Written Answers Nos. 449-468
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Written Answers Nos. 449-468
450. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the dates and times of meetings he and-or his officials had with the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board since its inception; the persons who attended each meeting; if the minutes of each meeting will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2932/19]
View answerA comprehensive review of the governance structures for the Children’s Hospital Project and Programme was undertaken in 2017 by the Department and the HSE, in collaboration with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, in the context of embarking on a new phase of the project. Revised governance structures, including the establishment of a Children’s Hospital Project and Programme Steering Group and a Children’s Hospital Project and Programme Board, were approved by Government in April 2017. These were implemented in recognition of, and to reflect, the need to prepare well in advance of completion of the facilities for integration of the clinical and non-clinical services of the three children’s hospitals, preparation for the opening of the Outpatient and Urgent Care centres and the need to manage dependencies across the various components of the project which will support the operation of the new hospital.
The CHP&P Board is chaired by the Secretary General of the Department of Health (DoH) and comprising the Director General (DG) of the HSE, Assistant Secretary of the Acute Hospital Policy Division in the DoH, and the HSE Deputy Director General Strategy (DDG). The Board has met at least every quarter since its establishment in September 2017 and monitors the progress of the CHP&P against the agreed parameters of the programme in relation to timeline, scope and funding. The CHP&P Steering Group is chaired by the HSE Deputy Director General - Strategy and includes members at HSE National Director and DoH Assistant Secretary level. The Steering Group had its first meeting in May 2017 and continues to meet on a monthly basis.
The CEOs of CHI and the Project Director of the NPHDB and CHI are members of the CHP&P Steering Group and also attend CHP&P Board meetings. The Steering Group reports to the CHP&P Board and the Chair of the CHP&P Steering Group presents a report to the CHP&P Board meetings setting out any issues that need to be considered or decided at CHP&P Board level.
451. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the number of assaults resulting in injury to staff that took place in the period January 2018 to December 2018 in University Hospital Kerry. [2936/19]
View answer452. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the number of University Hospital Kerry staff out sick as a result of injuries sustained at work from January 2018 to December 2018. [2937/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 451 and 452 together.
I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly on this matter.
453. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views in regard to security staff in University Hospital Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2938/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
454. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if the correct wheelchair will be issued to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2939/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
455. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health the reason for ongoing delays with cervical smear results; the actions taken to combat these delays (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3055/19]
View answerIn May 2018, I asked CervicalCheck to make the necessary arrangements to provide that any woman who had had a CervicalCheck smear test, and whose GP considered that they should have a further test, to access such a further test without charge. This decision was made in good faith to address the considerable fears of the many anxious women in Ireland as a result of significant media coverage of the issues that emerged in late April.
In the months since then, there has been a significant increase in the volume of women presenting for smear tests. This includes women who have availed of the out of cycle tests, but also a greater number of women presenting for scheduled screening.
This increased level of engagement with the programme is very welcome. However, the increased demand has undoubtedly put immense pressure on lab capacity and the HSE has advised that, currently, results of smear tests may take up to 22 weeks from the time of the test. Although many results are returned in less time, some may take longer.
The HSE has been working actively with the labs to manage this issue and to improve turnaround times for smear tests. The HSE reports that laboratories have agreed to undertake additional recruitment, provide for overtime and manage annual leave in an effort to minimise the backlog. In addition, the HSE is aiming to source additional screening capacity, which would improve the turnaround time of results. However, sourcing capacity and resources is a global challenge as countries start to move to primary HPV screening, which vastly reduces the requirement for cytology screening staff.
The HSE is currently developing a capacity plan to take account of available capacity and expected demand, with the aim of bringing the programme into stabilisation this year. This is a priority concern for my Department and the HSE.
456. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the additional amount the national children’s hospital will cost in 2019; if a request has been submitted to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for additional funding for the hospital; if this funding will be forthcoming in the current capital envelope for 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3066/19]
View answer457. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of the €473,000 capital allocation in administration, that is, the expenditure report for 2019 for Vote 38 of budget 2019, by specific project; the projects that will be commenced in 2019; the projects that will be completed in 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3067/19]
View answer458. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of the €14,527,000 capital allocation in grants in respect of building and equipment, including information and communication technology, that is, Vote 38 of the budget 2019 expenditure report for 2019, by specific project; the projects that will be commenced in 2019; the projects that will be completed in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3068/19]
View answer459. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of the €564,461,000 capital allocation in building, equipping and furnishing of health facilities, that is, Vote 38 of the budget 2019 expenditure report for 2019 by specific project; the projects that will be commenced in 2019; the projects that will be completed in 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3069/19]
View answer460. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of the €2,539,000 capital allocation in building, equipping and furnishing of health facilities part-funded by the national lottery, that is, Vote 38 of the Budget 2019 expenditure report by specific project; the projects that will be commenced in 2019; the projects that will be completed in 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3070/19]
View answer461. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of the €85 million capital allocation in information services and related services for health agencies, that is, Vote 38 of the budget 2019 expenditure report for 2019 by specific project; the projects that will be commenced in 2019; the projects that will be completed in 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3071/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 456 to 461, inclusive, together.
