Barry Cowen
Question:615. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied); and when the person can expect an appointment with the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital. [45166/18]
View answerHospital Appointments Status
Questions (615)
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 Appointments Status
Questions (616)
Eugene Murphy
Question:616. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) can receive a revised and more immediate date for a procedure in view of the circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45167/18]
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.
Nursing Homes Support Scheme
Questions (617)
Jackie Cahill
Question:617. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health when the legislation to reflect the changes to the fair deal scheme will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45175/18]
View answerWritten answers
The proposed policy change to the Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS), to cap contributions from farm assets at 3 years where a family successor commits to working the productive asset, has been approved by Government. My Department is working on the development of draft Heads of Bill while considering a number of ancillary policy and operational matters which may need to be addressed in the proposed legislation.
It is intended that this proposed policy change, the 3 year cap, will be extended to eligible existing participants in long term residential care so that they are not disadvantaged, but that there would be no retrospective recoupment of contributions for those who have paid contributions over and above the 3 year period. I expect to bring Heads of Bill to Government in the next session before this year end and that the changes will come into effect in 2019 subject to the legislative process.
Home Help Service Data
Questions (618)
Bernard Durkan
Question:618. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the average length of time spent on a waiting list by patients who already qualify for help via the home help scheme and have applied for additional support in each of the past three years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45183/18]
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.
General Medical Services Scheme
Questions (619)
Tom Neville
Question:619. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Health if a person can have a pyroluria test carried out under the medical card GMS scheme in view of the fact that persons are reporting that it costs circa €400 for the test. [45184/18]
View answerWritten answers
The HSE has advised me that as pyroluria testing has not been shown to be clinically effective this service would not be covered under the GMS scheme.
Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
Questions (620)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:620. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if a company (details supplied) has undertaken work within his Department's remit to build or renovate projects over the past ten years; if so, the project name and location; the year in which it was built; if building fire safety inspections have been carried out on the projects since construction; the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45202/18]
View answerWritten answers
I am aware of the issues surrounding the company named by the Deputy in his question. As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to him directly in relation to the details of his questions.
Orthodontic Services
Questions (621)
Eugene Murphy
Question:621. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health if an orthodontic procedure for a person (details supplied) can be expedited in view of the fact that the person was initially assessed in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45231/18]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
Nursing Homes Support Scheme
Questions (622)
Peter Burke
Question:622. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if it was policy that the fair deal office would review applicants' means on an annual basis (details supplied) based on social welfare budgetary increases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45234/18]
View answerWritten answers
The Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS) is a system of financial support for those in need of long-term nursing home care. Participants contribute to the cost of their care according to their income and assets while the State pays the balance of the cost. 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.
Under the NHSS Act 2009 the HSE may, in respect of a person who is being provided with care services, whether of its own initiative or at the request of the person, at any time arrange for a review to be carried out of all or any of the following as appropriate:
- the care needs assessment;
- the financial assessment relating to the person; or
- the weekly amount of payments made by way of ancillary State support in respect of that person.
A participant in the Scheme can request the HSE to review their financial assessment on the condition that 12 months have passed since the initial assessment or the most recent review. Participants in the scheme are also obligated to inform the HSE of any material change in circumstances, including an increase in income or means.
It should be noted that any increase in income or means not notified to the HSE will result in recoupment by the HSE of the support that was advanced over and above what was due to the participant.
I would encourage any participant in the Scheme to contact their local area HSE office with any queries relating to their financial contribution towards their cost of care.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (623)
Fiona O'Loughlin
Question:623. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details supplied). [45239/18]
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.
