James Browne
Question:370. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health his plans to assist the estimated 150,000 adults here who may be undiagnosed and untreated for ADHD; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11888/19]
View answerPsychological Services
Questions (370)
Written answers
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Psychological Services
Questions (371)
James Browne
Question:371. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the shortage of psychiatrists diagnosing adults with ADHD here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11889/19]
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.
Psychological Services
Questions (372)
James Browne
Question:372. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health his plans to create a viable assessment and treatment pathway for adults with ADHD here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11890/19]
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.
Psychological Services
Questions (373)
James Browne
Question:373. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 290 of 11 December 2018, if funding will be released to the HSE for the provision of three multidisciplinary ADHD clinics here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11891/19]
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.
HSE Properties
Questions (374)
James Browne
Question:374. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the details of all current and proposed HSE operational lease infrastructural projects here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11892/19]
View answerWritten answers
As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the healthcare property estate, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you in relation to this matter.
Ambulance Service
Questions (375)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:375. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health his views on the dynamic deployment method advanced medical priority dispatch, AMPDS, system that is being used by the National Ambulance Service, NAS, control centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11898/19]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
Ambulance Service Data
Questions (376)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:376. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the number of ambulances that have been deployed to calls that are between 50 km and 100 km away from the location they received the call; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11899/19]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
Ambulance Service Data
Questions (377)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:377. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the number of ambulances that have been deployed to calls that are between 100 km and 150 km away from the location they received the call; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11900/19]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
Ambulance Service Data
Questions (378)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:378. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the number of ambulances that have been deployed to calls that are over 150 km away from the location they received the call; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11901/19]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
Ambulance Service Data
Questions (379)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:379. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the categories of calls in respect of the number of ambulances that have been deployed to between 100 km and 150 km away from the location they received the call; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11902/19]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
Ambulance Service Staff
Questions (380)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:380. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if the advanced medical priority dispatch, AMPDS, system has a facility to allocate crews a rest break; if not, the system used to ensure crews have their mandatory rest breaks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11903/19]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
Ambulance Service Staff
Questions (381)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:381. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health his views on whether driver fatigue is an issue in the National Ambulance Service, NAS; the number of ambulance crews in 2018 that had to discontinue their shift due to fatigue; the number of incidents in which ambulance crews and-or managers had to recover them and provide assistance to get them back to their station's base; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11904/19]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
Ambulance Service Staff
Questions (382)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:382. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if staff are being deducted pay from their core salary after having availed of mandatory compensatory rest; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11905/19]
View answerWritten answers
I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
Ambulance Service
Questions (383, 421)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:383. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the progress made between the HSE and his Department regarding meetings between both in respect of the ongoing ambulance service dispute; the resolution he has found; when he plans to inform, update or invite a union (details supplied) into the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11906/19]
View answer
Joan Collins
Question:421. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health the progress made between the HSE and his Department regarding meetings about the ongoing ambulance service dispute; and when he plans to inform, update or invite a union (details supplied) into the process. [12106/19]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 383 and 421 together.
As we are aware, a branch of the Psychiatric Nurses Association called the National Ambulance Service Representative Association (NASRA) has been engaged in Industrial action.
The PNA state that their industrial action is in connection with the automated deduction of union subscriptions and a refusal by the HSE to engage in negotiations with the PNA or to recognise the PNA as union representatives when representing its ambulance personnel members.
To be clear, NASRA, which is affiliated with the PNA, is a group which is not recognised by the HSE and therefore does not have negotiating rights. The PNA do not have negotiating rights for ambulance personnel.
The HSE deducts subscriptions at source for those ambulance staff that are members of SIPTU, FORSA and UNITE. This is not a legal right but a concession granted to recognised unions.
While it is regrettable that the PNA has taken this action, it is not possible to negotiate with a union which is not recognised as having negotiating rights for ambulance grades. In saying that, I am keen to see an end to this dispute. Officials from my Department have met with representatives of the HSE and the management of NAS to explore possible options. This is a complex, challenging situation however, I remain confident that a solution can and will be found.
Hospital Services
Questions (384)
Michael Harty
Question:384. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Health if the newly opened 12-bed short-stay surgical ward at University Hospital Limerick is being used by non-surgical patients to alleviate overcrowding in the emergency department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11911/19]
View answerWritten answers
The HSE National Escalation Framework consists of a tiered and incremental suite of actions intended to be adapted and implemented in Hospitals with an Emergency Department (ED) and the wider Local Health Economy as part of an inter-disciplinary, multi-provider system response to avoid Emergency Department overcrowding. It requires that local strategies and plans are in place to understand and respond to surges in demand in a responsive and planned way that meets national access and quality standards and underpins patient safety.
