Written Answers Nos. 315-339
315. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of persons that availed of occupational therapy in a primary care setting in counties Cavan and Monaghan to date in 2019; the number on the waiting list for occupational therapy; the length of time each has been on the waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43111/19]
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.
316. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the action to be taken to reduce the waiting list for homecare packages in County Laois in which the number waiting have seen a significant increase to date in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43113/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
317. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the reason the HSE in CHO area 8 is taking on agency staff to fill positions in which an employment panel is currently running and suitable candidates are available to commence full-time and permanent employment from this list; and his views on whether agency recruitment offers value for money in view of the continued budget overruns within the HSE. [43114/19]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
318. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health when additional funding will be put in place to address the issue of staff shortages within the home support coordinators across the HSE community west for the past four months (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43117/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
319. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he will consider allowing persons in the 66 to 70 years of age bracket to discount the cost of medical insurance against their income in assessing their qualification for a medical card, particularly in view of the significant difference between the means test for that age category and those over 70 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43118/19]
View answerUnder the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for health services in Ireland is based primarily on residency and means. The Act provides that persons who are unable to arrange GP services for themselves and family, without undue hardship, can qualify for full eligibility (a medical card).
The HSE can only award medical cards in accordance with the Health Act and, therefore, it must assess applicants on the overall financial situation of the applicant and his or her spouse or partner. The HSE gives effect to this legislation through its Medical Card National Assessment Guidelines. There are no plans at present to revise the allowable expenses provided for under the Medical Card National Assessment Guidelines.
320. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical assessment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43124/19]
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.
321. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a bed in residential care for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43138/19]
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 a service issue, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
322. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health when the new framework for design teams will be approved by the HSE; the reason for the delay in approving this framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43144/19]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
323. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an appointment will be scheduled for ASD assessment for a child (details supplied). [43145/19]
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.
324. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if newborn screening here will be expanded to screen for additional rare genetic conditions in children (details supplied). [43160/19]
View answerA National Screening Committee is being established and will hold its first meeting before the end of 2019, as per recommendation 5, contained within the Scally Review (2018). The Committee’s role will be to undertake an independent assessment of the evidence for screening for a particular condition against internationally accepted criteria and make recommendations accordingly.
I appointed Professor Niall O’Higgins as Chair of the Committee in July 2019 and asked that, as part of its initial body of work, the Committee prioritise a review of the national newborn blood-spot screening programme and look specifically at how Ireland should best proceed with an expansion in line with international best practice.
Ireland, very much like the UK has always evaluated the case for commencing a national screening programme against international accepted criteria – collectively known as the Wilson Junger criteria. The evidence bar for commencing a screening programme should and must remain high. This ensures that we can be confident that the programme is effective, quality assured and operating to safe standards.
There is no doubt that newborn screening programmes have the potential to be rapidly transformed by new technologies and new therapies but this highlights the need to continue with a robust, methodologically sound and detailed analysis of the evidence in each and every case against the Wilson and Junger criteria.
Any future potential changes to the National Newborn Bloodspot Screening Programme will be incorporated as part of the Committee’s work programme.
325. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the analysis carried out on estimating the additional need for step down beds and residential care for older persons in counties Cavan and Monaghan between 2019 and 2030. [43161/19]
View answer326. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of the 4,000 step down and-or long-term residential beds announced under the National Development Plan 2018-2027 which will be allocated to counties Cavan and Monaghan. [43162/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 325 and 326 together.
As these are service matters I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
327. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in counties Cavan and Monaghan availing of the fair deal scheme; and the number in residential care outside counties Cavan or Monaghan. [43163/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
328. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of public nursing home beds available in counties Cavan and Monaghan. [43164/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
329. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the policy in relation to the future availability of the medical procedure involving vaginal mesh implants in the health service; his views on the reported ill effects of the procedure on some women; if he will commission an independent inquiry that takes account of the serious health concerns suffered by these women; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43169/19]
View answerAs Minister for Health, I requested Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) to draft a report on the use of Uro-Gynaecological Mesh in the surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and pelvic organ prolapse (POP) in women. The report covers the clinical and technical issues involved in ensuring both:
1. the safe and effective provision of mesh procedures in urogynaecology and
2. an appropriate response to women who suffer complications as a result of undergoing such procedures.
