Written Answers Nos. 507-527
507. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the introduction of a vaccine damage compensation scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48330/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issues raised in the Report of the Vaccine Damage Steering Group are being considered in the wider context of how best to address the long term health and social needs of people who may have experienced adverse outcomes from all healthcare interventions.
508. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the provision of day care dental extractions under general anaesthesia for children in the greater Dublin area; the plans in place to provide these services in view of the fact that the theatre site at St James's Hospital in Dublin 8 is no longer in use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48335/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe dental clinic in St. James's Hospital, which provided dental extractions under general anaesthetic for children in the greater Dublin area, ceased in October 2014 due to problems with the suitability of the building. The HSE is seeking a long term solution for the provision of a service for children with these needs. In the meantime, urgent cases requiring immediate treatment due to pain or swelling are being dealt with as necessary at private centres in Dublin and at no cost to the families. Parents who have concern in relation to this matter should liaise closely with their local public dental clinic, and particularly so if there is any deterioration or pain being experienced since their last dental assessment.
509. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the reason retired nurses (details supplied) who are in receipt of a pension from the Health Service Executive have to pay a basic pension levy-contribution. [48357/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter. 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.
510. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that all nursing home facilities and their patients are treated with the care, dignity, respect and understanding they deserve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48360/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra511. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health his views on the appalling treatment of the elderly and most vulnerable people in our society who are currently in care facilities; if he will put in place strict guidelines to ensure this atrocity never happens again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48362/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 510 and 511 together.
I am shocked and distressed by the revelations of extremely poor and unacceptable standards of care and mistreatment of vulnerable residents in Áras Attracta. Every person who uses disability services is entitled to expect and receive supports of the highest standard and to live in an atmosphere of safety and care. This is particularly important for vulnerable people in residential care whose families have entrusted them to the care of professional staff.
The allegations of mistreatment in the Prime Time programme are very disturbing and need to be fully investigated. In that regard, I welcome the immediate response of the HSE, following receipt of these serious allegations, to alert the Garda and HIQA and for the protection of both residents and staff themselves, to put a number of staff ‘off-duty’ while the allegations are being investigated. I am assured that staffing levels are being appropriately maintained to deliver safe care to all residents.
I also welcome and support the HSE’s initiation of both an expert investigation into these serious allegations chaired by Mr Christy Lynch and an independently chaired review of the services provided at this facility, led by Dr Kevin McCoy.
Mr. Lynch's investigation will examine in particular the practices, behaviours and attitudes of the staff of Unit 3 and will form an important input into the disciplinary process which must be undertaken by the HSE.
Dr. McCoy's review will focus on assuring the quality and safety of care of residents in Áras Attracta. This will be informed by earlier work done by both the HSE and HIQA and will seek to identify any gaps and any contributory and/or causal factors. It will make recommendations so as to eliminate, in any way it is possible to do so, any risk of harm occurring in the future.
I understand that the Director General of the HSE has written to all staff informing them that the onus is on them to take personal responsibility to ensure that the individuals supported by the HSE in any setting are treated with dignity and respect.
The HSE’s new National Policy and Procedures for Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons at Risk of Abuse, which I launched with the HSE on 5th December 2014, clears the way for staff members in HSE and non-HSE facilities, and members of the public, to refer allegations of abuse to designated reporting individuals.
This new policy, places an onus on providers of services to vulnerable people to appoint a Designated Officer to both receive and follow up on concerns and reports of abuse. Under the new policy it is the responsibility of all staff and service providers to ensure the protection and welfare of vulnerable people. In each Community Healthcare Organisation, a Safeguarding and Protection Team will work in partnership with all relevant service providers to ensure that concerns and complaints are addressed.
This policy complements the statutory inspection by HIQA of nursing homes and residential centres for people with a disability and is very welcome. I also welcome the public appeal made by the Chief Executive of HIQA to encourage any persons who have concerns about the treatment of vulnerable persons in our disability services to contact HIQA. He has emphasised that the matter will be taken very seriously and looked at in the context of HIQA’s very significant regulatory powers of inspection of residential facilities.
