Thursday, 7 May 2015

Written Answers Nos. 155-65

Drugs Payment Scheme

Ceisteanna (155)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

155. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the cost of reducing the drugs payment scheme from €144 per month to €130 per month. [18004/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Kathleen Lynch)

The cost of reducing the Drugs Payment Scheme from €144 per month to €130 per month is estimated to be in the region of €8m to €12m per annum. It should be noted that data is generally not available to the Health Service Executive (HSE) regarding family expenditure on drugs and medicines where the amounts are below €144 in a month and hence it is not possible to provide a more precise estimate.

Health Care Professionals

Ceisteanna (156)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

156. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce legislation to regulate the counselling and psychotherapy profession; his plans to legislate for a minimum education requirement - level 8 - on the national framework of qualifications, for example; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18005/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Psychotherapists and counsellors are not currently regulated under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005. However, the Act provides that the Minister for Health may, under section 4(2), designate a health and social care profession not already designated if he or she considers that it is in the public interest to do so and if specified criteria have been met.

My predecessor, Minister James Reilly T.D, wrote to the Health and Social Care Professionals Council last year seeking advice on the question of specifically designating counsellors and psychotherapists under the 2005 Act.

A number of issues require clarification and there are varying views among the professional bodies representing counsellors and psychotherapists in Ireland. The main questions to be resolved include whether counselling and psychotherapy should be treated as one or two professions for the purposes of regulation, the title or titles of the profession(s) to be protected, and the minimum qualifications that would be required of applicants for registration. The readiness and compatibility of the professions for designation under the 2005 Act also need to be determined.

The Council's detailed report on the matter has been received in recent weeks and is being examined carefully in the Department with a view to deciding the next steps which, I envisage, will include a wider round of consultation involving the various professional bodies and other interested parties.

Hospital Investigations

Ceisteanna (157, 158, 159, 160)

Gerry Adams

Ceist:

157. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of X-rays and scans that were reviewed in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, County Louth, as a result of the discovery of errors in the analysis of three locum radiologists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18007/15]

Gerry Adams

Ceist:

158. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health in respect of the X-rays and scans that were reviewed in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, County Louth, as a result of the discovery of errors in the analysis of three locum radiologists, the period of time during which these errors occurred. [18008/15]

Gerry Adams

Ceist:

159. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health in view of the X-rays and scans that were reviewed in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, County Louth, as a result of the discovery of errors in the analysis of three locum radiologists, the steps that have been taken to informing the patients affected. [18009/15]

Gerry Adams

Ceist:

160. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health in view of the X-rays and scans that were reviewed in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, County Louth, as a result of the discovery of errors in the analysis of three locum radiologists, the supports that have been put in place for patients and their families affected by this problem. [18010/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 157 to 160, inclusive, together.

In relation to the detailed queries raised by the Deputy, 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 Services

Ceisteanna (161)

Gerry Adams

Ceist:

161. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied that the quality assurance and control processes are sufficient to provide public confidence when X-rays and scans are taken. [18011/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As Minister for Health I believe that every individual who uses our health services is entitled to expect and receive care of the highest standard and to be treated in an atmosphere of safety and care.

In 2012, the Faculty of Radiology launched their national Quality Assurance Programme in Radiology (NQAPR). In outlining the importance of such quality assurance structures and functions, the Faculty explained that "like many diagnostic services that involved decision making under conditions of uncertainty, a certain degree of error is inevitable". The challenge to every system internationally is to ensure systems are put in place to mitigate risk, minimise the degree of error and provide assurance around the services provided.

The process of audit is built into radiology practice. Peer review occurs continuously: radiologists review older images when reporting on new images. In addition, radiology departments partake in multidisciplinary team meetings, where images are reviewed by teams who decide on the treatment a patient should receive. In line with the recommendations of the NQAPR, many departments hold discrepancy meetings, with open discussion of cases where reports appear to be inaccurate. Such meetings facilitate collective learning, improving patient safety. Prospective double reporting is where a consultant radiologist seeks a second opinion from another consultant radiologist within his or her department on a particular case prior to authorisation.

Radiological services will be improved through the implementation of Hospital Groups. Within Groups, a networked approach will be adopted, allowing the major centres to direct and manage services. This will ensure that appropriate and enhanced governance and staffing arrangements are in place. The full implementation of the National Integrated Medical Imaging System (NIMIS) which provides filmless imaging data and enhances the secure and rapid movement of patient image data throughout the health service including across hospitals within Hospital Groups is continuing to enhance radiological services nationally.

Finally, new structures have been created in the HSE and in my Department to advance patient safety and clinical effectiveness. The creation of a Quality Improvement Division within the HSE and the Clinical Programmes set up between the HSE and the RCPI, have greatly enhanced our governance and capacity for ensuring robust quality and risk frameworks, developing models of best practice in clinical care. The establishment and strengthening of the Clinical Effectiveness Unit in my Department has been fundamental to reducing risk and improving the performance of our health system. I fully support this clinical effectiveness agenda. It is vital that Ireland has a suite of quality assured National Clinical Guidelines and National Clinical Audit in place. These are standards for patient care and treatments set out by leading clinicians in the health service.

Hospital Services

Ceisteanna (162)

Gerry Adams

Ceist:

162. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the current status of the integrated medical imaging system; the number of hospitals that are part of this system; the number that are not part of this system; the timeframe within which he expects all hospitals to be part of this system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18012/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

Health Services Staff Data

Ceisteanna (163)

Gerry Adams

Ceist:

163. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of agency staff currently employed in the health service, and specifically in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, County Louth. [18013/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I 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.

Health Services Staff Data

Ceisteanna (164)

Gerry Adams

Ceist:

164. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of agency staff who are employed in the emergency department of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, County Louth. [18014/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I 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.

Question No. 165 answered with Question No. 141.