Josepha Madigan
Ceist:184. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Minister for Health the funding available to help working families (details supplied) fund speech therapy for children with speech and language impairments. [28847/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraSpeech and Language Therapy Provision
Ceisteanna (184)
Freagraí scríofa
Staff in my Department have made contact with the Deputy's Office to seek further information on this matter. When this information is received I will arrange that the HSE address this matter directly with the Deputy.
Health Services Staff Recruitment
Ceisteanna (185)
Josepha Madigan
Ceist:185. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Minister for Health the reason there are significant delays in the filling of vacancies in the HSE public health nurse panel and his plans to fill these vacancies. [28848/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (186)
Seán Haughey
Ceist:186. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will have their cataract operation carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28874/16]
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 the Deputy directly.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (187)
Seán Haughey
Ceist:187. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will have their cataract operation carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28875/16]
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 the Deputy directly.
Hospital Services
Ceisteanna (188)
John Halligan
Ceist:188. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health if he had read the Higgins report in conjunction with the Herity report prior to making his decision not to approve the much-needed second catheterisation laboratory at University Hospital Waterford; if he will acknowledge that the Higgins report, which set out the basis of the reconfiguration of the hospital groups, made specific commitments to UHW and the south-east region as a whole, particularly relating to cardiology services, and that the Government at the time also made commitments to stand over the Higgins report; if it is the intention of the Department of Health to continue to comply with and implement the recommendations of the Higgins report, specifically its recommendation to maintain UHW as a level four regional hospital and its recommendation with respect to the expansion of interventional cardiology at UHW; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28881/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Report on the Establishment of Hospital Groups notes that UHW should continue to provide invasive cardiology services for the population of the South East, in collaboration with the cardiology service in Cork. The patient flow analysis, detailed in the report of Dr. Herity's independent clinical review, provides evidence that the cath lab in UHW is currently providing services to the population of the South East and, in particular, to residents of counties Wexford, Waterford and South Tipperary. I am confident that implementation of Dr. Herity's report will provide improved, and safer cardiology services for the South East and will strengthen links between clinicians in UHW and Cork University Hospital.
The Deputy will be aware that I have accepted Dr. Herity's recommendation that a second cardiac cath lab at UHW is not justified. I have also accepted his recommendation for investment in UHW to enhance the existing cardiology service there. This investment will be reflected in the HSE National Service Plan for 2017. During this period of investment and enhancement of services, the situation will be closely monitored. A further independent review will be carried out in early 2017 to assess the impact that these improvements have had on the volume of patients attending the cath lab.
Before we can implement Dr. Herity recommendation that some emergency services be provided elsewhere, it will first be necessary to ensure that a number of operational processes are embedded. I want to be certain that any change to how a service is delivered will result in improved services for the patients using that service. Therefore, I have asked my Department to address the implications of ceasing primary PCI services at UHW by undertaking a national review of all primary PCI services with the aim to ensure that as many patients as possible have access on a 24/7 basis to safe and sustainable emergency interventions following a heart attack. I expect the review to be completed by the end of July 2017.
Beyond Dr. Herity's report, I am delighted to see UHW's plans to develop the hospital as a centre for orthopaedic excellence. I am fully committed to supporting UHW's plans in relation to this and for the centralisation of orthopaedic services for the people of the South East. The Deputy can be assured of the Government's commitment to the development of services at UHW as evidenced by the recent approval of two new academic posts for UHW, namely Professor of Orthopaedics and Professor of Oncology.
First-Aid Training
Ceisteanna (189)
Fergus O'Dowd
Ceist:189. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health his position in relation to first responders and the potential for a significant drop in national numbers if the issue of the loading on insurance for the volunteers is not addressed (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28882/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I thank the Deputy for drawing this issue to my attention. I will ask my officials to look into the matter in conjunction with the National Ambulance Service.
Home Help Service Provision
Ceisteanna (190)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:190. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 453 of 5 July 2016 and a subsequent reply received from his Department, the actions he will take to ensure access in general to home care packages for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28896/16]
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.
I understand that the Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised in relation to this specific case, that the budget for Home Care Hours in the relevant HSE area is at capacity but that additional funding is actively being sought. Any increases in demand for home care packages due to demographic pressures and changing needs must be met within the level of resources available. As the Deputy will be aware, the level of funding available for the HSE is being considered as part of the national estimates / budgetary process for 2017, which is currently underway. Following this process, the HSE will then prepare its National Service Plan for 2017. Pending agreement of the National Service Plan, I am not in a position to comment on service levels, including personal assistant hours, to be provided in 2017.
Medical Aids and Appliances Applications
Ceisteanna (191)
Shane Cassells
Ceist:191. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Health the status of medical equipment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28900/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (192)
Robert Troy
Ceist:192. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied). [28925/16]
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 the Deputy directly.