Written Answers Nos. 236-239
236. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 344 of 8 November and 239 of 25 October 2012, if he will provide the figures for the period September to December and the 2012 out turn a PCCC level along with the service plan target for 2012; if he has finalised a national definition for the role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3348/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs stated in response to the original question posed by the Deputy in October last year the data sought are not collated in a manner that would facilitate the detailed breakdown requested. The HSE has committed in its National Service Plan to maintaining the home help and home care package services at levels planned for 2012. National Quality Guidelines for Home Help Services, including definition of the scope of Home Help Services are currently the subject of negotiations between the HSE and SIPTU under the auspices of the Labour Court.
237. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health when he will publish his Department's report on mortality rates at acute hospitals; his views on whether his failure to acknowledge the inaccuracy of the figures at Roscommon County Hospital has damaged the reputation of the hospitals and its staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3349/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Chief Medical Officer of my Department is finalising a report examining the potential of hospital discharge data in measuring the quality of health care. This includes the measure of recorded 30 day in-hospital mortality rates following heart attack. It is expected that the report will be finalised and published in the near future.
238. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health his plans to communicate the benefits of the donation of newborn bloodspot screening cards for medical research in view of his Departments advertisement last Thursday; if a communication strategy for the donation of such cards and long term provision for the storage of such cards was put in place in advance of the advertisement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3350/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn late 2009, the Data Protection Commissioner received a complaint from a member of the public in relation to the retention of Newborn Screening Cards. The basis of the complaint, which was upheld by the Data Protection Commissioner, was that the NSCs should not be retained indefinitely without consent as this constituted a breach of the Data Protection Acts 1998 and 2003. During 2010, a number of meetings were convened with the Deputy Data Protection Commissioner and representatives of the Department of Health, the Health Service Executive, and Temple Street, and Cork University Hospitals. A policy was agreed in conjunction with the DPC to address both the legislative and ethical requirements of the National Newborn Screening Programme.
In accordance with the policy, from 1 July 2011, the blood portion of the Newborn Screening Card (NSC) will be retained for ten years and disposed of during the child’s 11th year for the purpose of confirming an initial diagnosis should this be deemed necessary. Parents/guardians are provided with specific information on the retention of the NSC’s with regard to their use and written consent is sought in this regard. The changes to the National Newborn Screening Programme since 1 July 2011 bring about compliance with both national and EU data protection legislation, uphold ethical principles and meet ethical obligations with regard to consent, privacy and confidentiality.
The agreed policy also provided for the disposal of archived NSCs older than ten years. Following receipt of representations concerning the proposed destruction of archived Newborn Screening Cards, I requested the HSE to conduct a review of this decision. The report and recommendations of the review group were submitted to my office in January 2012. Having carefully considered the issue, I have accepted the recommendation of the review group, that in order to meet our legal and ethical responsibilities, newborn screening cards older than ten years will be destroyed. Arrangements have been put in place by the HSE for any person who prefers that their newborn screening card is not disposed of, to have it returned to them. They are free to donate these cards for medical research.
239. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 229 of the 18 October 2012, the up to date position with this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3353/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE is responsible for the administration of the Long Term Illness Scheme, therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
