Written Answers Nos 131-155
131. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Health if he will address the anomaly where older persons and persons with a disability who are resident in one HSE area (details supplied) are being charged for occupation therapist reports for local authority housing adaptation and mobility grants whereas residents of adjoining HSE areas are not charged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33153/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
132. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33156/16]
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.
133. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will have their braces fitted as they have been assessed by the HSE. [33161/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
134. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the status of a person (details supplied) who has been on a waiting list in Beaumont Hospital since 31 December 2015 and has been informed that waiting time to see a consultant is 24 months. [33163/16]
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.
135. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the services available to the population of Wexford in respect of a person who experiences myocardial infarction; and if he is satisfied with the services. [33171/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy with the detailed information required. However, on the more general issue, I can confirm that the population of Wexford have access to a Catherisation Laboratory in University Hospital Waterford (UHW), or St James's or St Vincent's Hospitals in Dublin.
The Deputy will, of course, be aware that an independent clinical review of the need for a 2nd Catherisation Laboratory in UHW was published recently. That review, which was undertaken by Dr Niall Herity a Belfast based cardiologist, looked at the population of the South East and examined hospital admissions for cardiac catherisation and percutaneous coronary intervention, by county of residence. The report indicates that some 69% of patients from Wexford, who require coronary procedures, attend UHW. In that context, the Deputy may wish to note that implementation of the recommendations of the Herity Report will enhance the cardiology services for patients in the region, by increasing the number of weekly sessions currently provided in UHW which will address waiting times and provide improved access. The additional investment required to implement the report is being considered in the context of the National Service Plan 2017.
136. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when a hospital 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. [33181/16]
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.
137. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the length of contract awarded to the UK company whose rostering software system is currently being used at Letterkenny University Hospital; the cost of attaining this for the HSE; the objectives of this software and the benefits accrued to date: if this contract applies only to Letterkenny University Hospital or every hospital across the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33184/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
138. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of HSE equipment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33205/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
139. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding a hospital name change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33206/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regards to the specific queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service matters, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
140. Deputy Catherine Connolly 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. [33210/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
141. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if his Department and the HSE consider the use of a hospital (details supplied) as a step-down facility in respect of the winter initiative; if not, if consideration has been given to alternative uses for this complex; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33212/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
142. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a hospital appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33214/16]
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.
143. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his plans for reform of matters pertaining to involuntary admissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33215/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy may be aware that in 2015 an Expert Group Review of the Mental Health Act 2001 was published. The review contains 165 recommendations, most relating to proposed changes to our mental health legislation. The previous Government agreed with the broad thrust of the recommendations and approved the preparation of the general scheme of a bill to amend the Mental Health Act 2001 to reflect the recommendations of the review in revised legislation. Work is progressing in my Department on the draft and I expect that it will be finalised by mid-2017.
The Deputy can find the full text of the report on my Department’s website at the following link: http://health.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Dept-Health-Report-Expert-Group-for-website.pdf. The report contains recommendations relating to revised criteria for detention, revised definitions of mental illness and treatment, a greater role for Authorised Officers where involuntary admissions are being considered, improved safeguards for involuntary admission to approved centres, improved safeguards for change of status from voluntary to involuntary patient and shorter times for Tribunal hearings. These changes and others, when included in revised mental health legislation, will further improve the protections available to involuntary patients in this country.
144. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health if the HSE west has the necessary funds to replace equipment (details supplied); if not, when it will be provided with the funds; the specific time span for the provision of the equipment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33216/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
145. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of the increase in the mental health budget for 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33219/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe allocation for Mental Health in 2017 will be €851.3 million, an increase of €24.7 million, or approximately 3%, over 2016. In addition, a further €50 million will be provided for the construction of the new national forensic mental health service in Portrane.
I am initiating €35 million in new services in 2017. Key priorities to be addressed in the HSE's 2017 Service Plan include youth mental health, further improvement to child & adolescent and adult services, older people's services and further enhanced out of hours response for those in need of urgent services. Recognising the time lag in new staff taking up posts and the completion of preparations for the introduction of these services, it is estimated that the revenue spend in 2017 associated with this increased allocation will be some €15 million. There will also be a further additional spend of €9.7 million in mental health associated with increased pay rates.
146. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health when he will visit a home (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33220/16]
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.
In June 2011, the Report “Time to Move on from Congregated Settings” was published by the Health Service Executive (HSE), which identified that in 2008 approximately 4000 individuals with disabilities lived in congregated type settings. These are places where ten or more people reside in a single living unit or are campus based. It found that, notwithstanding the commitment and initiative of dedicated staff and management, there were a significant number of people still experiencing institutional living conditions where they lacked basic privacy and dignity, and lived their lives apart from any community and family.
Currently, 2725 people live in congregated settings and our objective is to reduce this figure by one-third by 2021 and ultimately, to eliminate all congregated settings.
St John of God Services in Kerry has been identified as one of the priority sites for de-congregation. The HSE is committed to working with St John of God Services to transition 17 residents in ward style accommodation from the current unsuitable accommodation on campus to more appropriate settings in the local community. Comprehensive transition plans will ensure that there is extensive engagement with the person themselves, their families, carers and advocates, as well as the service provider, to ensure successful and sustainable transitions into the community.
Some of the existing residents will benefit from greater opportunities to participate in local communities and will, over time and with proper planning, move to living in the community. It is important to point out that it is Government and HSE policy to move on from these congregated settings in the best interests of patients but this will be done in a planned and phased way and with due regard to the personal choices of every individual. The welfare and dignity of residents is absolutely paramount, and the needs of the individual will be the first consideration.
The focus of the HSE has been on enhancing the quality of life of residents and highlighting the residents who would most obviously benefit from the opportunity to move to community living. In doing so, the HSE are recognising that for some individuals with significant disabilities, this move presents greater challenges and will not be considered for some time.
The Chief Officer has arranged to meet in early November with St John of God management to ensure that communication and engagement with families is improved and that the appropriate discovery processes are in place in advance of plans for any individuals to move to community living, and with the family representatives group to ensure their concerns are being heard and that there is a process in place to work together with them and the service provider into the future in the best interests of the residents.
I am satisfied that the appropriate level of engagement is now underway between St John of Gods and the HSE with the residents, their advocates, and their families. It would be appropriate to allow this process to conclude before considering a visit to the Beaufort campus.
As the HSE is responsible for leading out on the recommendations on "Time to Move on from Congregated Settings - A Strategy for Community Inclusion", I have arranged for the Deputy's question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
147. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on correspondence concerning a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33224/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy's 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.
148. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the status of the review into paramedic services in the mid-west; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33226/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the HSE to reply directly to you.
149. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of home help hours for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33233/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
150. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway has been issued with a hospital bill for respite care; if he will confirm that persons availing of this service are entitled to 30 days respite free of charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33235/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraLong stay charges for in-patient services apply to the further provision of inpatient services, other than acute services and nursing home services in public nursing homes supported under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme (Fair Deal) to persons who have already received at least 30 days of in-patient services during the immediately preceding 12-month period, irrespective of where those 30 days of in-patient services have been received.
Charges for the maintenance element of long stay inpatient services - which may include inpatient respite care services - are provided for under the Health (Amendment) Act 2005 and the Health (Charges for Inpatient Services) Regulations 2005, as amended.
The Regulations provide for two different classes of income-based charges in respect of the maintenance element of the in-patient services provided:
- Class 1 relates to charges for those receiving in-patient services on premises where 24-hour nursing care is provided, subject to a current maximum of €175 per week for a person whose income is €208 or more; and
- Class 2 charges apply where 24-hour nursing care is not provided, subject to a current maximum of €130 per week for a person whose income is €194 or more.
Affordability and the avoidance of financial hardship are built-in features of the charging provisions under the 2005 Act and Regulations:
- Firstly, the Act caps the amount which may be charged – at 80% of the non-contributory State Pension weekly rate. At present, that means an upper limit of €177.60 per week.
- Secondly, the charges are structured to ensure that those paying them retain a reasonable income for personal use: at least €33 per week for those paying Class 1 rates and at least €64 per week for those paying Class 2 rates.
- Thirdly, the Act provides that the HSE may reduce or waive a charge imposed on a person if necessary to avoid undue financial hardship.
