Written Answers Nos. 148-56
148. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his views on the increase in fees for nurses who are registered with an organisation (details supplied) in Dublin 13; if he will intervene to keep fees low; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43493/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraA new Nurses and Midwives Act was passed into legislation in 2011. The Act provides, inter alia, for the protection of the public in its dealings with nurses and midwives and the enhancement of their high standards of professional education and competencies. The Department of Health is responsible for oversight of the governance of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI). The Department has no role in setting or approving registration fees.
The Board is an independent body, answerable to the Oireachtas, with the responsibility to ensure that it has the financial capacity to undertake all its legal obligations. The cost of enacting the additional requirements under the Nurses and Midwives Act 2011 was set out in the Regulatory Impact Analysis that was carried out prior to the enactment of the legislation. These costs include an enhanced regulatory process with supporting systems for continued professional development and certain education and training requirements for the professions.
It was also made clear at the time of the legislation that the Board would continue to be self-funding and needed to plan and cost how it would fulfil its legal obligations. Following detailed negotiations with the Executive and Board members in 2013 it was agreed in October 2013 that an initial once-off sum of €1.6m would be granted by the Department to the Board to cover 2013/2014 costs, but that the Board would have to increase its income in 2015 to undertake its commitments in the legislation. The Board of the NMBI made the decision to increase the annual registration fee at its meeting on 17th September, 2014. A helpline, email address and website information page have been made available by the NMBI to provide clarification for registrants who may have queries on this matter.
I am aware that a campaign by the staff associations not to pay the fee is actively underway and I am concerned regarding the possible implications for the health service and patient safety should this action continue. My Department has requested the Board to give this matter very careful consideration at its meeting of the 18th November, with a view to agreeing and implementing a course of action most likely to achieve a satisfactory outcome. I understand that the staff associations have sought discussions with the Board in this regard.
149. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his plans to improve the energy efficiency of lighting in hospitals to effect cost savings; if all lights need to be left on at all times in all rooms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43498/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe energy efficiency of healthcare facilities is a service matter. Therefore your question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
150. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) in Dublin 3 regarding a day care centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43501/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
151. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if a medical card application has been received in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who has also sent in supporting documentation as requested in recent days; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43512/14]
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.
If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.
152. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health since when the primary percutaneous coronary intervention, PPCI, unit at Tallaght Hospital, Dublin 24, no longer deals with emergency patients; if this centre is still in operation; the implications of the policy change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43514/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraSt Vincent’s Hospital (24/7), St James’s Hospital (24/7) and Mater Misericordiae University Hospital (24/7) operate as designated Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PPCI) centres for the Greater Dublin Area.
The HSE has advised that a redesign of the PPCI programme - especially in relation to out of hours - is currently underway. The Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) Programme in collaboration with the Acute Hospitals Division and National Ambulance Service of the HSE will enter discussions with all Dublin hospitals currently delivering PPCI with a view to devising the most effective and sustainable model of care for PPCI in the region.
I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
153. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the rationale for the decision for the announcement that St. Vincent's University Hospital, SVUH, will no longer be a designated primary percutaneous coronary intervention, PPCI, centre for ST, elevation myocardial infarction, STEMI, patients, identified STEMI patients should no longer be transported to SVUH but the next PPCI centre; the way STEMI patients from County Wicklow and south Dublin will now be dealt with; the way this decision was announced 24 hours before it became effective; the way decisions are communicated to front-line workers and the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43520/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraSt. Vincent’s University Hospital (SVUH), St. James’s Hospital and Mater Misericordiae University Hospital operate as designated 24/7 Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PPCI) centres for the Greater Dublin Area.
In relation to the withdrawal of SVUH as a 24/7 PPCI centre, the HSE has advised my Department that a premature decision was taken in this regard without the normal notifications to relevant stakeholders. This resulted in a temporary suspension over last weekend of ambulance transfers to SVUH for patients suspected of having ST elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI). SVUH resumed as a 24/7 PPCI centre at 8am on Tuesday 11 November 2014. Ambulance staff were instructed to take confirmed STEMI patients in the greater Dublin area to either of the other two 24/7 PPCI centres - St. James’s Hospital or Mater Misericordiae University Hospital. All patients who presented directly to SVUH with suspected STEMI were able to avail of PPCI in SVUH 24/7, if deemed clinically necessary.
The HSE has advised that a redesign of the PPCI programme - especially in relation to out of hours - is currently underway. The Acute Coronary Syndrome Programme in collaboration with the Acute Hospitals Division and National Ambulance Service of the HSE will enter discussions with all Dublin hospitals currently delivering PPCI, with a view to devising the most effective and sustainable model of care for PPCI in the region.
154. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the ambulance response times on a monthly basis in 2013 and to date in 2014 in County Mayo. [43525/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
155. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 476 of 30 September 2014, of the 3,786 persons in Dublin north east who have been assessed as requiring orthodontic treatment and are waiting for the treatment to commence; the number of persons waiting for surgical treatment. [43537/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to investigate this matter and respond to the Deputy as soon as possible. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
156. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the building of a new primary care centre in Kells, County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43539/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraDelivery of primary care infrastructure is a service matter. Therefore your question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
