Written Answers Nos. 81 - 96
83. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health if analysis has been completed or studies carried out on the number of admissions and renewal orders revoked before a mental health tribunal is held. [20959/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe figures sought by the Deputy for the years 2012 to 2016 in relation to the number of Admissions and Renewal Orders revoked before a Mental Health Tribunal is held are set out in the following table.
|
Year |
Number of Admissions and Renewal Orders revoked before Mental Health Tribunal is held |
|
2012 |
1530 |
|
2013 |
1457 |
|
2014 |
1514 |
|
2015 |
1661 |
|
2016 |
428* |
* Figures to end April 2016
Previously, the Deputy had sought figures for the numbers of involuntary patients who, having had their admission or renewal order revoked, sought to have their Mental Health Tribunal take place and I promised to get back to him with the relevant figures when available. I have been in further contact with the Mental Health Commission who have now advised me that having examined the matter, the information available to them regarding hearings held pursuant to Section 28(5) of the Mental Health Act 2001 may be incomplete and it is not currently possible with their current system to provide the specific information requested.
84. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the increase in the number of critical care beds that are available since April 2016; the estimated increase for the remainder of 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20996/16]
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.
85. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the action being taken to introduce a minor ailment scheme in community pharmacies. [20962/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive and the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) have commenced a pilot pharmacy-based minor ailment scheme. The scheme allows medical card holders to receive treatment from their local community pharmacy for dry eye, dry skin, scabies, threadworms and vaginal thrush, without the need to visit a GP for a prescription.
The pilot began on 1 July and will run in 19 pharmacies in four towns (Kells, Roscommon, Macroom and Edenderry) for three months. After this time, the pilot phase will be evaluated to establish the effectiveness of such a service. The objective of the pilot is to inform policy decisions and recommendations regarding the future of such schemes.
86. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the work he has contemplated or plans to determine the areas of greatest need for primary care staff; the extent of unmet demand in each area; the cost of meeting this demand; the staffing requirement in each area; and to develop a system of transparent allocation of such staffing resources. [20948/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has recently convened a cross-sectoral Steering Group to develop a national integrated strategic framework for health workforce planning during 2016. Any decisions regarding staffing requirements would need to be taken in the context of the national integrated strategic framework for health workforce planning.
I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on the matter with regard to current requirements. 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.
87. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health his Department's plans for addressing levels of childhood obesity; and the measures his Department is taking to promote better nutrition, healthy eating and increased levels of physical activity among children and young persons. [15261/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraChildhood obesity is reaching alarming proportions in many countries and poses an urgent and serious challenge. In Ireland 1 in 4 children are currently overweight or obese. Overweight and obesity are conditions which develop over a number of years in both children and adults. The determinants are multiple and include the built environment, access to healthy and affordable food, exercise and leisure activity, cultural and societal norms, education and skill levels, genetic makeup and individual lifestyle choices. The key issue is to make the healthy choice the easy choice. Government policy and action in a wide range of areas impact on most of these lifestyle determinants. Efforts to address overweight and obesity therefore require a cross-sectoral approach. It is not solely the job of the health sector as obesity prevention requires a societal response rather than a medical solution.
The Department of Health has recently finalised an Obesity Policy and Action Plan - "A Healthy Weight for Ireland" which will cover the period until 2025 and sets targets to be achieved and actions that will produce measurable outcomes in the battle against obesity and particularly childhood obesity. Minister Harris will shortly bring a proposal to Government in this regard.
88. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Health the reason for the substantial increase between December 2015 and May 2016 in the number of outpatients waiting more than a year for a consultation in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, County Meath. [20982/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraA key challenge for our health system is ensuring timely access to health services. This Government recognises that a sustained commitment to improving waiting times is required, with a particular focus on those waiting longest.
While waiting list numbers nationally have increased in the first half of the year, this must be seen in the context of increased demand for care in our health system. There has been a 4% increase in inpatient and day-case activity in acute hospitals and an almost 6% increase in attendances at EDs in comparison with last year. The key issue for patients is how long they wait. Approximately 60% of patients wait less than 6 months for a required outpatient appointment or inpatient/day-case procedures.
Regarding 2016, my Department is currently engaging with the NTPF and the HSE in finalising a dedicated waiting list initiative focussed on endoscopy. In addition, my Department has asked the HSE to implement an action plan addressing waiting times with hospitals and Hospital Groups. This will focus on improving chronological scheduling, clinical and administrative validation of lists and optimising existing capacity.
The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to €15m funding for the NTPF in 2017 to address waiting lists for those waiting longest, as part of a continued investment of €50m per year to reduce waiting times. My Department is currently engaging with the NTPF and the HSE to deliver on the Programme's waiting list commitments.
In relation to the waiting lists at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, 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.
89. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the service that will be put in place to replace the eye-testing service for fifth and sixth class students as part of the primary school children optical scheme, following its discontinuation earlier in 2016; if reforms or new services will be in place before the resumption of school in September 2016 and the timeframe for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20914/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
91. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been brought to the Crowe Horwath report into the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland, NMBI; if he has had any meetings with the NMBI on the reports, its findings and its recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20922/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra93. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health given that the Crowe Horwath report, into the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland, NMBI, is reported to note that, over the last few years, the nursing board did not have a productive working relationship with his Department, his plans to remedy this; if he has met the NMBI since taking office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20915/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 91 and 93 together.
The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) was established under the Nurses and Midwives Act, 2011 and has two main objectives; (i) to protect the public and (ii) to ensure the integrity of nursing and midwifery practices.
Following a protected disclosure the Department of Health requested the NMBI to commission a third party review of internal management and governance processes. As a result of this review two further reports have been published which identify historical shortcomings in the operation of the Board.
Throughout the long investigation of the protected disclosure and the preparation, adoption and publication of these reports there has been extensive and ongoing interaction between the executive/Board of the NMBI and officials of the Department of Health. While these issues are both complex and sensitive, they require that the Department apply appropriate oversight and governance to ensure a satisfactory resolution. To this end, the Department continues to work closely with the NMBI to ensure that enhanced governance procedures are implemented and that robust management and operational processes are introduced. A new President and a new interim CEO have been appointed and the post of Director of Finance and Corporate Services has been advertised. Formal monthly operational and quarterly governance meetings take place between the Department and the NMBI. In addition, discussions on operational and change management issues take place on an ongoing basis. While I have not yet met with the NMBI, I am fully briefed by my officials on all relevant issues. The NMBI is already implementing the Reports' recommendations and is committed to ensuring that all necessary steps will be taken to ensure that these events do no reoccur.
92. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health the number of community optometrists here; the number of service level agreements in place between the Health Service Executive and private optometry services for the provision of services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20921/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
94. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health his views on concerns regarding artificial pricing thresholds in medicine pricing arrangements with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association. [20985/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraA negotiating team representing the State has reached agreement in principle with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association on a new drug pricing and supply agreement. As work is still continuing between the parties to finalise the terms of the agreement, I am not in position at this time to comment on specific details of the agreement.
Negotiations and agreements with industry represent just one element of the Government’s strategy to reduce expenditure on medicines; other initiatives will continue to be pursued in the coming months and years to ensure that we achieve affordable prices for medicines for both patients and the State.
95. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the status of the construction works at the Sacred Heart Hospital in Castlebar, County Mayo; and the expected completion date. [20980/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 74 bed community nursing home extension and all associated works at the Sacred Heart Hospital in Castlebar is currently at construction stage. Works commenced on site on the 27th June 2016 and are estimated to take 15 months to complete. Commissioning and equipping of the new facility will follow and on this basis the facility is expected to be operational in late 2017.
96. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health if his Department conducted or is in the process of conducting financial audits of section 38 and 39 funded agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20941/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraOversight of agencies funded under Section 38 and 39 of the Health Act is the responsibility of the HSE under its establishing legislation. The HSE has a formal national governance framework with national standardised documentation which governs grant funding provided to agencies under sections 38 and 39 of the Health Act 2004. This governance framework seeks to ensure the standard, consistent application of good governance principles which are robust and effective to ensure that both the HSE and the grant-funded agency meet their respective obligations.
The HSE requires that all grant aided non-statutory agencies submit their annual audited accounts to the HSE. As part of its annual audit plans, the Internal Audit Division of the HSE conducts audits of a number of agencies each year, several audits are currently in progress. Such audits generally focus on the systems of internal controls operated by the funded agencies, and compliance with the HSE Service Level Agreement (SLA). The scope is distinct from the statutory annual audit of accounts carried out by the external auditors of the agencies. In addition, a number of Internal Audits have been conducted into the HSE’s own management processes and controls over the funding and monitoring of services provided by non-statutory agencies.
An Annual Compliance Statement (ACS) process is in place whereby the Board Chairs of each Section 38 agency are required to certify on an annual basis that they are compliant with the necessary governance requirements or in cases where they are not compliant, they are obliged to explain why that is the case. In addition, and in order to provide external assurances to the HSE, it was decided that a review of governance at Board and Executive level in all Section 38 Providers, to be conducted by external consultants, would be undertaken. The purpose of these reviews is to establish the level/standard of governance in place in these organisations and to confirm independently that the governance practices and procedures accord with those set out in their respective Annual Compliance Statements.
These reviews involve an examination of key governance processes and documents, including obtaining confirmation that there are internal financial controls and that formal written financial procedures are in place in these organisations. Six of these reviews are currently underway. The outcomes of the reviews will both inform the HSE’s relationship with the agency concerned and any further enhancement of the HSE’s overall governance framework.
The HSE's Audit Committee, also established under the Health Act 2004, advises both the Director General and the Directorate on financial matters relating to their functions. The HSE’s Internal Audit Division is responsible for ensuring that a comprehensive programme of audit work is carried out annually throughout the HSE. The purpose of this work is to provide assurance that controls and procedures are operated in accordance with best practice and with the appropriate regulations, and to make recommendations for the improvement of such controls and procedures. The HSE Audit Committee, to which the Division reports monitors the work of the Division.
