Written Answers Nos. 270-288
270. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health if the HSE early years intervention services in Bray, County Wicklow are being moved from Bray health centre to Wicklow primary care centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14878/19]
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 service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
271. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Health if approval will be given to affirming the role of art therapist as a designated post within community mental health teams in the context of section 9.2 of the national policy of A Vision for Change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14893/19]
View answerThe Oversight Group is currently in the process of finalising the revised National Mental Health Policy 'A Vision for Change'. A key focus of the work of this refresh has been to explore opportunities for encompassing population-based responses that strengthen individuals' emotional resilience.
The revised Vision for Change report will contain recommendations and suggestions about the composition and skill mix of each Community Mental Health Team and the flexibility of teams to respond to the social circumstances of it's sector population. As well as core skills there should be opportunities for each team to avail of sessional workers such as addiction counsellors, family therapists and art therapists as required.
The final revised report is due to be finalised in the coming weeks.
272. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in hiring the necessary personnel at a healthcare centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14898/19]
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.
273. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health the extra adult residential places that have been provided for adults with physical or intellectual disabilities each year since 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14899/19]
View answer274. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health his plans regarding the waiting lists for adults with disabilities trying to access long-term residential care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14900/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 273 and 274 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 questions relate to service matters, I have arranged for the questions to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
275. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health the extra bed capacity provided in Cork city and county since 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14904/19]
View answerIt is recognised that hospitals are increasingly operating at or above capacity, with year-round demand pressures that are further challenged over the winter months.
It is against this background that the Health Service Capacity Review 2018 recommended an increase in acute hospital beds of over 2,600 by 2031 to support the projected increase in demand for services in the years ahead. The National Development Plan provides for the full 2,600 beds over its lifetime.
The HSE has provided my Department with the average number of inpatient beds and day beds/places in the South/South West Hospital Group, between 2014 and 2018. It is outlined in the following table.
Over the past 18 months, an additional 241 beds have opened, which included 30 acute beds in Cork University Hospital.
In line with the Sláintecare Action Plan, a capacity programme for 2019 has been agreed. This includes 5 additional acute beds in Cork University Hospital under the 2018/19 Winter Plan, which have now opened, and a further 4 high dependency unit beds to open in early 2019. In addition, the National Service Plan 2019 provides for the preparation of 202 additional beds, to be operational in Q1 2020, including 3 inpatient beds in Mercy University Hospital and 8 inpatient beds in Cork University Hospital.
Average number of inpatient and day beds/ places in the South South West Hospital Group from 2014 to 2018
|
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
||||||
|
Site |
Inpatient |
Day bed/place |
Inpatient |
Day bed/place |
Inpatient |
Day bed/place |
Inpatient |
Day bed/place |
Inpatient |
Day bed/place |
|
Bantry General Hospital |
50 |
10 |
49 |
10 |
50 |
9 |
50 |
9 |
50 |
9 |
|
Cork University Hospital |
526 |
98 |
523 |
97 |
731 |
94 |
748 |
82 |
800 |
108 |
|
Cork University Maternity Hospital |
185 |
- |
185 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Lourdes Orthopaedic Hospital Kilcreene |
28 |
- |
28 |
- |
30 |
- |
29 |
- |
18 |
- |
|
Mallow General Hospital |
54 |
10 |
54 |
10 |
54 |
10 |
54 |
10 |
54 |
10 |
|
Mercy University Hospital |
204 |
51 |
199 |
55 |
198 |
55 |
194 |
51 |
198 |
51 |
|
South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital |
116 |
37 |
117 |
37 |
116 |
37 |
107 |
37 |
105 |
37 |
|
South Tipperary General Hospital |
166 |
25 |
167 |
25 |
167 |
24 |
169 |
24 |
178 |
21 |
|
St. Mary's Hospital - Gurranebraher |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
UH Kerry |
225 |
43 |
225 |
43 |
228 |
56 |
228 |
56 |
253 |
64 |
|
UH Waterford |
431 |
93 |
432 |
98 |
391 |
115 |
392 |
106 |
404 |
118 |
|
South/South West Hospital Group |
1,985 |
367 |
1,979 |
375 |
1,965 |
400 |
1,971 |
375 |
2,060 |
418 |
*Source: HSE, Acute BIU
276. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health his views on reports that almost all the available funding allocated to the HSE for new medicines in 2019 has already been used; the steps he is taking to address inflated prices for lifesaving new drugs from major drug companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14910/19]
View answerMedicines play a vital role in improving the overall health of Irish patients. Securing access to new and innovative medicines in a timely manner is a key objective of the Government of Ireland. However, the challenge is delivering on this objective in an affordable and sustainable way.
To date in 2019, 17 new medicines and 3 new uses of existing medicines have been approved by the HSE (at an additional cost of approximately €150m over five years).
The HSE National Service Plan 2019 includes a provision of €10m for new drugs enabled by an “invest to save” programme. In accordance with the National Service Plan, the HSE is committed to the introduction of cost reduction measures to create the financial headroom, for new drugs in 2019. To assist the HSE in creating this financial headroom, the National Service Plan 2019 includes a provision of €3m for the establishment of a HSE dedicated pharmaceutical value improvement programme, to bring about greater efficiencies in medicines management and to promote changes in prescribing behaviour in favour of more clinically efficient and cost-effective products in both community and hospital settings.
