Tuesday, 22 Jan 2019

Written Answers Nos. 369-388

National Treatment Purchase Fund Data

Questions (369)

Alan Kelly

Question:

369. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of surgical procedures from public waiting lists undertaken in other jurisdictions, by hospital. [2472/19]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The National Treatment Purchase Fund advise that in 2018 56 procedures were carried out in other jurisdictions. All 56 procedures were carried out in 3FiveTwo Belfast.

Questions Nos. 370 and 371 answered with Question No. 367.

Mental Health Services Report

Questions (372)

Pat Buckley

Question:

372. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 290 of 25 September 2018, if the findings of the review will be published in full as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2478/19]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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

Services for People with Disabilities

Questions (373)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

373. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2479/19]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives.  This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities. 

As the Deputy's question relates to  service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (374)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

374. 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. [2481/19]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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

Respite Care Services Provision

Questions (375)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

375. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if a matter with regard to a person (details supplied) will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2484/19]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.

Medical Aids and Appliances Provision

Questions (376)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

376. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of special footwear for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2487/19]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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

Nursing Staff Data

Questions (377)

John Brassil

Question:

377. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the number of psychiatric nurses that were provided employment contracts in 2018; the number recruited; the type of contract provided in each area in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2494/19]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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

Health Services Staff Data

Questions (378)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

378. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time physiotherapists working in CHO area 9 in each of the years 2016 to 2018; if this number will be further increased in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2499/19]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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

National Office for Suicide Prevention

Questions (379)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

379. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the budget allocation for the national office for suicide prevention in each of the years 2017, 2018 and 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2500/19]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (380)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

380. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2504/19]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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.

Maternity Services

Questions (381)

Clare Daly

Question:

381. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if there was a maternal death in a hospital (details supplied) on 25 December 2018; and if the hospital has reported this death to the Coroner. [2505/19]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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

Assisted Human Reproduction Services Provision

Questions (382)

Peter Burke

Question:

382. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health when couples here will be considered for IVF treatment free of charge; the way in which this will be administered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2506/19]

Written answers

Minister for Health

In October 2017, the Government approved the drafting of a Bill on assisted human reproduction (AHR) and associated areas of research, based on the published General Scheme. The process of drafting this Bill will be completed in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General. In addition, the Joint Committee on Health is currently conducting a review of the General Scheme of the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill 2017 as part of the pre-legislative scrutiny process, which began in January of last year. The review is on-going and the Committee intends to publish its report early this year. However, it is not possible at this time to give a definitive timeline for the completion of the draft Bill and its subsequent passage through the Houses of the Oireachtas.

In order to support the commencement of the legislation, officials in my Department are working with the HSE to develop a model of care for infertility to ensure the provision of safe, effective and accessible services through the public health system as part of the full range of services available in obstetrics and gynaecology.

The Government has approved a €1 million fund for use in relation to providing public AHR treatment during 2019. Officials in my Department are currently examining options in relation to the operation and administration of this fund, which includes determining the access criteria that will apply. Once I have had the opportunity to review and approve these proposals, there will be an announcement regarding the commencement of this fund for 2019.  

It should also be noted that, currently, patients who access IVF treatment privately may claim tax relief on the costs involved under the tax relief for medical expenses scheme. In addition, a defined list of fertility medicines needed for fertility treatment is covered under the High Tech Scheme administered by the HSE. Medicines covered by the High Tech Scheme must be prescribed by a consultant/specialist and approved by the HSE ‘High Tech Liaison Officers’. The cost of the medicines is then covered, as appropriate, under the Medical Card or Drugs Payment Scheme.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (383)

Seán Fleming

Question:

383. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be called for a canaloplasty operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2509/19]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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.

Audiology Services Provision

Questions (384)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

384. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the reason there are no audiology services in the new primary care centres in Bantry, County Cork, and Tralee, County Kerry, in view of the fact that in the past year six new audiology rooms have been provided in County Cork while County Kerry has none; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2511/19]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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

Medical Aids and Appliances Provision

Questions (385)

Eamon Scanlon

Question:

385. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health when the G5 transmitter for type 1 diabetics will be approved; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that it is over nine months since the tender was issued and approval is still pending; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2518/19]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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.

Hospital Consultant Recruitment

Questions (386)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

386. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the progress made to secure a permanent second consultant breast surgeon at Letterkenny University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2519/19]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The requirements of the Symptomatic Breast Disease clinic in Letterkenny University Hospital continue to be assessed with a view to ensuring that arrangements are in place to meet the present and future needs of the service.

I advise that a second breast surgeon post on a locum basis is currently assigned to Letterkenny University Hospital.

Maternity Services Provision

Questions (387)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

387. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when the bespoke maternity theatre at Letterkenny University Hospital will be commissioned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2520/19]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.

Stroke Care

Questions (388)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

388. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the improvements made to address deficits previously identified in dedicated acute stroke care services at Letterkenny University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2521/19]

Written answers

Minister for Health

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.