Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:578. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding health insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26593/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraHealth Insurance Cover
Ceisteanna (578)
Freagraí scríofa
The inclusion of maternity benefit in all health insurance products is a statutory requirement, as part of a legal obligation on health insurers to provide a specific minimum level of benefit in all health insurance products sold. Minimum benefit is one of the key principles on which the Irish private health insurance regulatory system is based. Minimum Benefit Regulations, made under the Health Insurance Acts, require insurers to offer a minimum benefit to every insured person. The key purpose of the Regulations is to ensure the continued availability of the type of broad hospital cover traditionally held as a minimum by the insured population and to ensure that individuals do not significantly under-insure.
The Minimum Benefit Regulations ensure that all consumers obtain an appropriate minimum level of health insurance cover regardless of what plan they purchase and that every plan available is inclusive of a minimum suite of benefits/procedures, some of which are available to the market as a whole and some of which will be applicable specifically to either men or women. By way of example, the Regulations include provision for such medical treatments as a prostatectomy or testicular biopsy (in the case of men) and cervical biopsy or maternity services (in the case of women).
The health services and procedures provided by minimum benefit should be viewed as a cohort of procedures that are important and of benefit to the community of the insured population, and thus should be protected and provided as a minimum base to all.
Hospital Appointments Delays
Ceisteanna (579)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:579. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when an outpatient appointment will be provided for a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay in issuing a date for this appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26596/16]
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 scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she should take the matter up with the consultant and the hospital involved. In relation to the specific case raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (580)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:580. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26597/16]
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 scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she should take the matter up with the consultant and the hospital involved. In relation to the specific case raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
Medical Aids and Appliances Applications
Ceisteanna (581)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:581. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an application for HSE equipment in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26598/16]
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.
Home Care Packages Data
Ceisteanna (582)
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:582. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the total number of hours provided via the home care package and home help scheme for each of the years 2011 to 2016 to date, in tabular form; the number of hours provided by the public sector and the numbers provided by private care providers in each case; the overall amount of moneys provided to private care providers and to the public care provider for these services during each of these years in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26604/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Hospital Staff
Ceisteanna (583, 584, 585, 612)
Jack Chambers
Ceist:583. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the policies or measures in place to ensure the retention of staff in hospitals here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26605/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraJack Chambers
Ceist:584. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health if he will offer further education opportunities or rent assistance as part of any policies to entice overseas hospital staff to work in hospitals here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26606/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraJack Chambers
Ceist:585. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the measure or plans being used to replace agency nursing staff in hospitals here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26607/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraPearse Doherty
Ceist:612. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the measures in place to ensure that staffing levels with regard to the provision of key front-line health services and patient care are given priority as part of all HSE recruitment campaigns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26682/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 583 to 585, inclusive, and 612 together.
The HSE now has delegated sanction to recruit nurses, doctors and other frontline staff in line with service demands (subject to budgetary requirements). Overall staffing levels have increased significantly in the public health services, by 4,000 in the past 12 months and by nearly 5,000 in the past 3 years. The number of consultants employed by the HSE at the end of July 2016 was 2,786. This constitutes an increase of 99 WTE’s (3.7%) over the July 2015 figure and an increase of almost 600 on the June 2007 figures of 2,189. NCHD numbers have increased by almost 1,000 in the past three years. There has also been an increase of 1,250 nurses employed in the public health service (34,461 to 35,712) from July 2014 to July 2016.
However, there is an international nursing and medical manpower shortage, leading to difficulties in recruiting nurses, doctors and consultants. This difficulty is being experienced by other English speaking countries including the UK, Australia, and Canada and means there is a competitive international market for health workers. It is important therefore that the terms and conditions of employment of Irish medical professionals are as attractive as possible.
