Martin Ferris
Question:363. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect to receive a bed in a nursing home or a community hospital. [46742/18]
View answerNursing Home Services
Questions (363)
Written answers
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Long-Term Illness Scheme Eligibility
Questions (364)
Seán Haughey
Question:364. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health if he will make FreeStyle Libre available under the long-term illness scheme for all type 1 diabetics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46758/18]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes. Therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
HSE Planning
Questions (365)
Mary Butler
Question:365. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health to outline the winter plan that has been put in place to deal with the expected winter vomiting bug at University Hospital Waterford; and the expected demand for extra capacity for winter 2018. [46759/18]
View answerWritten answers
My Department is working with the HSE to ensure the most effective response to the winter challenges to unscheduled care provision and I expect to be in a position to outline the details of the Winter Plan 2018/19 very shortly.
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 Services
Questions (366, 367)
Mary Butler
Question:366. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health to outline his plans for extra bed capacity in the short term at University Hospital Waterford. [46760/18]
View answerMary Butler
Question:367. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health to outline his plans for extra bed capacity in the long term at University Hospital Waterford. [46761/18]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 366 and 367 together.
Increasing capacity is a priority for the Government. Over the past 12 months, an additional 240 beds have been opened, including 18 beds at University Hospital Waterford (UHW).
As a first step towards the implementation of the Capacity Plan, €10 million in funding is being made available in 2019 to increase bed capacity. My Department is currently in discussion 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.
The selection and opening of beds on specific sites in 2019 and future years will be considered as part of the annual estimates and service planning process, and subject to financial, operation, human resource and policy considerations and priorities.
Hospital Services
Questions (368)
Mary Butler
Question:368. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health to outline his plans to expedite discharge from acute hospitals due to the fact that 136,239 delayed discharges were registered at various hospitals in 2018; his views on whether delayed discharges are caused in some instances due to the lack of home care supports being provided in community home settings; and his further views on the fact that the waiting list has now reached 6,000 persons waiting for home care supports. [46762/18]
View answerWritten answers
In recent years there has been a sustained focus on reducing delayed discharges and enabling patients to be discharged from hospital as soon as possible after the acute phase of their treatment has been completed. The additional funding provision received has made a significant impact on delayed discharges, reducing them from a high of 832 in October 2014 to a low of 436 in 2016. At the end of 2017 there were 471 delayed discharges. The HSE has reported that, as of 6 November 2018, there are 618 cases of delayed discharges. Following Budget 2019, an additional €10 million has been provided in 2018 to anticipate and manage critical demand pressures on the health service. The HSE has been requested to prioritise social care measures, with a focus on measures to support older people to transition from acute care to the most appropriate setting.
Over the past number of years, improving access to home support has been a priority for Government, this can be seen by the way that the home support budget has grown from €306 million in 2015 to €418 million in 2018. Overall, the 2018 HSE National Service Plan provides for over 17 million home support hours to be delivered to 50,500 people at any time. In addition, a further 156,000 hours, relating to adverse weather funding, were provided from Spring 2018. Intensive Home Care Packages will be delivered to approximately 235 people at any time and will deliver approximately a further 360,000 hours in the full year. Despite this significant level of service provision demand continues to rise. All those waiting are assessed and provided with a service if appropriate, as soon as possible having regard to their assessed needs. Transitional Care, if appropriate, is arranged through utilising patient and family choice of provider. The total number of transitional care approvals to date in 2018 is 9,595.
In relation to delayed discharges, I established a working group to undertake an independent expert review of delayed discharges in acute hospitals. This review was requested to focus on the effectiveness and consistency of current data collection, collation and reporting and consider how the measurement and management of delayed discharges could be improved. The report was provided to me on 1st November, and I and my officials will now consider the content of same.
Discussions between the Department and the Health Service Executive in relation to National Service Planning for next year are well underway.
Cyberbullying Issues
Questions (369)
James Browne
Question:369. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health if he has been in contact with the Minister for Justice and Equality with regard to the mental health impact from cyberbullying on the Internet; his plans to bring forward legislation regarding the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46771/18]
View answerWritten answers
The Action Plan on Online Safety, launched by An Taoiseach on 11 July last, recognises that online safety is not the responsibility of any one Department, but that many Departments have a role to play. The Action Plan sets out 25 Actions and Departments responsible for their respective delivery. A Sponsors Group has recently been established to drive implementation of the Action Plan. This is chaired by the Department of Education & Skills and comprise five other key Government Departments; Children and Youth Affairs, Justice and Equality; Communications, Climate Action and Environment; Business, Enterprise and Innovation; and Health.
