Written Replies Nos. 166 to 175
166. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the respite care scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15163/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
The Programme for Partnership Government commits to more respite care to facilitate full support for people with a disability.
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.
167. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if he will source additional funding for a specific service in County Cork, given the substantial number of persons in need of this service (details supplied). [15166/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
168. Deputy Michael D'Arcy asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied), who has been on the waiting list for 19 months will receive an assessment for speech and language therapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15167/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
169. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be called for an operation. [15169/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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.
170. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if he will review the services being provided to persons living with a specific issue (details supplied) with a view to putting the necessary services in place. [15170/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
With regard to Neuro-rehabilitation services, the Programme for Partnership Government places a particular focus on publishing a plan for advancing Neuro-rehabilitation services in the community. Currently a steering group led by the Health Service Executive Social Care Division with representation from the National Clinical Programmes for Rehabilitation Medicine and Neurology, Department of Health, Primary Care, Therapy Professions and the Neurological Alliance of Ireland, has drafted an implementation framework for the National Policy and Strategy for Neuro-rehabilitation services, which has been circulated to members of the steering group and stakeholder agencies.
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the 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.
171. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the status of the investigation undertaken at Wexford General Hospital into misdiagnosed bowel cancer in patients who underwent colonoscopy procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15171/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra172. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health to publish all reports of the investigation undertaken at Wexford General Hospital into misdiagnosed bowel cancer in patients who underwent colonoscopy procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15172/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra173. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the bodies or agencies which were involved in the investigation undertaken at Wexford General Hospital into misdiagnosed bowel cancer in patients who underwent colonoscopy procedures; the external oversight mechanism that was in place for the investigation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15173/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra174. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the number of patients who were screened and the number of cases of bowel cancer which were missed and if he has taken action in relation to the consultants in question as part of the investigation into cases of misdiagnosed bowel cancer at Wexford General Hospital; the measures in place to assist the affected patients; if any patients have died subsequent to the missed diagnosis; how the quality control systems failed in this case; his plans to ensure that there have been no other misdiagnosis cases in hospitals where colonoscopy procedures are carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15174/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 171 to 174, inclusive, together.
I am aware that the HSE has been undertaking an extensive look back review in relation to an incident at Wexford General Hospital.
The HSE has advised that the look back review is now complete and treatment and support has been provided to patients and their families. The HSE intends to publish a Serious Incident Management Report on this issue, subject to any necessary legal requirements being addressed. It would be inappropriate to make further comment in advance of publication of this report.
The HSE rightly prioritised the look back review but I am keen that urgent progress is made on the establishment of an external review to identify lessons to be learned and to minimise risk of occurrence in the future.
175. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health the status of the physiotherapy registration board established under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005. [15175/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Physiotherapists Registration Board is currently preparing the necessary bye-laws under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act to allow it to establish its register in the coming months.