The ability of the HSE and the health service to attract and retain high quality frontline staff shapes the extent to which the HSE can maintain and develop the range of health services required. The MacCraith Group, established in 2013 to carry out a strategic review of medical training and career structures, made a series of recommendations aimed at improving the retention of medical graduates in the public health system and planning for future needs. The implementation of the Group's recommendations is being actively pursued and monitored.
The HSE is focused on offering graduating nurses and midwives permanent posts and on replacing agency staff with permanent staff. Recruitment of additional nurses is the subject of considerable ongoing activity by the HSE and voluntary hospitals. Recruitment campaigns are underway in Ireland and abroad with a relocation package of up to €1,500 available to nurses who return from overseas.. This includes recent and ongoing international, national and local interviewing of General Nurses, Mental Health, Intellectual Disability, Registered Children's Nurses and Midwives.
Nursing Staff Data
Ceisteanna (586)
Jack Chambers
Ceist:586. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of all nursing management positions in each hospital here over the past ten years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26608/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (587)
Jack Chambers
Ceist:587. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for paediatric rheumatology services in Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin, for the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26609/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In relation to the specific query, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors
Ceisteanna (588)
Jack Chambers
Ceist:588. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the number of non-consultant hospital doctors in HSE training positions for each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26610/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
National Drugs Strategy Implementation
Ceisteanna (589)
Jack Chambers
Ceist:589. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health if the Minister of State with responsibility for the national drugs strategy has met with the Minister of State with responsibility for mental health in regard to the next national drugs strategy; if so, the number of times they have met and the matters discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26611/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I meet regularly with Minister Harris and the other Ministers of State in the Department of Health to discuss matters of mutual interest. Such arrangements may be either formal or informal, as the circumstances require. I intend to liaise with all appropriate cabinet Ministers to ensure that the new National Drugs Strategy, which will commence in 2017, provides an up-to-date and effective response to the drug problem facing our society.
National Drugs Strategy
Ceisteanna (590, 593)
Jack Chambers
Ceist:590. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the number of times the oversight forum on drugs has met in the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26612/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraJack Chambers
Ceist:593. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the attendance records of representatives of the education awareness prevention pillars at meetings held under the national drug strategy from 2008 to 2016 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26615/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 590 and 593 together.
I have overall responsibility for the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016, which addresses the issue of problem drug use through five inter-connected pillars dealing with supply reduction, prevention (including education & awareness), treatment, rehabilitation and research.
The Oversight Forum on Drugs (OFD) which I chair, is responsible for the high-level monitoring of progress being achieved across the Strategy and meets on a quarterly basis. The OFD met on 20 occasions between 2011 and 2015. The Forum has met twice so far in 2016 and the next meeting is scheduled to take place on 7 October.
I have asked the Department of Health to provide the Deputy with the attendance records of representatives of the prevention pillar at meetings of the national structures held under the current National Drugs Strategy.
National Drugs Strategy
Ceisteanna (591)
Jack Chambers
Ceist:591. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to hosting a drugs summit to hear the opinions of all interest groups with a view towards developing policy in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26613/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, a Steering Committee, with an independent chair, has been established to advise me on a new National Drugs Strategy, which will commence in 2017, when the current policy expires. On 6 September, I announced the details of a public consultation in order to assist the Steering Committee determine the key priorities to be addressed in the new Strategy. The public consultation will take place over a six week period and end on 18 October. A report on the consultation process will be prepared by independent consultants engaged by the Department and submitted to the Steering Committee to inform their deliberations.
In order to provide a nationwide perspective on the drug problem, regional consultation events have been held in Carrick on Shannon, Limerick, Dublin and Cork. Due to the level of interest in the public consultation, additional events will take place in Galway on 30 September and Kilkenny on 3 October. People can also provide their feedback by making a written submission, completing an online questionnaire or using a lo-call phone line. Further information about the consultation process can be found on the Department of Health website at www.health.gov.ie/drugs-strategy/.
