 9 months of 2018, a total of 15,456 patients have accepted offers of NTPF funded treatment, broken down as follows:

Treatment	Number
Angiograms	1,135
Cataracts	5,403
Cystoscopies	2,121
Joints	1,085
Lesions	843
Tonsils	866
Varicose Veins	1,127
Other Procedures	2,876
Total	15,456

In addition, 2,462 patients were removed from the GI Scopes waiting list this year to end of September 2018.

With regard to Inpatient/Day case (IP / DC), the following procedures are provided in Private Hospitals, funded through the NTPF:

Adenoidectomy

Angiogram

Arthroscopy of Ankle DC

Arthroscopy of Ankle IP

Arthroscopy of Shoulder DC

Arthroscopy of Shoulder IP

Arthroscopy of knee DC

Arthroscopy of shoulder, diagnostic with or without synovial biopsy

Arthroscopy of shoulder, surgical, with removal of loose body or foreign body, synovectomy debridement

Bilateral hernia repair

Cardioversion

Carpal Tunnel

Cataracts

Cervical Discectomy IP

Circumcision DC Adults

Circumcision IP Adults

Circumcision DC Paeds

Circumcision IP Paeds

Colonoscopy

Correction of Protruding ears (Bilateral)

Cystoscopy Day case

Endoscopy / Gastroscopy

Excision Lesion General

Excision Lesion Plastics

Excision of hydrocele, bilateral

Excision of hydrocele, unilateral

Grommets

Hip Replacement

Hysteroscopy with dilatation and curettage (diagnostic or therapeutic)

Interruption of sapheno-femoral junction varicose veins

Knee Replacement

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy daycase and inpatient

Laparoscopy with/without D&C and with/without biopsy

Lumbar Discectomy IP

Myringoplasty

Myringotomy bilateral and Grommets Paeds DC

Myringotomy bilateral paeds DC

Nasal / Sinus Endoscopy DC

Nasal / Sinus Endoscopy IP

Protoscopy / Sigmoidoscopy DC

Repair of incisional hernia

Repair of umbilical hernia

Resection Ingrown Toenail DC

Rhinoplasty DC

Removal of Pin Screw Wire DC

Removal of Pin Screw Wire IP

Removal of Plate Rod Nail DC

Removal of Plate Rod Nail IP

Septoplasty DC

Septoplasty IP

Septorhinoplasty - ENT

Septorhinoplasty - Plastics

Strabismus procedure involving 1 or 2 muscles, one eye

Surgical removal of unspecified number of teeth requiring removal of bone - to be performed by a maxillofacial surgeon

Tonsils Adult

Tonsils Paeds

Transurethral resection of prostate [TURP]

Tympanoplasty IP Adult

Tympanoplasty DC Adult

Tympanoplasty IP Paeds

Tympanoplasty DC Paeds

Ureteroscope

Urethroscopy, diagnostic, with or without biopsy

Varicose Veins

The above is not an exhaustive list but covers most of the current procedures. There are also a broader range of procedures that are provided through public hospitals.

In addition, the NTPF has recently tendered for the following procedures:

Excision of chalazions, papillomas, dermoids or other cysts or lesions, one or both eyelids, involving skin, lid margin, tarsus and or palpebral conjuctiva

Excision of pterygium

Excision of pterygium and conjunctival graft

Reconstruction of eyelid

Syringing  and / or probing of lacrimal passages, unilateral or bilateral

Hallux valgus, bilateral

Hallux valgus, unilateral

Reconstruction of eyelid

Excision of epididymal cyst, bilateral

Excision of epididymal cyst, unilateral

Orchidectomy, bilateral

Orchidectomy, unilateral

Orchidopexy for undescended testis, bilateral, with or without inguinal hernia repair

Orchidopexy for undescended testis, unilateral, with or without inguinal hernia repair

Repair of Variocele

Vasectomy, bilateral

Cardiac electrophysiological study with radiofrequency ablation

Anorectal examination

Excision of anal skin tag

Haemorrhoidectomy, external, multiple

Cauterisation of ectropion

Cauterisation of entropion

Dacryocystorhinostomy [DCR]

Repair of epigastric hernia

Fundoplasty, laparoscopic approach

Orchidopexy for undescended testis, bilateral, with or without inguinal hernia repair

Orchidopexy for undescended testis, unilateral, with or without inguinal hernia repair  

Procedures with the Private hospitals are tendered through an open procurement process and the cost per procedure would be commercially sensitive.

Mental Health Services

Questions (251)

Stephen Donnelly

Question:

251. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the supports available to the deaf community in accessing mental health supports, including the provision of mental health professionals fluent in sign language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44114/18]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Dental Services Provision

Questions (252)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

252. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if dental treatment will be facilitated for a person (details supplied) in view of the circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44140/18]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.

Vaccination Programme

Questions (253)

Clare Daly

Question:

253. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the expenditure on the advertising and promoting of the HPV vaccine in each of the years 2014 to 2017. [44155/18]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this PQ refers to expenditure on the advertising and promoting of the HPV vaccine, I have referred it to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.