Seán Fleming
Ceist:605. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Laois will receive orthodontic treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30657/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraOrthodontic Services Provision
Ceisteanna (605)
Freagraí scríofa
The HSE provides orthodontic treatment to patients based on their level of clinical need. An individual's access to orthodontic treatment is determined against a set of clinical guidelines and priority is given to patients with greatest needs. The HSE has been asked to examine the specific query raised by the Deputy and to reply to him as soon as possible.
Health Services Issues
Ceisteanna (606)
Patrick Nulty
Ceist:606. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 716 of 14 May 2013, if he will provide the details of the six month plan to address significant factors impacting on the Early Intervention Team and the Assessment of Need process within north west Dublin, agreed by the implementation team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30662/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The HSE is currently engaged in a reconfiguration of existing therapy resources to geographic based teams for children (0-18 years). This Programme is based on the recommendations of the Report of the National Reference Group on Multidisciplinary Services for Children aged 5-18 Years (2009) and its objectives are one clear pathway to services for all children with disabilities, according to their need; available resources used to the optimum benefit for children and their families; equity in access to services for all children with disability across the country; health and Education sectors working together and in partnership with parents to support children in achieving their potential; national access criteria to three levels of service defined for consistency and clarity of pathway.
The purpose of the reconfiguration of existing therapy resources is to ensure that the resources available are used to best effect, in order to provide health supports and ongoing therapy to all children (0-18 years), in line with their prioritised needs. In particular, it will mean that all children, regardless of where they receive their education services will have equitable access to services based on their needs.
The programme is supported by a National Coordinating Group which has representatives of parents, Inclusion Ireland, Disability Federation Ireland, National Federation Voluntary Bodies, Not for Profit Business Association, HSE, Department of Health, Department of Education and Skills, National Education Psychologists Association and the National Council for Special Education. There are 4 regional coordinating groups and Local Implementation Groups (LIGs) which include representatives from parents, health and education working together to see how current services can be reorganised in line with agreed policy.
I understand that the HSE has already advised the Deputy in response to an earlier PQ, that a six month plan to address significant factors impacting on the Early Intervention Team and the Assessment of Need process within North West Dublin has been agreed. As this is a service matter for the HSE, I have referred this subsequent question to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy, so that the detail of this plan can be provided directly to him.
Question No. 607 answered with Question No. 564.
Mental Health Services Provision
Ceisteanna (608)
Luke 'Ming' Flanagan
Ceist:608. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Health in view of the closure of St Luke’s secure unit in Ballinasloe, County Galway, the location to which it is proposed that patients leaving the Central Mental Hospital requiring secure care will be placed; if he is satisfied that the public, patients and staff are safe when placing them in admission units; if he will confirm that one such male patient when placed in the admission unit in Roscommon hospital, absconded due to lack of security, refused to return to the unit, and was checked into the local hotel and left unattended overnight; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30677/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (609)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:609. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if a date for a cataract operation will be provided to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30683/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Improving access to outpatient services is a key priority for the Government. Building on work already undertaken by the HSE, the National Treatment Purchase Fund has now taken over the reporting of outpatient waiting time data. For the first time data is available 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. 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, as this is a service issue, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.
Departmental Investigations
Ceisteanna (610)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:610. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 541 of 18 June 2013 (details supplied); if he will confirm if an investigation was amended to an audit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30689/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Following an initial review, the HSE decided that a full investigation of the allegations made in respect of state-funded crisis pregnancy counselling services in the Irish Independent last year was needed and was to be carried out by the former secretary general of the Department of Education, Ms. Brigid McManus. This is the audit to which I referred in my reply last week. As I mentioned then, this audit is nearing completion and it is anticipated that this process will be finalised within the next 6 to 8 weeks.
Question No. 611 answered with Question No. 89.
Health Strategies
Ceisteanna (612)
Patrick Nulty
Ceist:612. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health if a national dementia strategy will be published in 2014 with clear timelines for delivery of its objective. [30714/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
It is estimated that there are currently 41,000 people with dementia in Ireland and Alzheimer’s Disease accounts for the majority of cases.