A system wide process is now commencing, with the establishment of a National Implementation Taskforce. A 6 step programme will be implemented and monitored and will focus on :
- Implementation of Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons at Risk of Abuse - National Policy & Procedures
- Advocacy
- Evaluation and Practice Improvement
- National Summit (Tuesday 16 December) - to improve Client Safety, Dignity, Respect & Culture Change
- Implementation plan for any recommendations arising from the assurance review of residential services in Áras Attracta when complete
- Development of long term sustainable & evidence based safeguarding practices and training programmes specific to residential settings
- Implementation of Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons at Risk of Abuse - National Policy & Procedures
I have been fully briefed by the HSE since they became aware of these allegations and I have asked it to ensure that all appropriate resources are put in place to ensure that the safety and care of residents at Áras Attracta is maintained at the highest possible standard. I have also asked the HSE to brief me on the outcome of these investigations as soon as possible.
512. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who failed the application for the primary medical certificate for each of the past ten years. [48364/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive (HSE) is an agent of the Department of Finance / Revenue Commissioners in assessing the medical eligibility of applicants to the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Tax Concessions Scheme. As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, he can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
513. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Sláinte an bhfuil iniúchadh déanta fós ar na poist agus na réimsí oibre ina mbeidh státseirbhísigh atá inniúil sa Bhéarla agus sa Ghaeilge ag teastáil, de réir mar a thug an Roinn Caiteachais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe treoir don Roinn a dhéanamh; má tá an t-iniúchadh déanta, cad é líon agus cad iad céimeanna na bpost atá i gceist; cén líon de na poist sin a bhfuil duine leis an gcumas cuí Gaeilge agus Béarla ann cheana féin; cén plean atá ann chun na poist eile a líonadh le daoine a bhfuil na cáilíochtaí cuí acu; cén cháilíocht Ghaeilge atá riachtanach do na poist sin; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [48376/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraTá seachtar ball foirne i mo Roinn, nó beagnach 2% den líon iomlán fostaithe sa Roinn, in ann a gcuid dualgas a chur i gcrích sa Ghaeilge agus sa Bhéarla araon. Tugtar freagra sa Ghaeilge ar an gcomhfhreagras ar fad a sheoltar don Roinn sa Ghaeilge and cuirtear aon cheisteanna teileafóin ar aghaidh chuig duine de na baill foirne atá inniúil sa Ghaeilge.
Agus aird á tabhairt ar bheartas Rialtais le haghaidh soláthar feabhsaithe seirbhísí sa Ghaeilge agus de réir Scéim Teanga bheartaithe na Roinne do 2014-2017 a cuireadh faoi bhráid an Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta lena formheas, tá an Roinn tiomanta do scrúdú a dhéanamh, faoi dheireadh na chéad bhliana den scéim, ar an ngá le haon phoist bhreise a bhféadfadh inniúlacht sa Ghaeilge a bheith ina riachtanas bunriachtanach ina leith a shainaithint.
Tuigeann an Roinn go gcuirfear san áireamh i bpainéil na Seirbhíse um Cheapacháin Phoiblí don bhliain 2015 daoine ag a bhfuil inniúlachtaí sonracha sa Ghaeilge agus bheadh sé mar rún ag an Roinn aon bhearnaí a shainaithnítear inár soláthar foirne reatha sa réimse seo a líonadh ó na painéil sin agus/nó oiliúint bhreise ar an nGaeilge a úsáid chun na hinniúlachtaí atá ag ár bhfoireann reatha a fhorbairt.
514. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin den Aire Sláinte an dtabharfaidh sé cuntas ar líon iomlán na nglaonna ar otharcharranna i gConamara le cúig bliana anuas agus an dtabharfaidh sé léiriú ar an am a glaodh ar na seirbhísí éigeandála, an fad a thóg sé orthu teacht chuig an láthair agus an fad a thóg sé dul chuig an ospidéal; cén líon daoine a bhásaigh sna cásanna sin; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [48383/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra515. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin den Aire Sláinte an dtabharfaidh sé cuntas ar líon na nglaonna ar an Aerárthach Othar chuig Conamara ó thosaigh an tseirbhís sin; cad iad na háiteanna a raibh an tseirbhís de dhíth orthu; cén fad ó glaodh orthu go bhfuair an t-othar cóir leighis agus cén fad ama a caitheadh go dtí go raibh siad ag an ospidéal. [48384/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra516. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin den Aire Sláinte an bhfuil riachtanas ann go mbeadh beirt pharamhíochaineoir i ngach otharcharr; an nglactar le paramhíochaineoir agus teicneoir míochaine éigeandála, nó tiománaí, i gcás práinne ó thaobh an otharchairr phobail de. [48385/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra517. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin den Aire Sláinte an bhfuil aon chlár nó tacaíocht ann chun oibrithe deonacha a oiliúnt mar pharamhíochaineoirí; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [48386/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraTógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimh. 514 go 517 le chéile.