These new measures are expected to complement existing cost control initiatives which are being undertaken by the HSE under the auspices of the Medicines Management Programme. Among the initiatives already being pursued are improvement in practices for the procurement of drugs in hospitals and the designation of preferred products, with a focus on high cost prescribing areas.
The HSE is also strengthening its pharmacy resourcing capacity in order to target particular areas, such as biosimilars. To date substantial progress has been achieved in increasingly biosimilar prescribing rates in acute hospitals. For example the prescribing rate for the biosimilar drug infliximab has increased from 5% in 2017 to 40% in 2018. The biosimilar drug rituximab became available in July 2017 and the dispensing rate has already increased to 25%. The HSE is working on identifying barriers to the prescribing of biosimilars with a specific focus on education and supports. It is seeking to increase understanding of biosimilars through targeted presentations to clinicians and hospitals.
The Department of Health proposes to build on these positive developments and to bring forward a National Biosimilar Medicines Policy statement that would support and complement the many initiatives which are already underway.
In spite of significant progress on drug costs achieved from reference pricing and the price reductions under the IPHA Agreement, the Health Service is still facing significant challenges in relation to the affordability of medicines – mainly related to the emergence of increasing numbers of very expensive products, particularly in the high-tech medicines area.
In that regard, I and officials have been engaging over the past number of years, with a number of voluntary EU forums. In June 2018, I signed the Beneluxa Initiative on Pharmaceutical Policy. This Agreement is in line with my objective to work with other European countries to identify workable solutions, in an increasingly challenging environment, to secure timely access for patients to new medicines in an affordable and sustainable way. Members of the Beneluxa Initiative will work closely together to identify pragmatic solutions to the challenges which we all now face with medicine pricing, sustainability and supply.
277. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the status of the transport support scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14911/19]
View answerThe Deputy will be familiar with the background to the closure of both the Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Grant schemes in February 2013.
My colleague, the Minister for Health and I brought a Memorandum to Government in May 2018 on proposals for a new Transport Support Payment Scheme. Following consideration of the matter, it was decided to withdraw the Memorandum from the Cabinet Agenda at the time. I intend to revert to Government in due course with revised proposals to reflect the discussions at that Cabinet meeting and further discussions between myself and Minister Harris on the best way to progress the Transport Scheme.
It is important to note that the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers scheme operated by the Revenue Commissioners, remains in place. This scheme provides VRT and VAT relief, an exemption from road tax and a fuel grant to drivers and passengers with a disability, who qualify under the relevant criteria set out in governing regulations made by the Minister for Finance. Specifically adapted vehicles driven by persons with a disability are also exempt from payment of tolls on national roads and toll bridges. Transport Infrastructure Ireland has responsibility for this particular scheme.
There are improvements in access to a range of transport support schemes available to persons with disabilities in the State and on-going work is being carried out by Government Departments, agencies and transport providers to further improve access to public transport services. Under the National Disability Inclusion Strategy, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has responsibility for the continued development of accessibility and availability of public transport for people with a disability.
278. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if he has examined 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 drawn to the fact that 31% of respondents claimed discrimination in relation to their trade union activity; and the action taken to rectify this situation. [14913/19]
View answer279. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that 48% of respondents claimed to have experienced bullying or harassment in the service within the previous two years of the Health Sector National Staff Survey 2016 and National Ambulance Services Report January 2017 being carried out; and the action he has taken to date to rectify the situation. [14914/19]
View answer280. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that 68% of respondents claimed to have witnessed bullying or harassment in the service within the previous two years of the Health Sector National Staff Survey 2016 and National Ambulance Services Report January 2017 being carried out; and the action he has taken to date to rectify the situation. [14915/19]
View answer281. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health his views on whether there may be a culture of bullying or harassment within the National Ambulance Service. [14916/19]
View answer282. Deputy John McGuinness 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. [14918/19]
View answer283. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the action he plans to take in relation to the fact that only 5% of staff agree that communication between senior management and staff is effective in the National Ambulance Service. [14919/19]
View answer284. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the actions taken by the National Ambulance Service in relation to the finding in the national staff survey that only 3% of staff agree that senior managers act on staff feedback. [14920/19]
View answer285. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the contents of the 2018 survey carried out by a company (details supplied) in relation to the National Ambulance Service has yet to be released to all staff; and if his attention has been further drawn to its content. [14921/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 278 to 285, inclusive, together.
The Deputy has raised a number of issues in relation to Health Sector National Staff Surveys which were carried out in 2016 and 2018. The purpose of these surveys was to measure employee sentiment and engagement within the publicly funded Health Sector.
As with all surveys, they 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.
There are a number of 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.
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. 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.
286. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if funding will be provided for the long-term appropriate care of a person (details supplied); if the person will be discharged into the care of an organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14925/19]
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 a service issue, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
287. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an immediate long-term care plan will be put in place through CAMHS Kilkenny for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14926/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
288. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the status of progress on the new child and adolescent mental health services centre in south County Wexford; the eTender details for the project; the proposed date for the opening of the centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14935/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
