Written Answers Nos. 243-251
243. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the number of clinicians-audiologists providing adult and paediatrician audiology services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11817/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe overall number (WTE excluding career break) of audiologists in the public health service at 31 January 2013 was:
|
Audiological Scientist |
3.8 |
|
Audiological Scientist, Senior |
6 |
|
Audiologist |
16.75 |
|
Audiologist, Chief |
13.66 |
|
Audiologist, Senior |
17.75 |
|
Total |
57.96 |
In relation to the breakdown between adult and paediatric audiology services requested by the Deputy, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him with this information.
246. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the investigations that have taken place at Mayo General Hospital following concerns (details supplied) as a result of the death of a patient with a STEMI; the steps that have been put in place to ensure the prevention of a similar occurance in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11847/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirstly, I wish to offer my sincere condolences to the relatives of the person who died.
Under the Acute Coronary Syndrome Programme, patients with symptoms and ECG findings indicative of a STEMI-type acute heart attack are treated according to the National STEMI Protocol, which was officially launched in October 2012. It has been in use in the west of Ireland since July 2012. Under the protocol, if patients can be transported to a primary PCI centre providing 24/7 treatment of STEMIs within 90 minutes of diagnosis, then they are brought directly to that centre. The primary PCI centre in the west of Ireland is the cardiology centre in University Hospital Galway (UHG). This unit has 2 cardiac catheter laboratories and a dedicated team of interventional cardiologists, nursing, technical and radiography staff on call 24/7. Based on international best practice, a unit such as this will serve the population of the west of Ireland for management of STEMI.
If transport to UHG within 90 minutes is not feasible, then STEMI patients are taken to the nearest emergency department equipped to stabilise patients, such as Mayo General or Portiuncula Hospitals, for thrombolysis (administration of clot-bursting drugs) to stabilise the situation. They are then transferred to UHG for assessment as to whether further immediate intervention is needed. This is accepted international best practice for management of STEMI patients, particularly in remote areas. In addition to the national protocol, the Code STEMI Protocol, approved by the Medical Director of the HSE National Ambulance Service (NAS) and through the HSE Clinical Care Programmes, outlines the actions required by hospital and NAS staff when a STEMI patient is to be transferred from a hospital to a PCI centre.
Following the death of a patient who had self presented at Mayo General Hospital with a STEMI, a number of steps were taken. The NAS reported the incident to the National Incident Management Team of the HSE at national and regional level for review. The NAS carried out an internal review and in parallel requested an independent review, which was conducted by the State Claims Agency. A review was also conducted between the NAS and Mayo General Hospital to ensure that the CODE STEMI protocol is followed for this type of incident. The clinical programme lead of the Acute Coronary Syndrome Programme, and the Director of the National Ambulance Service, have been made aware of the outcome of these reviews and actions highlighted by the reviews have been implemented. These include training of staff, additional auditing of calls within the Ambulance Control, a written protocol between Mayo General Hospital and the NAS and the recirculation by the NAS of the Code STEMI protocol.
247. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health his view on whether the Health Service Executive complaints procedure is significantly robust, and if it has been evaluated. [11853/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraPart 9 of the Health Act 2004 provides for the making of complaints. The Health Service Executive (HSE) has published a "National Healthcare Charter, You and Your Health Service" which outlines what service users can expect and what their responsibilities are whenever and wherever they use health services and the mediation and facilitation provided for the handling of complaints. As the question raised by the Deputy relates to a service matter, the question has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
248. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if there has been a review or audit of the patients complaints within the addiction service to see if there are common issues arising which need to be addressed. [11854/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand from the HSE that a number of complaints were received from patients in relation to addiction services over the past year. The complaints were followed up in each case on an individual basis. Waiting lists were among the areas of complaint and considerable progress has been made in this regard. Also, the HSE envisages that the forthcoming Clinical Guidelines for Opioid Substitution Treatment will address many of the issues that are raised by service users and their families. The views of service users were sought and taken on board when a review of the methadone protocol which was carried out in 2010. Work on the implementation of the recommendations of that report is now progressing. Meanwhile, the Methadone Protocol Prescribing Implementation Committee and the National Drug Rehabilitation Implementation Committee include service user representation.
249. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Kerry may expect to be called to Kerry General Hospital for a CT Scan; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11858/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 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.
