Tuesday, 10 Mar 2015

Written Answers Nos. 393-408

Health Services Staff

Ceisteanna (393, 394, 395, 396)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

393. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify his previous statements regarding the case of a person (details supplied) when he stated that the person's indemnity has been suspended temporarily due to specific and serious concerns expressed by other clinical staff regarding patient safety; and if he will confirm that when the Health Service Executive suspends a person as a precautionary measure subject to a review and-or investigation, it does not do so lightly, in view of the lifting of the suspension no longer being in the public interest. [10090/15]

Clare Daly

Ceist:

394. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will initiate an independent inquiry into the way and the reason the Health Service Executive initiated its inquiry into a person (details supplied) in view of the lack of evidence of that person's alleged threat to patient safety. [10091/15]

Clare Daly

Ceist:

395. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health his views regarding the continuation of two inquiries by the Health Service Executive, which precipitated the suspension of a person (details supplied), despite that person's reinstatement and the fact that three reports have vindicated that person's position; the action he will take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10092/15]

Clare Daly

Ceist:

396. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the actions he will take to address an issue relating to persons (details supplied) and the Health Service Executive's suspension of their indemnity. [10093/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 393 to 396, inclusive, together.

I welcome the decision of the HSE to reinstate the clinical indemnity of the self-employed community midwife. The HSE is legally obliged to actively promote the well-being and welfare of the public. Decisions in this regard are made on a bona fide basis based on information available to the HSE at the time.

I understand from the HSE that in this case, it took the precautionary step of a temporary suspension based on the information available and set up two reviews, which remain ongoing. These reviews will be completed in order to obtain detailed information and clarification on these important matters.

I have been advised by the HSE that new information has recently come to light from expert reports and following its consideration the HSE has ceased the temporary suspension of the self-employed community midwife's clinical indemnity insurance thereby allowing her to return to clinical practice.

There were 12 mothers-to-be contracted to the self-employed community midwife for home births, at the time of her suspension. Presently, all mothers have delivered of their babies. The remaining mothers who were known to the person in question, but had not agreed a contract with the HSE, had been advised to make contact with a designated midwife officer in the HSE.

As these matters may be the subject of further legal proceedings I am not in a position to make any further comment at this time.

Maternity Services

Ceisteanna (397)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

397. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health this views regarding the reason the Health Service Executive refuses to operate stand-alone birth centres in the community under the home birth scheme, in view of the economic and best outcome advantages in low-risk births and the success of this model in other jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10094/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As the deputy may be aware, my department is developing a National Maternity Strategy in conjunction with the HSE. The proposed strategy will set out policy direction for maternity services. As a first step, a review of national and international literature on the organisation and delivery of maternity services was commissioned by the department. That review examined inter alia models of maternity care in other jurisdictions including midwifery led care. The literature review is currently informing the development of a high level policy paper. Following the finalisation of this paper, a working group, with appropriate stakeholder representation, will be established with a view to completing the strategy in 2015.

The Deputy can be assured that my Department is committed to the principle of choice for women in the area of child birth. In that regard the issue of stand-alone birth centres in the community is among the matters to be considered in the context of the development of the forthcoming strategy. The HSE currently facilitates a home birth service to eligible expectant mothers who choose to have a home birth under the care of a self-employed community midwife. This service is provided on behalf of the HSE. The community midwife signs a Memorandum of Understanding with the HSE and agrees to be bound by its terms.

Mental Health Services Provision

Ceisteanna (398)

Brian Walsh

Ceist:

398. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Health the number of children currently on the waiting list for access to mental health services; and the number of these who have been waiting for up to three months, three to six months, six to nine months, nine to 12 months and more than 12 months, with a regional breakdown of these figures. [10102/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If you have not received a reply within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

Hospital Appointments Delays

Ceisteanna (399)

John McGuinness

Ceist:

399. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health with regard to an operation for a shoulder replacement in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny at Waterford Regional Hospital, Kilcreene, County Kilkenny, if he will confirm the action that has been taken by the Health Service Executive and-or his Department to fill the vacancy following the departure of a surgeon (details supplied); if he will ensure the person's operation is expedited; if the vacancy has been filled; if the waiting list is being handled by another hospital or surgeon; if the person's operation will be dealt with immediately, as the case is deemed to be urgent; and if the executive and-or his Department will provide an update on the queries raised. [10103/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

In relation to the queries raised by you, as these are service matters, 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.

Hospital Investigations

Ceisteanna (400)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

400. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if an investigation is under way into the case of poor care being provided in respect of a person (details supplied) in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9; if recommendations will be made arising out of this investigation; the way these recommendations will be followed up; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10104/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Beaumont hospital is conducting an investigation into the very serious matter raised by the Deputy; they are liaising directly with the family involved and will inform them on the outcome of this investigation.

The Deputy will be aware, of course, that it would be inappropriate for me to comment on ongoing investigations, other than to acknowledge with regret the distress and upset the family have experienced throughout this difficult time.

