Michael Healy-Rae
Question:376. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49945/19]
View answerHospital Appointments Status
Questions (376)
Written 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.
Services for People with Disabilities
Questions (377)
James Browne
Question:377. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the position regarding residential housing for persons with an intellectual disability in County Wexford; the reason a person may secure a place on the waiting list; the average length of time spent on the urgent waiting list; the number of persons on the urgent waiting list; his plans for additional housing for persons with an intellectual disability in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49951/19]
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.
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.
Health Services Provision
Questions (378)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:378. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a bed in the Mater hospital, Dublin will be provided for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49953/19]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service issue, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (379)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:379. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49955/19]
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.
Community Pharmacy Services
Questions (380, 395, 402)
Seán Haughey
Question:380. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health if he will unwind FEMPI cuts to pharmacy fees; if he will reconsider the cuts to pharmacy funding due to be introduced on 1 January 2020; if he will commence negotiations on a new pharmacy contract; if he will invest in improved pharmacy services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49956/19]
View answer
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:395. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if he will report on funding by his Department for the pharmacy sector; when FEMPI cuts to pharmacy fees will be restored in view of his commitment at a conference (details supplied) in May 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50020/19]
View answer
Pearse Doherty
Question:402. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the frustration expressed by community pharmacists due to the failure to restore the levels of fees previously paid to the sector for the provision of medicines and services which were reduced under FEMPI; if his attention has been further drawn to claims made by unions representing the sector that a failure to reverse the cuts poses a risk to the sustainability of community pharmacies particularly in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50091/19]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 380, 395 and 402 together.
As the Minster for Health I recognise the significant role community pharmacists play in the delivery of patient care and the potential for this role to be developed further in the context of health service reform and modernisation. Community pharmacy is recognised as the most accessible element of our health service with an unequalled reach in terms of patient contact and access, regardless of their geographic location or status as either an independent retailer or as part of a larger chain of providers.
The regulations governing the current pharmacy fee structure were made under section 9 of the FEMPI Act 2009 and are set to expire at the end of 2019. Under the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017, these regulations must be replaced on 1 January 2020 to maintain a statutory basis for contractor payments and to prescribe the fees payable from that date. The fees to be set are determined by the Minister for Health, with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
In keeping with my obligations under Section 43 of the 2017 Act, Department of Health officials have begun a process of consultation with the IPU, as the representative body, prior to the introduction of new fee regulations. My officials have met with an IPU delegation on two occasions and a detailed submission was received from the IPU on 8 November.
That submission is currently being considered by my Department in the context of the statutory fee-setting process as referred to.
In May of this year I addressed the Irish Pharmaceutical Union at the National Pharmacy Conference and gave a commitment to move beyond the arrangements underpinned by the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009 (FEMPI) with a view to optimising the role of pharmacists in the years ahead. It is my intention to open contract discussions in 2020 which will assist to deliver on the commitment given.
The way forward will require the expansion of both the scope of practice and range of public services provided in community pharmacy. An overriding principle in the engagement with pharmacy representatives should be value for money ensuring that any new service delivery actually improves health outcomes and benefits for patients.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (381)
Peter Burke
Question:381. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied). [49957/19]
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 Appointments Status
Questions (382)
Stephen Donnelly
Question:382. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the progress made on scheduling ankle surgery at University Hospital Limerick for a person (details supplied). [49958/19]
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.
Home Help Service Provision
Questions (383)
Stephen Donnelly
Question:383. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the progress made on supplying home help hours to the family of a person (details supplied). [49959/19]
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 Services
Questions (384)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:384. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) was informed that they should check themselves out of Drogheda hospital, make their own way up to Beaumont Hospital and be reassessed there for surgery. [49968/19]
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
Questions (385)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:385. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the reason for and the detail of the significant variance between waiting time for surgery under the care of different consultants; and the variance from the mean in this regard. [49971/19]
View answerWritten answers
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 Appointments Status
Questions (386)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:386. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49980/19]
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.
Orthodontic Services
Questions (387)
Peter Burke
Question:387. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the status of an orthodontic appointment for a person (details supplied). [49987/19]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
Services for People with Disabilities
Questions (388)
James Browne
Question:388. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the position regarding residential housing for persons with an intellectual disability in County Wexford; the reason a person may secure a place on the waiting list; the average length of time spent on the urgent waiting list; the number of persons on the urgent waiting list; his plans for additional housing for persons with an intellectual disability in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49988/19]
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.
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.
Hospital Staff Recruitment
Questions (389)
Anne Rabbitte
Question:389. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the reason the position of ECC P142 permanent healthcare assistant, theatre at Portiuncula University Hospital, Ballinasloe, as advertised in September 2019 has not been filled even though a transfer request into the position has been made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49990/19]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (390)
Martin Heydon
Question:390. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health the status of a surgery appointment for a person (details supplied) at Beaumont Hospital; the reason for the delay; the timeline for surgery to take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49991/19]
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.
Cancer Screening Programmes
Questions (391, 392)
Charlie McConalogue
Question:391. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health his plans to roll out the BreastCheck mobile unit to a town (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49992/19]
View answerCharlie McConalogue
Question:392. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health when the BreastCheck mobile unit will be rolled out to a town (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49993/19]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 391 and 392 together.
Breast cancer screening was carried out in Letterkenny between March and August 2017. During that time, all eligible women in the area were invited by BreastCheck to have a mammogram free of charge. A mobile unit will return to carry out breast screening in Letterkenny from January 2020.
Since 2013, due to the closure of the Buncrana site that previously held a mobile unit, all eligible women in Buncrana and the surrounding areas have been invited for breast cancer screening in Letterkenny. I am advised that the HSE's National Screening Service will initiate discussions early next year with owners of potential sites for a mobile unit in Buncrana.
Home Care Packages Funding
Questions (393)
Gerry Adams
Question:393. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if there are persons resident in receipt of a direct payment from his Department or the HSE for the purchase of home care under the intensive home care package. [50009/19]
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.
HSE Waiting Lists
Questions (394)
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:394. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in CHO area 9 waiting for an ophthalmology appointment in primary care as of 25 November 2019; the number waiting zero to three, three to six, six to nine, nine to 12 and over 12 months, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50012/19]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
Question No. 395 answered with Question No. 380.