Given that the number of people with dementia is expected to rise to between 141,000 and 147,000 by 2041, the Programme for Government contains a commitment to develop a National Alzheimer’s and other Dementias' Strategy by 2013 to increase awareness, ensure early diagnosis and intervention and ensure development of enhanced community based services.
A significant amount of preparatory work has already been completed. A research review funded by the Atlantic Philanthropies to lay the foundations for the Strategy, titled Creating Excellence in Dementia Care, A Research Review for Ireland’s National Dementia Strategy was published in January 2012. A public consultation process to inform the development of the Strategy was conducted in 2012 and a report of same published on the Department’s website in February 2013.
A Working Group, representative of key stakeholders from the Department, the HSE, the medical profession and the community and voluntary sector has been established, the first meeting of which took place in May.
While the development of the Strategy will have to have due regard to the constraints imposed by the budgetary situation, it is intended that it will be a transformative Strategy. It will have a very practical focus, will be action oriented and will focus on what can be done to make a difference to the lives of people with dementia. The inclusion of timelines will be considered in the context of the drafting process. It is intended that a draft of the Strategy will be completed by the end of 2013.
National Maternity Hospital
Ceisteanna (613)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:613. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health his plans regarding a national maternity hospital; and the site, cost and the timeframe for delivery of a new state of the art maternity hospital. [30717/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
On Monday 27 May, I announced that the National Maternity Hospital is to be relocated to the St Vincent's University Hospital (SVUH) campus. This will be a state of the art, custom built, modern health care facility. It will provide care to international standards in the most appropriate surroundings, and with access to the facilities and staff of a major acute hospital. The new hospital will be designed to accommodate up to 10,000 births per annum.
The re-location to the SVUH campus is in line with the recommendation of the 2008 KPMG report on maternity and gynaecology services – i.e. that the Dublin maternity hospitals should be co-located alongside adult acute services, for optimal clinical outcome. Maternity and adult service co-location provides the mother access to a full range of medical and support services on campus should the need arise. The two hospitals have been working closely, advancing and enhancing links at executive, clinical and departmental level in recent years. Moreover, both hospitals will be part of the Dublin East Hospital Group and in that context they will also be working collaboratively with the other hospitals in the Group.
Although it is not possible to be definitive about time frames at this early stage in the process, it is projected that the new hospital will be complete in 2018. An indicative sum of €150 million has been approved in the HSE’s Capital Plan to enable the project to proceed. Estimated costs will be reviewed at each stage in the process.
Hospitals Building Programme
Ceisteanna (614)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:614. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the building/refurbishment works that have been undertaken at the Coombe Women's Hospital, Dublin in the past ten years; and the cost involved for each project. [30718/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The management and delivery of the health capital programme is a service matter. Therefore your question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
National Children's Hospital Status
Ceisteanna (615)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:615. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in announcing the appointment of a development board for the National Paediatric Hospital in the St James's Hospital complex, Dublin, and its remit. [30719/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The National Paediatric Hospital Development Board is the body charged with the planning, design, building, furnishing and equipping of the new children’s hospital. I propose to restructure the Board, so that it focuses specifically on the capital project. I am currently considering proposals for appointments to the Board to ensure appropriate professional membership with the necessary capital development expertise and experience in complex healthcare capital projects.
The current Board, which comprises of officials from the Department of Health and the HSE, is progressing a number of key issues at this critical early stage of the project, including reconciliation of the design brief with the new site, site preparation and new procurement processes. Procurement of a design team has begun with the publication on 13 June of a Prior Information Notice, which will be followed shortly by publication of the contract notice for the design team tender. The overall aim at this stage of the project is to secure planning permission by December 2014.
