Written Answers Nos. 150-169
150. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health the reason a decision was taken to merge the Westdoc out-of-hours general practitioner service in Glenamaddy, Castlerea and Roscommon; when the decision was made; the reason there was no communication or engagement with the communities affected by the changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10088/19]
View answerAs this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for it to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
151. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of hours of service that will be provided to persons in the newly merged Westdoc out-of-hours general practitioner service for Glenamaddy, Castlerea and Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10089/19]
View answerAs this question relates to a service matter, I have arranged for it to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
152. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when an application for a hearing aid by a person (details supplied) will be approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10092/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
153. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the ownership of Temple Street and Crumlin children’s hospitals, respectively; if the proceeds of the sale of the properties will go towards funding the development of the new national children’s hospital; if not, his plans for the disposal of the properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10095/19]
View answerThe land and building at Temple Street are owned by the Mater Misericordiae and the Children’s University Hospitals (MMCUH) Limited. As such the future use of Temple Street following the transfer of paediatric services from there to the new children's hospital when it opens is a matter primarily for the MMCUH, in consultation with the HSE.
As provided for under the Children's Health Act 2018, the land and buildings of Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin transferred to Children's Health Ireland with effect from 1 January 2019, thereby allowing the value realised from the transferred property to benefit children’s health. Under the Act, Children's Health Ireland may dispose of land and property with the approval of the HSE.
No decision has been taken as to the future use of the Temple Street and Crumlin sites following the transfer of services to the new children's hospital.
154. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health when a final response will issue to correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10102/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
155. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the status of a tender (details supplied); if the project will be delivered on time and on budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10106/19]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is currently being collated by officials in my Department and will be provided to the Deputy directly as soon as it becomes available.
157. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the detail of the recommendation the rare disease technical review committee gave on Spinraza, that is, to reimburse the drug; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10112/19]
View answer158. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the detail of the recommendation the HSE drugs group gave on Spinraza to reimburse the drug; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10113/19]
View answer159. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the detail of the recommendation the HSE leadership team gave on Spinraza to reimburse the drug; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10114/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 157 to 159, inclusive, together.
Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the pricing and reimbursement of medicines; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
160. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will direct the HSE to settle outstanding legal fees in its case with a person (details supplied); if the possible payment of compensation to them as a result of their treatment by the HSE will be further reviewed; if the use of the drug pembrolizumab will be sanctioned for them in view of their poor health and deteriorating situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10116/19]
View answerThe Deputy's question refers to legal proceedings between the HSE and the individual concerned and also to the sanctioning of a drug.
It would be inappropriate for me to intervene in relation to a legal case and as the matter of sanctioning of a drug is a clinical matter. I have forwarded the question to the HSE asking them to reply directly to you. However, I understand the HSE is currently engaging actively with Ms Canning's legal representatives in an effort to bring this matter to a conclusion. The HSE is conscious, given Ms Canning's health, of the need to bring this matter to a resolution in a timely manner.
161. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health his plans to make changes to a process (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10127/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
162. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if consultant cover is in place at a facility (details supplied) in County Donegal; if not, the reason therefor; the efforts being made to ensure service disruptions are avoided at the facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10128/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
163. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if a facility (details supplied) in County Donegal is accepting patient admissions; if not, the reason therefor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10129/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
164. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the health sector national staff survey 2016 and national Ambulance Service report January 2017 carried out by a company (details supplied); if so, if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that 31% of respondents claimed discrimination on the grounds of their trade union activity; and the action taken to rectify the situation. [10130/19]
View answer165. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that 48% of respondents to the health sector national staff survey 2016 and national Ambulance Service report January 2017 claimed to have experienced bullying and-or harassment in the service within the previous two years of the survey being carried out; and the action taken to date to rectify the situation. [10131/19]
View answer166. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that 68% of respondents to the health sector national staff survey 2016 and national Ambulance Service report January 2017 claimed to have witnessed bullying or harassment in the service within the previous two years of the survey being carried out; and the action taken to date to rectify the situation. [10132/19]
View answer170. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health his views on the fact that only 4% of staff have confidence in senior management within the national Ambulance Service. [10136/19]
View answer171. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take in response to the fact that only 5% of staff agree that communication between senior management and staff in the national Ambulance Service is effective. [10137/19]
View answer172. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health the actions taken by the national Ambulance Service in response to the finding in the health sector national staff survey 2016 that only 3% of staff agree that senior managers act on staff feedback. [10138/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 164 to 166, inclusive, and 170 to 172, inclusive, together.
