Michael Healy-Rae
Question:590. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a cataract operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54271/18]
View answerHospital Appointments Status
Questions (590)
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 (591)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:591. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54272/18]
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 (592)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:592. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a cataract assessment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54273/18]
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 (593)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:593. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a cataract assessment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54274/18]
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 Data
Questions (594)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:594. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on waiting list for cataracts (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54275/18]
View answerWritten answers
Improving access to hospital treatment is a key priority for Government.
It is acknowledged that cataract surgery is among the most common surgical procedures carried out in the Ophthalmology specialty. It was in this knowledge that when proposals for the joint HSE/National Treatment Purchase Fund Inpatient and Day Case Action Plan were under development last year, I sought a particular focus on reducing waiting times for a number of high volume specialties including cataracts. The Action Plan, allocated a quarter (5,000 out of 20,000) of the planned NTPF procedures to cataract treatments.
Waiting list figures for December 2018, published last week by the NTPF show that considerable improvements have been made to the number of patients waiting for an Inpatient or Day case procedure which have fallen to 70,204 from the peak of 86,100 in July 2017. This represents a reduction of over 18% in the overall number of patients waiting for a procedure. Over the same period, the waiting lists for Cataracts has reduced from over 10,000 to 6,440 representing a reduction of 36%.
Furthermore, the number of patients waiting over 9 months has almost halved since July 2017 from 28,100 to 14,900. The impact is particularly noteworthy when one considers the improvements to the Waiting Lists for those particular specialties which were the focus of the Inpatient/Daycase Action Plan in 2018 including the numbers waiting over 9 months for a Cataract procedure which have fallen by 87% since July 2017.
The Action Plan also recommended that the HSE and NTPF identify sustainable initiatives to improve waiting times. In this context, a dedicated centre for cataract surgery in Nenagh opened last July, and at full capacity will be capable of delivering up to 2,000 procedures annually. The centre is ideally located to enable the UL hospital group, in collaboration with the HSE and NTPF, to maximise the use of the Centre through collaboration with other hospital groups so that patients from surrounding regions can be referred to the Centre for their treatment.
My Department is working closely with the NTPF and the HSE to finalise a Scheduled Care Access Plan for inpatients/daycase and outpatients for 2019. In this regard, the NTPF and HSE will continue to work closely with Hospital Groups, inviting proposals to improve access for patients waiting for hospital procedures.
The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following documents.
|
- |
Sum of Amount |
Column Labels |
|||||
|
Row Labels |
0-3 Mths |
3-6 Mths |
6-9 Mths |
9-12 Mths |
12-15 Mths |
Grand Total |
|
|
South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital |
41 |
18 |
19 |
2 |
1 |
81 |
|
|
Grand Total |
41 |
18 |
19 |
2 |
1 |
81 |
Average Wait Time (days) - Kerry Resident 123
Average Wait Time (days) - General 128
|
- |
Sum of Amount |
Column Labels |
|||||||
|
Row Labels |
0-3 Months |
3-6 Months |
6-9 Months |
9-12 Months |
12-15 Months |
15-18 Months |
18-24 Mths |
24+ Mths |
Grand Total |
|
835 |
500 |
352 |
168 |
147 |
119 |
199 |
117 |
2437 |
|
|
835 |
500 |
352 |
168 |
147 |
119 |
199 |
117 |
2437 |
Average Wait Time (days) - Kerry Resident 241
Average Wait Time (days) - General 252
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (595)
Robert Troy
Question:595. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an appointment will be scheduled for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54299/18]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Nursing Home Services
Questions (596)
Pat the Cope Gallagher
Question:596. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health the reason his Department through the National Treatment Purchase Fund pays a higher rate for nursing home care for some persons depending on their geographical location in view of the fact that regulations and the cost base are the same for all persons who qualify. [54304/18]
View answerWritten answers
The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) has been designated by the Minister for Health pursuant to Section 40 of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act as a body authorised to negotiate with proprietors of registered nursing homes to reach agreement in relation to the maximum price(s) that will be charged for the provision of long-term residential care services to Nursing Homes Support Scheme residents. As part of this function, the NTPF enters into "Approved Nursing Home Agreements" with registered private and voluntary nursing homes to record the maximum price(s) that have been negotiated.
