Written Answers Nos. 977-1002
977. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the number of persons with disabilities in receipt of personal assistance hours in each LHO area at the end of April 2019 or the latest date available; the number of persons on the waiting list for same in each LHO area; and the number waiting zero to three months, three to six, six to 12 and more than 12 months respectively, in tabular form. [19861/19]
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.
978. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting for assessment by early intervention teams in each LHO area in CHO1 at the end of April 2019 or latest date available; and the number waiting zero to three, three to six, six to nine, nine to 12, 12 to 18, 18 to 24 and more than 24 months, respectively. [19862/19]
View answer979. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting for assessment by early intervention teams in each LHO area in CHO2 at the end of April 2019 or latest date available; and the number waiting zero to three, three to six, six to nine, nine to 12, 12 to 18, 18 to 24 and more than 24 months, respectively. [19863/19]
View answer980. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting for assessment by early intervention teams in each LHO area in CHO3 at the end of April 2019 or latest date available; and the number waiting zero to three, three to six, six to nine, nine to 12, 12 to 18, 18 to 24 and more than 24 months, respectively. [19864/19]
View answer981. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting for assessment by early intervention teams in each LHO area in CHO4 at the end of April 2019 or latest date available; and the number waiting zero to three, three to six, six to nine, nine to 12, 12 to 18, 18 to 24 and more than 24 months, respectively. [19865/19]
View answer982. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting for assessment by early intervention teams in each LHO area in CHO5 at the end of April 2019 or latest date available; and the number waiting zero to three, three to six, six to nine, nine to 12, 12 to 18, 18 to 24 and more than 24 months, respectively. [19866/19]
View answer983. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting for assessment by early intervention teams in each LHO area in CHO6 at the end of April 2019 or latest date available; and the number waiting zero to three, three to six, six to nine, nine to 12, 12 to 18, 18 to 24 and more than 24 months, respectively. [19867/19]
View answer984. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting for assessment by early intervention teams in each LHO area in CHO7 at the end of April 2019 or latest date available; and the number waiting zero to three, three to six, six to nine, nine to 12, 12 to 18, 18 to 24 and more than 24 months, respectively. [19868/19]
View answer985. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting for assessment by early intervention teams in each LHO area in CHO8 at the end of April 2019 or latest date available; and the number waiting zero to three, three to six, six to nine, nine to 12, 12 to 18, 18 to 24 and more than 24 months, respectively. [19869/19]
View answer986. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting for assessment by early intervention teams in each LHO area in CHO9 at the end of April 2019 or latest date available; and the number waiting zero to three, three to six, six to nine, nine to 12, 12 to 18, 18 to 24 and more than 24 months, respectively. [19870/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 978 to 986, inclusive, 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 them to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
987. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the number of residential places for persons with a disability being provided at the end of April 2019 or the latest date available by CHO in tabular form. [19871/19]
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.
988. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the number of new emergency places provided to persons with a disability at the end of April 2019 by CHO area in tabular form. [19872/19]
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.
989. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of beds and wards in public and voluntary acute hospitals that were closed on 26 April 2019 or the latest date on which data for validated bed closures at hospital and ward level are available in tabular form. [19873/19]
View answerThe Open Beds Report, published by my Department monthly, provides a summary of the average numbers of open inpatient beds and day beds/places in the acute hospital system based on data provided by the HSE. It can be found here:
https://health.gov.ie/blog/publications/department-of-health-open-beds-report/.
According to provisional data received from the HSE Acute Business Information Unit, there were on average 10,985 inpatient beds and 2,235 day case beds/places available nationally in March 2019.
Information relating to closed beds is collated at a particular date in time. The number of beds closed can fluctuate greatly from day to day for a variety of reasons, including on-going refurbishment, maintenance work, and infection control measures.
In relation to the particular data requested, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
990. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of bed days lost through delayed discharges in April 2019 in each public and voluntary hospital in tabular form. [19874/19]
View answerIn relation to the Deputy's specific question, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly with the data requested.
991. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the percentage of clinical status 1 ECHO incidents responded to by first responders in seven minutes and 59 seconds or less in each ambulance station in each month to the end of April 2019 or the latest date available; and the percentage of clinical status 1 DELTA incidents responded to by a patient-carrying vehicle in seven minutes and 59 seconds or less in tabular form. [19875/19]
View answerAs this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
992. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of patients aged 75 years of age or over who experienced an emergency department wait time of more than 24 hours to the end of April 2019; and the hospitals in which the wait occurred. [19876/19]
View answerI wish to acknowledge the distress overcrowded Emergency Departments (EDs) cause to patients, their families and frontline staff working in very challenging working conditions in hospitals throughout the country.