This report was published on the Department of Health website on 21 November 2018.
The CMO’s Report identifies that for many women, surgical procedures using synthetic mesh devices have provided a more effective and less invasive form of treatment than traditional SUI and POP procedures. However, mesh devices are associated with significant and severe complications in a minority of women. These are of concern given the difficulties of mesh implant removal.
The Report makes 19 recommendations including:
- the development of patient information and informed consent materials;
- surgical professional training and multidisciplinary expertise in units carrying out mesh procedures;
- the development of clinical guidance;
- the development of information systems to monitor the ongoing use of mesh devices;
- ensuring the reporting of mesh related complications; and
- ensuring timely, appropriate and accessible care pathways for the management of women with complications.
In advance of the report’s completion, the HSE was requested in May 2018 to begin work immediately on the development of national standardised patient information and informed consent materials and the clarification and development of treatment pathways and appropriate referral services for women suffering serious complications.
The HSE was also asked by the Chief Medical Officer on 24 July 2018 to pause all mesh procedures where clinically safe to do so, pending confirmation by the HSE of the implementation of recommendations relating to (i) professional training requirements, (ii) patient information and consent and (iii) the development and maintenance of a national data set for all mesh procedures carried out in HSE funded hospitals.
A Synthetic Mesh Devices Advisory Group was convened by the HSE, to advise on and progress all of the recommendations which included three patient representatives, as well as representatives of the HPRA, the IOG, the RCSI, the CFI and all Hospital Groups to advise on and action all of the recommendations above.
I am informed that an ongoing work programme for the clarification and development of treatment pathways and appropriate referral services for women suffering from mesh-related complications is being progressed by the HSE. This work includes identifying the appropriate specialist clinical expertise and facilities required at hospital group level and nationally to provide comprehensive aftercare services.
I am pleased to note that funding has been identified within the HSE in 2019 to provide a package of care for women already identified with urgent or immediate needs. I understand that the Department of Health and the HSE’s National Women & Infants Health Programme will continue to engage in relation to the ongoing care needs of women impacted by mesh complications.
As was requested by the Secretary General of my Department in November 2018, the HSE prepared an Implementation Plan for the complete set of recommendations set out in the CMO’s Report, which was approved by the Leadership Team in the HSE and published on the HSE website on 26 April 2019. I am informed that the HSE has advised that a further detailed progress report on implementation of the recommendations will be provided to my Department in the coming weeks.
The HSE has published a dedicated webpage about vaginal mesh implants, including contact information for women suffering complications, which I hope is a useful resource. This can be found on the HSE website.
I would strongly encourage all women affected by mesh to engage with the relevant HSE contact points provided, to ensure that their service needs can be identified and provided for.
At my meeting with the Mesh Survivors Ireland Group on 7 March 2019 I agreed to continue engagement with them on a pathway forward, to ensure that the ongoing clinical management of this patient group is in line with international best practice and emerging evidence. It is my intention to meet again with the Mesh Survivors Ireland group in the coming weeks.
330. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the number of children awaiting early intervention at the first stage in the Cork area; and the delays facing those children, in tabular form. [43178/19]
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.
331. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting for speech and language assessments in primary care in CHO 2 in each county by periods (details supplied), in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43193/19]
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.
332. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting for a hearing test in primary care in CHO 2 in each county by periods (details supplied), in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43194/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
333. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the number of adults with an intellectual disability in residential care in County Galway in each year from 2014 to date in 2019, in tabular form; the number of adults with an intellectual disability waiting for residential care in County Galway at present; the length of time they have been waiting by periods (details supplied) in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43195/19]
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 a service issue, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
334. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting for an eye test in primary care in CHO 2 in each county by periods (details supplied), in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43196/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
335. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting for a dental test in primary care in CHO 2 in each county by periods (details supplied), in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43197/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
336. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting for an assessment of autism spectrum disorder in each county by periods (details supplied), in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43198/19]
View answer338. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting for an assessment of dyslexia in each county by periods (details supplied) in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43200/19]
View answer339. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting for an assessment of dyspraxia in each county by periods (details supplied), in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43201/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 336, 338 and 339 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 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.
337. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting for an assessment of ADHD in each county by periods (details supplied) in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43199/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