Departmental Communications

Ceisteanna (401)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

401. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health with regard to his recent speech to the Institute of Directors, his views on whether it is appropriate that a Government Department, funded by the taxpayer, should circulate such a politically partisan speech; his further views on whether the press office of the political party of which he is a member is the appropriate forum by which to distribute such speeches, and if, in future, he will issue party political speeches via same; if the Secretary General of the Department of Health made any comment to him, formal or otherwise, with regard to the speech being issued by his Department's press office; if so, whether the Secretary General considered it an appropriate use of his Department's resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10123/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I want to clarify that my speech to the Institute of Directors was not prepared by civil servants. I was invited to this event in my capacity as Minister for Health and this contributed to the fact that the speech was subsequently circulated by email in the normal way by the Department's Press and Communications Office. Both the Secretary General and I have given careful consideration to this matter in response to issues raised by the Deputy. The opportunity has been taken to review the arrangements for the release of different types of speech that a Minister may undertake. As a result procedures have been put in place which will govern such situations in the future. Where the concentration of a Ministerial speech is on general political matters and competing party positions, the Department, in conjunction with my advisors, will ensure that circulation is not through the Department's Press and Communications Office. Instead one of my advisors or a party press officer will be responsible for circulating such speeches or press releases. I am satisfied that the formalisation and operation of such an approach will add additional transparency in the use of Department resources which continues to see civil servants engaged in a traditional manner consistent with their role.

Respite Care Services

Ceisteanna (402)

John McGuinness

Ceist:

402. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite the funding process and agree the plans put forward for a respite house (details supplied) in County Carlow; if the issues raised by the estate management section of the Health Service Executive will be resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10129/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (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.

Primary Care Centres

Ceisteanna (403)

Paul Connaughton

Ceist:

403. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Health if there are tax incentives for establishing primary care centres or plans to introduce such incentives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10142/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

On 23 January 2015, my colleague, Minister Lynch and I published the priorities for the Department of Health for the period 2015-2017. Among the priority areas identified for the health sector is the commitment to “modernise health facilities”. This area encompasses a range of key actions, including the development of primary care centres.

One of the measures being undertaken to deliver on this action is a research project to identify and assess the various options, including tax incentives, available to Government to encourage the provision, including the upgrading and refurbishment, of primary care centres in areas where they are needed. My Department has initiated a public procurement process to obtain expertise for this research project and I expect to receive a report on the matter later this year.

Primary care is central to delivering a sustainable universal healthcare system, where care is provided at the lowest level of complexity that is safe, timely, efficient and as close to home as possible. The development of necessary infrastructure will address capacity in this area and support the delivery of integrated, multi-disciplinary primary care.

Disability Services Funding

Ceisteanna (404)

Joe Carey

Ceist:

404. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health the position on the introduction of individualised funding for persons with disabilities; when the scheme will be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10144/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Department of Health and the Health Service Executive are working in a structured way towards the development and implementation of a national individualised budgeting framework in the context of implementing the recommendations in the Value for Money and Policy Review of Disability Services in Ireland. Central to the introduction of individualised budgeting will be suitable financial systems, transparent and comprehensive governance arrangements, a National Standard Needs Assessment framework, underpinning legislation and the introduction of a regulatory system for providers to ensure quality and safety for the recipients of services.

At this point, I cannot predict when a framework will be introduced in full. Work is under way and steady progress will continue to be made on the many strands which will make up this significant and far-reaching transformation of the way in which disability services are delivered in this country.

Health Services Staff Recruitment

Ceisteanna (405)

Sean Conlan

Ceist:

405. Deputy Seán Conlan asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that Health Service Executive districts implement the same policy as the executive has in place in County Galway in allowing interviews to take place via Skype for eligible applicants who were forced to emigrate (details supplied) and who wish to return home to work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10145/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on the 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.

Accident and Emergency Departments

Ceisteanna (406)

Joe Carey

Ceist:

406. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health if he will report on plans to address the overcrowding of the accident and emergency unit at University Hospital Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10146/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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.

Ambulance Service Provision

Ceisteanna (407)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

407. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if his Department has received any communications in the past month from the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government indicating that it is opposed to the proposed changes with regard to the Dublin Fire Brigade ambulance service being merged with the National Ambulance Service. [10157/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

My Department has not received any communication from the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, indicating that they are opposed to the proposed changes with regard to call taking, dispatch and clinical governance of ambulance services in Dublin. The Deputy may wish to note that the need for such changes was identified by HIQA in their review of pre-hospital emergency care published last December. That report made a series of recommendations on Dublin services, to address patient safety issues, reduce risk and improve cooperation between the National Ambulance Service and Dublin Fire Brigade.

Long-Term Illness Scheme Coverage

Ceisteanna (408)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

408. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health his plans to include persons with rheumatoid arthritis under the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10161/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Long Term Illness (LTI) Scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act, 1970 (as amended). Regulations were made in 1971, 1973 and 1975 specifying the conditions covered by the LTI Scheme, which are as follows: Acute Leukaemia; Mental handicap; Cerebral Palsy; Mental Illness (in a person under 16); Cystic Fibrosis; Multiple Sclerosis; Diabetes Insipidus; Muscular Dystrophies; Diabetes Mellitus; Parkinsonism; Epilepsy; Phenylketonuria; Haemophilia; Spina Bifida; Hydrocephalus; and conditions arising from the use of Thalidomide. There are no plans to extend the list of conditions covered by the LTI Scheme.

Under the Drug Payment Scheme, no individual or family pays more than €144 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals incurring ongoing expenditure on medicines.

Under the provisions of the Health Acts, medical cards are provided to persons who are, in the opinion of the HSE, unable without undue hardship to arrange GP services for themselves and their dependants. In the assessment process, the HSE can take into account medical costs incurred by an individual or a family.