With regard to the specific question, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
Hospital Services
Questions (385)
Michael Harty
Question:385. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Health the policy on accepting or rejecting corporate sponsorship from the fast food industry for hospitals and hospital-related facilities; if fast food outlets operating within hospitals are banned here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11912/19]
View answerWritten answers
The Deputy's question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for their direct reply.
Home Care Packages Provision
Questions (386)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:386. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if a home care package will be provided to a person (details supplied). [11925/19]
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.
Question No. 387 answered with Question No. 255.
Services for People with Disabilities
Questions (388)
Joan Collins
Question:388. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 136 of 23 October 2018, the action being taken to resolve a situation (details supplied). [11976/19]
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.
Health Services Staff Data
Questions (389)
Joan Collins
Question:389. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health if the educational psychologist vacancy has been filled in the school-age team in the Dublin south-west area; if the dedicated team manager position has been filled; if the psychologist position has been fully filled; if the speech and language position has been filled permanently; if the occupational therapist position has been filled; if the social worker positions have been filled; and the number of the 100 new therapy posts allocated to CHO7. [11986/19]
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.
Services for People with Disabilities
Questions (390)
Joan Collins
Question:390. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) can apply for private financial assistance through the HSE; and the way in which the person can apply for financial support if available. [12017/19]
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.
Hospital Staff Recruitment
Questions (391)
Michael Harty
Question:391. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Health the method of recruitment of internationally trained non-consultant hospital doctors here; the number of non-consultant hospital doctor positions filled by doctors trained here and internationally, respectively; the number of positions advertised; and the number left vacant in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019. [12022/19]
View answerWritten answers
I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
Hospital Staff Recruitment
Questions (392)
Michael Harty
Question:392. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Health the way in which internationally trained non-consultant hospital doctors' qualifications are assessed and evaluated; and the agency responsible for the oversight of same. [12023/19]
View answerWritten answers
The Medical Council (Council) is the regulatory state body for all registered medical practitioners. It has a statutory role in protecting the public by promoting the highest professional standards among medical practitioners practising in the Republic of Ireland. It is responsible for setting the standards of medical education and training in Ireland and it maintains a register of all doctors who are legally permitted to practise in Ireland.
The Medical Practitioners Act 2007 (MPA) is the legislation governing the Council’s work and determines the Divisions of the Register and the terms and conditions for registration of doctors on the Register. Section 7 of the MPA sets out the functions of the Council, one of which is to establish procedures and criteria for registration including the issue of certificates of registration and renewal of registration.
In order for a medical practitioner to practice medicine in Ireland they must be registered with the Council.
All EEA nationals can avail of the recognition of professional qualifications laid down in Directive 2005/36/EC which enables the free movement of professionals and sets the rules for automatic recognition for professions with harmonised minimum training conditions such as doctors. The Medical Practitioners Act also provides for the registration of a medical practitioner who is a national of a Member State who has been awarded a qualification in medicine or a certificate of acquired rights by a competent body or authority designated for that purpose by a Member State, pursuant to Directive 2005/36/EC.
All doctors who graduate from non-EU/EEA countries may be required to sit the Council’s Pre-Registration Examination System (PRES). The purpose of the PRES is to assess a doctor's competence in two areas; Clinical Knowledge and Clinical Skills.
In 2016, the Council made the PRES easier for applicants outside of Europe to apply for registration. Instead of having to pass the PRES Level 2 exam, applicants were required to provide evidence as part of their initial application for registration that they had passed an acceptable equivalent exam. The Council accepted 4 alternative examinations in lieu of the Level 2:
Professional and Linguistic - Assessment Board (PLAB), Part 1
- United States Medical - Licencing Exam (USMLE), Steps 1 and 2
- Medical Council of Canada - Evaluating Examination (MCCEE)
- Australian Medical Council - (AMC) MCQ Exam
Applicants applying with a pass in one of these examinations could directly access the PRES Level 3 (OSCE) exam.
The PRES Level 3 is an assessment of doctors’ clinical skills, knowledge and attitude in the main clinical disciplines of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Psychiatry, Surgery, Medicine and General Practice. The Level 3 is also based on the Eight Domains of Good Professional Practice as devised by the Council. It is assessed through an Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE) and a written ‘Data Interpretation’ paper, which is a one-hour long test involving interpretation of laboratory results, X-Ray images, ECG’s etc.
There are three types of skills being assessed namely Practical, Communication and Interpretation. The cases that are used represent the kinds of patients and medical conditions normally encountered during medical practice in Ireland and are specifically designed to demonstrate, through the process of examining a candidate’s practical, communication, and interpretation skills, the examinee's clinical ability.
The pass mark for this exam is standard set using the ‘modified Angoff’ method for the data paper and ‘borderline regression’ for the OSCE. Candidates are expected to meet a level equivalent to an Irish graduate at end of intern year.