Michael Healy-Rae
Question:971. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for MRIs in UHK by age, group and waiting time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35529/19]
View answerHospital Waiting Lists Data
Questions (971)
Written answers
The HSE advise that a pilot project commenced in 2016 by the HSE Acute Hospitals Division to progress the collection of national radiology waiting list data. The project has been supported by the Radiology Clinical Care Programme and has involved key stakeholders across the system including the National Integrated Medical Imaging System Team, Hospital Groups, and the support of the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) for data collection and data management expertise. The information is collected quarterly, with the most recent validated data available for the end of quarter 1 2019.
The HSE further advise that the waiting list data provided should be reviewed in light of the caveats below, and in this context that data should not be quoted or circulated without these caveats:
- Data contains urgent, routine and surveillance/planned activity which is currently not broken down in detail, as such this includes surveillance/planned activity which may not be exceeding planned date
- Data is still undergoing validation at Hospital and Hospital Group level
- Data does not take into account local nuances at site level (Site profile developed to support understanding of same)
- The purpose of this aggregate data is to provide a National Level overview of the number of patients waiting for modalities of CT, MR and US.
- This report is not intended to be used for the active management of hospital diagnostics waiting list, local reports and mechanisms should continue to be used for the management of diagnostics waiting lists at hospital level.
MRI waiting times at University Hospital Kerry - The following figures represent the position as of 1 April 2019
|
0-3 mths |
3-6 mths |
6-9 mths |
9-12 mths |
12-15 mths |
15-18 mths |
18+ mths |
Total |
|
363 |
262 |
200 |
134 |
146 |
129 |
520 |
1754 |
Services for People with Disabilities
Questions (972)
Michael McGrath
Question:972. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position with regard to the roll-out of individualised budgeting for persons with a disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35535/19]
View answerWritten answers
My Department is responsible for the formulation and development of policy in respect of the provision of healthcare and support services; responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services rests with the Health Service Executive (HSE).
The HSE has now been tasked with implementing the recommendations of the Report of the Task Force on Personalised Budgets in relation to setting up Demonstration Projects. I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy regarding the roll out of the Personalised Budgets Demonstration Projects.
Services for People with Disabilities
Questions (973)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:973. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a place in a home in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35542/19]
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.
Medical Aids and Appliances Provision
Questions (974)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:974. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when shoes will be provided for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35545/19]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (975)
Niamh Smyth
Question:975. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); if the appointment will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35551/19]
View answerWritten answers
Under 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.
Nursing Homes Support Scheme Data
Questions (976)
Michael McGrath
Question:976. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 720 of 8 May 2019 (details supplied), if the loan referred to of €144,657 million is recouped by the HSE from the Revenue Commissioners or if it is the case that the HSE remains out of pocket for this loan amount; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35558/19]
View answerWritten answers
The Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS), commonly referred to as A Fair Deal, is a system of financial support for people who require long-term residential care. Participants contribute to the cost of their care according to their means while the State pays the balance of the cost. The Scheme aims to ensure that long-term nursing home care is accessible and affordable for everyone and that people are cared for in the most appropriate settings.
Where a resident under NHSS has assets including land or property, they may defer their contribution to care based on such assets under Ancillary State support (also known as Nursing Home Loan). This contribution becomes payable on their death.
NHSS is underpinned by primary legislation by way of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act (2009). The legislation sets out that collection and recovery of repayable amounts of the Ancillary State support is a function of the Revenue Commissioners, acting as a collecting agent for the HSE. These monies collected by Revenue Commissioners are paid into the Central Fund.
The exchequer directly funds the NHSS, outside of the assessed contribution paid by nursing home residents. The NHSS budget, which covers all State support for the Scheme, including Ancillary State Support, is allocated on an annual basis based on projected needs and costs.
Legislative Programme
Questions (977)
Ruth Coppinger
Question:977. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health the progress of the human tissue (transplantation, post-mortem, anatomical examination and public display) Bill; and his plans to progress it in the Houses of the Oireachtas. [35561/19]
View answerWritten answers
The Government approved the publication of the General Scheme of a Human Tissue (Transplantation, Post-Mortem, Anatomical Examination and Public Display) Bill on the 1st May 2019.
Work has commenced on the drafting of the Bill in collaboration with the Office of Parliamentary Council.
The General Scheme has been referred to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health for pre-legislative scrutiny. A date for the start of this process has not yet been set.
Consultancy Contracts Data
Questions (978)
Catherine Murphy
Question:978. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the names of external consultancies that delivered and continue to deliver advice and training on all aspects of GDPR in the context of preparedness and ongoing upskilling of staff regarding the regulation; the cost expended on the external advice and training on same to date in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35578/19]
View answerWritten answers
In August 2018 under the Office of Government Procurement Framework, external consultants were commissioned to assist the Data Protection Unit in implementing a GDPR compliance programme for the Department. This work was completed in April 2019 and included a GDPR gap analysis, implementation plans, compliance strategy and training and skills transfer.
Table of Costs
|
Consultants |
Total Cost (Inclusive of VAT) |
|
Mazars |
€110,423.25 |
Question No. 979 answered with Question No. 779.
Health Screening Programmes
Questions (980, 982, 986)
Micheál Martin
Question:980. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health the number of children diagnosed with potential trisomy 18 or Edward's syndrome at antenatal screening nationally; when this information gathering was commenced; if it is done in each maternity hospital and fertility clinics; if this information is not collated, the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35589/19]
View answerMicheál Martin
Question:982. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health if he has discussed the diagnostic testing required for trisomy 18 in the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35591/19]
View answerMicheál Martin
Question:986. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health if post-delivery diagnostic confirmation is optimal practice to confirm prenatal tests and diagnostic accuracy of trisomy 18 and other fatal foetal abnormalities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35595/19]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 980, 982 and 986 together.
