Peter Burke
Question:408. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for a person (details supplied) will be expedited. [49119/18]
View answerHospital Appointments Administration
Questions (408)
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 Staff Recruitment
Questions (409)
Billy Kelleher
Question:409. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when the paediatric endocrinologist post at Cork University Hospital will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49120/18]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have aske the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly.
Home Help Service Provision
Questions (410)
Niamh Smyth
Question:410. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will review the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49125/18]
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.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (411)
Niamh Smyth
Question:411. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); the timeframe for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49152/18]
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.
Disability Services Provision
Questions (412)
Frank O'Rourke
Question:412. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will be referred to a registered dietitian in south County Kildare, Dublin, Meath or Wicklow, in view of the fact that there are no dietitians on the North Kildare Disability Network Team; if the location and the timeline for access to this alternate service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49162/18]
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.
Nursing Homes Support Scheme
Questions (413)
Charlie McConalogue
Question:413. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health if the current review of the legislation bringing in changes to the terms and conditions of farm businesses' means for the fair deal scheme will address the issue of the five year period within which a farm business or home can be calculated for the purposes of the fair deal scheme after it has already been transferred to a new owner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49166/18]
View answerWritten answers
There are no plans to amend the legislation in relation to the transfer of assets and any income or assets that the applicant and his/her partner may have deprived themselves of in the five years leading up to their application, or at any time on or subsequent to the date on which the application for financial support under the Scheme is first made.
Health Services Staff
Questions (414)
Stephen Donnelly
Question:414. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the reason there is no specialist in Ehlers-Danlos syndrome employed here; if one can be hired; when they can commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49179/18]
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.
Services for People with Disabilities
Questions (415)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:415. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a request for long-term care by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49242/18]
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 an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
Charitable and Voluntary Organisations
Questions (416)
Gino Kenny
Question:416. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health his views on the recent occupation of a charity's (details supplied) head offices by members of a group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49244/18]
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 a service issue, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
Palliative Care Facilities
Questions (417)
Tom Neville
Question:417. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding a centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49245/18]
View answerWritten answers
My colleague, Simon Harris T.D., Minister for Health, had the pleasure of officially opening Milford Care Centre’s new specialist inpatient hospice at the start of this month. While Milford has continuously offered excellent palliative care for 40 years, it was recognised that the previous hospice unit no longer met best practice in maintaining the dignity and privacy of patients and their families. A new hospice building was designed to meet changing needs in palliative care and I share the Minister's confidence that the new building will meet the palliative care needs of the people of Limerick, Clare and North Tipperary for a long time to come.
Over the last five years, the Government has increased the number of specialist palliative care beds across the country by 50%. We are proud of this achievement, but recognise that many people do not have access to a specialist palliative care unit in their region. National palliative care policy seeks to ensure that there is a hospice serving every region in the country. Although good progress has been made on national policy recommendations, it is acknowledged that there are regions which still do not have access to specialist palliative inpatient care beds.
The Department of Health is working with the HSE to prepare the 2019 National Service Plan. This process is ongoing. The Department has asked the HSE to consider options for opening the additional four beds in 2019 having regard to the provision of palliative care services across the country within the overall envelope of resources available.
Services for People with Disabilities
Questions (418)
Niamh Smyth
Question:418. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49247/18]
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.
Pharmaceutical Sector
Questions (419)
David Cullinane
Question:419. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49251/18]
View answerWritten answers
The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) is an independent statutory body with responsibility for the recognition and registration of pharmacists for practice in Ireland under the Pharmacy Act 2007.
Schedule 1 of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (Registration) Rules 2008, as amended, sets out the particulars to be contained in or to accompany an application for registration in Part A of the Register of Pharmacists. Paragraph 7(b)(i) of Schedule 1 requires that along with their application, an applicant must submit “(i) a copy of his or her passport, or in default, such other document as may be considered acceptable for the purpose by the Registrar…”.
The PSI have advised that they are not in a position to comment on individual cases.
The issue of a passport being retained by the Department of Justice & Equality is a matter for that Department.
Nursing Home Services
Questions (420)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:420. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 644 of 6 November 2018, if a reply will issue outlining an independent appeals process as requested but not responded to in the reply received from the HSE. [49252/18]
View answerWritten answers
In relation to the reviews and/or appeals in relation to restrictions in place, in the first instance a complaint should be made through the residential service's internal complaints process. All residential care homes must have processes and procedures in place for dealing with complaints. The person in charge of the home can provide assistance on how to make a complaint.
Complaints on issues may also be made to the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) as the statutory independent regulator for the nursing home sector and this responsibility is underpinned by a comprehensive quality framework comprising of Registration Regulations, Care and Welfare Regulations and National Quality Standards. As a regulator HIQA has no formal legal role in examining individual complaints. However, the Authority does take into account all information it receives, including complaints from the public, when carrying out inspections.
The Office of the Ombudsman, as an independent body, can examine complaints about the actions of a range of public bodies and, from 24 August 2015, complaints relating to the administrative actions of private nursing homes. The Office of the Ombudsman normally only deals with a complaint once the individual has already gone through the complaints procedure of the private nursing home concerned.
As such, there is already a well-established complaints/review process including, where required, an independent body which can consider any related issues. This is the appropriate process for considering these matters. As noted previously a review of all instances of restrictions is underway in the HSE. There are 11 such cases across mental health and older people services. This is in the context of currently providing some 7,000 beds across those services.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (421)
Niamh Smyth
Question:421. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for an operation for a person (details supplied); if there is a timeframe for pre-assessment; the position of the person on the waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49254/18]
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 Waiting Lists
Questions (422)
Kevin O'Keeffe
Question:422. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if surgery will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this person has been on the waiting list for five years. [49262/18]
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 Appointments Status
Questions (423)
Barry Cowen
Question:423. 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 in the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Dublin. [49264/18]
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.
Health Services Provision
Questions (424)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:424. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the new sexual health clinics or testing services opened or expanded since the publication of the National Sexual Health Strategy 2015 to 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49270/18]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Hospital Staff
Questions (425)
Maurice Quinlivan
Question:425. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the vacant posts at University Hospital Limerick; the length of time these positions have been vacant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49279/18]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.