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Tuesday, 5 Mar 2013

Written Answers Nos. 574 - 590

Nursing Staff Provision

Ceisteanna (575)

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

575. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health his plans to review the situation whereby places are available for public health nursing students to be trained and hired on a permanent basis but not for existing staff wishing to transfer to another geographical area; if he will consider giving priority to existing staff who wish to relocate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11511/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the issues raised are matters appropriate to the HSE, they have been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Medical Card Applications

Ceisteanna (576)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

576. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11530/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Health Screening Programmes

Ceisteanna (577)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Ceist:

577. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 65 of 14 February 2013, if he will confirm the Department in the Health Service Executive, and which person in the HSE, with whom he will discuss the public health matter of microvascular angina/cardiac syndrome X in an effort to bring this medical issue on the HSE agenda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11535/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I have brought this matter to the attention of the National Director of Clinical Strategy and Programmes in the HSE and requested that she also bring it to the attention of those involved in the relevant clinical programme.

Medical Card Applications

Ceisteanna (578)

Kevin Humphreys

Ceist:

578. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health when a palliative care medical card will be granted in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 14; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11540/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Waste Management Regulations

Ceisteanna (579)

Jim Daly

Ceist:

579. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Health the person responsible for public health issues concerning sewerage treatment infrastructure previously owned by a private individual or entity that is now abandoned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11542/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Department of Health does not have responsibility for the management, maintenance or operation of waste water treatment facilities. Where such facilities are in public ownership it is generally a matter for the local authority in the area in question to oversee the management, maintenance and operation of such facilities. Where the facility is privately owned responsibility rests with the owner. It is also the case that the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has a role in the licensing of certain wastewater treatment plants. It is not possible to comment further on the particulars of the situation referred to by the Deputy in the absence of greater detail on the nature of the issues arising from the sewage treatment infrastructure involved.

Question No. 580 answered with Question No. 464.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (581)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

581. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the reason more than 1,000 patients with neurological conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis are waiting over four years to see a specialist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11582/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In relation to waiting list management in general, the National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2013, 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, recently been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists. In relation to this particular query raised by the Deputy, I have asked the Health Service Executive to investigate the situation and respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.

Health Services Provision

Ceisteanna (582, 583)

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

582. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health if resources will be provided to enable the implementation of the neuro rehabilitation strategy which was published in 2011; if he will take steps to protect funding for the not for profit organisations that provide neuro rehabilitation support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11584/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

583. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health when the national implementation plan for the National Rehabilitation Strategy will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11587/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 582 and 583 together.

The report, National Policy and Strategy for the Provision of Neuro-rehabilitation Services in Ireland 2011-2015, published in December 2011, is the overarching policy on neuro-rehabilitation services. There are no proposals to publish an implementation plan in respect of this report as the report includes proposals for a framework for the future of neuro-rehabilitation services in Ireland and proposals on implementing the report including key elements such as:

- guiding principles;

- implementation structure;

- methodology for implementation; and

- information and communication.

The report recognises that given the current economic climate, the focus in the short to medium term has to be on re-configuration of services, structures and resources and the enhancement of the skills and competencies required to meet the changing context. With regard to funding agencies, this Government currently provides over €1.5 billion to the Disability Services Programme through the HSE's National Service Plan for 2013. We are committed to protecting frontline services for people with disabilities to the greatest possible extent. The Minister for Health is working to ensure that protection is afforded to the disability sector and the Social Care area as a whole. While the allocation for disability services in 2013 will be reduced by 1.2%, its share of the estimate reduction, the HSE is seeking to maximise the provision of services within available resources and to maintaining a consistent level to that provided in 2012.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (584)

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

584. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to address the waiting list to see a neurologist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11588/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In relation to waiting list management in general, the National Waiting List Management Policy , A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2013, 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, recently been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists. In relation to this particular query raised by the Deputy, I have asked the Health Service Executive to investigate the situation and respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.

Medical Card Applications

Ceisteanna (585)

Michelle Mulherin

Ceist:

585. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied); if same will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11614/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (586, 587)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

586. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will set out the projected cumulative monthly savings in respect of each of the savings measures outlined in part C of his Department's chapter of budget 2013's expenditure report. [11621/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

587. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the budget savings that have been achieved in January and February respectively; and the way these compare to the projected cumulative monthly savings in respect of each of the savings measures outlined in part C of his Department's chapter of budget 2013's expenditure report. [11623/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 586 and 587 together.

Developing appropriate budgets is an integral aspect of management of the health services, and detailed work was undertaken in the context of the preparation of the regional plans, ensuring that the savings measures have been appropriately profiled across the year. As the Deputy will be aware, additional expenditure was provided for in the context of the preparation of budgets, to address incoming underlying deficits, demographics pressures and commitment in the Programme for Government. As this expenditure is also provided for in the budgets, expenditure will be monitored in its totality rather than monitoring the savings in isolation. Monthly expenditure profiles are currently being finalised and will be published as part of the Revised Estimates Volume. In addition, monthly profiles and actual expenditure will be published monthly as part of the HSE monthly performance reports.