As the queries raised by the Deputy relate to service issues, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
Health Screening Programmes
Questions (981)
Micheál Martin
Question:981. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health the number of cases with conclusive trisomy 18 diagnosis that have been diagnosed here in the past five years in tabular form; if this diagnosis has a national protocol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35590/19]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Question No. 982 answered with Question No. 980.
Health Screening Programmes
Questions (983, 984, 985)
Micheál Martin
Question:983. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health if he will report on prenatal fetomaternal testing policy incorporating the use of cytogenetic screening and testing technology; the way in which it developed in maternity hospitals and clinics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35592/19]
View answerMicheál Martin
Question:984. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health if he is considering the use of tests to confirm the accuracy of cytogenetic assays and results being confirmed post-delivery by definitive testing of foetus, child and placenta in circumstances in which it is appropriate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35593/19]
View answerMicheál Martin
Question:985. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health if he has received requests from the clinicians in the maternity hospitals or clinic laboratories or others to improve the cryogenic services for maternity cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35594/19]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 983 to 985, inclusive, together.
As the queries raised by the Deputy relate to service issues, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
Question No. 986 answered with Question No. 980.
Nursing Homes Support Scheme Applications
Questions (987)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:987. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a fair deal application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35598/19]
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.
Hospital Consultant Data
Questions (988)
Lisa Chambers
Question:988. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the number of gynaecologist consultant posts in Mayo University Hospital; the number of vacant posts; the length of time they have been vacant; when the posts will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35607/19]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Waiting Lists Data
Questions (989)
Lisa Chambers
Question:989. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to address the waiting lists to see a gynaecologist here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35608/19]
View answerWritten answers
Reducing waiting times for hospital appointments and procedures is a key commitment of government. Budget 2019 announced that the Government had further increased investment in tackling waiting lists, with funding to the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) increasing from €55 million in 2018 to €75 million in 2019.
The joint Department of Health, HSE, and NTPF Scheduled Care Access Plan 2019 was published in March. Under the Plan the HSE, in line with the National Service Plan, will aim to deliver 1.155 million elective inpatient and day case discharges and 3.3 million outpatient appointments, of which more than 1 million will be to new patients. For its part, the NTPF will provide additionality through the provision of 25,000 IPDC appointments, 5,000 GI scopes, and 40,000 outpatient appointments.
In addition, the Department of Health has established a Working Group comprised of representatives from the HSE, NTPF, and Departmental officials, to examine ways of improving access for patients waiting for scheduled care. Part of this work includes developing initiatives which will move care to the most appropriate setting, and at the lowest level of complexity. Gynaecology is one of the specialties being examined by this group.
Hospital Consultant Data
Questions (990)
Lisa Chambers
Question:990. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the number of vacant gynaecologist posts in the CHO2 area by hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35609/19]
View answerWritten answers
I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
Hospital Waiting Lists Data
Questions (991)
Lisa Chambers
Question:991. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the wait time for a gynaecologist appointment at Mayo University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35610/19]
View answerWritten answers
Reducing waiting time for patients for hospital operations and procedures is a key priority for Government. In this regard, the Government is committed to improving waiting times for hospital appointments and procedures.
Budget 2019 announced that the Government has further increased investment in tackling waiting lists, with funding to the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) increasing from €55 million in 2018 to €75 million in 2019. The joint Department of Health/HSE/NTPF Scheduled Care Access Plan 2019 was published in March and sets out measures to improve care for patients waiting for scheduled care in 2019 by reducing waiting times for inpatient/day case treatment and outpatient appointments.
In addition, the Department of Health has established a Working Group comprised of representatives from the HSE, NTPF, and Departmental officials, to examine ways of improving access for patients waiting for scheduled care. Part of this work includes developing initiatives which will move care to the most appropriate setting, and at the lowest level of complexity. Gynaecology is one of the specialties being examined by this group.
The NTPF advise that over recent months they have placed a particular focus on engaging with hospital groups and individual hospitals to identify waiting list proposals. The NTPF welcomes proposals from all acute hospitals for initiatives to improve access for patients on waiting lists.
The data requested by the deputy is contained in the following table.
Outpatient Waiting list for Gynaecology at Mayo University Hospital – end July 2019
|
0-3 mths |
3-6 mths |
6-9 mths |
9-12 mths |
12 mths+ |
Total |
|
257 |
28 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
285 |
Hospital Consultant Data
Questions (992)
Lisa Chambers
Question:992. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to address the shortfall in gynaecologist consultant posts here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35611/19]
View answerWritten answers
I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
Nursing Homes Support Scheme
Questions (993)
Jack Chambers
Question:993. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the incentives in place to ensure the use of vacant properties under the fair deal scheme; the timeline for such changes to the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35616/19]
View answerWritten answers
Under NHSS rental income is considered income for the purpose of the financial assessment, and is assessed at 80% less any allowable deductions. Allowable deductions include income tax and, therefore, any income tax arising from rental income should be deducted; other deductions include some health expenses, levies required by law to be paid, and interest on some loans in respect of a person’s principal private residence.
Action 17 of the Strategy for the Rental Sector commits the Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government (DHPLG) to examine the treatment, under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme's financial assessment, of income from the rental of a person's principal private residence where they move into long term residential care. My officials are working with DHPLG officials and examining a number of possible options. I am not in a position, however, to provide detail on these as discussions and detailed examination are ongoing and any potential proposals have not been finalised.
Healthcare Professionals
Questions (994)
Tony McLoughlin
Question:994. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) who sought to have their certificate of good standing and registration documentation sent by CORU to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency has been refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35620/19]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a matter relating to an individual health and social care professional, the Health and Social Care Professional Council (CORU) has been asked to respond directly to the Deputy.