Written Answers Nos. 374-392
374. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health when the recruitment of additional dental surgeons in County Laois will occur; and the other measures that are being put in place to improve dental services for primary school children in the county. [38104/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to investigate this matter and respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
376. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if changes have been made to the way appointments are scheduled in respect of trigger point injections for pain management; if an appointment for treatment will be scheduled in respect of person (details supplied) in County Louth noting that this person is in severe pain and has been awaiting treatment for some time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38108/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to him directly.
377. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the way in which he will address the fact that an increasing number of people are finding that methadone use is becoming a life-long dependency for them in addiction. [38123/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraA core objective of the National Drugs Strategy is to develop a national treatment and rehabilitation service that provides drug free and harm reduction approaches for problem substance users and to encourage problem substance users to engage with, and avail of, such services. In the area of treatment and rehabilitation, the focus is on providing opportunities for people to progress from drug dependence to a drug-free life where that is achievable.
In recent years, the HSE has reoriented its services to develop a comprehensive service capable of dealing with all substances in order to respond to current patterns of drug misuse, in particular, the increased incidence of polydrug use. Considerable success has been achieved with a marked reduction in waiting times for access to addiction services particularly outside Dublin. More detoxification beds have been made available and opportunities to undergo detox in the community have been increased, and there are more places available in rehabilitation programmes generally. This work is being complemented by the refocusing of programmes to foster client progression facilitated by individual care plans and backed up by inter-agency working. Finally, there is greater provision of after-care to further assist recovering drug-users as they move towards a drug free lifestyle.
378. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a person (details supplied) awaiting disectomy and decompression surgery in Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospital; and if he will expedite the waiting time for the required procedure. [38126/14]
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 2014, 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 Health Service Executive, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.
In relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him on this matter.
379. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the reason a child (details supplied) in County Kilkenny has been waiting almost four years for access to speech and language therapy in view of the fact their case is deemed urgent; if he will expedite an appointment and ongoing therapy to the required level; if funding will be approved for private sector services required by this child; the number of Health Service Executive speech therapists in this region; the number of persons waiting for the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38133/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the particular issue raised by the Deputy relates to an individual case, this is a service matter for the Health Service Executive. Accordingly, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
380. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health when an appointment will be provided for a total knee replacement in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Louth; the current waiting times for such surgeries in Cappagh Hospital, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38150/14]
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 2014, 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 Health Service Executive, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.
In relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him on this matter.
381. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if funding will be approved for long-term nursing home care under the fair deal scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cavan in view of the fact that this applicant is on the national waiting list for nursing home support funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38156/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
382. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in dental treatment in respect of a person (details supplied) who has been waiting since 2011 for the treatment. [38180/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to investigate this case and respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
383. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 122 of 1 October 2014, the specific section and subsection of legislation that provides for the Health Service Executive to withdraw a medical card in advance of the expiry date shown on the card when the person's income and medical circumstances have not changed but where changes have been made in eligibility criteria. [38181/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 45 of the Health Act 1970, as amended, provides that adult persons who, in the opinion of the Health Service Executive, are unable without undue hardship to arrange general practitioner medical and surgical services for themselves and their dependants shall have full eligibility.
The Act does not provide for holding full eligibility for a defined period. Where a person does not meet the requirements under Section 45, full eligibility ceases. Under Section 49 of the Act, a medical card holder is obliged to notify the HSE of any change in those circumstances which would disentitle him/her to the medical card. The HSE is rarely notified of changes.
384. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health his views that the current moratorium on jobs within the Health Service Executive is having a serious effect on the services provided in the south east; his further views since circa 2011 there has been no speech and language therapist in the rehabilitation facility in Waterford for patients leaving Waterford Regional Hospital; if he will review the terms of the moratorium and provide funding to allow a number of posts to be funded within the region; the way in which he plans to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38204/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government has decided that the numbers employed across the public service must be reduced in order to meet fiscal and budgetary targets and introduced a moratorium on recruitment in the Public Service in March 2009. The health sector must make its contribution to that reduction.
