Written Answers Nos. 340-364
340. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for a hip operation in CHO2 in each county by periods (details supplied) in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43202/19]
View answer341. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for a knee operation in CHO2 in each county by periods (details supplied) in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43203/19]
View answer342. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for a cataract operation in CHO2 in each county by periods (details supplied) in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43204/19]
View answer344. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for a tonsillitis procedure in CHO2 in each county by periods (details supplied) in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43206/19]
View answer348. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for an assessment for osteoporosis in CHO2 in each county by periods (details supplied) in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43210/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 340 to 342, inclusive, 344 and 348 together.
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.
Under the Inpatient Day Case Access Plans for 2018 and 2019, hip & knee procedures, cataracts and tonsils have been among ten specialties targeted by the National Treatment Purchase fund (NTPF), and by end of September 2019, the number of people waiting nationally for one of these ten procedures had fallen by over 40% from 38,368 in July 2017 to 16,149.
The NTPF has advised that currently, there are no patients waiting for an osteoporosis assessment in the Saolta Group and hip/knee operations consists of Hip Replacements/Revisions and Knee Replacements/Revisions procedures.
More broadly, Budget 2020 announced that the Government has further increased investment in tackling waiting lists, with funding to the NTPF increasing from €75 million in 2019 to €100 million in 2020. The year-on-year increases to the National Treatment Purchase Fund since Budget 2017 reflect this Government’s priority to improve waiting times for patients to access hospital treatment.
My Department is working with the HSE and National Treatment Purchase Fund to develop the Scheduled Care Access Plan 2020. The National Service Plan 2020 will set out HSE planned activity level for the year ahead, while the NTPF will work with the hospital system to provide additionality to improve access to inpatient/daycase treatment and with a particular focus on hospital outpatient services.
In this regard, I would encourage all hospital groups and individual hospitals to engage with the NTPF to identify waiting list proposals for the remainder of this year and for 2020.
The information requested by the deputy is outlined in the document attached.
Total Waiters for Cataract Surgery in SAOLTA Hospital Group by Hospital by Wait Time Band as at 26/09/2019
|
Row Labels |
0-4 Months |
4-8 Months |
8-12 Months |
12 Months + |
Grand Total |
|
Saolta University Health Care Group |
747 |
323 |
104 |
34 |
1208 |
|
Galway University Hospitals |
415 |
205 |
61 |
17 |
698 |
|
Letterkenny University Hospital |
15 |
12 |
8 |
35 |
|
|
Sligo University Hospital |
317 |
106 |
38 |
14 |
475 |
|
Grand Total |
747 |
323 |
104 |
34 |
1208 |
|
Total Waiters for Hip Operations in SAOLTA Hospital Group by Hospital by Wait Time Band as at 26/09/2019 |
|||||
|
Row Labels |
0-4 Months |
12 Months + |
4-8 Months |
8-12 Months |
Grand Total |
|
Saolta University Health Care Group |
208 |
59 |
80 |
28 |
375 |
|
Galway University Hospitals |
48 |
23 |
30 |
8 |
109 |
|
Letterkenny University Hospital |
52 |
5 |
13 |
7 |
77 |
|
Mayo University Hospital |
70 |
30 |
28 |
9 |
137 |
|
Sligo University Hospital |
38 |
14 |
52 |
||
|
Grand Total |
208 |
59 |
80 |
28 |
375 |
|
Total Waiters for Knee Operations in SAOLTA Hospital Group by Hospital by Wait Time Band as at 26/09/2019 |
|||||
|
Row Labels |
0-4 Months |
12 Months + |
4-8 Months |
8-12 Months |
Grand Total |
|
Saolta University Health Care Group |
116 |
40 |
39 |
18 |
213 |
|
Galway University Hospitals |
18 |
19 |
12 |
8 |
57 |
*To ensure anonymity numbers lower than 5 have been merged in certain timebands
343. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for a scoliosis procedure in CHO2 in each county by periods (details supplied) in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43205/19]
View answerThe HSE has advised my Department that there is an agreed clinical pathway in place for Paediatric scoliosis patients between Galway University Hospital (GUH) and Children's Health Ireland (CHI). In addition, for patients over 16 years of age there is also a pathway in place to access services at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital (MMUH).
