Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:238. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17585/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraHospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (238)
Freagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, 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 them.
Dental Services Provision
Ceisteanna (239)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:239. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for dental treatment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17587/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, 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 them.
European Council Meetings
Ceisteanna (240)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:240. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Number 697 of 31 May 2016, the position he will take in the European Council in respect of a proposal on endocrine disrupting chemicals; if he will voice opposition to the offer from the European Commission on so-called endocrine disrupting chemicals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17588/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The EU proposal on endocrine disrupting chemicals in the context of plant protection products and biocidal products falls within the remit of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Disability Support Services Funding
Ceisteanna (241)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:241. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if he, through the Health Service Executive, provides funds to St. John of God Community Services Limited in respect of services provided at a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17589/16]
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 (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, she can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
Disability Support Services
Ceisteanna (242)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:242. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the date or dates on which he and the Health Service Executive were informed of the decision by St. John of God Community Services to withdraw services provided at a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17590/16]
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 (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, she can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
Patient Deaths
Ceisteanna (243)
Fergus O'Dowd
Ceist:243. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to outline the full facts in relation to the number of meetings of the team appointed by the Health Service Executive to address the outstanding issues that arose following the death of a person (details supplied) and the dates of those meetings; the documents which were given to and created by the team while the consultant was a member; the issues addressed while the consultant was a member; to provide the details surrounding the withdrawal of the consultant from the team and the reasons for same; the meetings held by this team without the consultant after their withdrawal and what reports or comments were made either verbally or in writing to the Health Service Executive following the withdrawal of the consultant, and actions taken as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17600/16]
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.
Hospital Staff
Ceisteanna (244)
Billy Kelleher
Ceist:244. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health why a person (details supplied) in St. Vincent’s Hospital is being let go; if he is aware that the person's patients are deeply concerned and agitated by this development and that they do not believe that the proposed replacement is adequate to their needs; and if he will request the chief executive officer of the hospital to meet with the affected patients to discuss their concerns. [17620/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The HSE is responsible for providing public health care in hospitals and communities throughout the country and as such it would be inappropriate for me to comment on individual employment contract issues. However, the HSE has assured me that a Consultant Medical Oncologist will be assuming the responsibility for the sarcoma service at St Vincent's Hospital and that on-going care for patients undergoing treatment for sarcoma cancer will not be compromised in any way. The HSE has also advised me that there will be no reduction to the service provided. In relation to your query on the arrangements for communication between the hospital and patients, the HSE has advised that, while patients may not have been individually informed, it is usual for patients to be advised at their individual appointments of the change in the person delivering their care. This can be done by the staff or by the treating consultant who can address any concerns patients may have.
Mental Health Services Provision
Ceisteanna (245)
Micheál Martin
Ceist:245. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health if the practice of detaining children in adult mental health units fully ceased in accordance with the promises made by the Government in their programme for Government in 2011; the progress made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17621/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Programme for Government launched in 2011 undertook to endeavour to end the practice of placing children and adolescent in adult psychiatric wards.
Progress on this issue has been significant, demonstrated by the fact that the number of such admissions in 2008 was 247, 129 in 2011, and was further reduced to 95 last year. This is despite a background of increasing demands on Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services overall. There are a number of reasons why such admissions are made. These include distance from a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services facility, timing of admissions, potential medical issues, potential substance misuse, family concerns and the overall safety of the young person, their family and other service users. The HSE monitors this situation closely with a view to limiting inappropriate admissions as much as possible.
It is the policy of the HSE to provide an age appropriate service, with a significant majority of young people now being treated by a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Teams. There have been some difficulties in recruiting and retaining Specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services staff, particularly Consultant Psychiatrists. This deficit has caused some difficulty in delivering an age appropriate service in some parts of the country, but the Executive continues to address the issue in the context of expanding both community based, and age appropriate residential care, for those under age 18.
Mental Health Services Funding
Ceisteanna (246)
Micheál Martin
Ceist:246. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health the amount of the budget in 2015 that was allocated to mental health spending; the amount of that budget that has been used for staffing in mental health services to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17622/16]
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.
Mental Health Services Provision
Ceisteanna (247)
Micheál Martin
Ceist:247. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health why child and adult mental health services is not extended to adolescents between 16 and 18 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17623/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
It is the policy of the HSE to provide an age appropriate mental health service. A significant majority of young people are now being treated by a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Team. The operational services and procedures for Child and Adolescent Mental Health are applied to all referrals up to 18 years of age. There have been some difficulties in recruiting and retaining Specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services staff, particularly consultant psychiatrists. Due to these operational, staff recruitment and retention challenges at local level, a number of referrals in the 16-18 year age group are dealt with by local Adult Teams under the appropriate CAMHS procedures. The Executive is addressing this issue on an on-going basis.
There are 67 Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Teams and extra services for special service needs have also been introduced in recent years. The HSE is committed to addressing the service needs of the 16-18 age cohort by expanding the staffing and range of CAMHS team coverage on an ongoing basis, supported by prioritisation of funding from the additional mental health funding allocation in 2016 as outlined in the HSE Mental Health Operational Plan 2016.
Along with expansion of CAMHS team services, the Plan provides for improved collaboration between the Mental Health and Primary Care Divisions in the development of Early Intervention and Counselling services specifically for young people under 18 years of age. Additional funding has also been provided for expansion of Jigsaw Services in Dublin, Cork and Limerick, to complement the existing services funded by the HSE.