Regina Doherty
Ceist:483. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Health when the parent held record will be rolled out to all local health authorities here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32928/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraParent Held Record
Ceisteanna (483)
Freagraí scríofa
The Parent Held Record (PHR) was first piloted in Ireland in the former Midwest area in 2000-2012. Evaluation of the pilot project has demonstrated an improvement in service quality – through provision of accurate, timely information and the empowerment of parents in the care of their child. The PHR is now in use in the former mid-west, north east and north-west areas. A process is underway to enable roll out to other regions.
Public Health Nursing Service
Ceisteanna (484)
Regina Doherty
Ceist:484. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Health if there are key performance indicators for public health nurse visits to pre-school children and to national school children; the responses he will take to those indicators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32929/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The HSE Public Health Nursing service is responsible for child health monitoring, which involves a programme of screening interventions and supports for parents, starting at birth and extending through the pre-school years. In total there are nine timed age-related visits offered to children under the Child Health Surveillance Programme (CHSS). There are three associated KPIs regarding this service. The percentage of newborn babies visited by a PHN within 48 and 72 hours of birth and the percentage of children who have received their first developmental screening visit prior to their reaching ten months of age. The first two indicators are reported quarterly in arrears and the third is reported monthly in arrears. Latest national data indicate that 84% of newborns are visited by a Public Health Nurse within 48 hours of birth which rises to 96% for visits within 72 hours of birth.
Regarding developmental screening, although many individual areas have exceeded the 95% performance level, latest data available from the HSE indicates that the national performance level is 86.9%. The HSE has put a plan in place to address backlogs during the summer months. The situation is monitored carefully through the HSE’s monthly performance monitoring system.
Public Health Nursing Service
Ceisteanna (485)
Regina Doherty
Ceist:485. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Health the number of public health nurses who have or are caring for patients in excess of the recommended number of 2,500 patients; the geographical spread of same; the reasons for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32933/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
While the ratio of one Public Health Nurse (PHN) to 2,500 of the population was recommended in a number of reviews of the PHN service, the provision of community services is ideally based on assessed health needs, rather than crude population ratios. In recent years the delivery of services in the community has been reconfigured to meet population health needs. This has involved the development of Primary Care Teams (PCTs) to ensure the delivery of services by multidisciplinary teams. Furthermore, the numbers of Registered General Nurses (RGNs) working in the community has increased.
There are currently 418 PCTs in place across the country and it is planned that 484 PCTs will be developed nationally by the end of 2013. At the end of May 2013, the average number of PHNs per PCT in place is 2.94 and the average number of RGNs is 0.87. There are a further 450 wholetime equivalent RGNs working in primary care services who are not attached to PCTs. The ratio of PHNs and RGNs combined in the community is 4.3 per 10,000 population.
In 2012, the HSE completed a detailed analysis of the numbers and distribution of public health nurses, registered general nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and speech and language therapists. The analysis revealed considerable variation across the HSE’s 17 Integrated Service Areas in ratios of health care professionals to population, and to population numbers in areas of high deprivation. Based on this exercise, in 2013, Primary Care funding of €20 million, nationally, will be invested to support the recruitment of prioritised front-line primary care team posts and enhance the capacity of the primary care sector.
I issued approval to the HSE on the 27th March 2013 to commence recruitment to Primary Care Teams with immediate effect of the following additional 251 Primary Care posts:
- 70 Public Health Nurses;
- 37 Registered General Nurses;
- 51 Occupational Therapists;
- 46 Physiotherapists; and
- 47 Speech & Language Therapists.
The allocation and distribution of the above posts is based on bringing each Integrated Service Area, where staffing is below the national average, towards the national average.
Domiciliary Care Allowance Eligibility
Ceisteanna (486)
Denis Naughten
Ceist:486. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the details of the Health Service Executive's scheme to review applications to have domiciliary care allowance backdated which were previously refused under a new national standardised approach by community care offices; the guidelines for this scheme; the information which applicants must submit; who will carry out the reviews; how far such applications for backdating will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32934/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The issue raised by the Deputy is a matter for the Health Service Executive. Accordingly the Department has asked the HSE to reply to you directly. I would also refer the Deputy to the HSE's website where details are published of the HSE's policy and procedures in respect of requests for arrears for the domiciliary care allowance relating to the period when the HSE had responsibility for the scheme i.e. before 1st April 2009 - http://www.hse.ie/dca/.
Primary Medical Certificates Eligibility
Ceisteanna (487)
Heather Humphreys
Ceist:487. Deputy Heather Humphreys asked the Minister for Health the reason a child (details supplied) in County Cavan has not been provided with a primary medical certificate; the position regarding the granting of primary medical certificates for children with Rett syndrome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32942/13]
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.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (488)
Robert Troy
Ceist:488. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath is given a date for a knee replacement operation. [32943/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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, which has 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.
Nursing Homes Support Scheme Eligibility
Ceisteanna (489)
Robert Dowds
Ceist:489. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the fair deal scheme, including means testing and the fair deal scheme, and the difference in relation to the fair deal scheme if private or public nursing homes are involved. [32957/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Nursing Homes Support Scheme is a system of financial support for people who require long-term nursing home care. Under the Scheme, nursing home residents contribute towards the cost of their nursing home care based on their means, and the HSE pays the balance. The Scheme applies to public, private and voluntary nursing homes.
The person's contribution towards the cost of their care is calculated based on 80% of their income and 5% of their assets per annum. If the person is a member of a couple, the assessment is based on half of the couple's combined income and assets. It should be noted that it was announced in Budget 2013 that the asset contribution would be increased from 5% to 7.5% per annum. The legislation underpinning the Scheme must be amended before this change can take effect. This is being progressed in the Health (Amendment) Bill 2013.