The hospital system is currently operating at close to full capacity. The number of patients attending Emergency Departments continues to increase year on year, with approximately 1.3 million attendances in 2018, up 3.5% on 2017. This reflects increasing demand for unscheduled care, especially by patients in the 75 years and over age group. Patients in this age group are the highest users of most health and social care services, have more complex needs and longer stays in our acute hospitals.
However, the National Service Plan 2019 includes an expected activity target that 99% of patients aged 75 and over are discharged or admitted within 24 hours of registration. Therefore, any breach of this target in respect of patients in this age cohort is unacceptable.
With regard to the specific question the Deputy has asked, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly.
993. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of home support hours being provided in each LHO area to the end of April 2019; the number of persons on the waiting list for home support hours in each LHO area; and the number waiting zero to three, three to six, six to 12 and more than 12 months respectively, in tabular form. [19877/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
994. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of ambulance attendances at each emergency department nationwide in April 2018; the number of such ambulances that waited longer than 20 minutes to hand over patients, get their trolleys back and return to responding to calls; and the number that waited longer than 40, 60, 90, 120 and more than 180 minutes for same, respectively in tabular form. [19878/19]
View answerAs this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
995. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of spinal fusion patients waiting less than four, four to eight and more than eight months, respectively for treatment at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin and Temple Street Children’s University Hospital at the end of April 2019 or the latest date available; and if the same information for other spinal patients will be provided in tabular form. [19879/19]
View answerI sincerely regret that children can experience a long waiting time for treatment for scoliosis, and I am conscious of the burden that this places on them and their families.
The long-term strategy to develop sustainable scoliosis services from 2018 and into 2019 is a priority for my Department and for the HSE. Children's Health Ireland (CHI) advise that the impact of investment and the implementation of the Scoliosis 10 Point Action Plan is now starting to deliver results with a consistent reduction in waiting times being recorded.
CHI also advise that the total number of surgeries performed in 2018 was 418 compared with 371 in 2017. This represents an increase in activity of 12% against 2017 and an increase in activity of 87% compared to 2016 when 224 procedures were carried out.
Furthermore, the total number of patients on the waiting list for scoliosis related surgeries as of 29 March 2019 is 174, including suspensions. This is a reduction of 61 or 26% compared to the same period last year when 235 patients were on the total spinal waiting list (including suspensions).
More broadly, all patient referrals to the orthopaedic spinal service at CHI are reviewed and clinically prioritised by a consultant. These patients are seen in order of clinical priority. Most patients are seen within 12 months.
An additional 800 outpatient orthopaedic appointments were given to patients in CHI at Crumlin in 2018 compared to 2017 which led to a 31% reduction in the overall orthopaedic outpatient waiting list.
My Department is working closely with CHI with the aim of supporting the further development of a sustainable scoliosis service and ensuring that the on-going demand for services is met.
In relation to the Deputy’s request for a specific breakdown of the number of patients waiting for spinal fusion and spinal other procedures, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
996. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in each LHO area waiting for a podiatry appointment in primary care at the end of April 2019 or the latest date available; and the number waiting zero to 12, 12 to 26, 26 to 52 and more than 52 weeks, respectively. [19880/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
997. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in each LHO area waiting for an ophthalmology appointment in primary care at the end of April 2019 or the latest date available; and the number waiting zero to 12, 12 to 26, 26 to 52 and more than 52 weeks, respectively. [19881/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
998. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in each LHO area waiting for an audiology appointment in primary care; and the number waiting zero to 12, 12 to 26, 26 to 52 and more than 52 weeks, respectively at the end of April 2019 or the latest date available. [19882/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
999. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in each LHO area waiting for a dietetics appointment in primary care; and the number waiting zero to 12, 12 to 26, 26 to 52 and more than 52 weeks, respectively at the end of April 2019 or the latest date available. [19883/19]
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.
1000. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in each LHO area waiting for an oral health appointment in primary care at the end of April 2019 or the latest date available; and the number waiting zero to 12, 12 to 26, 26 to 52 weeks and more than 52 weeks, respectively. [19884/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
1001. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in each LHO area waiting for a speech and language assessment in primary care at the end of April 2019 or the latest date available; and the number waiting zero to 12, 12 to 26, 26 to 52 and more than 52 weeks, respectively. [19885/19]
View answer1002. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in each LHO area waiting for a speech and language therapy appointment in primary care at the end of April 2019 or the latest date available; and the number waiting zero to 12 , 12 to 26, 26 to 52 and more than 52 weeks, respectively. [19886/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1001 and 1002 together.
As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
