Tuesday, 27 Sep 2016

Written Answers Nos. 718-735

Mental Health Services Staff

Ceisteanna (718)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

718. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the number of psychiatrists in place in the south Lee mental health service. [27270/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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 10 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter for them.

Mental Health Services Data

Ceisteanna (719)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

719. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the number of psychiatrists who have been in place in the south Lee mental health service as of 1 January in each of the years 2013, 2014, 2015 and to date in 2016. [27271/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Mental Health Services Staff

Ceisteanna (720)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

720. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health if there is a psychiatrist designated in a full time capacity specifically for the Togher and Ballyphehane areas of Cork City, south Lee. [27272/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Mental Health Services Staff

Ceisteanna (721)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

721. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health if there is a vacancy for a psychiatrist to be designated in a full-time capacity specifically for the Togher and Ballyphehane areas of Cork city, South Lee, and if so, when this vacancy will be filled. [27273/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Dental Services

Ceisteanna (722)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

722. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a primary dental appointment for a person (details supplied); his views on how to ensure persons are seen in primary school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27282/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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 (723)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

723. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the waiting list for home care packages; the estimated cost in 2017 of eradicating this list. [27284/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Services for People with Disabilities

Ceisteanna (724)

Dessie Ellis

Ceist:

724. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the lack of qualified staff, especially nurses, which impacts on the ability of children to attend certain schools, for example, in the case of a person (details supplied). [27287/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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 an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (725)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

725. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when required surgery at Cappagh hospital will be offered in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27308/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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 (726)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

726. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when an operation will be scheduled for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27318/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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 Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (727)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

727. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27331/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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 service. 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 Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (728)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

728. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27332/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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 Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (729)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

729. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27333/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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.

Home Care Packages Funding

Ceisteanna (730)

Gino Kenny

Ceist:

730. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the lack of funding on a demand-led basis for home care packages is obstructing the HSE's capacity in facilitating timely hospital discharges, leading to unnecessary suffering in the community as well as increased hospital costs; the net cost of budgetary restrictions in home care packages and delayed discharges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27334/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Home care services are critical to allow older people to stay in their own homes for as long as possible and to avoid excessive admissions to acute hospitals. It is clear that the resources available for home supports need to be strengthened and we have committed in the Programme for Government to improving the situation. As a first step, an additional €40m has been made available for the maintenance and development of home care services to the end of 2016.

On 9 September the HSE published its Winter Initiative Plan 2016/2017. The aim of the plan is to focus on specific measures required to address the anticipated surge in health service activity in hospitals and in the community normally associated with this time of year. The Winter Initiative Plan will begin to take effect from late October/early November 2016.

One of the key objectives of this year’s plan is to reduce the numbers of people waiting to be discharged from hospitals by providing the specific supports and pathways to allow patients to move home or to an alternative suitable community setting which meets their needs. Achieving this objective will free up beds in the acute hospital system which, in turn, will lead to less overcrowding in Emergency Departments. Of the €40m additional funding being provided this year, €10m will provide for 950 additional Home Care Packages, with 50 HCPs being provided on a weekly basis over the Winter Initiative period. These packages will be targeted at 10 specific hospitals where this intervention is most needed.

European Medicines Agency

Ceisteanna (731)

Niall Collins

Ceist:

731. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the status of his Department's bid for the European Medicines Agency relocation from London to Ireland; the meetings which have been held in this regard with the EU Commission; if he has established a task force to lead the relocation bid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27335/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The European Medicines Agency plays a very important role in the protection and promotion of public health through the scientific evaluation, supervision and safety monitoring of medicines for human and veterinary use in the European Union. It is globally recognised as operating to the highest standards of excellence in these areas.

As a consequence of Brexit it appears inevitable that the EMA will need to be relocated from London to another EU location and it is imperative that this change is managed in a way that ensures that there is minimal impact on the vital work of the EMA during the transition period and beyond.

The Department of Health is working with other Government Departments and State Agencies, including the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) to prepare a bid to relocate the European Medicines Agency to Dublin.

I believe that Dublin would be a very suitable location and that a move here would crucially minimise the disruption to the business of the EMA, providing a better option for sustainability of its current standards of excellence and thus ensuring continued protection of EU citizens and providing reassurance to the industries which it regulates.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (732)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

732. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for assessment in Cork University Hospital for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27347/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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 (733)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

733. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27348/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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 Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (734)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

734. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27349/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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 Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (735)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

735. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27350/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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.