Peter Fitzpatrick
Ceist:397. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health to expedite an appointment for a person (details supplied); the reason for delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14297/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraHospital Appointments Delays
Ceisteanna (397)
Freagraí 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.
The 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 HSE, 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.
Hospital Appointments Delays
Ceisteanna (398)
Robert Troy
Ceist:398. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health to schedule a person (details supplied) for surgery without further delay. [14298/16]
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.
The 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 HSE, 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.
Hospital Appointments Delays
Ceisteanna (399)
Robert Troy
Ceist:399. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health to investigate the delay in scheduling a person (details supplied) for surgery. [14300/16]
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.
The 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 HSE, 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.
Hospital Procedures
Ceisteanna (400)
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:400. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 150 of 4 May 2016, if he will provide a further breakdown of the data provided which showed that 810 inpatient elective surgeries were cancelled between January 2015 and April 2016, and that 970 day case elective surgeries were cancelled between January 2015 and April 2016; if any of these cancelled surgeries occurred more than once per any one patient; if so, how many patients were affected in this way; the categories of surgeries listed by department or specialty; his views on the numbers of elective surgeries being cancelled each month; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14305/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 2016 HSE Service Plan undertakes to maintain 2015 levels of service in respect of scheduled care and to continue to address waiting times as part of the regular performance and accountability process. The HSE seeks to ensure that those whose clinical needs are most urgent are prioritised accordingly, whilst managing the needs of those who have been waiting longest for routine treatment in chronological order.
Currently, 94% of patients wait less than the maximum waiting time of 15 months for inpatient, daycase or outpatient procedures, with approximately 60% of patients waiting less than 6 months for their required care.
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.
Hospital Services
Ceisteanna (401)
Dara Calleary
Ceist:401. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health if he will reverse the suspension of DEXA scanning services at hospital (details supplied); his future plans for the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14310/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Galway University Hospitals, comprising of University Hospital Galway (UHG) and Merlin Park University Hospital, provide a comprehensive range of services to emergency and elective patients on an inpatient, outpatient and day care basis across the two sites.
An issue has arisen with respect to the operation of the DEXA scanner situated at Merlin Park Hospital. I have been advised by the Saolta Health Care Group that the bone-density scanning service has been impacted by a shortage of radiographers. As a result, a waiting list has built up.
Galway University Hospitals are currently actively working to recruit radiographers in order to fill a number of vacancies. One successful candidate will commence work in early July. An additional five individuals have been offered posts and are currently in the process of appointment. Recruitment to three further posts is ongoing.
Saolta has advised that GUH plans to treat all patients booked into the bone density scanner service up to the end of June 2016.
The Saolta Group and the HSE are working to put the necessary arrangements in place to ensure the continuity of services from July. In the interim period until the newly-recruited radiographers have taken up their posts, the Hospital Group is progressing a range of options, including staff overtime and outsourcing in order to ensure service continuity for patients.
It is also important to note that major developments are ongoing and planned for Galway University Hospitals. The Programme for a Partnership Government has committed to progressing a new Emergency Department facility. Also construction work is ongoing on the new 75 bed ward block as well as a new acute mental health department at the Hospital.
Services for People with Disabilities
Ceisteanna (402)
Margaret Murphy O'Mahony
Ceist:402. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the number of early intervention teams for children in each local health area in tabular form; the total number on each team and the numbers of children in each area, waiting for an appointment with a team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14312/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be 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 them.
Hospital Services
Ceisteanna (403)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:403. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if there is a haematology department in University Hospital Kerry, and if so, the reason persons in County Kerry are being referred to Cork University Hospital, for such procedures to be carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14336/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.
Medical Card Drugs Availability
Ceisteanna (404)
Dara Calleary
Ceist:404. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the reason medical items (details supplied) are not covered on the medical card [14340/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The HSE faces a continuing challenge to deliver services in a way that will minimise any adverse impact on patients and continue to protect, as far as possible, the most vulnerable citizens. Unfortunately, as a result it has become necessary for the HSE to suspend certain products from its list of items reimbursable under the GMS and other community drug schemes.
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.
Health Services Provision
Ceisteanna (405)
Seán Barrett
Ceist:405. Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Health the status of an application for clinical support in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14342/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.
Hospital Consultant Recruitment
Ceisteanna (406)
John Deasy
Ceist:406. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Health the average time lag between the initial advertising and filling of consultant vacancies in University Hospital Waterford over the past three years; and how this compares to the other acute hospitals here. [14347/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.
Patient Transport Provision
Ceisteanna (407)
Gino Kenny
Ceist:407. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health how the transport needs of patients from Wicklow have been considered in the opening of the Wicklow primary care health centre to facilitate access to the health services there, particularly for elderly and disabled persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14361/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service issue, this question 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 them.
Home Care Packages Data
Ceisteanna (408, 409)
Eoin Ó Broin
Ceist:408. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health to detail the total funding allocated to home care packages in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and to date in 2016, and to identify the funding gap between the annual allocation and the annual requests for funding for each of these years. [14380/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraEoin Ó Broin
Ceist:409. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health the total number of persons who applied for home care packages; the total numbers requested for each year from 2012 to date in 2016; the total number of persons who received home care packages and the total number of hours received each year from 2012 to date in 2016. [14381/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 408 and 409 together.
As these are service matters they have 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.
Services for People with Disabilities
Ceisteanna (410, 411)
Eoin Ó Broin
Ceist:410. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health the total allocation of funding for 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and to date in 2016 to provide emergency placements for persons with disabilities, and to identify the funding gap between the annual allocation and the annual requests for funding for each of these years. [14382/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraEoin Ó Broin
Ceist:411. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health the total number of persons for whom applications for emergency placements for persons with disabilities were received in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and to date in 2016 and the total number of persons for each of these years who received such placements. [14383/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 410 and 411 together.
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, the Deputy can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
Hospital Appointments Delays
Ceisteanna (412)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:412. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14396/16]
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.
The 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 HSE, 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.