Written Answers Nos. 865-885
865. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the maximum mileage allowed on an emergency vehicle under HSE protocol ; and the steps taken to ensure a vehicle which has reached this level of mileage is removed from service and replaced in a timely manner. [13771/19]
View answerAs this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
866. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide a replacement ambulance to St. Joseph's Care Centre, Longford; and if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the vehicle on site has service of over 800,000 kilometres and is expected to complete daily round trips to Dublin. [13772/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
867. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of complaints submitted to his Department in 2017, 2018 and to date in 2019; the number of appeals made with respect to the outcome of such complaints; the number referred to the Office of the Ombudsman; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13783/19]
View answerThe customer service function in my Department manages all emails to complaints@health.gov.ie and customer service calls.
We adhere to the Principles of Quality Customer Services through our Quality Customer Action Plan and our Customer Charter. Our customer complaints procedure is published on our website.
The Complaints Procedure covers complaints about issues such as delays, mistakes and poor customer services which the Department provides. The Complaints Procedure does not cover:
Matters of policy;
Complaints relating to a hospital/the HSE or other health agencies;
Matters which are the subject of litigation; or
Matters which have been referred to the Ombudsman or Information Commissioner.
In excess of 10,000 customer service queries received annually. Since my time as Minister, no formal complaints have been made or processed through the complaints procedure.
868. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if an assessment for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13791/19]
View answerAs this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
869. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of vacancies at hospital consultant level in CHO area 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13794/19]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
870. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that construction work on the proposed new 27 bed inpatient unit for acute mental health at Sligo University Hospital commenced in November 2018; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that the unit is to be completed before the end of 2019; if the increased costs for the construction of the proposed national children’s hospital will have an impact on the completion date for the unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13806/19]
View answerMy Department and the Health Service Executive are currently engaged in a process to finalise the HSE Capital Plan for 2019.
Projects that are currently in construction and are contractually committed will not be affected.
Once the HSE has finalised its Capital Plan for 2019, it will then be submitted to me for consideration.
As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to the current position of the acute mental health unit at Sligo University Hospital.
871. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) in County Cork will have an ASD assessment; the position of the child on the waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13810/19]
View answer872. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the duration a child (details supplied) in County Cork will be waiting for an ASD assessment; if they can benefit in the meantime from HSE intervention services in the community such as speech and language and occupational therapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13811/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 871 and 872 together.
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.
873. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) with extensive care needs will be awarded a homecare package; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13815/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
874. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if respite care will be provided for a person (details supplied); if a long-term placement will be provided for them at a facility; if the HSE will fund such a placement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13818/19]
View answerThe 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.
875. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the options available in the public health system for the treatment of cystic fibrosis spastic diplegia; if patients with the condition can avail of the treatment required elsewhere in the EU; if the case of a person (details supplied) will be investigated by his Department and the HSE to determine if funding will be provided for their care here or abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13819/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
876. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a scan for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13823/19]
View answerUnder 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.
877. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the reason ambulances (details supplied) can be used to transport patients to hospital but other ambulances are not authorised to transport patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13825/19]
View answerAs this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
878. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 253 of 9 October 2018 and 194 of 13 March 2019, if he will make a new offer of a meeting with the family of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13829/19]
View answerI would wish to assure the Deputy that my office has previously been in correspondence with the person concerned in order to attempt to arrange a meeting. Unfortunately, it has not yet proved possible to set a date, however I can confirm that I remain committed to doing so.
880. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the number of physiotherapists employed by the HSE and-or children's physiotherapy services in County Galway; if there are vacancies for physiotherapists treating children in County Galway; if so, the number of such vacancies; the length of time each vacancy has existed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13834/19]
View answerAs this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
881. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the recommended number of full-time HSE physiotherapists for County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13835/19]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
882. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if respite will be allocated closer to the home of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13837/19]
View answerThe 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.
883. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the quality assurance procedures the HSE has in place to transparently acknowledge to contractors the date on which it receives a particular invoice; if these procedures are independently audited on a regular basis (details supplied); and his views in relation to same [13841/19]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for operational matters, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
884. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if there is a contractual agreement between the distribution contractor and the product contractor under a contract (details supplied); if so, when such an agreement was signed; if the HSE oversaw this agreement; and if not, his views on whether this was a failure on behalf of the HSE. [13842/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
885. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if he will address matters in respect of HSE contracts (details supplied). [13843/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
