Written Answers Nos. 701-717
701. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the progress on the appointment of a new general practitioner at the Johnstownbridge health centre, County Kildare, thereby replacing the excellent services provided by the previous incumbent; the degree to which interviews have taken place or are in progress; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27172/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this 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.
702. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which he expects Naas General Hospital to be in a position to cope with bed shortages throughout the winter months; if a previously decommissioned space has been fully utilised or is likely to be so utilised in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27173/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
703. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent of the progress on the provision of primary care centres throughout County Kildare, specifically those currently operational, under construction or proposed; the timescale for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27174/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this 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.
704. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which he remains satisfied that the waiting time for the processing of medical cards has been reduced in line with requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27175/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs at week ending 16 September 2016, 99.95% of medical card applications received by the Primary Care Reimbursement Services were processed within a 15 day timeframe.
All applications or reviews concerning medical and GP visit cards must be supported with a range of documentation, as outlined on the application forms. Where such supporting documentation is not supplied or is incomplete, to enable the assessment of the application, in accordance with the National Assessment Guidelines, the HSE will issue correspondence to the applicant specifying the additional information required to progress the assessment of their application. Clearly the processing time for incomplete applications is dependent on the furnishing of the required documentation by the applicant.
The HSE provides weekly statistics on turnaround times on its website http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/schemes/mc.
705. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which MRSA or other hospital bugs have been contained in recent times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27176/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe prevention and control of healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) continues to be a significant, long-standing patient safety and public health priority for the Department of Health. A wide range of initiatives has been put in place in the Irish health system over several years in response to the rising incidence of AMRs and subsequent risk of contracting a HCAI. These include improved surveillance of infections and prescribing; infection prevention and control processes; antimicrobial stewardship initiatives; public and professional awareness raising, with a significant emphasis on the education and training of healthcare professionals; a current review and update of National Clinical Effectiveness Committee (NCEC) national Guidelines on MRSA (2013) and Clostridium difficile (2014) for healthcare professionals; a current review and update of HIQA's National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections (HCAIs) (2009).
In Ireland AMR in key clinically important bacteria known to cause potentially serious infections, such as bloodstream infection, (BSI) has been systematically monitored over the past decade by Irish microbiology laboratories serving all acute hospitals. There has been almost complete reporting of AMR data on BSI to the Health Service Executive's Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) where data is analysed and reported back directly to participating laboratories and hospitals on a quarterly basis.
The HPSC also published reports on the latest available national BSI AMR surveillance data and hospital level AMR surveillance data on its website at: http://www.hpsc.ie/A-Z/MicrobiologyAntimicrobialResistance/InfectionControlandHAI/Surveillance/HPSCSurveillance/ and http://www.hpsc.ie/A-Z/MicrobiologyAntimicrobialResistance/EuropeanAntimicrobialResistanceSurveillanceSystemEARRS/ReferenceandEducationalResourcematerial/SaureusMRSA/LatestSaureusMRSAdata/.
There has been a marked decrease in the rates of MRSA reported for Irish acute hospitals since 2007, both in the number of cases and as a percentage of overall bloodstream infections reported (which have also decreased). In 2007 the HPSC reported 536 cases of MRSA infection from a total of 1,393 overall 'isolates', representing 38.5% of cases; in 2015 the HPSC reported 199 cases of MRSA infection from a total of 1,082 overall isolates, representing 18.4% of cases; and provisional HPSC data for 2016 (Quarter 1 only) shows the downward trend in cases of MRSA infection continuing, with a small increase in overall bloodstream infection rates. However, the HPSC cautions that provisional data is subject to change and it cannot be assumed that quarterly data yet to be reported will mirror data as reported in previous quarters.
On foot of concerns about outbreaks of Multi-Drug resistant Organisms (MDROs) in recent years a National Taskforce on AMR to address the issues of managing and reducing AMR and HCAI was established by the HSE in 2015. The Taskforce's remit is to direct and coordinate an effective system-wide response to the issue of HCAI/AMR.
The Taskforce is a multi-disciplinary high-level group that supports and advises HSE Divisions on reducing incidences of MDRO through ensuring rational antimicrobial use across all healthcare settings, providing effective diagnostic support for infection, improving professional education, training and public engagement to promote wider understanding of the need for appropriate use of antibiotics, ensuring compliance with the National Standards for the Prevention and Control of HCAI across all healthcare settings and ensuring implementation of national guidelines across all healthcare settings.
