Vol. 508 No. 2
16 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps, if any, which have been taken arising from the investigation the North-Eastern Health Board commissioned from the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists regarding reports that a number of caesarean hysterectomies had been carried out unnecessarily by a consultant in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18243/99]
The consultant referred to by the Deputy has left
the employment of the North-Eastern Health Board. No caesarean hysterectomies have been carried out at the hospital in question, Our Lady of Lourdes, Drogheda, since the matter was first brought to the attention of the health board in late October 1998.
Since receiving the report of the review group, the North-Eastern Health Board has made a range of important improvements at the hospital, with the full participation and co-operation of all relevant consultant and nursing staff. The North-Eastern Health Board has made the following improvements at the hospital: revised protocols and procedures for the maternity unit and delivery suite to ensure best practice are now in place; all of the relevant hospital consultant and nursing staff have and are co-operating fully with the North-Eastern Health Board management in implementing agreed protocols and procedures including audits of these procedures; new arrangements for the management of ante-natal clinics; admission protocols regarding assessment and discharge of women who are in labour are in place; a twice-weekly reporting system is in place which involves consultants and midwifery staff; improvements in the consultative process regarding the management of midwifery and obstetric care and the use of customer care satisfaction surveys.
In relation to the patients of the former consultant, the board has taken a number of steps in support of patients who may have been affected: a helpline and advisory service continues to be available to patients with any queries; independent medical advice continues to be made available to any patient involved; a comprehensive range of support and counselling services are still available to patients and their families and the North-Eastern Health Board has been working closely with general practitioners of the patients involved to give them information and advice.
The North-Eastern Health Board has emphasised that it will continue to assist patients and their families in any way possible, and that consultants and nursing staff are committed to providing the best care for all of their patients. The board has a high quality clinical team in place at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda.
17 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a public patient attending Beaumont Hospital for a venesection procedure is charged £25 for each visit unlike an out-patient who is charged £25 for the first visit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18234/99]
The issue of how a particular procedure is carried out – whether on an out-patient or day case basis, is a matter for clinical decision, taking all relevant factors in any individual case into account. I, as Minister for Health and Children, do not have a function in determining such matters.
Under arrangements for public hospital services introduced in June 1991, everyone, regardless of income is entitled to public hospital and public consultant services subject only to modest statutory charges, from which medical card holders are exempt. At present these charges are set at £25 per day, subject to a maximum of £250 in any 12 month period, in respect of in-patient public hospital services. Any patient who is formally admitted as an in-patient, including as a day case, of the hospital is liable for the £25 in-patient charge, unless otherwise exempt. Non-medical card holders are entitled to public out-patient services free of charge.