The Scheme contains several important safeguards which ensure that both the person in the nursing home and their spouse/partner, if applicable, are adequately provided for:
1. Nobody will pay more than the actual cost of care.
2. The first €36,000 for a person's assets, or €72,000 for a couple, is not taken into account during the financial assessment.
3. The principal residence is only included in the financial assessment for the first three years of a person's time in care. This three year cap can also apply to family farms/businesses in certain circumstances.
4. Where an individual's assets include land and property in the State, the contribution based on such assets may be deferred and collected from their estate. This is the optional Nursing Home Loan element of the scheme.
5. Individuals keep a personal allowance of 20% of their income, or 20% of the maximum rate of the State Pension (Non-Contributory), whichever is the greater.
6. If there is a spouse/partner remaining at home, s/he will retain 50% of the couple's income, or the maximum rate of the State Pension (Non-Contributory), whichever is the greater.
7. Certain items of expenditure, called allowable deductions, can be taken into account during the financial assessment. These allowable deductions include health expenses.
8. There is a financial review mechanism which takes account of the fluctuating value of assets and the fact that cash assets will naturally deplete over time as payments are made to the nursing home etc.
At end-May there were 21,979 people in receipt of financial support towards the cost of long-term residential care. This figure includes both people in receipt of support under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme, and people who have been in nursing home care since before the Scheme commenced and are in receipt of support under systems that pre-date the Scheme. An additional 727 people had been approved for funding, but were not yet in payment. This would be for a variety of reasons, e.g. the nursing home had not yet invoiced the HSE for payment or the individual waiting for a bed to become available in their nursing home of choice. A further 777 people were on the national placement list awaiting funding, with a waiting time of about 6 weeks.
Generic Drugs Substitution
Ceisteanna (490)
Regina Doherty
Ceist:490. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Health the number of patients with epilepsy who have been switched to generic epilepsy medication; if he will provide the information by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32959/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, which came into operation on the 24th of June, will introduce a system of generic substitution and reference pricing. Under the Act, the Irish Medicines Board (IMB) is responsible for the assessment for interchangeability of medicines. The IMB will review an initial 20 active substances, which equates to approximately 1,500 individual medicines. They include statins, proton pump inhibitors, angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers.
It is expected that the first List of Interchangeable Medicines, containing groups of atorvastatin products, will be published in mid-August. The IMB will publish subsequent lists for other groups of medicines on an ongoing basis. It is worth noting that there are no Anti-Epilepsy Drugs (AEDs) in the initial 20 active substances to be assessed for interchangeability by the IMB. Under the legislation, generic substitution is not permitted until the products have been assessed for interchangeability in accordance with the criteria set out in the legislation and the IMB has decided to add the products to the List of Interchangeable Medicines. At present, therefore, pharmacists are not permitted to substitute AEDs and must dispense the products as prescribed.
Health Services Access
Ceisteanna (491)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:491. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which diagnostic and support services are available to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32964/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The particular issue raised by the Deputy is a service matter for the Health Service Executive. Accordingly I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (492)
Pat Deering
Ceist:492. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Carlow will be given an appointment for a knee operation following a consultation in Cappagh Hospital, Dublin, some time ago. [32969/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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, which has 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.
Question No. 493 answered with Question No. 472.
Health Services Access
Ceisteanna (494)
Dan Neville
Ceist:494. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health the position regarding optical services in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33012/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Medical Aids and Appliances Provision
Ceisteanna (495)
Dan Neville
Ceist:495. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health the position regarding specialised shoes in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33013/13]
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.
Services for People with Disabilities
Ceisteanna (496)
John McGuinness
Ceist:496. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the reason there are no psychology services for children with autism in County Kilkenny; his plans in this area and the timeframe for services to be established; if he will confirm the waiting list time for this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33015/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department is having enquiries made of the Health Service Executive in relation to the matter raised by the Deputy. I will be in further communication with the Deputy.
Health Services Issues
Ceisteanna (497)
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Ceist:497. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the role his Department and the Health Service Executive have in ensuring appropriate corporate governance for contracted service providers; if his attention has been drawn to an internal audit at a company (details supplied) in County Dublin which receives substantial HSE funds; if his attention has been further drawn to the findings of that audit; his views on the outcome of the audit and the measures he will take to address the findings and to prevent similar occurrences elsewhere; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33032/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Health Service Executive, under Section 39 of the Health Act 2004 may assist bodies providing services similar or ancillary to those the Executive itself may provide. Such bodies operate services under Service Level Agreements with the HSE, and as such have clear responsibilities and are subject to regular audit under the HSE’s financial governance process. The Deputy’s questions in relation to a particular provider are a matter for answer by the Health Service Executive and have been referred to it for direct reply.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (498)
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Ceist:498. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Sligo will receive an appointment in Beaumont Hospital. [33033/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Improving access to outpatient services is a key priority for the Government. Collaborating with individual hospitals, the SDU, together with the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) and the HSE, has developed the outpatient waiting list minimum dataset. This allows data to be submitted to the NTPF from hospitals on a weekly basis and, for the first time, outpatient data is available on www.ntpf.ie. For 2013, a maximum waiting time target has been set of 12 months for a first time consultant-led outpatient appointment and this is reflected in the HSE service plan. The SDU and the NTPF will work closely with hospitals towards achievement of the maximum waiting time. In relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy, regarding an appointment in Beaumont Hospital, as this is a service issue, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.