The NTPF take the following guidelines into account in negotiating prices; (a) costs reasonably and prudently incurred by the nursing home and evidence of value for money, (b) price(s) previously charged, (c) local market price and (d) budgetary constraints and the obligation of the State to use available resources in the most beneficial, effective and efficient manner to improve, promote and protect the health and welfare of the public.
The Report of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS) Review published in 2015 identified a number of issues for more detailed consideration, including a review of the pricing mechanism used by the NTPF, with a view to:
- Ensuring value for money and economy, with the lowest possible administrative costs for clients and the State and administrative burden for providers;
- Increasing the transparency of the pricing mechanism so that existing and potential investors can make as informed decisions as possible; and
- Ensuring that there is adequate residential capacity for those residents with more complex needs.
A Steering Group was established to oversee and manage the pricing review. The Steering Group is chaired by the NTPF and includes representatives from the Department of Health and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER). As part of its work on the review the NTPF sought various inputs including external expertise and stakeholder engagement to inform the review. These inputs are being considered in detail.
The NTPF are now close to completing the report and aim to discuss the draft report and next steps early this year.
Once complete the report of the review will then be submitted to the Department.
Home Care Packages Funding
Questions (597)
Frank O'Rourke
Question:597. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health when funding for a home care package will be approved in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54310/18]
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.
Crisis Pregnancy Services
Questions (598)
Clare Daly
Question:598. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if the crisis pregnancy helpline will be accessible to deaf women; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54312/18]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy's question concerns a service issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Health Services
Questions (599)
Joan Burton
Question:599. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health if the HSE has a policy of providing mediation in order that issues that arise can be addressed in a calm and considered manner in view of the fact that spousal visits (details supplied) are important; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54313/18]
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.
Question No. 600 answered with Question No. 542.
Abortion Legislation
Questions (601)
Mattie McGrath
Question:601. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the protections for conscientious objection provided for student midwives, pharmacists and doctors in the Health (Regulation Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018. [54315/18]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy will be aware, the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act was passed by the Houses of the Oireachtas on 13 December 2018 and enacted signed by the President on the 20 December 2018.
The service for termination of pregnancy was introduced on 1 January 2019.
Conscientious objection is covered under Section 22 of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018. It states that where he/she has a conscientious objection, a medical practitioner, nurse or midwife shall not be obliged to carry out, or participate in the carrying out, a termination of pregnancy. The Act makes it clear that conscientious objection cannot be invoked in an emergency situation, when the risk to a pregnant woman’s life or health is immediate.
In the event of a doctor, nurse or midwife having a difficulty in undertaking a required medical procedure, he or she will have a duty to make arrangements for the transfer of the woman’s care to a colleague.
I brought amendments to this section in the Dáil to ensure that it is clear that conscientious objection extends to all those who may be asked to directly participate in providing termination of pregnancy services, including students. The amendments ensured that student nurses and midwives are clear that they may refuse to participate in termination of pregnancy procedures on the grounds that they have a conscientious objection. Medical practitioners were already covered by Section 22.
It would not be reasonable to include any other personnel such as pharmacists, as this could have the effect of blocking a woman’s access to a lawfully provided and, in some cases, medically-indicated treatment.
However, pharmacists are obliged to comply in full with the statutory Code of Conduct for Pharmacists, published by the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland. Principle 1 of the Code of Conduct states that “a pharmacist should ensure that in instances where they are unable to provide prescribed medicines or pharmacy services to a patient, they must take reasonable action to ensure these medicines/services are provided and the patients care is not jeopardised.”
I understand that the Council of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland has approved a new Code of Conduct for pharmacists, which it will be submitting to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission for approval before it comes to me as Minister for approval.
Part 5 of Principle 4 on page 9 of the proposed Code of Conduct makes provision for conscientious objection, subject to the pharmacist referring a patient to an alternative provider if the pharmacist cannot provide a professional service or medicinal product, so that patient care is not jeopardised or compromised.
A footnote to the Principle makes specific reference to a pharmacist transferring the care of a pregnant woman who wishes to avail of services for the termination of pregnancy.