The Deputy has raised a number of issues in relation to a Health Sector National Staff Survey which was carried out in 2016. The purpose of the survey was to measure employee sentiment and engagement within the publicly funded Health Sector. I understand that within the National Ambulance Service there was a 50% response rate.
As with all surveys, it raised a number of both positive and negative results. These results have prompted the National Ambulance Service to take a range of measures to address the areas where improvements could be made.
I am clear that bullying or harassment in any workplace must not be tolerated and any such instance must be addressed in accordance with the appropriate grievance and disciplinary policies and procedures. Any employee who experiences or witnesses work place bullying or harassment should be aware that they can report these instances under the Dignity at Work Policy for the Health Service.
The NAS is also developing anti bullying work place initiatives in line with the Positive Workplace Programme and bespoke sessions for the NAS are currently in development. Staff Health & Wellbeing initiatives and programmes are ongoing in the NAS as part of Healthy Ireland including significant focus on staff health initiatives such as mental wellbeing, physical activity, health checks and improving the workplace environment.
There are a number of other ongoing programmes and initiatives being undertaken and supported by the National Ambulance Service. For example, a number of NAS managers across the country have undertaken Leadership Development Programmes including Continuous Quality Improvement courses using the Lean Sigma process.
The NAS has also established a National Staff Engagement Forum as well as local Engagement Networks. The role of the Forum is to create a space for conversations about what matters to staff in terms of engagement and to gather suggestions on how to improve it by building on existing approaches and continually looking for new ways to engage staff.
In addition, the NAS has strengthened representative bodies and increased the number of NAS staff representation in order to provide further regular and scheduled discussion around areas such as improvement in internal and upward communication, raising awareness around dignity at work issues, and health and wellbeing initiatives.
167. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health his views on whether there may be a culture of bullying and-or harassment within the national Ambulance Service. [10133/19]
View answerI am clear that bullying or harassment in any workplace must not be tolerated and any such instance must be addressed in accordance with the appropriate grievance and disciplinary policy and procedures.
The Health Service, including the National Ambulance Service, recognises the right of all employees to be treated with dignity and respect and is committed to ensuring that all employees are provided with a safe working environment which is free from all forms of bullying, sexual harassment and harassment. Workplace bullying and harassment adversely affect the quality of patient/client care by undermining employee morale and can result in absenteeism, stress-related illnesses and higher turnover of staff.
A Dignity at Work Policy for the Health Service is in place. This policy was produced on a partnership basis by a Working Group comprising representatives from the HSE, Voluntary Hospitals and Intellectual Disability sectors, HSE-Employers Agency, IBEC and the health sector trade unions.
This Policy covers sexual harassment and harassment as outlawed by the Employment Equality Acts 1998 to 2008 and workplace bullying and reflects the experiences of both employers and union representatives in dealing with complaints of bullying and harassment.
I can advise that the National Ambulance Service (NAS) is developing anti bullying work place initiatives in line with the Positive Workplace Programme and bespoke sessions for the service are currently in development. Staff Health & Wellbeing initiatives and programmes are ongoing in the NAS as part of 'Healthy Ireland' including significant focus on staff health initiatives such as mental wellbeing, physical activity, health checks and improving the workplace environment.
168. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health the steps he plans to take to prevent the upcoming ambulance dispute strikes on 28 February and 1 March 2019. [10134/19]
View answer169. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the HSE has continued to decline an invitation from a union (details supplied) to attend the WRC to find a solution to the ongoing dispute despite his indication that he would prefer negotiation to confrontation. [10135/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 168 and 169 together.
As I have stated before, SIPTU is the main union recognised by the HSE and has negotiating rights for frontline ambulance grades employed by the Executive. Unite and FORSA also represent some ambulance grades. As a result, the HSE deducts subscriptions at source for those ambulance staff that are members of those unions. However, the National Ambulance Service Representative Association (NASRA) is not recognised by the HSE and, therefore, does not have negotiating rights.
Whilst individuals have a right to membership of any trade union, if they choose to join an association which is not recognised by their employer, such membership is not facilitated by their employer. This means that the HSE does not facilitate the deduction of union subscriptions for this particular Association.
While it is regrettable that the PNA has taken industrial action, it is not possible to negotiate with a union which is not recognised as having negotiating rights for ambulance grades. I have asked my Department to engage with the HSE to explore ways forward to see if we can progress a resolution to this dispute. These discussions are still ongoing.