I have made my views and concerns know to several other Ministers and the Taoiseach in relation the effects of cyber bullying and social media generally on mental health. It is a matter for each Department to consider recommendations in the context of the implementation of the Action Plan over 2018-19, and their wider policy remits. Issues collectively relating to tackling posting and removal of harmful material online, possible legislation, or any other relevant issues will be progressed in the context of the work of the Sponsorship Group over the next eighteen months or so.
The Department of Health and the HSE recognises the importance of Internet Safety, with several initiatives within the health sector supporting this wider objective. These include Connecting for Life, the National Taskforce on Youth Mental Health, and various other Health and Well-Being actions generally, including promoting positive mental health.
Connecting for Life, Ireland’s National Strategy to reduce suicide, commits to engaging with online platforms to encourage best practice in reporting around suicidal behaviour, so as to encourage a safer online environment in this area.
The Programme for Partnership Government (2016) committed to the establishment of a National Taskforce on Youth Mental Health “to consider how best to introduce and teach resilience, coping mechanisms, greater awareness to children and young people, and how to access support services voluntarily at a young age.”
The Task Force process came to a conclusion last summer and its final set of recommendations were published in December. The recommendations include actions in areas such as consultation and advocacy; awareness and training; accessibility and alignment of mental health services; and improving knowledge through research online youth mental health supports.
Work in this area is further informed by good practice guidelines for the safe delivery of online mental health information and support commissioned by the National Office for Suicide Prevention in 2015.
Emergency Departments Waiting Times
Questions (370, 371, 372)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:370. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health to set down the emergency department waiting times greater than 24 hours for persons over 75 years of age in 2018; if the targets were met; if not, the number of persons over 75 years of age who have had a wait of more than 24 hours in an emergency department to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46784/18]
View answerLouise O'Reilly
Question:371. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health to set out the number of persons aged 75 years or over who experienced an emergency department waiting time of more than 24 hours in 2017 and to date in 2018; the hospital in which this occurred by month; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46785/18]
View answerLouise O'Reilly
Question:372. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if the HSE target of eliminating emergency department waiting times of greater than 24 hours for persons over 75 years of age was met to date in 2018; the number of persons over 75 years of age who have had to wait for more than 24 hours in an emergency department to date 2018; the hospital in which the wait occurred in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46786/18]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 370 to 372, inclusive, together.
I fully acknowledge the distress overcrowded Emergency Departments (EDs) cause to patients, their families and frontline staff working in very challenging working conditions in hospitals throughout the country.
Reflecting the demographic pressures associated with the growth in our aging population, this year has been characterised by high demand for unscheduled care, particularly among the over-75 age group. Patients in this age group are the highest users of most health and social care services, have more complex needs, and have longer stays in our Acute Hospitals.
I recognise that hospitals are increasingly operating at or above capacity, with year-round demand pressures that are further challenged over the winter months. However, the National Service Plan 2018 includes an expected activity target that 100% of patients aged 75 and over are discharged or admitted within 24 hours of registration. Therefore, any breach of this target in respect of patients in this age cohort is unacceptable.
In relation to the particular queries raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
Disability Services Provision
Questions (373)
Michael McGrath
Question:373. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health to outline the therapy intervention services that will be provided to a child (details supplied) in County Cork who has received a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46789/18]
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.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (374)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:374. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health to set out the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46815/18]
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.
Long-Term Illness Scheme Eligibility
Questions (375)
Eamon Scanlon
Question:375. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health when the FreeStyle Libre sensor will be made available on the long-term illness scheme for type 1 diabetics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46818/18]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes. Therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Medical Card Eligibility
Questions (376)
Martin Heydon
Question:376. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health to outline his plans to review the provision of medical cards to those on the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46819/18]
View answerWritten answers
The HSE's Expert Group on Medical Need and Medical Card Eligibility examined the issue of awarding medical cards on the basis of illness and concluded that it was not feasible, desirable, nor ethically justifiable to list medical conditions in priority order for medical card eligibility. The Expert Group also concluded that a person’s means should remain the main qualifier for a medical card. This position remains unchanged.
Medical card provision is based on financial assessment. In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE. The Act obliges the HSE to assess whether a person is unable, without due hardship, to arrange general practitioner services for himself or herself and his or her family, having regard to his or her overall financial position and reasonable expenditure and every application must be assessed on that basis. Under the legislation, having a particular illness, in itself, does not establish eligibility for a medical card and therefore the medical conditions of applicants for this scheme are not monitored on that basis. Where the applicant's income is within the income guidelines, a medical card or GP visit card will be awarded.
Every effort is made by the HSE, within the framework of the legislation, to support applicants in applying for a medical card and, in particular, to take full account of the difficult circumstances in the case of applicants who may be in excess of the income guidelines. It should be noted, in certain circumstances, the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds his or her income threshold, where he or she faces difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from an illness. Social and medical issues are considered when determining whether undue hardship exists for an individual accessing general practitioner or other medical services. The HSE affords applicants the opportunity to furnish supporting information documentation to fully take account of all the relevant circumstances that may benefit them in the assessment, including medical evidence of cost and necessary expenses.
