Fergus O'Dowd
Question:232. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the status of a discretionary medical card for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40703/19]
View answerMedical Card Applications
Questions (232)
Written answers
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Cancer Screening Programmes
Questions (233)
Seán Haughey
Question:233. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact women attending the Rotunda Hospital for a colposcopy are waiting 15 weeks for colposcopy results; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that a private hospital (details supplied) provides colposcopy results within ten to 20 business days; the action he is taking to ensure all women receive colposcopy results within 20 working days; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40708/19]
View answerWritten answers
CervicalCheck has established a network of quality assured colposcopy clinics for women requiring further investigation following a smear test. A woman can be referred to one of 15 colposcopy clinics located nationwide. Colposcopy units have experienced significant pressure in recent months, in light of increased demand from both screening and direct referral.
Additional funding is being provided this year to address these pressures. In addition, the HSE advises that extra clinical sessions have been added to reduce waiting lists, and extra efforts are being made when appointments are cancelled to fill the vacant slot to further reduce waiting lists, and to ensure the increased referrals are categorised promptly.
In relation to specific actions being taken to ensure waiting times for colposcopy results are reduced, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
Home Care Packages Provision
Questions (234)
Seán Haughey
Question:234. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health if a home care package for a person (details supplied) will be approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40710/19]
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.
Health Services Provision
Questions (235)
Eugene Murphy
Question:235. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health if a matter (details supplied) in respect of speech and language and occupational therapy for children will be investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40719/19]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy's question relates to a service issue it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Staff
Questions (236)
Frank O'Rourke
Question:236. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision of child psychology services at Celbridge CAMHS unit; if there is now a full-time permanent post-holder in place; if there is provision for a second psychologist to be appointed to deal with the growing waiting lists (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40720/19]
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 Waiting Lists Data
Questions (237)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:237. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if he will instruct the National Treatment Purchase Fund and the National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street, to address the technical issues which have resulted in no official gynaecology waiting list data being provided by the NTPF in its monthly waiting list data publications to date in 2019. [40725/19]
View answerWritten answers
The Ireland East Hospital Group (IEHG) has advised my Department that prior to a recent upgrade to the In-Patient Management System (iPMS), the National Maternity Hospital (NMH) was unable to provide Gynaecology waiting list data to the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) in the required format for validation and publication.
Both IEHG and the NTPF have further advised my Department that on foot of the recent upgrade of the iPMS system, the NMH have engaged in a series of meetings with the NTPF to progress steps to allow data to be submitted to the NTPF. This includes the resolution of data protection and technical issues. As a result, it is envisaged that the NMH will shortly be submitting waiting list data to the NTPF in the required format.
My Department continues to closely monitor the progress of this project through established Governance structures, including through fortnightly meetings where issues including operational challenges and future planning can be addressed.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (238)
Niamh Smyth
Question:238. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) is waiting for an operation in view of the fact the person's pre-operative assessment was carried out five months ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40727/19]
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.
Hospital Waiting Lists Data
Questions (239)
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:239. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for oral maxilla facial services at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, as of 30 September 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40729/19]
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.
The latest published NTPF figures show that there are 21 patients on the Beaumont Hospital Inpatient/Daycase (IPDC) waiting list for a Maxillo-Facial procedure. The NTPF figures also show that there are 31 patients on the Beaumont Hospital Maxillo-Facial Outpatient waiting list.
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 access for patients waiting for scheduled care this year.
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.
Hospital Services
Questions (240)
Brian Stanley
Question:240. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the expected date for the commencement of consultations on the future of services in Portlaoise Hospital. [40735/19]
View answerWritten answers
As I have outlined previously, no decision has been made yet on the draft Action Plan for Portlaoise Hospital. I committed to ensuring that local clinicians and the community would be consulted with before a decision is made. The appointment of an independent external facilitator for the consultation process is being progressed. The outcome of the consultation process will be a submission from my Department, setting out the key findings from the consultation process and recommended response to inform me in making a final decision on the draft Action Plan.
Health Services Staff
Questions (241)
Mary Butler
Question:241. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health when a diabetes community care nurse will be allocated to County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40738/19]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Domiciliary Care Allowance Applications
Questions (242)
Dessie Ellis
Question:242. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health the status of an application by a person (details supplied) for a domiciliary care allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40740/19]
View answerWritten answers
Domiciliary Care Allowance falls within the remit of my colleague the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (243)
Peter Burke
Question:243. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied). [40742/19]
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.