The total capital funding for the public Health Services announced in Budget 2019 and published in the Estimates for Public Services 2019 is €667m, an increase of €174m (35%) over the capital funding provided in Budget 2018. - €567m (€564.461m + €2.539m) is available to the Health Service Executive for building, equipping and furnishing of health facilities,
- €85m for HSE Information Communication Technology and implementing the eHealth Strategy,
- €14.527m for the smaller directly funded agencies under the aegis of my Department, including €10m for HRB research,
- €0.473m for Information Communication Technology within my Department.
Following the publication of the Health Service Executive's National Service Plan for 2019, the Executive is currently developing its Capital Plan for 2019. The HSE Capital Plan for 2019 will determine the projects that can progress in 2019 having regard to the available capital funding, the number of large national capital projects currently underway and the relevant priority of each project.
The requirements of the new children's hospital and other health capital projects, currently at various stages of development, are being considered as part of this process.
462. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of the €250,000 capital allocation in other HSE services, that is, Vote 38 of the budget 2019 expenditure report for 2019 by specific project; the projects that will be commenced in 2019; the projects that will be completed in 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3072/19]
View answerThe €250,000 capital allocation referred to by the Deputy relates to Dormant Account funding. The 2019 action plan for Dormant Account Funding has yet to be finalised so at this stage it is not possible to identify those specific projects that will be funded.
463. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the vaccination rates for all vaccinations provided free of charge to children in each of the years 2008 to 2018, by local health office in tabular form. [3073/19]
View answerAs the information relating to vaccination rates is not readily available within my Department, the PQ has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
464. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health his plans for the site of Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital; if the hospital will remain in use within the public health system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3074/19]
View answerAs of 1 January 2019, Children's Health Ireland (CHI) governs the provision of paediatric services in Dublin at the Crumlin, Temple Street and Tallaght sites and will open services in Connolly hospital in the middle of 2019. Under the legislation establishing CHI, the boards of Crumlin and Temple Street hospitals voluntarily transferred their assets and liabilities to the new entity. As such, the Crumlin hospital campus has transferred to Children's Health Ireland. On completion of the new children's hospital on the campus of St James's and the two paediatric outpatient urgent care centres at Connolly and Tallaght Hospitals, paediatric services will no longer be provided at the Children’s and Temple Street sites.
The HSE entered into Memoranda of Understanding with Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin and Temple Street Children’s University Hospital to ensure that the State’s investment to date in the hospitals is protected when the paediatric services are transferred to the new children’s hospital. Future uses for the Crumlin site has not yet been determined.
465. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the status of the proposed maternity hospital to be co-located at the St. James’s Hospital site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3075/19]
View answerThe model of stand-alone maternity hospitals is not the norm internationally. In line with the National Maternity Strategy, Government policy is to co-locate all remaining maternity hospitals with adult acute hospitals in order to provide optimal clinical outcomes. Co-location of maternity services with adult services provides mothers with access to a full range of medical and support services should the need arise. The ready availability of these services helps ensure the delivery of an optimum, safe service, particularly for high risk mothers and babies.
The National Maternity Strategy reaffirms the commitment to the provision of maternity services on the St James's Campus. I am confident that the tri-location of adult, children’s and maternity services at St James’s will create a centre of healthcare excellence for patients of all ages.
The project to relocate the Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital to the St James's site is at an early stage and has yet to progress to planning and design phases. Construction of the new children's hospital is currently underway on the St James’s site and construction of the new maternity hospital will not commence until after the new children's hospital is completed. I can confirm, however, that the new children's hospital design has incorporated the required operational links with both the maternity and adult hospitals, and that a site for the proposed maternity hospital is identified in the St James's Campus Master Plan.
466. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the most up-to-date evidence and advice regarding e-cigarettes; when this will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3076/19]
View answerThe Department of Health is aware of, and actively monitoring, publications by authoritative bodies internationally on the use of e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation tool. Analysis of emerging research on all products, and the findings of Healthy Ireland 2018 in relation to e-cigarette usage in Ireland, will continue to inform decisions around any future additional regulation in this area.
My Department requested HIQA to undertake a Health Technology Assessment ('HTA') of the clinical and cost effectiveness of pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical smoking cessation products and services. The HTA was published in 2017.
In relation to e-cigarettes and vaping, although the HTA found that results for e-cigarettes are promising, there is currently a lack of evidence to recommend their use as a smoking cessation aid and at present no e-cigarette product is licensed as a medicinal product in Ireland. The safety of e-cigarettes is an evolving area of research; while potentially safer than smoking, evidence on its long-term safety has yet to be established.
468. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 426 of 18 December 2018, the position regarding the shortage of the drug; the status of the availability of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3079/19]
View answerThe Department of Health is aware of a temporary shortage of Hydrocortone (hydrocortisone) 10mg tablets in Ireland. The marketing authorisation holder has notified the medicines regulator, the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), that the shortage of this medicine is due to manufacturing delays. Supply of the Irish authorised product is expected to resume in February 2019. A letter has been circulated to healthcare professionals to advise them of the situation.
In the interim, the Irish market is being supplied on a temporary basis with hydrocortisone 10mg tablets from other markets to meet the needs of Irish patients until supply of the Irish authorised medicine resumes. These medicines are being supplied as exempt medicinal products and can be ordered by pharmacists through Irish wholesalers.
If a member of the public has any concerns regarding their treatment with this or any other medication, they should discuss this directly with their doctor or pharmacist.
