Written Answers Nos. 109-126
109. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the way the recently published Health Service Executive regional plans will help older persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13864/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive must prepare a service plan and submit it to the Minister for Health following publication of the Estimates. The National Service Plan which was submitted to Minister Reilly in December sets out the quantum and type of health services to be provided in 2013 within the overall level of funding provided.
In accordance with the Act Minister Reilly approved the National Service Plan and laid a copy of the plan before both Houses of the Oireachtas on 9 January this year. Subsequently, the Executive prepared and published its Operational Plan and Regional Service Plans which underpin the National Service Plan. The HSE has responsibility for the delivery of services set out in these Regional Plans and to ensure that services are delivered within budget.
The Director General Designate of the HSE, Tony O'Brien, has provided full briefing on the Regional Service Plans to the Regional Fora.
110. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health if he will report on his visit to London and Birmingham; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14344/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI visited the U.K. between Wednesday 13th and Sunday 17th March. In addition to leading the London St. Patrick’s Day Parade I used the opportunity to promote Irish interests, to meet with representatives of industry, tourism, the health sector, and Irish cultural and community organisations.
On Wednesday 13th, I visited the Best of British and Irish trade and travel show in Birmingham and met with Irish industry representatives as well as attending a lunch hosted by Tourism Ireland. Also on Wednesday 13th, I met my British counterpart, the Rt. Hon. Jeremy Hunt, M.P., Secretary of State for Health at the Health Innovation Expo as well as attending a business networking event hosted by Enterprise Ireland. On Thursday 14th I continued my visit with another set of meetings with Enterprise Ireland client companies as well as a series of meetings with Irish community organisations. On Friday 15th and Saturday 16th I attended a number of cultural events and further business related networking events. On Sunday 17th after meeting with some more Irish community groups I returned to Dublin after the London Parade. A full itinerary of my trip is available on the Department’s web site.
117. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if an impact analysis has been undertaken by his Department on the cut of €9 million from Saint James's Hospital, Dublin in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13790/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE is taking a new approach this year in relation to determining hospital budgets. For the first time, budget allocations are related to projected spend rather than to historic budgets rolling forward from previous years. This is with a view to ensuring sustainable budgets into the future within the resources available. Heretofore, distribution of budgets across acute hospitals was made with limited reference to past organisational performance or realistic future cost reduction potential and the end result was a system in which some hospitals were significantly underfunded, leading to a position in which deficits become inevitable. We cannot afford to run our hospital system this way.
The rebalancing of hospital budgets is a very necessary step on the road to financial stability in the health system as a whole in 2013 and aims to introduce a different mindset and culture into the system. Without these changes there is a real risk that the hospital sector as a whole would be in significant deficit this year. This rebalancing of budgets is just one part of a comprehensive programme of reform in the hospital sector, as outlined in the Government’s Future Health strategy. This strategy includes the establishment of hospital groups this year, with the end goal being the establishment of Hospital Trusts in 2015.
The National Service Plan which was submitted to me in December sets out the quantum and type of health services to be provided in 2013 within the overall level of funding provided. In accordance with the Health Act 2004 I approved the National Service Plan and laid a copy of the plan before both Houses of the Oireachtas on 9 January this year. Subsequently, the Executive prepared and published its the Operational Plan and Regional Service Plans which underpin the National Service Plan at the end of February. These plans set out the detail of the level of services to be provided, including acute services in the hospital referred to by the Deputy. The HSE has responsibility for the delivery of services set out in these Regional Plans and to ensure that services are delivered within budget.
The Director General Designate of the HSE, Tony O'Brien, has provided full briefing on the Regional Service Plans to the Regional Forums. In relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy regarding the hospital's budgets, I have referred this to the HSE for direct reply.
119. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health when he will bring forward a national alcohol strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13868/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra121. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health when he will bring forward measures to tackle alcohol abuse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13855/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 119 and 121 together.
I am pleased to inform the Deputies that real and tangible proposals are currently being finalised on foot of the recommendations in the National Substance Misuse Strategy Report. These proposals cover all of the areas mentioned in the report such as:
- Legislation on minimum unit pricing which is about setting a statutory floor price per gram of alcohol;
- Access and availability of alcohol – including of structural separation in retail units where alcohol is sold;
- Advertising and sponsorship; and
- Treatment and prevention services within the HSE.
As part of the process of developing these proposals, my Department is continuing discussions with various Departments.
The Cabinet Committee on Social Policy has also considered the matter and I intend to bring forward specific proposals for consideration by Government as soon as possible. In the meantime, work on developing a framework for the necessary Department of Health legislation on minimum unit pricing and the advertising of alcohol is continuing. For example, in conjunction with Northern Ireland, a health impact assessment is being commissioned as part of the process of developing a legislative basis for minimum pricing. The health impact assessment will study the impact of different minimum prices on a range of areas such as health, crime and likely economic impact.
124. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the hospitals in the Dublin mid-Leinster Health Service Executive region covered in the small hospitals framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13789/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI plan to publish, with Government approval, Securing the Future of Smaller Hospitals: A Framework for Development to offer clear information about the role of our smaller hospitals and what they will do in the future.
While the Framework focusses in particular on the role of nine smaller hospitals, named below, which have been the subject of particular attention from the HIQA, the principles behind it will apply to all smaller hospitals, regardless of whether or not they are specifically referenced.
Dublin North East:
- Our Lady’s Hospital Navan
- Louth County Hospital Dundalk
Dublin Mid Leinster:
- St. Colmcille’s Loughlinstown
South:
- Mallow
- Bantry
West:
- Ennis
- Nenagh
- St. John’s Limerick
- Roscommon County Hospital
In developing the framework to address the development of smaller hospitals, this Government is clear that:
- there is an important future role for smaller hospitals, in which they will provide services for more patients, not fewer
- no acute hospital will close, and
- safety issues in all acute hospitals, large or small, must be fully addressed, by providing the right type of service, for the right patient in the right setting.
This Framework will demonstrate clearly that the future of smaller hospitals is secure. It will set out what services can and should be delivered safely by these hospitals in the interest of better outcomes for patients.