Ministerial Meetings
Questions (602)
Mattie McGrath
Question:602. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the meetings he had with a person (details supplied) in the past two years; the reason and outcomes of such meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54316/18]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to advise the Deputy that, in line with the Freedom of Information Act 2014 and the Data Protection Acts, Ministerial Diaries are published retrospectively on a quarterly basis.
With regard to the Deputy's specific query, the individual in question was a member of an Irish College of General Practitioners delegation who met with me on 15 January 2018 as part of my engagements on termination of pregnancy with the medical colleges. On the 12th December 2018, he attended a briefing I arranged for Senators, and assisted in answering medical questions which were coming up as the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill was being debated in the Seanad.
Autism Support Services
Questions (603)
Seamus Healy
Question:603. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Health if funding will be approved for the provision of specialised autism specific services for persons (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54317/18]
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.
The Programme for Partnership Government states that the Government wishes to provide more accessible respite care to facilitate full support for people with a disability.
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. 604 answered with Question No. 545.
Pharmacy Services
Questions (605)
Eugene Murphy
Question:605. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health if the unpaid internship operated by an organisation (details supplied) relating to pharmacy students will be re-examined; if a paid internship will be reintroduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54324/18]
View answerWritten answers
The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) is the pharmacy regulator in Ireland and is responsible for regulating pharmacists and pharmacies in the public interest. Several of the PSI’s functions under the Pharmacy Act 2007 relate to education, including promoting and ensuring the highest standards in education and training for the qualification to practise as a pharmacist, and make sure that relevant experience is gained in the course of that pharmacy education and training.
In 2010 the PSI commissioned a review of the five year programme of education and training for the pharmacist qualification in Ireland. One of the recommendations included the introduction of an integrated 5-year Masters level programme of education and training for pharmacists in line with international best practice, to replace the previous 4 year Bachelor plus 1 year in-service practical training programme.
A National Forum was established to advise and assist the Council of the PSI in its oversight of the development and ongoing delivery of the new fully integrated programme of pharmacy education, training and assessment. The National Forum for Pharmacy Education and Accreditation Interim Report of November 2013 noted that it was an essential component of the integrated degree that the student remain a student for the full five years of study. Under the previous model, students became employees during their final year.
Since September 2015, students commencing their pharmacy education undertake a PSI-accredited five-year fully integrated Master’s degree programme in pharmacy, with the first cohort awarded this MPharm degree graduating in 2020. This programme is operated by the schools of pharmacy in three universities in Ireland (Trinity College Dublin, University College Cork and Royal College of Surgeons Ireland).
This newer pharmacy programme provides for both the academic and practical experience that is required by students to qualify to practise as a pharmacist in Ireland. Students qualify after 5 years with a Masters in Pharmacy and are eligible to apply for registration as a pharmacist with the PSI.
The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (Education and Training) (Integrated Course) Rules 2014 (S.I. No. 377 of 2014) is the legislation which underpins the new 5 year MPharm educational programme. It includes the programme recognition and accreditation requirements, and details about the in-service training placements for students.
Part of the PSI’s accreditation process involves visits to the universities operating the MPharm programme, which includes meeting with representative students at each School of Pharmacy. The accreditation teams assess the programme of training and education various standards, including one related to students and the supports available to students.
The PSI has stated that it will continue to engage with the academic institutions that deliver the MPharm programme and their role is to ensure the quality of the MPharm programme and high standards in education and training for the qualification to practise as a pharmacist.
Services for People with Disabilities
Questions (606)
Niamh Smyth
Question:606. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the location of a new facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54327/18]
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.
Respite Care Services
Questions (607)
Niamh Smyth
Question:607. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the respite crisis being experienced by dozens of families at a facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54328/18]
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.
The Programme for Partnership Government states that the Government wishes to provide more accessible respite care to facilitate full support for people with a disability.
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.
Services for People with Disabilities
Questions (608)
Niamh Smyth
Question:608. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the lack of supported living for persons with disabilities in counties Cavan and Monaghan (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54329/18]
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.
The Programme for Partnership Government states that the Government wishes to provide more accessible respite care to facilitate full support for people with a disability.
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.
Home Help Service
Questions (609)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:609. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a matter regarding home help in the case of a person (details supplied) will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54330/18]
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.