John Perry
Ceist:164. Deputy John Perry asked the Minister for Health the status of out-of-hours general practitioner care in County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40931/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraGeneral Practitioner Services Provision
Ceisteanna (164)
Freagraí scríofa
As this is a service issue, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy. 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 the Executive.
Medical Card Applications
Ceisteanna (165)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:165. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the status of an application for a medical card by a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; if the application will be reviewed in the event of refusal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40932/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 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.
Hospital Transfers
Ceisteanna (166)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:166. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital transfer for a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40935/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
In relation to the specific case raised, 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.
Health Care Professionals
Ceisteanna (167, 175, 198)
Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:167. Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the protection of the title physical therapist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40940/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Shane Ross
Ceist:175. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce regulations to protect the professional names of physical therapy and physiotherapy for medically qualified physiotherapists, thus bringing Ireland into line with the international professional body for physiotherapists and the world confederation for physical therapy; why this has not been done to date; his views that the failure to clearly regulate the use of such terms confuses the general public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40974/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Finian McGrath
Ceist:198. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health his plans to protect the public by protecting the titles of physiotherapist and physical therapists in one register under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005; his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41123/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 167, 175 and 198 together.
I expect that the Physiotherapists Registration Board will soon make the necessary by-laws under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 to allow it to establish its register early next year. On this basis, the title of physiotherapist will be protected for the exclusive use of the board's registrants when the register's 2 year transitional period ends in 2018.
I am currently examining the issue of also protecting the title of physical therapist under the Act. In other English speaking countries, the title of physical therapist is often used by physiotherapists. In Ireland, however, the title is used by a number of practitioners who are not physiotherapists but who are competing with physiotherapists in the private sector in the provision of musculoskeletal therapies.
Earlier this year I wrote to a number of relevant organisations regarding my proposal to protect the title of physical therapist as a variant of the title of physiotherapist and invited them to submit their views. The submissions are now being examined and I expect that I will make a decision on the matter before the end of the year. As you can appreciate there are many factors to consider. However, I can assure the House that my main concern will be to protect the public when it comes to decisions on this matter.
Health Care Professionals
Ceisteanna (168)
Clare Daly
Ceist:168. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if he has considered the views of the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy in relation to the upcoming regulation of these professions, given the association's statement that there is no difference between counselling and psychotherapy, and that these professions should be regulated by the same qualifications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40941/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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, by regulation, designate a health and social care profession not already designated if he or she considers that it is appropriate and in the public interest to do so and if specified criteria have been met.
In accordance with the Act, the Health and Social Care Professionals Council has been consulted on the question of regulating counsellors and psychotherapists. Its detailed report on the matter is being examined carefully in my Department with a view to deciding the next steps in the coming months. These steps will, I envisage, include a wider round of consultation involving the various professional bodies, including the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, and other interested parties.
Hospital Trusts
Ceisteanna (169)
Fergus O'Dowd
Ceist:169. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding private managers in public hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40949/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The comments referred to by the Deputy were made in the context of current reorganisation of Ireland’s healthcare delivery structures and, specifically, the Hospital Groups transitioning to more autonomous Hospital Trusts in the future. The reform is not about privatising hospitals. This Government does not support the privatisation of hospitals which will continue, in the main, to be funded by the public purse. The majority of work will continue to be conducted by the public sector.
In advance of the development of Trusts a strengthened Accountability Framework has been developed by the HSE, which includes specific targets across the Balanced Score Card of quality, access, finance and HR and timelines for achievement. One of the most important elements of these accountability arrangements is a requirement that managers at each level ensure that any issues of underperformance are identified and addressed at the level where they occur. Where there are issues of persistent underperformance, the HSE will implement a formal Performance Escalation, Support and Intervention process as part of its Accountability Framework.