In order to mitigate the impact on frontline services of the reduction in employment numbers, the priority is to reform how health services are delivered in order to ensure a more productive and cost effective health system. The revised working arrangements provided for in the Haddington Road Agreement are a pivotal element in this regard. It should be noted that, subject to approval by senior managers, arrangements are in place in the HSE to allow the recruitment of staff where it has been established that there is an urgent service requirement.
In respect of Speech and Language Therapy staffing specifically, there are currently 859 WTE employed in health services agencies covered by the HSE Employment Control Framework. This represents an increase of 25 (+3%) over the December 2013 figure. The Deputy will be interested to note that the recorded figure at December 2009 was 775 WTE. (+85 WTEs). It is also worth commenting that while recorded health service employment has fallen considerably, this staff grouping has increased by +25.5%, moving from 0.6% to 0.8% of the reported workforce.
In relation to the Deputy’s query regarding Waterford Regional Hospital, I have arranged for the HSE to respond directly to you in this regard.
385. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a medical card review in respect of a person (details supplied). [38239/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has issued to Oireachtas members.
386. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will review the redress scheme for survivors of symphysiotomy (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38244/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn July this year the Government announced a comprehensive response to the long standing and sensitive issue for around 350 women who have undergone surgical symphysiotomy. The key response is the establishment of an ex-gratia payment scheme, which will cost around €34 million. In addition, there is a commitment to the continued provision of medical services, including medical cards for the women.
This followed Government’s examination of a report carried out by Professor Oonagh Walsh, on Practice of Symphysiotomy in Ireland, between 1944 and 1984; and an Independent Review of Issues relating to Symphysiotomy by Judge Yvonne Murphy which advised Government, inter alia, on the relative liabilities of insurers, indemnifiers and/or other parties in relation to symphysiotomy and on the merits and costs of proceeding with an ex gratia scheme relative to allowing the court process to proceed.
Judge Murphy outlined the case for a scheme in her report and her recommendations on levels of awards were accepted by Government. Subsequently, I asked Judge Murphy to draw up a detailed draft scheme. I have consulted through the summer with the Judge and have also been speaking to relevant parties about the proposed scheme. Judge Murphy submitted her more detailed proposal to me on 11 September, setting out how the scheme should operate. In this context I met the support groups representing women who have undergone symphysiotomy on 19 September. I wanted to hear from the support groups how they hope the scheme will operate, and to confirm to them that the scheme will be established as quickly as possible. Two of the groups (Patient Focus and Survivors of Symphysiotomy Limited) have welcomed the establishment of an ex-gratia scheme. The third group (Survivors of Symphysiotomy) has advised women to reject the scheme. I hope that when the women see the details of the scheme and the efforts made to ensure it is person-centred, simple and non-adversarial many of them will opt to join the scheme.
Key aspects of the proposed scheme include:
- Women who had a surgical symphysiotomy in the State between the years 1940 and 1990 may apply in accordance with, and subject to the terms of the scheme.
- The scheme will be run by an independent Assessor. If women have questions on any aspect of the scheme, the Assessor or secretariat, will be available to assist.
- The scheme will be simple, straightforward and non-adversarial. It will allow women to have legal and other advice available to them in preparing to submit an application. It will result in awards of between €50,000 and €150,000 for the women.
- Women who have had a surgical symphysiotomy and have medical evidence to prove it may accept an award of €50,000 without further assessment. If no medical records are available a medical assessment will be carried out.
- For those who wish to apply for higher awards (€100,000 or €150,000) a medical assessment may be necessary if up to date medical records are not available, or if the Assessor decides this is needed for final determination of the award.
- Women will not waive their rights to take their cases to court as a pre-condition to participating in the scheme. Women may opt out at any stage in application and assessment process, up to the time of accepting their awards. However, on accepting the offer of the award under the Scheme, women will have to agree to discontinue their legal proceedings against any party arising out of their symphysiotomy.