Disease Incidence
Questions (624)
Fiona O'Loughlin
Question:624. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health if annual data on the number of persons presenting and being diagnosed with Lyme disease is being recorded; the steps he has taken to address increases in cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45242/18]
View answerWritten answers
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre of the HSE is responsible for the surveillance of notifiable infectious diseases such as Lyme disease. As the collation of data on Lyme disease is a service matter, I have referred this PQ to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Paediatric Services
Questions (625, 626, 627, 628)
Fiona O'Loughlin
Question:625. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the number of paediatric physiotherapists working in County Kildare. [45243/18]
View answerFiona O'Loughlin
Question:626. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the number of paediatric physiotherapists working in County Laois. [45244/18]
View answerFiona O'Loughlin
Question:627. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the number of vacant posts for paediatric physiotherapists in County Kildare; the length of time these posts have been vacant; and when they will be filled. [45245/18]
View answerFiona O'Loughlin
Question:628. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting for an appointment to see a paediatric physiotherapist in County Kildare; the length of time they have been waiting; and the number of children waiting zero to three months, three to six months, six to nine months, nine to 12 months and longer than 12 and 24 months, respectively, in tabular form. [45246/18]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 625 to 628, inclusive, together.
As these questions relate to service matters, I have arranged for them to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
Disabilities Assessments
Questions (629)
Paul Murphy
Question:629. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) continues to wait for the school age team despite their original assessment of needs being in June 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45262/18]
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.
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.
Question No. 630 answered with Question No. 578.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (631)
Robert Troy
Question:631. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will be scheduled for surgery in the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital. [45273/18]
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 Deaths
Questions (632)
Clare Daly
Question:632. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 225 of 24 October 2018, the robust methodology used in the review to determine the inclusion-exclusion criteria; the matrix-criteria used to determine the living or deceased status of the 195 CPE positive patients; the period the review covered; and the reason more patients who had been identified by the whistleblower as having died were omitted from the review. [45275/18]
View answerWritten answers
My Department and I have been kept informed of an external review commissioned last year by University of Limerick Hospitals Group (ULHG), regarding patients with CPE and concerns regarding whether CPE was a factor in the deaths of a number of these patients. In addition, University Hospital Limerick conducted an internal review. On 9th October last the HSE and ULHG published a final report combining the two review findings and have advised that the review process was both robust and comprehensive.
As the Deputy's question relates to the process of the review the question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (633)
Robert Troy
Question:633. Deputy Robert Troy 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. [45287/18]
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.
Pharmaceutical Sector
Questions (634)
Brendan Griffin
Question:634. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if the implications of the proposed rule changes by an organisation (details supplied) for pharmaceutical assistants who qualified in the years 1982 to 1985 have been considered; if a derogation from the rules can be provided to these skilled and experienced pharmaceutic assistants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45288/18]
View answerWritten answers
The Pharmacy Act 2007 established the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) and the functions of the Society are set out in the Act. The functions of the PSI are carried out on its behalf by the Council of the Society.
Section 30 of the Pharmacy Act 2007 provides for an exception to the general provision in the Act which requires the sale and supply of medicines at a pharmacy to be conducted under the personal supervision of a registered pharmacist, and specifies that no offence is committed where a registered pharmaceutical assistant “acts on behalf of a registered pharmacist during the temporary absence of the registered pharmacist”.
Section 30 also permits the Council to make rules as to:
1. What may or may not be done by a registered pharmaceutical assistant when acting on behalf of a registered pharmacist; and
2. What constitutes the temporary absence of a registered pharmacist.
On June 21 2018, the Council of the PSI approved for issuance for public consultation the proposed draft Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (Temporary Absence of Pharmacist from Pharmacy) Rules 2018. This public consultation commenced on 17 July and ran until 14 August and afforded any interested party the opportunity to make representations on the matter directly to the PSI.
Following completion of the public consultation phase, the Council of the PSI considered the proposed draft Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (Temporary Absence of Pharmacist from Pharmacy) Rules 2018 at its meeting on the 20th September 2018 where the Council approved the draft rules without amendment.
I understand that since that date the PSI has undertaken to redraft the Rules in relation to what may or not be done by a registered pharmaceutical assistant when acting on behalf of a registered pharmacist. The redrafted Rules will require approval of the Council of the PSI before a public consultation phase. Subsequent to any public consultation phase the draft Rules must again be approved by the Council before submission for my consent. This Council approval is not anticipated until early in the New Year.
My role in relation to this process is limited to the consideration of any such Rules once submitted for my approval. I must consider any Rules presented to me from a fair and impartial perspective, without prejudice or prejudgement.