The key point to note here is that if Hospital Groups and Trusts are to have more authority and autonomy (to the extent that any organisation funded by public money can be), they will have to be more accountable. Where hospitals fail to meet performance targets which others can and where the reasons are internal, as distinct from other causes, then this needs to be tackled. The taxpayer legitimately expects results when their hard earned money is invested, whether in health or elsewhere. When additional resources are invested, patients have a legitimate expectation that questions will be asked if improvements are not secured and actions taken.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (170)
Fergus O'Dowd
Ceist:170. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health for numbers on, and the waiting times of, the waiting lists for hospital treatment in County Louth, by hospital, by specialty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40950/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) is responsible for the collection, collation and publication of Inpatient and Day Case waiting lists. Waiting list information is published on the NTPF website at the end of each month. The information is presented in different report formats, i.e. by National/Trend, by Hospital/Group, and by Specialty.
The most recent Inpatient/Day Case waiting list data, for end of October 2015, may be found at http://www.ntpf.ie/home/pdf//2015/10/hospitals/in-patient/0922.pdf and the most recent Outpatient Waiting List may be found at http://www.ntpf.ie/home/pdf//2015/10/hospitals/out-patient/0922.pdf.
The most recent Inpatient/Day Case waiting list data, for end of October 2015, may be found at http://www.ntpf.ie/home/pdf//2015/10/hospitals/in-patient/0400.pdf and the most recent Outpatient Waiting List may be found at http://www.ntpf.ie/home/pdf//2015/10/hospitals/out-patient/0400.pdf.
In relation to the specific waiting list data respect of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, available on the NTPF Website, 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.
Accident and Emergency Departments Waiting Times
Ceisteanna (171)
Fergus O'Dowd
Ceist:171. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the further actions that have been taken by the Health Service Executive to reduce the number of patients on trollies in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda in County Louth; if he is aware of the significant concerns locally for patients and for staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40951/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Based on the Emergency Department Taskforce’s Action Plan, additional funding of €74 million was provided to the HSE in April 2015 to increase the number of long term nursing home care places and reduce the waiting time for the funding of such places, as well as providing additional transitional care beds and home care packages to provide viable supports for those no longer needing acute hospital care. This additional funding came on top of measures already taken in Budget 2015, when the Government provided €25 million to support services that provide alternatives to, and relieve pressure on, acute hospitals.
Implementation of the priority Task Force Report actions is continuing; the aim to establish, as standard, full year-round anticipatory demand and capacity planning, underpinned by efficient internal hospital processes and supported by integrated working between hospitals, social and primary care services. Significant progress has been made to date nationally as shown by the reduction in the average number of patients waiting over 9 hours on trolleys for admission, down from 156 in Q.1 2015, to 113 Q.4 to date.
In relation to Drogheda, a new modular build has been provided as part of the Winter Capacity Initiative consisting of an eight bay Clinical Decision Unit, a four bay Surgical Assessment Unit and 12 in-patient beds. The eight bay Clinical Decision Unit and four bay Surgical Assessment Unit are already yielding benefits for both patient care and working conditions for staff. The 12 in-patient beds which are to open shortly will further help to take pressure off the Emergency Department by allowing for patient streaming, observation and treatment in a designated space other than the ED Department and improve quality of care for patient.
As the trolley issues in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda referred to are 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.
Drugs Payment Scheme Coverage
Ceisteanna (172)
Brian Walsh
Ceist:172. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Health if he will include certain medications (details supplied) in the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40953/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicinal products under the community drug schemes in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to you. 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.
Home Care Packages Provision
Ceisteanna (173)
Joanna Tuffy
Ceist:173. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Health when a home care package will be provided to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40955/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As 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.
Medical Card Applications
Ceisteanna (174)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:174. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if a medical card will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 17; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40964/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 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.
Question No. 175 answered with Question No. 167.
Patient Data
Ceisteanna (176)
Robert Troy
Ceist:176. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the number of patients in St. Loman's Hospital in Mullingar in County Westmeath for each of the years 2011 to 2015 to date. [40975/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service issue 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.