Health Services Provision
Questions (244)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:244. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if he will consider purchasing an upright MRI scanner here and failing that if he will allow patients in need of an upright MRI scan to travel to the UK and reclaim the full cost under the treatment abroad scheme, which currently does not cover it as it is only available in a private clinic in the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40744/19]
View answerWritten answers
As the provision of specific services in the acute hospital setting are an operational matter for the HSE I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on the issue of purchasing an upright MRI scanner here.
In relation to accessing upright MRI facilities it is noted that patients often access services in other EU/EEA member states under different routes.
The Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS) allows public patients to be referred to another EU/EEA country for treatment that is not available in Ireland, subject to qualifying criteria. A patient's Irish based consultant is responsible for referring the patient abroad under the terms of the TAS, after having exhausted all treatment options including tertiary care within Ireland. Applications to the TAS are processed and a determination given in accordance with the statutory framework prior to a patient travelling to avail of treatment. The statutory framework stipulates the patient must be a public patient and is required to have followed public patient pathways. Also, the treatment must be a proven treatment and not experimental/trial and it must be provided in the public health service of the country which the patient is being referred to.
In relation to the Cross Border Directive (CBD), patients in Ireland can seek to be referred to another EU/EEA country for medical treatment that is available in the public health service in Ireland. The patient may access the overseas service in either the public or private health sector of the country they choose to receive the service in. The patient pays for the treatment and claims reimbursement from the HSE at the cost of that treatment in Ireland or the cost of it abroad, whichever is the lesser.
Further information on the TAS may be obtained from the HSE website, by phone at 056 77845548 or by writing to the TAS Ofice, St. Canice’s Hospital Complex, Dublin Road, Kilkenny, Co Kilkenny. The contact details for the CBD are: National Contact Point: HSE Cross Border Directive, St Canice's Hospital, Dublin Road, Kilkenny. Tel: 056 778 4547 or 056 778 4546 or 056 778 4556. email: crossborderdirective@hse.ie,
Drug Treatment Programmes
Questions (245)
John Curran
Question:245. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the number of treatment options available for persons with drug addiction problems; and the number of persons availing of each in 2017, 2018 and to date in 2019, in tabular form. [40754/19]
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.
Drug Treatment Programmes Data
Questions (246)
John Curran
Question:246. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the number of residential places available for the treatment of persons with drug addiction problems by local health office area in tabular form. [40755/19]
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.
Drug Treatment Programmes Data
Questions (247)
John Curran
Question:247. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the payments made to pharmacists and general practitioners for methadone treatment in each of the years 2015 to 2018 and to date in 2019, in tabular form. [40756/19]
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.
Disabilities Data
Questions (248)
Jackie Cahill
Question:248. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the number of children diagnosed with early behaviour disability in County Tipperary in the past five years in tabular form; the number of children in County Tipperary on a waiting list to be assessed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40757/19]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy's question relates to a service issue it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Medical Card Applications
Questions (249)
Pearse Doherty
Question:249. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if a medical card application by a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40759/19]
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.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (250)
Pearse Doherty
Question:250. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal can expect to receive an appointment at St. James's Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40760/19]
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.
Respite Care Services Provision
Questions (251)
Pearse Doherty
Question:251. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when respite service provision will resume for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40764/19]
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.
The Programme for Partnership Government states that the Government wishes to provide more accessible respite care to facilitate full support for people with a disability.
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.
Home Help Service Provision
Questions (252)
Niamh Smyth
Question:252. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has not received the home help the person was granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40765/19]
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 Waiting Lists
Questions (253)
Niamh Smyth
Question:253. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) is waiting so long for a MRI scan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40771/19]
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 Applications
Questions (254)
Frank O'Rourke
Question:254. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health when an application for the nursing homes support scheme will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40772/19]
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.
Cancer Screening Programmes
Questions (255)
Bríd Smith
Question:255. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the laboratories from which the 221 cases of misdiagnosed smears under Cervical Check came, by laboratory and by year in tabular form. [40777/19]
View answerWritten answers
The HSE has recently completed a report which provides a breakdown of the laboratories in which the smear tests of the 221 women involved in the CervicalCheck audit were analysed. This is information that has been requested, by the women and families involved and by members of the Dáil, over recent months. This report has now been shared with the 221+ Patient Support Group and with the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health.
As referenced in section 4 of the report, at the request of the 221+ Patient Support Group, the HSE intends to provide a breakdown of laboratory results by laboratory, by month, over the duration of the programme. I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy with further detail on this matter.
Disabilities Assessments
Questions (256)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:256. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for an official diagnosis will be expedited for a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40785/19]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy's question relates to a service issue it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.