Written Answers Nos. 186-205
186. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if a comprehensive investigation into the June 2010 controversy regarding misread ultrasound scans was ever undertaken; the outcome of that investigation; and the actions that were taken subsequently to ensure that such mistakes would not recur. [39259/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to this particular query, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
187. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the beneficiaries from the name change of a hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39260/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to this particular query, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
188. 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. [39265/16]
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.
189. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health the services that are now operating in the new Corduff primary care centre in Dublin 15; the number of staff located there; the number of staff yet to be transferred there; when the child and adult mental health services are to be relocated there from Cherry Orchard Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39281/16]
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.
190. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health the services that are now operating from the new Navan Road primary health care centre in Dublin 7; the number of staff located there; the number of staff yet to be transferred there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39282/16]
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.
191. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health when work will commence on the new paediatric OPD and urgent care satellite centre in Blanchardstown Hospital; the number of patients to be provided for; when it is scheduled to open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39283/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraPlanning permission was granted for the new children’s hospital, as well as for two Paediatric OPD and Urgent Care Satellite Centres at Tallaght and Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown, in April of this year, clearing the way for enabling works which began this summer on the campus of St. James's Hospital. The National Paediatric Hospital Development Board is currently evaluating the tenders, received at the end of October, for the main and specialist contractors for the new children’s hospital and for the two satellite centres. It is expected that the contracts for the satellite centres at Tallaght and Connolly Hospital will be awarded in Q1 2017 and that the centres can open in 2018, significantly enhancing access to urgent care and outpatient services for children from the Greater Dublin Area. Building work on the main site is expected to be completed by 2020.
The satellite centres will be an integral part of, and come under the governance of, the new children’s hospital. This will include staffing, quality assurance, education and training, and branding. In addition, staff of the main hospital will rotate through the centres.
Each centre will provide urgent care as well as secondary outpatient services including rapid access general paediatric clinics. The aim is to improve geographic access to urgent care for children in the Greater Dublin Area and support primary and community care paediatrics, as well as reducing Emergency Department and outpatient attendance at the main site.
Each centre will provide consultant-led urgent care from staff of the new children’s hospital with observation beds (4-6 hour) and appropriate diagnostics. Each centre is projected to deal with 25,000 urgent care attendances per annum.
The satellite centres will also provide general community and paediatric clinics including developmental paediatrics, multidisciplinary care for children with chronic stable conditions and other outpatient services. Each centre is expected to cater for a minimum of 15,000 outpatient attendances per annum.
Child sexual abuse unit examination, observation and therapy rooms will be provided in the satellite centres. The satellite centre at Blanchardstown will also include two HSE paediatric care primary care dental services operating theatres.
192. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health the number of home help hours to be allocated to the Dublin 15 and Dublin 7 areas under the HSE’s 2017 work programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39284/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe level of health services to be provided next year, including homecare targets, will be set out in the Health Service Executive 2017 National Service Plan, which is expected to be finalised shortly.
193. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health if he will support an application from an addiction services provider (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39324/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith effect from 1 January 2014, operational and financial responsibility for the Kildare West Wicklow Community Addiction Services Ltd. was transferred to the HSE. In the circumstances, I have referred this matter to the HSE for direct reply.
194. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health the length of time it is taking for those persons waiting for methadone assessment in County Kildare; the way in which this waiting list and waiting times compares to Dublin and other counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39328/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
196. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a person (details supplied) who requires an increased supply of oxygen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39330/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
197. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied) requesting the immediate availability on the long-term illness scheme list of the freestyle libre device; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39331/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicinal products under the community drug schemes in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
198. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the action that will be taken on the waiting time for MRI scans (details supplied). [39334/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis Government is committed to improving waiting times for patients. While recognising that demand for acute hospital services has increased, the important issue for patients is how long they wait.
I recently approved the allocation of €0.5m of Contingency Funding from the Winter Initiative towards the purchase of CT and MRI capacity to support increased access for inpatient diagnostics with an associated benefit in terms of bed utilisation and length of stay.
Also in August, I asked the HSE to develop a Waiting List Action Plan for 2016 to reduce by year end the number of patients waiting over 18 months for an inpatient or daycase procedure. The HSE have indicated that since then more than 8,000 patients have been taken off from waiting lists nationally.
Regarding outpatient waiting lists in particular, the HSE recently launched the Strategy for the design of Integrated Outpatient Services 2016-2020. It seeks to improve waiting times for outpatient services by enhancing patient referral pathways and utilising technology to enable better planning.
Budget 2017 provides for the treatment of our longest-waiting patients. €20m is being allocated to the NTPF in 2017, rising to €55m in 2018. Planning of these initiatives is currently being finalised. I will shortly be asking the HSE to develop a Waiting List Action Plan for 2017, working collaboratively with the NTPF, to address inpatient, daycase and also outpatient waiting times.
199. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the number of State boards under the remit of his Department or its agencies, in tabular form; the total number of members of each board; the number of women on each board; and the percentage of each board that is made up of women. [39347/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 16 of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards states that compliance with the Government Decision of 23 July 2014 on Gender Balance on State Boards is an essential requirement for all State Boards. This requirement is for a minimum of 40% of both men and women appointed as Ministerial representatives to all State Boards. My Department in conjunction with the Public Appointments Service (PAS) currently seeks expressions of interest for membership of boards as vacancies arise, where I, as Minister for Health, have nominating rights under relevant legislation. In considering applications made through PAS due regard is given to Government policy on gender balance on State Boards.
I also appoint members on the nomination of various bodies, again in accordance with the relevant legislation. The external body is requested, where practical, to nominate both a male and female nominee. In so far as possible when making appointments to State Boards, I endeavour to ensure an appropriate balance between men and women.
The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table.
|
Board |
Total Serving Membership |
Women |
% Of Total |
|
Beaumont Hospital Board |
11 |
6 |
55% |
|
Consultative Council on Hepatitis C |
0 |
0 |
0% |
|
Dental Council |
19 |
5 |
26% |
|
Dietitians Registration Board |
10 |
6 |
60% |
|
Dublin Dental Hospital Board |
12 |
6 |
50% |
|
Food Safety Authority Of Ireland |
10 |
4 |
40% |
|
Health and Social Care Professionals Council |
23 |
12 |
52% |
|
Health Information and Quality Authority |
12 |
8 |
67% |
|
Health Insurance Authority |
5 |
2 |
40% |
|
Health Products Regulatory Authority (Formerly IMB) |
9 |
4 |
44% |
|
Health Research Board |
10 |
3 |
30% |
|
Irish Blood Transfusion Service |
12 |
6 |
50% |
|
Leopardstown Park Hospital Board |
7 |
4 |
57% |
|
Medical Council |
25 |
12 |
48% |
|
Medical Scientists Registration Board |
12 |
8 |
67% |
|
Mental Health Commission |
13 |
8 |
62% |
|
National Cancer Registry Board |
7 |
4 |
57% |
|
National Haemophilia Council |
11 |
6 |
55% |
|
National Paediatric Hospital Development Board |
12 |
3 |
25% |
|
National Treatment Purchase Fund Board |
9 |
3 |
33% |
|
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland |
22 |
11 |
50% |
|
Occupational Therapists Registration Board |
9 |
6 |
67% |
|
Optical Registration Board |
12 |
5 |
42% |
|
Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland Council |
21 |
10 |
48% |
|
Physiotherapists Registration Board |
10 |
6 |
60% |
|
Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council |
9 |
2 |
22% |
|
Radiographers Registration Board |
13 |
10 |
77% |
|
Social Care Workers Registration Board |
13 |
4 |
31% |
|
Social Worker's Registration Board |
11 |
5 |
46% |
|
Speech and Language Therapists Registration Board |
9 |
8 |
89% |
|
St. James's Hospital Board |
11 |
3 |
27% |
|
Tallaght Hospital Board |
11 |
4 |
36% |
|
Voluntary Health Insurance Board |
11 |
3 |
27% |
|
Total |
391 |
187 |
48% |
In relation to the Consultative Council on Hepatitis C and the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council I hope to be in a position to proceed to make appointments in the coming weeks.
200. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of home help in respect of persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39354/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
201. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health if he has received correspondence from a person (details supplied) regarding the death of their child in a maternity hospital; if he has made inquiries of the maternity hospital in relation to the case; the recourse available to the person to establish the causes and circumstances of their child's death; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39357/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of correspondence from the individual concerned and I have written to personally express my deepest sympathies to the family.
I understand that the death of the child occurred in Temple Street Hospital and Temple Street Hospital has been in contact with the family a number of times to discuss and clarify the circumstances of their child's death, post-mortem and burial, and has issued an apology. I hope that the information provided by the hospital has been of some assistance has provided some solace for the family.
I regret to say that my Department is not in a position to provide further information other than that already provided directly by Temple Street hospital. However, if the family wishes to pursue the matter further, it is open to them to contact the HSE Director of Advocacy and the Ombudsman/Ombudsman for Children, in line with the complaints process details, of which are on the HSE website, at http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/yourhealthservice/feedback/complaints/.
202. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding provided for Cheeverstown House each year for the past five years; if the funding model has changed in this period; if additional funds have been provided to fund renovations to respite care wards since 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39361/16]
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.
The Programme for Partnership Government states that the Government wishes to provide more accessible respite care to facilitate full support for people with a disability.
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters for the the Health Service Executive (HSE), I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
203. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a sinus examination appointment in respect of a person (details supplied). [39367/16]
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.
204. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an operation will be scheduled in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39368/16]
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.
205. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an appointment for necessary orthodontic treatment in respect of a person (details supplied). [39369/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