Saolta Hospital Group has advised that there are currently 7 patients awaiting scoliosis surgery at Galway University Hospitals (GUH). Due to the small volume of patients waiting, to preserve patient confidentiality, a further breakdown of patients by adult/child cannot be provided. Saolta has further advised that to date in 2019, no scoliosis surgeries have taken place in Galway University Hospitals.
Saolta Hospital Group has further advised that Paediatric scoliosis patients are to be referred to CHI at Crumlin, and that they are working on treatment plans for adults who are currently awaiting scoliosis surgery at GUH.
345. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for an eating disorder assessment in CHO2 in each county by periods (details supplied) in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43207/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
346. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for an assessment for addiction, including drugs, alcohol and gambling in CHO2 in each county by periods (details supplied) in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43208/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
347. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for access to CAMHS in CHO2 in each county by periods (details supplied) in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43209/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
349. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if a place at the Lakeview Unit in Naas General Hospital will be provided for a person (details supplied). [43232/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
350. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the funding being provided for adult residential services in 2020; the allocation being made for CHO6; and if this is an increase on 2019. [43235/19]
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.
Significant resources have been invested by the health sector in disability services over the past number of years. This year alone, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has allocated €1.9 billion to its Disability Services Programme, an increase of €346 million since 2016. The overall Budget for disability services in 2020 will be in excess of €2 billion. Discussions in terms of how these monies will be allocated across the Disability Services Programme next year are currently underway as part of the HSE’s National Service Planning process for 2020.
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.
351. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the reason the bone density department at Cork University Hospital is a private unit; and the reason public patients are being directed towards this private clinic have to pay for care instead of through the public system. [43245/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
352. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if recommendations from a working group convened by his Department to develop specific proposals for a package of health and well-being supports for former residents of mother and baby homes were included in budget 2020; if so, the supports in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43248/19]
View answerMy colleague, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, published the recommendations of the First Report of the Collaborative Forum of Former Residents of Mother and Baby Homes on 16 April, 2019. The Report contains 43 recommendations in total, including 21 health and well-being recommendations.
My Department subsequently established an Interdepartmental Working Group to undertake an assessment of the report's health and well-being related recommendations and to develop proposals for a package of health and well-being supports.
The Working Group, which comprises representation from this Department, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and the Health Service Executive, has met seven times and is currently finalising their report. Once finalised, the financial requirement associated with the relevant health and well-being supports identified will be made available from the overall level of funding allocated to the health service in 2020.
353. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of the supports and programme being provided for a person (details supplied) by CAMHS in County Cavan; the additional supports that can be made available in this case; if same will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43251/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
354. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter regarding funding for the autism awareness plan (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43253/19]
View answerThe Government and the Health Service Executive (HSE) acknowledge that services for children with disabilities, including Autism need to be improved and organised more effectively. Following the publication of the Review of the Irish Health Services for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder in December 2018, Minister for Health, Simon Harris asked the HSE to commence the implementation of the recommendations in the review including an Autism Plan to be published in 2019. The recommendations of this review were informed by consultation with and through submissions from parents and services users as well as clinicians working in services for people with Autism.
€2 million was secured in Budget 2020 for the Autism Plan. One part of this plan is the development of an awareness raising campaign that can provide a better information resource for children and parents about what supports are available. This campaign will also assist in creating awareness of the challenges, needs and experiences of people with autism.
Another significant part of the Autism Plan is to build capacity and competence among key professionals working in services for people with Autism. This includes a national training programme for clinicians and the implementation of a tiered model of assessment in order to improve access to and responses by services for those with Autism.
I want to emphasise that the primary objective of investing in an Autism Plan is to improve services for people with Autism and their families
As well as the €2 million announced for the Autism Plan, significant investment in services was announced in Budget 2019 with funding for 100 new therapy posts secured for children's disability services. 44 of these posts are now in place and the HSE committed to filling all posts by the end of 2019.
These posts while not meeting all needs, will have a significant positive impact on waiting times for access to vital therapy services over the course of next year and help to drive the implementation of the Progressing Disabilities Services for Children and Young People Programme.
355. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the percent for art budget amount that was included in the overall capital budget estimate for the new national children's hospital; if art works have been commissioned in respect of the site; the way in which it is proposed to select the arts medium which will be chosen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43255/19]
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.
356. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health the current estimate of the cost of the children's research and innovation centre in the new national children’s hospital project. [43282/19]
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.
357. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health the current estimate of the cost of information and communication technology in the new national children’s hospital project. [43283/19]
View answer359. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health the current estimate of the cost of the electronic healthcare record in the new national children’s hospital project. [43285/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 357 and 359 together.
