Written Answers Nos. 145-159
145. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to media reports (details supplied) regarding the difficulty in recruiting a third consultant post for the 24-7 thrombectomy service that was announced in July 2019 but now is not possible; his views on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45689/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible
146. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health the procedures in place for patients of paediatric diabetes services at University Hospital Waterford in circumstances in which the use of pump and CGM technology is unavailable at the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45690/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible
147. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health the number of diabetes patients transferred from University Hospital Waterford to Cork University Hospital for their diabetes care in the past five years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45691/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
148. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) cannot receive respite care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45696/19]
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.
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 an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
149. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if transitional funding will be provided to cover the costs of nursing home care for the weeks prior to the approval of a fair deal application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45701/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
150. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if he will request from a person (details supplied) the reason for the absence of the HSE-mandated maternal safety statement for March 2019 which the National Maternity Hospital has failed to publish. [45709/19]
View answerThe Maternity Patient Safety Statement for March 2019 for the National Maternity Hospital may be viewed on the website of the Health Service Executive, at the following link:
https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/3/maternity/mpss/2019/march-2019/march-2019-maternity-patient-safety-statements.html
151. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the reason he has not taken action to investigate the alleged breaches of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 and accompanying guidelines brought to his attention in May 2019; and when action will be taken [45710/19]
View answerSection 23 of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 sets out the offences under the legislation. The investigation or prosecution of offences under the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 are criminal matters for An Garda Síochána and, if prosecution is warranted, the Director of Public Prosecutions. The Minister for Health has no role in the investigation or prosecution of offences under the Act.
152. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the proactive steps he has taken to make sure the external review into the crisis at the National Maternity Hospital, which he personally endorsed as necessary, will go ahead in view of the fact that the tragedy occurred seven months ago and the terms of reference for the review have not been published. [45711/19]
View answer153. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the reason he has failed to provide the couple at the centre of the false diagnosis crisis at the National Maternity Hospital the minutes of their meeting with the CMO in May 2019 and the minutes of the meeting that he had with the master of the hospital in August 2019; and if the minutes will be released pursuant to Freedom of Information. [45712/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 152 and 153 together.
As 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 that questions regarding this incident are appropriately answered. As such, I support an independent and external review into this case. I have been advised that the National Maternity Hospital has commissioned such a review. I am sure that the Deputy would agree it is important to await the outcome of that review process, which will allow for a better understanding of what has occurred. It will also allow for any learning that may emerge to be disseminated throughout the health system. I can assure the Deputy and the House that any recommendations made by the review panel will be actioned by my Department, as well as the HSE in order to ensure that a similar incident does not occur again. My Department has also sought assurances from the National Maternity Hospital with regard to the safety and operation of the termination service, and it in turn has confirmed its compliance with the relevant legislation.
I have also met with the family to hear directly of their experiences. A note of that meeting was provided directly to the couple on 23 October last by email. My officials are currently working on a response with regard to the other two notes which the Deputy has referred to.
154. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the reason funding is not available for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45740/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
155. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health further of Parliamentary Question No. 412 of 17 September 2019, if the funding will be provided immediately for the purpose of accommodation and care for a person (details supplied); if a positive response will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45746/19]
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.
156. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions No. 414 of 17 September 2019, the action he is taking to provide occupational therapy services for a person (details supplied); and if the case will be expedited in view of the urgency of same. [45748/19]
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.
157. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 413 of 17 September 2019, if home help hours or a care plan will be put in place urgently for a person (details supplied); the action being taken to recruit staff to address the need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45749/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have again asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
158. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 405 of 17 September 2019, if home help hours or a care plan will be put in place for a person (details supplied); if hours will be allocated under the home support scheme as a matter of urgency to assist the person; and if a positive response will be expedited. [45750/19]
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.
159. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 410 of 17 September 2019, the reason there is no primary care paediatric service in County Kilkenny; if children referred to the service can be seen in another county or a location in which the service exists; if, in the event of the service continuing to be unavailable through the HSE, he will provide funding for the children to be seen privately; if the referral of a person (details supplied) will be dealt with as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45751/19]
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.
