Written Answers Nos. 227-237
227. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Health the steps his Department is taking to ensure that children can get bilateral cochlear implants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19630/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince the national cochlear implant programme commenced seventeen years ago, over 700 patients have received cochlear implants. I am advised that, in 2012, ninety cochlear implants were carried out with 42 children receiving implants and 48 adults. In addition to providing the surgical services, the programme provides a comprehensive assessment service to potential candidates and a rehabilitative service to those actually implanted.
In 2009 a National Review of Audiology Services was carried out by the HSE, to examine the services provided to children and adults nationwide, and to formulate a national plan for the services. The report of the National Audiology Review Group, published by the HSE in 2011, provides the blueprint for the planning, development and delivery of HSE audiology services, from new-born screening to assessment and management of adults and children with hearing problems, including cochlear implantation. Two of the main recommendations in the report include the national roll-out of a universal new-born hearing screening programme and the establishment of a bone anchored hearing aid programme. The report also included a recommendation that continued ring-fenced financial support be provided for the cochlear implant programme but at levels which allow for simultaneous bilateral implantation for children.
The HSE is working closely with Beaumont Hospital to progress plans for both simultaneous and sequential bilateral implantation. The development of the service will require additional resources for Beaumont and these plans will be progressed through the HSE 2014 Estimates process.
228. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a surgery appointment in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3. [19636/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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, which has 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.
229. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 979 of 16 January 2013, when a response will issue from the Health Service Executive. [19638/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wrote to Deputy Ó Caoláin earlier this month when I received the report from the HSE, the detail of which is restated below.
The Primary Care Reimbursement Service has confirmed that medical cards are provided to Asylum Seekers once supported by relevant documentation (confirmation that they are in receipt of Asylum Seekers weekly payment of €19.10). The card is issued for a year and is subject to normal review thereafter.
230. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 235 of 17 April 2013, if he will list any other such oversight committees which have been established since his appointment; the membership and remit of any such committees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19641/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2012 my Department answered a number of Parliamentary Questions in relation to groups, tribunals, task forces, committees etc established since my appointment as Minister. While not specific to oversight committees I have forwarded the details of such groups established to you separately. The information forwarded covers the period from March 2011 to October 2012. Details in respect of the period from October 2012 to date is being collated and will be sent to you shortly.
The Deputy will note that the information in relation to October 2012 does not include the membership of the various groups etc established as it was not requested at the time. However if the Deputy requires membership details in respect of any of the groups if he gives me the name of the group or groups I will forward the relevant details to him.
231. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 288 of 27 March 2013, when a response will issue from the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19650/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that the Health Service Executive issued a reply to the Deputy on Tuesday 16th April, 2013.
232. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the amount allocated and the outturn in respect of local schemes (details supplied) in each of the past five years with a breakdown by its constituent parts. [19668/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is currently being collated by the HSE and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
233. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health if he will indicate a timetable for an implementation plan for the national neurorehabilitation strategy which was developed by his Department. [19673/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Health and the Health Service Executive (HSE) have developed and published the "National Policy and Strategy for the provision of Neuro-Rehabilitation Services in Ireland 2011 - 2015". In addition, the HSE is developing its Rehabilitation Medicine Programme within the Clinical Strategy and Programmes Directorate. The Report is the overarching policy on neuro-rehabilitation services and includes proposals for a framework for the future of neuro-rehabilitation services in Ireland, 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.
The key priority areas, as identified in the HSE's National Operational Plan for 2013 are to map and develop Integrated Service Area level rehabilitation networks; implement the model of care for rehabilitation services within the networks with a focus on community rehabilitation.
An implementation plan beyond the overall operational plan commitments would not be beneficial, as the work involved to progress networks and teams will require to be flexible and responsive to the areas identified and to their specific service profiles.
The Rehabilitation Medicine Programme has been working in collaboration with the National Disability Unit as part of an expert Working Group planning for the implementation of the Report. The Rehabilitation Medicine Programme has incorporated key elements of the Report into its own Model of Care and adopted the Strategy's recommendation of "hub and spoke" model for specialist rehabilitation services and is keen to progress with a comprehensive model for the continuation of such service into the community. This co-operation will continue in 2013.
234. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health in advance of Ireland's hosting of the European Month of the Brain as part of the EU Presidency, the measures being taken to reduce waiting times for neurological medical consultations. [19674/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraImproving access to outpatient services is a key priority for the Government. In 2012 the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) initiated a national project to compile, for the first time, an Outpatient Waiting List database based on patient-level information from individual hospitals. Now, for the first time, clear data on the OPD waiting list is being reported and is published on www.ntpf.ie. The collation and analysis of outpatient waiting time data in a standardised format will reveal the distribution of long waiters across all hospitals. In the first instance, this will allow resources to be targeted towards those patients who are waiting longest and ensure that they are seen and assessed. For 2013, a maximum waiting time target has now been set of 12 months for a first time outpatient appointment.
In parallel with reducing the numbers of longest waiters, the SDU will also work with the HSE Clinical Programmes to reform the structure, organisation and delivery of outpatient services to ensure that the right patient is seen and assessed by the right health professional at the right time.
In relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.
235. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm when the new staff for community mental health services sector will be appointed; the progress made in enhancing community mental health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19675/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2012, a special allocation of €35m was provided for mental health to be used primarily to further strengthen Community Mental Health Teams in both adult and children’s mental health services, to advance activities in the area of suicide prevention, to initiate the provision of psychological and counselling services in primary care, and to facilitate the transfer of mental health service users from institutional to community based care. 414 posts were approved to implement the €35m package of special measures.
As at 22 April, 338 of the 414 posts have been filled (229 for Adult Mental Health Services and 109 for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) and 40 posts have been accepted and are being processed for clearance. The National Recruitment Service of the HSE is currently working to ensure that remaining posts will be filled as soon as possible, subject to appropriately qualified candidates being available.
A further €35m was provided in Budget 2013 for the continued development of mental health services across a range of headings, including the further ongoing development of community services and 477 posts have been approved to implement these measures. Discussions are ongoing within the HSE, and in consultation with the Department of Health to finalise the allocation of these resources and commence recruitment. Business cases from each HSE Region are being finalised and examined, against each of the identified objectives, detailing how the funding is to be spent and the type and number of WTE to be recruited. It is expected that this process will be concluded in the very near future with a view to recruitment of the additional staff proceeding as soon as possible. I have received assurances from the HSE that the recruitment process for the new posts being funded in 2013, and any outstanding 2012 posts, is being given priority within the HSE.
236. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if he intends to upgrade the status of Letterkenny General Hospital, County Donegal, to a regional hospital; the impact this upgrade would have on the funding and services in the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19690/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraWe have a large number and range of acute hospitals in Ireland, all of which are held in high esteem and used mainly by local people for the majority of their hospital care. However, the provision of modern, high quality, safe care requires increasing levels of cooperation and overarching systems of governance and communication. We know that the traditional practice of providing as many services as possible in every hospital is neither sustainable nor safe. Experience in Ireland and abroad teaches us that a co-ordinated system of care is clearly better for patients than a sporadic approach from hospital to hospital. The formation of Irish acute hospitals into a small number of groups, each with its own governance and management, will provide an optimum opportunity for hospital services to be configured to deliver high-quality, safe patient care in a cost-effective manner.
It was with this in mind that I appointed Professor John Higgins in June of last year to chair a Strategic Board on the establishment of Hospital Groups. I have received Professor Higgins’ report, which is based on a comprehensive consultation process and contains almost 60 recommendations on the formation, management and governance of hospital groups, all of which are strongly endorsed by the Strategic Board. I will shortly submit this report to Government, to consider and decide on the final formation of each hospital group. I appreciate that this report and the related government decision are anxiously awaited: however, this is the most radical and most fundamental modernisation of our health system infrastructure since the State’s foundation and I take very seriously my obligation to consider the report closely, to assure myself and my Cabinet colleagues that it provides a robust basis to enable timely access to a high quality and sustainable hospital service for those who need it.
The Government will decide on the initial make up of hospital groups which will be established on an administrative basis pending the legislation required to set up hospital trusts by 2015. Before those trusts are established the composition and functioning of the Groups will be reviewed and if changes prove necessary then they will be made with Government approval when the hospital trusts are being formed.
237. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when details of a diagnosis will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19697/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.
