Written Answers Nos. 796-815
796. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the timeframe in which a person (details supplied) will receive spinal fusion surgery at Temple Street Children’s University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3546/20]
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.
797. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health if the cut to the rehabilitative training allowance will be reviewed for new entrants to courses from September 2019; the amount that has been saved by the cut from September 2019 to the end of January 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3547/20]
View answerThis 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. The commitment is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.
Under the New Directions day service policy, all HSE funded Day Services are expected to be provided on an equitable basis, while also ensuring that the use of finite resources is maximised. There is a strong overlap between the day supports now provided as part of the New Directions approach and the programmes being offered by Rehabilitative Training.
The clear policy rationale of not making the Rehabilitative Training bonus payment to new entrants is to ensure access to high quality services to those who need them, on an equitable basis. Since September 2019, new entrants no longer receive the bonus payment, in line with those attending similar training programmes.
Individuals already in receipt of the bonus payment will continue to receive it for the duration of their course. The savings made are ring fenced to facilitate provision of additional full and part time day placements nationally, based on priority need.
The HSE has advised the Department that in the period from September to 31st December 2019, 22 additional full-time placements and 19 additional part time placements were funded by the redirected monies. Each of these places has enhanced the lives of people, and their families. Enhanced service hours are enabling service users to be part of their local communities and enjoy greater choices about how they spend their time, while providing valuable social opportunities for families. In addition, adults who were heretofore not in receipt of any service are now engaging with their communities and experiencing new opportunities, having previously been socially isolated.
The cost of restoring the allowance would be c. €4m over 4 years, and in addition to this an alternative funding stream would be required for the day service placements already funded, and for those identified for a place in the coming months.
I have asked the HSE to confirm the exact figure saved since September 2019, and to contact the Deputy directly in this regard.
798. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment at the immunology unit at St. James's Hospital, Dublin 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3548/20]
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.
799. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the waiting times by age group and by assessment need for speech and language therapy services at each HSE centre in counties Cavan and Monaghan, in tabular form. [3549/20]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to a service issue it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
802. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the progress of the publication of the new five-year stroke strategy; the timeline for the publication of the strategy; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3574/20]
View answerThe HSE National Clinical Programme for Stroke has been in place since early 2010 and has been instrumental in the re-organisation of stroke care in Ireland. The vision of the programme is a modern comprehensive and integrated care pathway for all stroke patients using the best available medical evidence.
Building on the success of the last 10 years, the National Clinical Programme for Stroke is currently completing a new five-year programme of work that will focus on the following four pillars of stroke care:
- Prevention
- Acute Care and Cure
- Rehabilitation and Restoration
- Education and Research
On its completion I look forward to working with the HSE on this important programme of work.
804. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health his plans to fund and run a new FAST campaign; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3576/20]
View answerThe Department of Health has no plans to commence the funding or running of the FAST media campaign. The selection, prioritisation and decisions on resource allocation associated with any media campaigns associated with a clinical condition is a service matter and as such is a decision for the HSE.
The PQ has therefore been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
805. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the risks posed to the thrombectomy service in Beaumont Hospital while the infrastructural issues relating to the current neurointerventional radiology and thrombectomy equipment are being addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3577/20]
View answerAs this is a service delivery matter, I have referred the question to the HSE for direct reply.
806. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if stroke patients requiring home care packages in CHO 7 come under the remit of disability services; the situation in other CHOs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3578/20]
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.
807. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if the HSE funds stroke support in County Tipperary; the plans of the HSE to fund stroke support services in the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3579/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
808. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the status of the key worker programme designed to assist the transition of stroke patients in Kilkenny University Hospital back to their homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3580/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
809. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the investment being made in early supported discharge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3581/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
810. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the additional community rehabilitation resources for stroke put in place since 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3582/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
811. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health his plans for a reconfiguration of stroke services in the Dublin area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3583/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
812. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health his plans to review the Changing Cardiovascular Health National Cardiovascular Health Policy 2010–2019; if a new cardiovascular plan will be developed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3584/20]
View answerThe National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services which convened in January 2018 is an independently chaired review of national clinical cardiac services. The aim of the National Review is to achieve optimal patient outcomes at a population level with particular emphasis on the safety, quality and sustainability of the services patients receive. Against the background of SlainteCare, the Review will recommend the optimal configuration of a national adult cardiac service in Ireland and it will in its deliberations review the status of recommendations contained within 'Changing Cardiovascular Health: National Cardiovascular Health Policy 2010-2019. It is anticipated that the National Review will be complete in Q2 2020.
813. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the status of the implementation the actions of A Healthy Weight for Ireland: Obesity Policy and Action Plan 2016-2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3585/20]
View answer‘A Healthy Weight for Ireland’, the Government’s Obesity Policy and Action Plan (OPAP), was launched in September 2016 under the auspices of the Healthy Ireland agenda.
The OPAP covers a ten year period up to 2025 and aims to reverse obesity trends, prevent health complications and reduce the overall burden for individuals, families, the health system, and the wider society and economy. It must be emphasised that every sector of our society has a role in reducing the burden of obesity and the OPAP clearly acknowledges this.
The OPAP prescribed 'Ten Steps Forward' that would be taken to prevent overweight and obesity. A new Obesity Policy Implementation Oversight Group (OPIOG) was established in October 2017 and a progress report on each recommendation in the OPAP is currently being finalised under the aegis of the OPIOG.
On establishment the OPIOG identified key early areas for action and established two sub-groups:
- The sub-group on Healthy Eating has as a priority output the development of Healthy Eating Guidelines for 1-5 year olds. This work is well advanced and is expected to be completed in the first half of 2020.
- The sub-group on Reformulation has as its priority the setting of targets for food and drink reformulation and a “roadmap” for reformulation action to achieve those targets. The submission of a report with the targets and roadmap is expected in the first half of 2020.
Achievements under the policy to date include:
- The Sugar-Sweetened Drinks Tax commenced on the 1st of May 2018. The tax is charged at a rate of €16.26 per hectolitre for drinks with a sugar content of between 5 and 8 grams per 100ml and €24.39 per hectolitre for drinks with in excess of 8 grams per 100ml.
- A National Clinical Lead for Obesity was appointed in the HSE in 2017, with a focus on developing a clinical programme and model of care for treatment and management of obesity for children and adults, as well as on prevention by building into the Sláintecare reforms, through the Making Every Contact Count brief intervention programme and chronic disease management.
- A Healthy Eating, Active Living Programme has been established as a Policy Priority Programme within the HSE and a three-year plan for the programme is in place. The programme supports work in the education sector and works with parents, families and communities in delivering a more co-ordinated approach to prevention and early intervention in child obesity.
- The GP contract for the provision of free care to children under 6 years provides for “health and wellness” checks at ages 2 and 5 which include weight and height monitoring.
- New Healthy Eating Guidelines, Food Pyramid and supporting resources were published, disseminated and communicated in 2017, including dissemination of the new Guidelines to all primary and post-primary schools.
- New Nutrition Standards for schools, with an initial focus on school meal programmes funded by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, were developed. Recently, additional standards for the meals provided under the hot school meals pilot have been developed and agreed.
- A Code of Practice for food and beverages promotion, marketing and sponsorship has been developed. From 2020, Ireland will be engaging in a major EU programme of work on this area.
- Under Healthy Ireland, the Department of Health, safefood and the HSE run a campaign called START which aims to inspire, empower and support parents to start building and persist with healthy lifestyle habits in the family to prevent childhood obesity. This five-year campaign, launched in 2017, acknowledges that the solutions to tackling overweight and obesity are multiple and that every sector has a role to play.
- Legislation is being prepared in relation to calorie posting for menus in restaurants, takeaways and other food outlets. Drafting of a General Scheme is expected to be finalised in the first half of 2020.
814. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of times a full-capacity protocol was invoked in 2019, by hospital, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3586/20]
View answerThe HSE National Escalation Framework, issued to the system in late 2015, consists of a tiered and incremental suite of actions to be adapted and implemented in hospitals with an ED during times when such hospitals are challenged in matching capacity and demand for acute inpatient care.
The full capacity protocol is the last escalation step in the HSE National Escalation Framework.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
815. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age waiting on a non-hospital-based health waiting list, by the speciality and-or procedure they are on the list for by LHO at the end of February 2020 or the latest date available. [3587/20]
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.