Toisc go mbaineann na ceisteanna seo le seirbhísí, cuireadh ar aghaidh iad go dtí Feidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte (HSE) chun freagra díreach a sholáthar. Muna bhfuil freagra ón HSE faighte agat laistigh de 15 lá oibre déan teagmháil le do thoil le m’Oifig Phríobháideach agus déanfaidh siadsan fiosrúcháin leo faoin scéal.
518. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when a person (details suppled) in County Galway, under the nursing home support scheme, will have their payments issued to them; and the reason for the delay in commencing this payment. [48400/14]
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.
519. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when a fair deal payment will be approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48410/14]
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.
520. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the timeframe envisaged for the completion of the investigation into the work practices of a person (details supplied); his views on the fact that the Health Service Executive informed the relevant Oireachtas joint committee that there are 29 expectant mothers, which is at odds with a previous parliamentary question reply; if he has examined the HSE's MOU signed by this person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48419/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand from the HSE that the estimated completion date for the two investigations into this issue will be towards the end of the first quarter of 2015.
My office has been advised by the HSE that 11 mothers of the 12 contracted for Home Births have delivered. One mother to be is contracted for a home birth in 2015. The remaining mothers who were known to the person in question have made contact with the designated midwife officer in the HSE. Of the remaining mothers, some have accepted the services of the Self-Employed Community Midwives (SECM) some are still deciding, some have decided to access private maternity services and some have accessed a maternity hospital for their confinement. I would suggest that if any of the remaining mothers-to-be that are known but not contracted to the person named and to the HSE, have any concerns, they should contact their designated midwife officer.
The memorandum of understanding between the HSE and the person named is an operational matter and not something in which I would have any involvement.
521. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 359 of 11 November 2014, regarding records from Airmount Hospital, County Waterford, if he will provide details as to the identity of the Dublin based private records management company referred to in the response; the location of the cache of records that they hold; the way these records may be accessed and by whom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48425/14]
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 my officials will follow the matter up.
522. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Health the reason approval for the fair deal scheme is only provided from a current date, when many applicants are waiting 15 weeks for a decision and have already taken up a nursing home bed; if his attention has been drawn to the difficulty that this poses financially for elderly persons in need of this facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48430/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE's National Guidelines for the Standardised Implementation of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme provide that State Support and Ancillary State Support should be paid from either the date that the release of funding is approved, or date of admission to the nursing home, whichever is the later. This is a necessary feature of the Scheme to enable the HSE to manage the budget for the Scheme.
The budget for the Nursing Homes Support Scheme in 2014 is €939 m. At end of October 2014 (latest figures available) 21,926 people were supported by the Scheme. I am aware that waiting times on the Nursing Homes Support Scheme placement list have grown. This is not a satisfactory situation and I am trying to address it.
In addition to the budget for the Scheme, in July this year, the HSE allocated €5 million for an initiative to improve access to appropriate care for older people. To date, this has funded over 300 transitional care beds for patients in acute hospitals from the placement list for the Nursing Homes Support Scheme and over 200 home care packages to assist patients in the acute hospitals who require a home care package to be discharged.
The Government has provided additional funding of €25 million for 2015 to address delayed discharges, of which €10 million will be allocated to the Nursing Homes Support Scheme. In the longer term this issue requires an integrated response across primary, community, and residential services and my Department is working closely with the HSE to ensure that available resources are deployed in the most effective way possible.
Funding was released on 2nd December for just over 1,000 Nursing Home Support Scheme applicants, bringing the numbers on the placement list to 1,071 and reducing the waiting time for funding to 12 weeks.
523. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when an appointment for an operation will be provided in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48438/14]
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, as 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 my officials will follow the matter up with them.
524. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the amount of methadone consumed and the amount of product supplied by manufacturers here in 2013 to pharmacies and the Health Service Executive; the amount of methadone product the State paid for in 2013; the amount of methadone, in the six presentations which was supplied to pharmacies and the HSE in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48442/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraA total quantity of 142,119,673 mls of methadone was dispensed through Community Pharmacies in 2013 for palliative care and for the treatment of opiate dependency, at a total cost of €12,299,903.
The Health Service Executive is responsible for the methadone dispensed through the HSE clinics for the treatment of opiate dependency. The HSE has therefore been asked to examine this matter and to communicate directly with the Deputy as soon as possible with this information. 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.
525. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive has any record of the number of children here who are dependants of methadone users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48443/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Drugs Strategy contains a number of actions designed to assist families experiencing difficulties due to drug/alcohol use, including family support, parenting skills programmes and targeted measures focusing on the children of problem drug and/or alcohol users aimed at breaking the cycle and safeguarding the next generation.
I have asked the HSE to examine the issue raised by the Deputy and to reply to him directly. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
526. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the overall numbers of health staff employed currently by the health service; the year on year change in this number since the start of the Government's term, including a breakdown of nursing staff, medical staff and managerial staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48444/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraStaff Category details: March 2011 to October 2014
|
Staff Category |
WTE Mar 2011 |
WTE Dec 2011 |
WTE Dec 2012 |
WTE Dec 2013 |
WTE Oct 2014 |
WTE change since Mar 2011 |
% change since Mar 2011 |
|
Medical / Dental |
8,005 |
8,331 |
8,320 |
8,353 |
8,755 |
+751 |
9.4% |
|
Nursing |
36,783 |
35,902 |
34,637 |
33,768 |
34,060 |
-2,724 |
-7.4% |
|
Health & Social Care Professionals |
16,295 |
16,217 |
15,717 |
15,844 |
13,554 |
-2,740 |
-16.8% |
|
Management/Admin |
16,454 |
15,983 |
15,726 |
15,503 |
15,039 |
-1,415 |
-8.6% |
|
General Support Staff |
10,885 |
10,450 |
9,978 |
9,695 |
9,330 |
-1,554 |
-14.3% |
|
Other Patient & Client Care |
18,200 |
17,508 |
17,129 |
16,796 |
16,657 |
-1,543 |
-8.5% |
|
Total |
106,621 |
104,392 |
101,506 |
99,959 |
97,395 |
-9,225 |
-8.7% |
Source: Health Service Personnel Census
Note: All figures are expressed as whole- time equivalents on an Employment Control Framework (ECF) basis.
In recent years, the Government decided that the numbers employed across the public service must be reduced in order to meet fiscal and budgetary targets. Since the introduction of the moratorium on recruitment in the Public Service in March 2009, this policy objective has resulted in a HSE staff reduction of 14,375 whole-time equivalents (WTEs) or just under 13% reduction in the HSE workforce. The reduction in staff numbers since the start of this Government's term is 9,225 WTEs or 8.7% of the HSE workforce.
In order to mitigate the impact on front-line 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. 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. This has facilitated the recruitment of key grades, allowing a focus on enhanced services in older persons, mental health and disabilities services as well as on primary care.
It is important to note on the figures issued that there has been a 9.4% increase in Medical/Dental numbers and an 8.6% decrease in Management/Admin numbers. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform announced in the budget that he intended to delegate greater autonomy to Departments and Agencies to manage their own staffing levels. From 2015 Departments and Agencies will have discretion over staffing levels within the overall framework of their pay budget. This policy change will give HSE management greater autonomy to manage their own staffing profile. The change from a rigid employment control framework with a moratorium on recruitment to a focus on achieving the most cost-effective staffing profile within an allocated pay framework will allow for recruitment where it is determined that this can achieve more economical service delivery, such as through the replacement of agency staff by staff on fixed term contracts of employment.
527. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Health if it is Government policy that any written allegation of psychological and-or financial abuse of a resident in a Health Service Executive residential unit for persons with disabilities should be recorded and reported as a statistic in the Health Information and Quality Authority report arising from the next HIQA inspection following the making of the written allegation. [48445/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraHIQA began to regulate residential services for people with disabilities on 1 November 2013, pursuant to Statutory Instruments 366 (2013) and Statutory Instrument 367 (2013), which assign responsibility to HIQA for registering and inspecting residential services for children and adults with disabilities, including respite services.
All allegations of psychological and/or financial abuse of a resident in a Health Service Executive residential unit for persons with disabilities which are received by the Health Information and Quality Authority are recorded and acted on. The notifications and/or allegations are reviewed on inspection. Such inspections may be triggered by the notification/allegation, or may be conducted as part of the monitoring process.
Statistics relating to these matters are published in the Authority’s annual reports. Under the The HSE’s new National Policy and Procedures for Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons at Risk of Abuse, which I launched on the 5th December 2014 clears the way for staff members in HSE and non-HSE facilities, and members of the public, to refer allegations of abuse to designated reporting individuals.