In addition, prior to starting work on the new Strategy, the Department of Health held a "Think Tank" on Ireland's drug problem in July 2015, to give those working in frontline services a chance to voice their thoughts on what needs to be done for the future.
Cancer Services Provision
Ceisteanna (592)
Jack Chambers
Ceist:592. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health if he will reverse the decision to cut by 50%, funding for transport services for cancer patients at St. Luke’s radiation oncology network, which operates cancer services across St. Luke’s Hospital, Rathgar, and St. Luke’s radiation oncology services at St James’s Hospital and at Beaumont Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26614/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Dublin Midlands Hospital Group has confirmed that there will not be a reduction in funding for transport services for cancer patients at St. Luke's Radiation Oncology Network.
Question No. 593 answered with Question No. 590.
National Drugs Strategy Implementation
Ceisteanna (594)
Jack Chambers
Ceist:594. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to the roll-out of a national service level agreement across all section 37 and section 38 bodies involved in drug treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26616/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Government policy in relation to drugs underlines the importance of providing opportunities for people to move on from illicit drug use to a drug-free life, where that is achievable. In line with the National Drugs Strategy, the Health Service Executive has reoriented the addiction services in recent years so that they are capable of dealing with all substances. The HSE is continuing to develop the spread and range of addiction services to achieve better coverage across the country, especially in areas most affected by the drug problem. Treatment is provided through a network of statutory and non-statutory agencies, using a four tier model of service delivery. The four tier model is based on the principle that drug treatment is best provided at the lowest level of complexity, matching the patient’s needs and as close to the patient’s home as possible.
As the HSE are responsible for the delivery of addiction services I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
Health Products Regulatory Authority
Ceisteanna (595)
Jack Chambers
Ceist:595. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health if he will commit to a large public awareness campaign to highlight the dangers associated with illicit steroid usage, which has increased exponentially in recent times, particularly among young men; if he will further commit to providing specific training for front-line health care workers to be able to properly address problem steroid taking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26617/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) works in conjunction with Revenue’s Customs Service regarding importations to Ireland, and with An Garda Síochána regarding supplies within Ireland, in order to detect illicit supplies of anabolic steroid containing medicines for abuse purposes.
Anabolic steroids are synthetic versions of the male hormone testosterone. They can be administered as a tablet, capsule or in liquid form. While a doctor may prescribe them to treat specific medical conditions, there is increasing evidence to demonstrate that the misuse of such drugs and their derivatives, for non-medical purposes is increasing and posing significant risk and evidenced harm to human health.
The HSE has advised that preliminary figures obtained from the Hospital In-Patient Enquiry Scheme (HIPE) indicate that there has been an increase in steroid-related admissions to hospitals. However, the overall admission rate for steroid-related problems is still relatively low.
The issue of steroid use, and the use other image enhancing drugs, has also been highlighted by the needle exchange services as an emerging and growing issue. However, all staff involved with needle exchange can transfer their current skills set to these groups with respect to harm reduction advice, safe needle use and safe sharps disposal,
A key priority for me at present is the development of a new National Drugs Strategy to respond to the changing nature of the drug problem. The provision of resources to support the implementation of the new Strategy, including any initiatives proposed to address illicit steroid usage, will be determined in the context of the estimates process.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (596)
Barry Cowen
Ceist:596. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied) including when they will receive an appointment. [26620/16]
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 scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she should take the matter up with the consultant and the hospital involved. In relation to the specific case raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (597)
Barry Cowen
Ceist:597. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied) including when they will receive an appointment. [26621/16]
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 scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she should take the matter up with the consultant and the hospital involved. In relation to the specific case raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (598)
Willie Penrose
Ceist:598. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to have a person (details supplied) admitted immediately for a procedure at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26631/16]
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.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (599)
Willie Penrose
Ceist:599. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to have a person (details supplied) admitted to the Mater Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26632/16]
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 scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she should take the matter up with the consultant and the hospital involved. In relation to the specific case raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.