The implementation of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and the Electronic Health Record into the new children's hospital supports my Department's eHealth strategy and commitments under the Sláintecare Action Plan.
The estimate for ICT in the new national children’s hospital is €149 million, based on market soundings. The estimated ICT costs incorporate the requirements for clinical and non-clinical ICT such as ICT infrastructure, corporate systems and integration. This also includes the costs of an Electronic Health Record, which will be procured separately.
Government approval was given in July 2019 for the initiation of the procurement process for an Electronic Health Record in the new national children's hospital and that procurement process has commenced. Therefore estimated costs are commercially sensitive.
358. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health the current estimate of the cost of the children’s hospital integration programme in the new national children’s hospital project. [43284/19]
View answerThe overall programme to deliver the new children’s hospital also entails a complex integration of the existing hospitals, the opening of the Outpatient and Urgent Care Centres and the transfer of services to the new hospital facilities in due course while maintaining existing services, patient safety and quality at three existing sites represent a highly complex project in its own right. A major programme of work is underway focused on transformative service change to merge three separate hospitals while maintaining existing services, patient safety and quality at three existing sites. The recent establishment of Children’s Health Ireland provides the strengthened governance structure required to continue the service reorganisation, including staff deployment, oversee the complex work of integration and transition to the new facilities and run the hospital and outpatient and urgent care centres when they are built.
The Children’s Hospital Integration Programme resource requirements from 2016 to 2023 are estimated at a cumulative €86m revenue including VAT over the period. These costs were included in the overall cost approved by Government in December 2018 and relate to the resources required for corporate and clinical integration, merger of three hospitals, standardisation of clinical processes, clinical support, non-clinical and corporate process, commissioning, transitioning and decommissioning of existing sites and user engagement to support the capital project.
360. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health the status of the development of a primary care centre in Arklow, County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43288/19]
View answerAs the HSE has responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres and other Primary Care facilities, the Executive has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.
361. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the monthly adjustments to the National Treatment Purchase Fund, NTPF, waiting list figures published for 2019 which are due to the validation process; the reasons persons were taken off the different lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43292/19]
View answerGood practice around the management of hospital waiting lists recommends periodic validation of waiting lists.
Validation is the process whereby hospital administration contacts patients on waiting lists at pre-planned intervals during the year to ensure that patients are ready, willing, suitable and available to attend a hospital appointment or wish to be removed.
Importantly, the validation process allows for situations where, if requested by the GP/referring clinician, patients can be reinstated back to their original place on to the Waiting List.
For a number of years validation was conducted at individual hospital level in Ireland but last year, I approved the establishment of the National Centralised Validation Unit (NCVU) within the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF). The new office delivers a standardisation of approach to validation across all waiting lists in line with the best patient-centred practices. The validation of waiting lists better informs the true demand for hospital services and enables improved efficiency and patient scheduling.
The NCVU commenced issuing waiting list validation correspondence on the 2nd November 2018. The core aim of the Validation Unit is to write to all patients waiting more than 6 months for hospital operations and procedures and all patients waiting more than 6 months for an outpatient appointment.
The NCVU advise that as of 27th September 2019, they had completed 124 validation cycles, across 35 hospitals, resulting in 193,092 patients being contacted and 33,720 patients being removed from the Inpatient/Day Case and Outpatient waiting lists.
A report on patients' reasons for requesting a removal from the Inpatient Waiting lists during administrative validation is being finalised by the Department of Health Research Unit and will be published on the Department’s website in November.
362. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the status of the inquiry into the death of an unborn child at the National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street, following a misdiagnosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43301/19]
View answerAs the House will be aware, a termination took place at the National Maternity Hospital in March of this year on the grounds that a condition incompatible with life was present. The couple involved have requested a review of their case.
My overriding concern as Minister for Health is for the couple involved and ensuring their questions are appropriately answered. I support an independent and external review into this case. I have been advised that the National Maternity Hospital has commissioned a review of this case. I have also met with the family to hear directly of their experiences.
363. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of calls and repeat calls to the HSE MyOptions helpline; the number of staff who operate the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43302/19]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for a direct reply to the Deputy.
364. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of prenatal genetic diagnosis medical professionals operating within public and voluntary hospitals; if he is satisfied that all such personnel are suitably qualified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43303/19]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