Hospital Equipment
Questions (377)
Alan Kelly
Question:377. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health when the HSE will fund a replacement thrombectomy machine in Beaumont Hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46821/18]
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.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (378)
Clare Daly
Question:378. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health to set out the dates he formally approved each of the human papillomavirus vaccination campaigns in 2017 and 2018, including the Armed for Life and Protect our Future campaigns. [46830/18]
View answerWritten answers
Immunisation is regarded as one of the safest and most cost-effective of all health care interventions and one of the most effective ways a parent can protect the health of their child. In recent years, the spread of inaccurate information on social media concerning the safety and effectiveness of the HPV vaccine has had an impact on uptake rates. Misinformation has led to a significant drop in uptake rates of the HPV vaccine from 87% in 2014/15; 72% in 2015/16 to 51% in 2016/17.
One of the most important things that can be done is to provide accurate and credible information to enable parents to make a fully informed decision concerning HPV vaccination. The HSE National Immunisation Office has developed a comprehensive range of materials for parents, schools and medical practitioners as part of the immunisation programme.
Each year, at the start of the school term, the HSE runs an awareness campaign for parents to help them access trusted sources of information to encourage them to get their daughters vaccinated with the HPV vaccine. The HPV vaccine information campaign recommends that parents access trusted sources of information such as the HPV website (hpv.ie) which has been endorsed by the World Health Organization. The information campaign is supported by social and digital media activity as well as local and national radio advertisements. I personally spoke at the launch of the 2017 and 2018 HPV vaccine information campaigns and am fully supportive of the valuable work undertaken by the HSE. From time to time, other HPV campaigns are organised by the HSE using social media (for example, the 2016/17 campaign 'Armed for Life' and 2017/18 campaign 'Protect our Future', both of which were promoted on YouTube).
Figures provided by the HSE indicate that HPV vaccine uptake rates increased in 2017/18 to 65%. This increase is mainly due to a comprehensive communications campaign for parents with support from a large number of key stakeholders, e.g. the HPV alliance which currently has 37 organisations working together (such as the Irish Cancer Society and the Marie Keating Foundation).
While this increase is very welcome, we must continue to work together to get back to where we were once before. As recently as the 2014/15 academic year the uptake rate for HPV was at 87%. The HSE vaccination programme for 2018/19 started in September 2018.
The Government fully supports the HPV immunisation programme and recognises its benefits. We must continue to focus on increasing uptake rates as the best way of reducing cervical cancer. I encourage the parents of all eligible girls to ensure that their daughters receive this important life-saving vaccine.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (379)
Clare Daly
Question:379. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health to identify the person who authorised the HSE not to include the vaccine manufacturers' package leaflets in school packs, instead substituting these leaflets with the HSE vaccine information leaflets and booklets. [46831/18]
View answerWritten answers
The Health Service Executive is committed to providing accurate information for parents about diseases, the vaccines to prevent them and potential side effects to allow them to choose whether or not to give consent to vaccination.
The HSE's National Immunisation Office has developed a comprehensive range of materials for parents, schools and medical practitioners as part of the immunisation programme. All the information provided to parents about vaccination takes account of the available licensed documentation for each vaccine, the Summary of Product Characteristics and Patient Information Leaflet.
The information is presented in clear and simple language which has been approved by the National Adult Literacy Agency, ensuring that it can be understood by all adults. The Health Information and Quality Authority guide ‘Communicating in plain English’ (2015), developed in partnership with NALA, states that “one in six people find reading and understanding everyday texts difficult: for example, reading a health leaflet, bus timetable or medicine instructions”. Therefore, like other countries providing school immunisation programmes, the Patient Information Leaflet was replaced by an information leaflet which provides the same information on the potential side effects of the vaccine in a manner that ensures that it is easily understood.
Prior to all school immunisation, parents receive an information pack in a sealed package with an information leaflet, consent form and cover letter. The information packs for all immunisations are standardised nationally. The information booklets include information on all the known potential side effects that can occur after each vaccination (as was the case with the HPV vaccine, Gardasil). Parents are also given contact details for their local immunisation office and advised to speak to a member of the school immunisation team if they have any further questions.
It is not the case that parents are being denied the information on the Patient Information Leaflet. In fact, the HSE parent information leaflet refers parents to the website hpv.ie where links to additional information including the licensing documentation, the Summary of Products Characteristics and the Patient Information Leaflet for each vaccine can be found. The HPV website has been endorsed by the World Health Organisation.