To assist in the fair application of the provisions of the 2005 Act and Regulations, the HSE has developed national guidelines for the determination of long-stay charges for inpatient services. These include the need to have regard to the individual circumstances of each service user and his or her dependants. The guidelines ensure that the applicable charge is determined taking account of each person’s income and necessary outgoings while receiving care, including reasonable regular financial commitments. This avoids any unfair burden on the service user or his or her dependants.
As the issue raised by the Deputy relates to an individual case, this is a service matter for the Health Service Executive. I have asked the HSE to look into the particular matter raised and to reply directly 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.
151. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if there are plans in place to reduce opening times and services provided at the emergency department in Our Lady's, Hospital Navan. [33249/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraOur Lady’s Hospital Navan is part of the Ireland East Hospital Group. Hospital Groups must increasingly focus on networks of service provision with smaller hospitals managing routine, urgent or planned care locally, more complex care managed in the larger hospitals and better linkages with primary, continuing and social care.
A number of developments at the hospital have been funded in recent years including the refurbishment of the Emergency Department and upgrade of general theatres and Central Sterile Services. There has also been an increase in day surgical activity, with surgeons from the Mater Misercordiae University Hospital carrying out day surgery in Navan. Further developments in relation to surgery and other clinical services are being considered by the Group. There is significant potential for enhancing the hospital’s role as a constituent hospital within the Hospital Group. As a smaller hospital, the challenge is to make sure that Navan provides more of the right type of services, which can safely be delivered, so that we maximise the benefit to patients.
Any proposed change to services provided at Navan Hospital, will need to take account of existing patient flows, demands in other hospitals and the need to develop particular services in the context of overall service reorganisation in the Hospital Group.
152. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of medical cards as of 1 October 2016; the number of general practitioner cards on the same date; and the number for each type of card issued on a discretionary basis on that date. [33250/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe following are Medical Card and General Practitioner Visit Card figures as of 1 October 2016, as requested by the Deputy:
|
Card Type |
Total Cards |
|
Medical cards |
1,705,791 |
|
of which granted involving discretion |
111,904 |
|
GP Visit cards |
463,901 |
|
of which granted involving discretion |
44,320 |
153. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his views on the recent admission that three out of four of the country’s rehabilitation hospitals are unable to provide stroke patients with the recommended level of therapy needed. [33251/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
154. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his views on the recent national stroke audit and the action his Department and the HSE will take to address the deficiencies identified in it. [33252/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Stroke Audit of Rehabilitation Units (2016) acknowledged that the care of people with stroke in Ireland has improved since the HSE established its National Clinical Programme for Stroke in 2010. The audit noted that stroke deaths in Ireland have reduced by more than 15% and that the emergency care for stroke patients provided in most Irish acute hospitals is now quite good.
In effect:
- Fewer stroke patients are dying in hospital;
- Fewer stroke patients are being discharged to nursing homes;
- More patients are being discharged home directly from acute hospitals;
- Emergency thrombolysis is provided now to patients in all regions of the country;
- Since the commencement of the National Clinical Programme for Stroke, nine new stroke units have been opened. This brings the total number of stroke units in acute hospitals to twenty one representing good progress from the single unit available that was reported in 2008.
This is good news for stroke services and the findings from this particular audit would suggest a number of recommendations including:
- Dedicated stroke rehabilitation beds should be increased;
- Increasing the number of Health and Social Care Professionals to ensure patients receive appropriate levels of therapy to achieve the best recovery outcome;
- Investing in psychology services;
- Increasing the number of Early Supported Discharge (ESD) /community rehabilitation teams to ensure appropriate patients do not remain in hospital/rehabilitation units longer than is necessary. (Three ESD pilot sites are already in operation at the Mater, Tallaght and Galway University Hospital)
This audit from the HSE’s National Clinical Programme for Stroke and the Irish Heart Foundation, along with its suggested recommendations, are now available to the HSE for review when framing its National Service Plan for 2017 in the context of the resources available to it. Some of these suggested recommendations were also considered as part of the Estimates process.
155. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a person (details supplied) received a ANC payment in the years 2011 and 2012. [33069/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that payments under the 2011 and 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme were processed on 16 November 2011 and 19 November 2012 respectively. Debts due to my Department arising under a number of schemes were offset against these payments.