Cancer Screening Programmes

Ceisteanna (588)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

588. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will supply details of which of the 15 candidate screening units have been accredited as part of the national colorectal screening programme and which units are providing screening colonoscopies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11637/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The HSE’s national colorectal screening programme, BowelScreen, commenced in November 2012 and is being introduced on a phased basis to men and women between the ages of 60-69 years. When fully implemented the programme will offer free screening to men and women aged 55-74 every two years. The screening test, known as a Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT), is a home based test and approximately 94 to 95 per cent of people will receive a normal result and will be invited for routine screening again in two years time. A small number, in the region of five to six per cent, will receive a not normal result and will require an additional test. They will be referred for a colonoscopy to a Screening Colonoscopy Unit within a hospital contracted by the HSE’s National Cancer Screening Service (NCSS) for provision of this service.

Over half of the initially selected fifteen candidate screening colonoscopy units have been accredited to date, and the remainder of units continue to work to achieve this benchmark. Also a number of additional units are pursuing NHS Joint Advisory Group (JAG) accreditation and will come into the programme in time. The units accredited to date are St. Vincent’s University Hospital; St. James’ Hospital; Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown; Louth County Hospital; Sligo General Hospital; Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore; Ennis General Hospital; Mercy Hospital, Cork and Wexford Hospital.

The NCSS continues to work closely with the remaining initially selected screening colonoscopy units to support them achieving accreditation. These are Cavan General Hospital; Kerry General Hospital, Tralee; Letterkenny General Hospital; Mayo General Hospital, Castlebar; South Tipperary General Hospital, Clonmel and Tallaght. The accredited screening colonoscopy units provide good geographic coverage and are appropriate for the invited population to date. The programme is being rolled-out on a phased basis and is providing screening colonoscopies as required.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (589)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

589. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will supply, in tabular form, the number of persons waiting for colonoscopies in each hospital for less than three months, more than three and less than six months, more than six and less than nine months, more than nine and less than 12 months, and greater than 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11638/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As set out in the HSE's Service Plan for 2013, targets are that no person should have to wait more than four weeks for an urgent colonoscopy and no person should have to wait more than 13 weeks for routine GI endoscopy (that is either a colonoscopy or gastroscopy) once placed on a hospital daycase waiting list. By the end of 2012, the number of patients waiting over 13 weeks for a routine endoscopy procedure had fallen by 99%, from 4,590 in December 2011 to 36 at the end of December 2012, while the HSE's December Performance Report showed no-one waiting more than four weeks for urgent colonoscopy. While 2013 will of course be challenging, the targets remain in place and the SDU will continue to work to maintain the improvements shown to date. The following table shows the latest monthly figures for national waiting list data on colonoscopies.

National Colonoscopy Waiting List – January 2013

Time Category

Name

0 to 3

3 to 6

6 to 9

9 to 12

Over 12

Total

Beaumont Hospital

232

1

0

0

0

233

Cavan Monaghan Hospital Group

166

22

0

0

0

188

Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown

187

0

1

0

0

188

Cork University Hospital

61

7

0

0

2

70

Galway University Hospital

327

3

1

1

1

333

Kerry General Hospital

140

18

1

1

1

161

Letterkenny General Hospital

56

0

0

0

0

56

Louth County Hospital

152

31

2

1

0

186

Mallow General Hospital

1

0

0

0

0

1

Mater Misericordiae University Hospital

31

0

0

0

0

31

Mayo General Hospital

12

0

0

0

0

12

Mercy University Hospital

97

13

0

0

2

112

Midland Regional Hospital Mullingar

58

4

0

0

0

62

Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise

34

0

0

0

0

34

Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore

105

26

0

0

0

131

Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Dooradoyle

113

0

1

0

0

114

Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Ennis

75

0

0

0

0

75

Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Nenagh

95

2

0

0

0

97

Naas General Hospital

127

32

5

1

0

165

Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda

126

14

5

0

1

146

Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin

5

0

0

0

0

5

Our Lady's Hospital, Navan

54

12

0

0

0

66

Portiuncula Hospital

6

0

0

0

0

6

Roscommon Hospital

4

0

1

0

0

5

Sligo Regional Hospital

174

11

0

0

0

185

South Infirmary - Victoria University Hospital

13

0

0

0

0

13

South Tipperary General Hospital

94

1

0

0

0

95

St. Columcille's Hospital

1

0

0

0

0

1

St. James's Hospital

324

1

0

0

0

325

St. John's Hospital Limerick

138

2

0

0

1

141

St. Luke's General Hospital, Kilkenny

299

46

0

0

2

347

St. Vincent's University Hospital

300

3

0

0

0

303

Tallaght Hospital (AMNCH)

215

30

7

0

0

252

Waterford Regional Hospital

92

6

0

0

0

98

Wexford General Hospital

137

0

0

0

0

137

Total

4,051

285

24

4

10

4,374

Health Services Provision

Ceisteanna (590)

Michael McCarthy

Ceist:

590. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health when an application for orthotics will be decided upon in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; the reason for the delay in processing same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11686/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

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