Written Answers Nos. 239-258
239. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the weighting percentages to be used as part of the upcoming HSE FreeStyle Libre Group review decision making process that will be given to criteria (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39086/19]
View answerUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
240. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health if the reimbursement dataset will specifically cover only current HSE funded users of the FreeStyle Libre device; if not, if the Health Technology Assessment Group review will compare total blood glucose strip usage spend year on year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39087/19]
View answerUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
241. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health the weighting percentages to be used as part of the upcoming HSE FreeStyle Libre Group review decision making process that will be given to criteria (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39116/19]
View answerUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
242. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the weighting percentages that will be attached to criteria by the Health Technology Assessment Group review in its decision making process in the upcoming review of HSE FreeStyle Libre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39126/19]
View answerUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
243. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if the reimbursement dataset will specifically cover only current HSE funded users of the FreeStyle Libre device; if not, if the Health Technology Assessment Group review will compare total blood glucose strip usage spend year on year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39127/19]
View answerUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
244. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the status of a freedom of information request to the HSE by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38217/19]
View answerThis is a matter for the HSE and I have asked them to respond to the Deputy directly.
245. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health the way in which he will collect improved data and research on suicidal behaviour as outlined in the National Office for Suicide Prevention Annual Report 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38227/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
246. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the estimated full year cost of extending free general practitioner care to children under eight years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38229/19]
View answerThe Government intends to extend GP care without fees to all children aged between 6 and 12 years on a phased basis, starting in 2020. Legislative changes will be required to give effect to this extension.
It is not possible at this time to give an estimate of the cost of extending GP care without fees to this cohort of the population. The fees payable to GPs for this service will be determined following consultations with GP representatives on the scope and content of the general practitioner service to be provided.
As part of the recent agreement reached on GP contractual reforms and service developments, the IMO has agreed that it will engage with the Department of Health and the HSE in relation to the contractual aspects of this service in advance of implementation.
Following these consultations, an appropriate fee for the provision of the service by GPs will be set under the Public Services Pay and Pensions Act 2017.
247. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if a bus service managed by the HSE could arrange collection of a person (details supplied) at a suitable time. [38230/19]
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.
248. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if progress has been made in appointing a clinical lead for the national clinical dual diagnosis programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38234/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
249. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the number of inpatient detox beds for persons with a dual diagnosis; the HSE regions in which these beds are available; when such beds will be available for those that need them in all regions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38235/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
250. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the number of workers employed by his Department and in each office or agency under the aegis of his Department that earn less than the living wage of €12.30 per hour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38246/19]
View answerThe staff of my Department are on centrally negotiated civil service pay scales. There are a number of Clerical Officers on the lower end of the pay scale for that grade who are on salaries below €12.30 per hour but as they progress over time on their pay scale, their salaries will exceed this amount.
I have asked that the HSE respond to you directly on the aspect of the question that relates to their public sector employees. In relation to Non-Commercial State Agencies under the remit of the Department, this information is being sought and will be forwarded to the Deputy when collated.
251. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health if an appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38263/19]
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.
252. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health the criteria in relation to emergency medical cards; the extent to which a person must be sick; the way in which such an assessment is made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38269/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
253. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the rehabilitative training allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38277/19]
View answerThis 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. The 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.
The payment of the Rehabilitative Training (RT) Bonus came into place on the transition of Rehabilitative / Training Programmes to the HSE following the dissolution of the National Rehabilitation Board in June 2000.
The decision to phase out the Rehabilitative Training (RT) Bonus payment is designed to bring equity and consistency between people with a disability attending HSE funded rehabilitative training programmes who receive the payment, and those attending similar HSE funded Day Services or in other State schemes such as further education and training, who do not.
This action will ensure all HSE funded Day Services are provided on an equitable basis and will also ensure that the use of finite resources is maximised.
The Rehabilitative Training (RT) Bonus Payment is a historical payment, introduced in July 2001, aligned with a similar FÁS Training Bonus. However, during 2011 the FÁS Training Bonus was reduced to €20.00 and then eliminated the following year while to date the RT Bonus Payment has continued to be paid in the Health Sector.
It is worth remembering that:
- There is no cut in the number of RT places available
- There is no cut in payment of the bonus - those who have it will continue to receive it for the remainder of their RT Placement
- All participants continue to be eligible for Disability Allowance of €203 per week
- All participants continue to be eligible for a free travel pass
- No expectation of an additional RT bonus payment has been created by HSE for 2019 participants
The redirected funding (€3.7 m over 4 years), which will be ring-fenced, will facilitate 148 full day placements or 370 enhanced day places nationally based on priority need.
Each CHO will have the flexibility to redirect its own savings to address local service requirements. The HSE will put in place a monitoring system and regularly report the additional placements realised to the Department of Health.
254. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if a decision has been made to remove Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, from the Ireland East hospital group and put it into the RCSI hospital group; if consultation has been carried out in the making of this decision; the persons or bodies consulted; when it will occur; the changes that will happen to services at the hospital; if the emergency department at the hospital will not have a reduced service; and the steps which will be taken regarding existing Mater Hospital operations that are undertaken at the hospital. [38279/19]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, 9 Community Healthcare Organisations (CHOs) and 6 Hospital Groups are currently in place on an administrative basis to plan and deliver community and acute care services respectively.
While significant progress has been made by CHOs and Hospital Groups, there is broad consensus that having separate and un-aligned structures for acute and community care impedes the development of a more integrated health service underpinned by population-based planning, as envisaged under the Sláintecare programme.
The Sláintecare Report called for the establishment of regional bodies based on the alignment of current CHO and Hospital Group structures. What is being proposed under Sláintecare is not simply a reconfiguration of hospital groups, but something much more significant and fundamental. It is the establishment of new health service management structures, which will be tasked with planning, managing and delivering all health and social care services for a given population based on coherent regional areas, on a population health basis. And within these regions, acute hospitals will work with primary, community and social care to provide integrated care.
As a first step in this process, I announced the areas for six new regional bodies in July. Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan will come within the remit of Area A which is depicted on the map in Appendix A. Details of the geographical areas covered by each new regional health area and the hospitals within these areas is also outlined in the appendix. It is important to note that the Mater Hospital is also within the remit of Area A.
The announcement of these areas is an important step in signalling the future shape of the health service. A number of pieces of research, analysis and consultation were undertaken to support the identification of the optimal boundaries of the new regions. This included a review of approaches taken internationally, a review of national policy documents on health reform and previous criteria used in determining regional health bodies, a public consultation process and a detailed analysis of service usage patterns.
As agreed by Government, my Department will now progress the development of detailed policy proposals on reconfiguration of the HSE, including the establishment of regional health bodies, and bring these proposals back to Government for approval next year. This process will provide an opportunity for further consultation and engagement with all key stakeholders to ensure that any structural changes do not unduly cause disruption and loss of focus on service delivery and the roll-out of the broader reform programme, and details of this will be announced in due course.
I would also like to reassure the Deputy that the announcement of future regional areas will not have any immediate impact on services. As the Deputy is aware, Ireland East Hospital Group is engaged in a programme of re-design work to further integrate and enhance the role of Navan Hospital within the current Group and to ensure that it will provide more services safely and appropriately with better linkages to primary, continuing and social care. It is intended that the Hospital Group will continue to engage closely with all interested parties to ensure that the needs of patients, staff, the local and wider community are addressed both in terms of the current Hospital Group configuration and also during the transition to future arrangements.
255. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if he will legislate for a Supreme Court judgment (details supplied) in the Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Bill 2019. [38283/19]
View answerThe Supreme Court decision in question confirmed that there is a “seriousness” threshold for cases involving “poor professional performance”. The Court clarified that this threshold is provided for in the definition of poor professional performance in the Medical Practitioners Act 2007, and, it follows, in the other health professional regulatory Acts which the Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) Amendment Bill 2019 Bill is amending.
The case in question illustrated that registrants who receive one of the minor sanctions are left with limited options to challenge that decision. Accordingly, following consultation with the professional regulators, the Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) Amendment Bill 2019 which is currently progressing through the Oireachtas provides for a right of appeal to the High Court for registrants receiving a minor sanction.
The Bill is scheduled for Committee stage consideration by the Select Committee on Health on 25 September 2019.
256. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of the national children’s hospital; the estimated costs of the enabling work, construction and fit-out in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38284/19]
View answerThe National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB) has statutory responsibility for planning, designing, building and equipping the new children's hospital. I have referred your question to the NPHDB for direct reply.
257. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of the information and communications technology systems for the new national children’s hospital; the person or body contracted to provide the systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38285/19]
View answerInvestment in ICT will be funded through the ICT capital programme. The allocation for ICT in the new children’s hospital is €149 million (estimate based on market soundings). This includes the costs for an Electronic Health Record, which will be procured separately.
I have been advised that contracts for the implementation of ICT at the new children's hospital have not yet been awarded. Open procurement processes will be used to source all ICT and to select the successful vendors.
The new Children's hospital will also benefit from the phased implementation of a small number of national systems that are being deployed in all acute hospitals in the coming years. These deployments are funded separately from national ICT capital budgets.
The implementation of ICT into the new children's hospital supports my Department's eHealth strategy and commitments under the Sláintecare Action Plan to progress the development of clinical ICT systems, to realise the ambition and benefits associated with opening the facility as a digital hospital and to provide the required infrastructure to support effective clinical decision making.
258. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the number of cases of CRE confirmed at Waterford University Hospital; the protocol in place if patients are being transferred from the hospital to another health facility; if patients that have been transferred are tracked and monitored for CRE; the steps taken to ensure patient safety and infection control at the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38303/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