National Children's Hospital Status
Ceisteanna (616, 617)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:616. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health when he expects the first sod to be turned on the National Paediatric Hospital in the St James's Hospital complex, Dublin; and the expected design, build and commissioning timeframe of the project. [30720/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:617. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health in view of the delays in getting the National Paediatric Hospital in the St James's Hospital complex, Dublin, to design, planning permission stage, if consideration is being given to reverting to the Coombe Hospital bid to have it built on lands adjacent to it, while at the same time building the proposed new National Maternity Hospital. [30721/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 616 and 617 together.
On 6 November last, I announced the Government's decision to locate the new children's hospital on the St James's campus. This completed consideration on the location of the hospital. Co-location, and ultimately tri-location with a maternity hospital, on the St James's campus will support the provision of excellence in clinical care that our children deserve.
The National Paediatric Hospital Development Board is the body with statutory responsibility for building the new children's hospital. Since the current Board was appointed in January, it has focused on a number of key issues. These include reconciliation of the design brief with the new site, site preparation and new procurement processes. The overall aim at this stage of the project is to secure planning permission by December 2014.
Work on developing a detailed project timeline beyond 2014 is continuing, recognising the urgency and priority attached to the project, as well as its scale and complexity. This is a very large and very complex capital project, and is of huge importance for the provision of acute paediatric services for all children in Ireland. I am determined to ensure that it is completed as swiftly as possible, with optimal design and value for money.
National Children's Hospital Status
Ceisteanna (618)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:618. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in announcing the specifications of the much publicised new National Paediatric Hospital, Dublin; and when will planning permission be sought for the project. [30722/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Work on developing a detailed project time-line for the Children's Hospital is continuing, recognising the urgency and priority attached to the project, as well as its scale and complexity. A Prior Information Notice (PIN) for the design tender was published on 13 June, and this will be followed by publication of the contract notice for procurement of the design team. The intention is to have the new design team in place as soon as possible, while complying with the EU directives and national guidelines on procurement. The aim is to secure planning permission by December 2014.
Nursing Home Services
Ceisteanna (619)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:619. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the progress made in having the purpose built public nursing home in St Michael's Estate, behind the primary health care centre, which has been decommissioned as a nursing home since its completion two years ago, opened and taking patients from the Dublin 8 area into its beds as promised when first proposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30723/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter it has again been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Hospital Facilities
Ceisteanna (620)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:620. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase the services available in the Cherry Orchard Hospital complex, Dublin; if he will list those currently there and in the primary health care centre which shares the site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30724/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí 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.
Question No. 621 answered with Question No. 139.
Drug Rehabilitation Clinics
Ceisteanna (622)
Terence Flanagan
Ceist:622. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to concerns regarding the presence of a number of methadone clinics in the north inner city area of Dublin; if he has had any discussions with the Health Service Executive regarding the location of these methadone clinics; if he has concerns that the presence of these clinics in the city centre may have an impact on tourism in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30730/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Fifty two clinics within the four Dublin Local Authority areas provide opioid substitution services. Six of these are based in Dublin city centre, with only one, City Clinic Amien Street, based in the north inner city area. The six city centre clinics cater for 1,365 people, which represents a third of the overall Dublin figure. City Clinic currently has 299 clients, of whom 242 live in the local area.
While I support the provision of services in local communities, some concentration of services in Dublin city centre is required in view of the number of clients from these areas and the fact that some people wish to avail of services outside their local area. This approach is in line with that in many EU countries.
HSE clinics, as well as a number of voluntary service providers, have "good neighbour" policies and protocols in place. Some provide a range of outreach and drop-in services to encourage engagement with a view to moving more people into treatment. CCTV is used at some centres to monitor movements and as an aid towards deterring anti-social behaviour.
While some instances of negative impacts on tourists arising from problem drug use in Dublin are reported, the perpetrators involved are not necessarily in receipt of drug treatment. In any case, drug treatment centres work closely with An Garda Síochána with the aim of minimising any potential problems.
Medical Aids and Appliances Provision
Ceisteanna (623)
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Ceist:623. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that the Health Service Executive provides a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan with an orthopaedic seat which he has been advised will greatly assist him recover following a scheduled hip replacement operation. [30742/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí 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.