I await the receipt of the Rules for my consideration from the PSI and, until that time, I am unfortunately not in a position to comment any further on the matter raised.
Health Services Provision
Questions (635)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:635. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the details of recent refurbishment works in a centre (details supplied); the list of services it plans to deliver; the expected number of persons it will provide services to; the areas that will be covered by the services; the cost analysis, meetings and consultations that took place before a final decision was made; the number of staff it houses; the number it proposes to employ in the future; the final projected cost of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45292/18]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Ministerial Correspondence
Questions (636)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:636. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when he will meet a group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45298/18]
View answerWritten answers
I have recently been in correspondence with the group to which the Deputy refers. I have been fortunate enough to be in a position to visit a number of cancer support centres and I acknowledge the important work they do in supporting cancer patients and their families. A meeting with the group at this time is not scheduled.
Nursing Homes Support Scheme Eligibility
Questions (637)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:637. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the progress being made on extending the fair deal scheme for a person (details supplied) that is being cared for in their home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45303/18]
View answerWritten answers
Improving home support services so that people can continue to live with confidence, dignity and security in their own homes for as long as possible is a key commitment of Government. As you are aware, there have been calls to extend the Nursing Home Support Scheme, commonly known as the 'Fair Deal’ scheme to cover home support services. In keeping with the Government’s pledge in A Programme for a Partnership Government to introduce ‘a uniform homecare service so all recipients can receive a quality support, 7 days per week, where possible’, the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy instead commits to the establishment of a standalone statutory scheme for homecare in 2021.
The new scheme will introduce clear rules in relation to the services for which individuals are eligible and in relation to service allocation. It will therefore be an important step in ensuring that the system operates in a consistent and fair manner as well as helping to improve access to home support services on an affordable and sustainable basis. The introduction of a system of regulation for home support will help to ensure public confidence in the services provided by ensuring good standards are maintained on an ongoing basis. The new scheme will also be designed to support family/unpaid carers and will integrate effectively with other health and social care services, such as long term residential care (including the Nursing Homes Support Scheme), primary and community services, and hospital services.
The development of a statutory scheme and system of regulation for home support services is a complex undertaking. Important milestones in the process of developing the new scheme include the publication of a review of the home care systems in 4 EU countries in April 2017 and a report of the findings of a public consultation on home care in June 2018. Over 2,600 responses to the consultation were received. This initial research and stakeholder-consultation has significantly enhanced the evidence-base for the development of the proposed statutory scheme.
However, a significant amount of additional work remains to be carried out before final decisions are taken on the form of the home support scheme and system of regulation. This is required if the reforms are to be successful, affordable and sustainable. The Department will continue to prioritise its work in developing the new scheme and every effort will be made to progress this matter as quickly as possible.
While the new home support scheme is under development, the Department of Health and Health Service Executive are continuing efforts to improve existing home support services. In 2018 the HSE brought the funding for home help and Home Care Packages together into a single home support service for older people. As well as simplifying the application-process for home support, the new service will be more responsive to service-users' changing needs. More broadly the HSE will continue to encourage local integration of services and to build appropriate care-pathways, in particular for people with complex needs. A consumer-directed approach to home support provision will be introduced, giving service users greater choice in relation to when they receive services and their selection of a service provider. This enhancement of current service provision is being supported by increased investment in home support services. In line with the commitment in A Programme for a Partnership Government (2016) to increase funding for home-care annually, home support services received particular priority in Budget 2018, with an additional €18.25m allocated bringing the total home support allocation for 2018 to almost €417 million which includes funding for intensive home care packages. The HSE 2018 National Service Plan provides for over 17 million home support hours to be delivered to 50,500 people at any time and 235 Intensive Home Care Packages for people with more complex needs delivering approximately 360,000 hours in the full year. A further 156,000 hours, relating to adverse weather funding, will be provided this year.
The Department of Health and the HSE are currently in the process of developing and agreeing the HSE's 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 home support services.
In relation to the specific case referred to by the Deputy, as this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (638)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:638. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied) in Our Lady's Children's Hospital in Crumlin, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45304/18]
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.