Written Answers Nos. 667-681
667. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health if cancer patients at GUH who will not be receiving treatment due to the advanced nature of their disease have access to the in-house psychologist employed at the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42681/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
668. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health the reason that there is only one bed available for every 17 palliative care patients in Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42682/23]
View answerA Government decision was made in October 2022 to approve the re-designation of four adult hospice organisations from section 39 status to section 38. The four hospices are: Galway Hospice, St. Francis Hospice Dublin, Milford Care Centre, and Marymount Hospice.
The re-designation of section 39 service level agreements with the HSE to section 38 agreements is a necessary policy change. This will ensure the continued sustainability and provision of specialist palliative care services across Ireland. It will result in all voluntary specialist palliative care providers for adults being aligned as section 38 organisations.
The re-designation will provide a sustainable model of care for adult specialist palliative care services in Ireland and ensure the provision of these core services into the future. It will provide financial and staffing sustainability to ensure that these providers of adult specialist palliative care services can continue their vital work.
Specialist adult in-patient palliative care services provided by voluntary hospices are unique within the broad range of Section 39 organisations due to the consultant led, complex clinical care they provide. These service providers are supporting people with life limiting illnesses to remain at home and in their communities while receiving specialist palliative care.
A key recommendation of Sláintecare is the provision of universal access to palliative care. Specialist palliative care services provide care to approximately 12,000 patients a year. Approximately 70% of inpatient and 74% of community adult specialist palliative care services are provided by voluntary hospices. The re-designation of these four hospice organisations will ensure that the right care is delivered in the right place and at the right time.
The Department of Health is working in collaboration with our HSE counterparts in progressing this significant piece of work.
As Minister, I am fully committed to the continued development of palliative care services across the country. As part of budget 2023, an allocation of €3.7million has been provided for new measures in palliative care. The new measures to be implemented will enhance the provision of adult and children’s specialist palliative care services across the country and will allow for the commencement of a new palliative care policy for adults due to be published this year. The new policy will reflect the changes in end-of-life care including increased demand for adult palliative care, the shift towards care in the community, the emphasis in Sláintecare on addressing geographic variations in the provision of both community and hospital palliative care services, and developments in international best practice.
The Palliative Care Budget increased to a total national service plan allocation in 2022 of €121.9 million from a national service plan allocation of €119 million in 2021. In 2023, the budget is €130.1m.
With regard your question on beds for palliative care patients in Galway, this has been referred to the HSE as it is a service matter. I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
669. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health the reason that the maximum entitlement to community social care hours for those at the end of their lives is 21 hours per week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42683/23]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
670. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health for an update on a case (details supplied); and when the person concerned can expect an appointment in the ophthalmology department at University Hospital Galway. [42686/23]
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.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
671. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health for an update on a case (details supplied); and when the person concerned can expect an appointment in the ophthalmology department at University Hospital Galway. [42687/23]
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.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
672. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the reason that an application for a discretionary medical card by an applicant (details supplied) was refused, despite forwarded evidence demonstrating that they are a cancer patient facing ongoing and rising medical costs due to their condition. [42707/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
673. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the upgrading of a facility (details supplied); if funding has been allocated to this project; if so, when the work will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42714/23]
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.
674. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the date on which the Boot Road primary care centre in Clondalkin will open; and if he will outline the services that it will provide. [42717/23]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive (HSE) holds responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
675. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the staffing budget allocation to South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital in the years of 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [42719/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
676. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant obstetricians based at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, in the years of 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [42720/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
677. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant rheumatologists attached to Mayo University Hospital in the years of 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [42721/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
678. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE vacancies, by job title, in the newborn intensive care unit at Cork University Maternity Hospital; and when each of these vacancies will be filled, in tabular form. [42722/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible
679. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the establishment of the national home support office; the number of positions for which funding has been provided; and the number of roles that remain unfilled. [42723/23]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
680. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE staff grade and senior grade psychology posts employed by the HSE in CHO5 in the years of 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [42724/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
681. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the amount spent on capital work projects at Ennis Hospital in the years of 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [42725/23]
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.
