Written Answers Nos. 172 to 179
173. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for vascular procedures at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin 9; the additional measures being taken to reduce waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27869/15]
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.
174. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health the amount of money that has been spent by the Health Service Executive in refunding persons in accordance with the cross-border health care directive in each year since 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27885/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive operates the EU Directive on patients' rights in cross-border health care in Ireland. The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine the matter of the data requested and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. 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.
175. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health if funding for procedures under the cross-border health care directive is sourced from the overall annual budget allocated to the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27886/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra176. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health how money is found to fund procedures under the cross-border health care directive when money for similar procedures here can be restricted due to funding restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27887/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 175 and 176 together.
The Health Service Executive operates the EU Directive on patients' rights in cross-border health care in Ireland. The HSE has provided a sum of €1 million in this year's National Service Plan to address costs specific to the EU Directive. This scheme is still in its infancy so it's not really possible to predict the level of take up and on that basis the HSE will keep the level of funding required to operate the scheme under review as part of its overall service planning process for the health service.
177. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if a person's address can decide the form of prostatectomy performed in cases of prostatic cancer; if it is the case that robotic assisted radical prostatectomy is available in certain parts of the country; his views that this has better outcomes than other forms of the procedure; his plans to ensure that this procedure is extended across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27908/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy's question relates to service delivery matters and accordingly I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him. 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.
178. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the measures he is taking in response to the Health Information and Quality Authority's compliance monitoring inspection report on a designated centre for persons with disabilities operated by the Health Service Executive in County Wexford, carried out on the basis of an inspection on 28 January 2015, which found significant non-compliance with some fundamental components of the requirements of the Health Act 2007 (Care and Support of Residents in Designated Centres for Persons (Children and Adults) with Disabilities) Regulations 2013, including in the management of complaints; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27909/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is very committed to the protection and safety of our most vulnerable citizens and placed regulation and inspection of residential disability centres on a statutory footing in November 2013. Every person who uses disability services is entitled to expect and receive care of the highest standard and to live in dignity and safety. People with a disability should be able to maximise their potential and live rich and fulfilling lives.
Compliance with HIQA standards for disability residential centres is a requirement under the Service Level Arrangements between the HSE and voluntary service providers.
66% of designated centres for people with a disability were inspected by HIQA by the end of Quarter 1 2015, including inspections triggered by complaints or allegations of mistreatment. The lessons learned from them are continuing to improve the quality of services. Clients and their families can be assured that this regulatory regime is being rolled out across all residential facilities for people with a disability.
HIQA has reported evidence of good practice in the delivery of many residential services to people with disabilities where the support and care needs of residents have been prioritised and there is a strong focus on the needs of service users. While HIQA’s findings, in some cases, may make for difficult reading, they serve as evidence that the regulatory process works effectively and in the interests of protecting vulnerable people in the care of the State. In this respect it is noted that HIQA’s most recent report on Áras Attracta has found significant improvements in the lives of many residents.
The action plan accompanying HIQA's report of its investigation on the 28 January 2015, of a HSE operated facility for people with disabilities in Co Wexford, sets out the actions and timelines required by the HSE to meet the requirements of the Health Act 20017 (Care and Support of Residents in Designated Centres for Persons (Children and Adults) with Disabilities) Regulations 2013.
The Department of Health has requested the HSE to develop action plans to address cases where HIQA has raised serious concerns regarding the level of care that people with a disability are receiving in a number of disability centres, including safeguarding the human rights of residents.
The HSE is implementing a comprehensive change programme of measures to improve the quality and safety of residential services for people with disabilities. Much work remains to be carried out on an ongoing basis to ensure all facilities comply with Disability Residential Standards. While this programme will be challenging for the HSE, it is crucial in safeguarding vulnerable people in the care of the State.
While this is challenging, we must remember that the objective is to safeguard vulnerable people.
179. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the average net annual household income of holders of general practitioner visit cards by household size. [27924/15]
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.
