Written Answers Nos. 372-390
372. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health if a child (details supplied) will receive adequate speech and language therapy and occupational therapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21496/19]
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.
373. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the status of the work of the multidisciplinary working group to assist in the development and preparation of the code of practice for the advance healthcare directives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21506/19]
View answerPart 8 of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 provides a legislative framework for advance healthcare directives (AHDs). An AHD is a statement made by a person with capacity setting out his or her will and preferences regarding treatment decisions that may arise in the future when he or she no longer has capacity.
Section 91 of the Act relates to the development of a code of practice to accompany the AHD provisions. On 17 October 2016 I established a multidisciplinary working group to prepare a detailed series of recommendations for the Director of the Decision Support Service (DSS), in relation to the code of practice under section 91(2) of the Act. In anticipation of the completion of that process, I commenced the remainder of section 91 on 17 December 2018 [S.I. No. 527 of 2018]. This will enable the Director of the DSS to progress the preparation of the code of practice on the AHD provisions, based on the working group’s recommendations, and in accordance with the specific process outlined in the Act. The multidisciplinary working group submitted its recommendations on the code of practice to the Director of the DSS on 21 December 2018.
Once completed the final code of practice can be published by the Director with my consent.
The development of the code of practice to accompany the AHD provisions is a key piece of work in facilitating the subsequent commencement of Part 8 in its entirety.
375. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health if additional home care hours can be provided to persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21519/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
376. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied). [21533/19]
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.
377. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the position regarding follow-up procedures for a person (details supplied). [21550/19]
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.
378. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the annual HSE budget for full-time residential care for persons with disabilities nationally. [21557/19]
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.
379. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health if he will direct the HSE to review the level of home help hours in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21559/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
380. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health if the healthcare assessment and needs of children suspected of having foetal valproate syndrome will be prioritised; if there will be no delays in diagnosis and service provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21563/19]
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.
381. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the clinical trials conducted on sodium valproate prior to its licensing in 1975; if no clinical trials were conducted here, the international clinical trial data used as the basis for its approval; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21565/19]
View answerThe Health Products Regulatory Authority has advised my Department that it will take some time to compile the information requested by the Deputy. I have asked my officials to reply directly to the Deputy as soon as this information is available.
382. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Health his plans to reduce the waiting list for speech therapy in County Meath from three years. [21566/19]
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.
383. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health if he will address matters regarding the appointment of staff (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21568/19]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
384. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the amount spent in fees to companies (details supplied) by his Department in each of the years 2011 to 2018. [21582/19]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is as follows;
PWC
|
2012 |
€18,019.50 |
KPMG
|
2016 |
€14,145.00 |
Ernst & Young
|
2018 |
€71,955.00 |
|
2014 |
€39,444.50 |
|
2013 |
€79,212.00 |
Deloitte
|
2018 |
€121,621.45 |
|
2014 |
€36,900.00 |
|
2013 |
€36,900.00 |
385. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Health his attention has been drawn to the fact that the management of Cork University Hospital has cancelled the contract for the bone densitometry unit in the hospital and has made alternate arrangements elsewhere with a company (details supplied); if public patients will no longer be accommodated in the bone densitometry unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21591/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
386. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21593/19]
View answerIn April 2018, following issues which had emerged in relation to the CervicalCheck screening programme, I made the decision to offer free out of cycle smears to any woman who was concerned about her health, where her GP felt she should have a further test as part of her reassurance.
Approximately 112,000 consultations were provided by GPs, and 57,810 early repeat smear tests were provided between the 01 May and 31 December – in other words, about half of the consultations resulted in a smear test.
Laboratory turnaround times have increased since that time as a consequence both of the 57,000 or so out of cycle smears and the increased uptake generally. The CervicalCheck programme has agreed with laboratories to prioritise those slides which originate from women who attended colposcopy, as this cohort of women are considered to have the most serious need. In addition, agreement has been reached with the laboratory with the largest backlog to process tests based on a HPV initial testing model; i.e. HPV testing will be carried out on samples prior to cytology. I am advised that this approach was chosen as the most effective way to process all outstanding tests based on prioritising women most at risk.
The HSE has advised that the natural history of cervical cancer would indicate that the disease would normally develop over a period of 10 to 15 years. It has said that in this context, a delay in the return of cervical screening results, whilst undesirable, is not necessarily dangerous and poses a very low risk to women.
In relation to the specific case referred to by the Deputy, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him.
387. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce more beds in Kerry University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21594/19]
View answerAs Minister for Health, I recognise 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 2018-2027 provides for the full 2,600 beds over its lifetime.
Since 2017, an additional 241 beds have been opened. A Capacity Programme for 2019 has been agreed, which provides for the following increases in capacity, as set out in the National Service Plan 2019:
- 78 additional beds, including the 40-bed modular build in South Tipperary General Hospital, the 30-bed ward in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda, 4 HDU beds in the Mater Hospital and 4 HDU beds in Cork University Hospital;
- 75 acute beds and 70 community beds to come on stream in 2019 as part of the Winter Plan 2018/19, of which 60 acute beds and 19 community beds have already opened;
- preparation of 202 beds, including 29 beds in Kerry University Hospital, by quarter 4 2019 with a view to bringing this extra capacity into operation in the first quarter of 2020.
- preparation of the proposed opening of a 60-bed modular build in University Hospital Limerick.
Steady progress is being made in increasing Bed Capacity with the number of available inpatient beds expected to increase to above 11,000 following the investment planned in the National Service Plan 2019.
388. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the abolition of a clause (details supplied) in view of the difficulties arising for parents. [21595/19]
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.
389. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health his views on the situation affecting the availability of ambulances (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21623/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
390. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if a date for surgery will be expedited for a person (details supplied); the status of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21633/19]
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.