Ireland also fully supports the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (2015) and recent Council Conclusions on AMR (June 2016). The Council calls on Member States to have in place before mid-2017 'a national action plan against Antimicrobial resistance based on the 'One Health' approach and in line with the objectives of the WHO Global Action Plan'. (The 'One Health' concept is a worldwide strategy for expanding interdisciplinary collaborations and communications in all aspects of health care for humans, animals and the environment). The WHO is working with countries to support the development and implementation of their national plans, and will report progress to the World Health Assembly in 2017.
Through the Interdepartmental AMR Consultative Committee, established and co-chaired by the Chief Medical Officer of this Department and the Chief Veterinary Officer of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and endorsed by both respective Ministers, Ireland is addressing the Council's requirement for all Member States to have in place an Intersectoral co-ordination Mechanism to develop a national action plan against AMR to encompass both the human and animal sectors, agriculture and the wider environment. The Committee was launched on European Antibiotic Awareness Day in November 2014 and has a clear role and mandate across the human and animal health sectors. Committee membership consists of representatives of both Departments and of the relevant HSE and veterinary specialist agencies, including other relevant bodies with a remit across the two sectors; membership is representative of major stakeholders. The Committee meets bi-annually and its most recent meeting took place on 13 April 2016.
A key action for the Committee's work during 2016 is the development of Ireland's AMR national action plan. This plan will cover the use of antimicrobial medicines in animal health and agriculture, as well as for human health. This work is continuing and the Committee is scheduled to meet again in late 2016 to assess progress on this major agenda item.
The prevention and control of healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) and AMR has been a significant patient safety and public health priority for the Department of Health Ireland for numerous years. Ireland as a whole is fully committed to and engaged in addressing resolution of the problem of AMR and will continue to collaborate at international, EU and national levels to this end.
706. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which it is expected to augment the community health services at Johnstownbridge and Carbury health centres, County Kildare, with a view to ensuring continued high-quality and easy access to the relevant services in this wide rural area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27178/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this 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.
707. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the progress on the provision of an endoscopy unit at Naas General Hospital; if the tendering process has been concluded and a contract awarded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27185/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
708. 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. [27196/16]
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.
709. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if he will meet with his counterpart in the North, the Minister, Michelle O'Neill, in advance of the North-South Ministerial Council meeting scheduled for November 2016 to discuss issues of common importance, including the scoping exercise which both Departments agreed to at the last meeting, the impacts of Brexit, and cross-Border health projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27208/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has no current request for a meeting with the Minister for Health in Northern Ireland. The Deputy will be aware that I met with Minister O'Neill, at the NSMC Plenary meeting on July 4th. On the same day we jointly committed to a €57 million investment in the all-island Congenital Heart Disease Service at Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin Dublin.
The twenty first North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) Health and Food Safety meeting will take place in Armagh on 9 November. I expect that, as envisaged at the discussion at the NSMC Plenary on the UK referendum result, Minister O'Neill and I will continue our consideration of the potential implications of the leave vote for North/South co-operation on the areas for which we have responsibility. The meeting will also continue to discuss the many important issues which are the focus of the NSMC Health Sectoral Work Programme. I would reiterate what I said to the Deputy in a reply to a previous parliamentary question on July 5th that people can be assured that there will be no immediate changes in the area of health as a consequence of the UK’s decision to leave the EU. Cross-border services and health cooperation with Northern Ireland will not be affected in the immediate term by the UK’s decision to leave the EU.
At a departmental level co-operation between the two jurisdictions is active and ongoing. My officials and I are committed to continuing to work together with our Northern colleagues on issues of common concern and benefit.
710. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a dental appointment for a person (details supplied); his plans to ensure persons get seen in primary school for the primary dental scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27213/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
711. 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. [27246/16]
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 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.
712. 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. [27247/16]
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.
713. 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. [27248/16]
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.
714. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health if there are specific psychiatric services within the HSE which persons who have suffered from clerical or institutional abuse can avail of; and if training is given to psychiatrists or other related staff to prepare for treating and dealing with persons who have suffered from clinical or institutional abuse. [27251/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
715. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if funding will be allocated for a new primary care psychology service for persons aged under 18 in north Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27255/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this 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.
716. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide funding for the appointment of two extra full-time orthopaedic consultants at the Mater Hospital, Dublin 7; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27256/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
717. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when required occupational therapy will be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27262/16]
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.
As the Deputy's question relates to an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