- The details concerning the scheme and its commencement date will be advertised in national and other media, as decided by the Assessor.
I intend to finalise the details of the scheme shortly and will bring a Memorandum to Government requesting approval to appoint an Assessor for the scheme instead of it being administered by the State Claims Agency and to a small number of other amendments to the Government decision of last July.
While I am aware of the comments made by the UN Human Rights Committee, the Government believes that the establishment of this scheme is a fair and appropriate response. In agreeing to the ex-gratia scheme, the Government has demonstrated its commitment to trying to bring a resolution for the women concerned. The Government has acknowledged the pain and suffering which the procedure caused to many of the women and is aware also of the uphill battle many of them will face in the courts with uncertainty about the outcome of that process.
387. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason primary school children who qualify for speech and language therapy only get a six week block of services and then it ceases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38245/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
388. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the supports being provided to children who developed narcolepsy following the receipt of the swine flu vaccine, especially considering that many of these children will soon pass the age of 18 and their needs will change including the need for support in higher education and permanent medical cards. [38247/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE and the Department of Education and Skills continue to provide a range of services and supports to individuals diagnosed with narcolepsy following pandemic vaccination regardless of age, on an ex-gratia basis. These services and supports which are co-ordinated by the HSE National Advocacy Unit are intended to provide that individuals receive tailored assistance to address their specific requirements, where appropriate. It is acknowledged that treatment and individual medical needs may need to be reassessed over time to take account of changes in their condition or circumstances.
The ex-gratia health supports include clinical care pathways to ensure access to rapid diagnosis and treatment, multi-disciplinary assessments led by clinical experts, counselling services for both the individuals and their families, discretionary medical cards for those who have been diagnosed have been provided to allow unlimited access to GP care and any prescribed medication, ex-gratia reimbursement of vouched expenses incurred in the process of diagnosis and treatment, including travel expenses for attending medical appointments; physiotherapy, occupational therapy assessments, dental assessments and dietary services all on a needs basis. Regional co-ordinators have been appointed to assist individuals to provide advice, information and access to local services.
On the education side, the National Educational Psychological Services (NEPS) engaged with all of the schools being attended by children with narcolepsy to provide guidance and assistance on the condition and the supports available. These include special education home tuition, the provision of supplemental learning support/resource teaching support on a needs basis and the provision of Special Needs Assistants (SNA) support if required. Furthermore, reasonable accommodations, including special examination centres and rest breaks were provided for students who sat state exams in June this year. Similar arrangements will be available on a needs basis to students sitting state exams in future years. The Department of Education and Skills issued circulars providing information to schools on the nature, likely symptoms, possible effect of the condition of narcolepsy on students and the supports available for students.
With regard to third level, students diagnosed with narcolepsy following pandemic vaccination can access the Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) scheme, which is a college/university scheme which offers enhanced access routes to third level education.
All health and educational services and supports will continue to be provided on an ex-gratia basis. Those services and supports will be reassessed on an ongoing basis to take account of the individual's condition and circumstances.
390. Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Health in view of the recent decision to apply for planning permission for a new endoscopy day services department and physical medicine and oncology departments at Naas General Hospital, when phase 3C of Naas General Hospital, including the provision of two additional 31 bed wards and a new catering department, will commence construction. [38258/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs with all capital projects the acute sector infrastructure programme must be considered within the overall capital envelope available to the health service. There will always be more projects than can be funded by the Exchequer. There is limited funding available for new projects over the next multi-annual period 2015-2019 given the level of commitments and the costs to completion already in place. The HSE is concentrating on applying the limited funding available for capital works in the most effective way possible to meet needs now and in the future.
391. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health if the staffing levels for anti-elder abuse services within the health service are at full complement; if each Health Service Executive area has a team of case officers; and if figures are maintained on the extent of the problem and the number of interventions that are made on an annual basis. [38263/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
392. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a medical card appeal in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38269/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has issued to Oireachtas members.
