Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:1254. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when a cataract operation will be scheduled for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1439/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraHospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (1254)
Freagraí 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 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.
Question No. 1255 answered with Question No. 798.
Meals-on-Wheels Services
Ceisteanna (1256)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:1256. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the meals on wheels service, which is indispensable to many elderly persons, is to be discontinued in the Dún Laoghaire area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1443/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (1257)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:1257. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of the position concerning a scenario (details supplied) in Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1445/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
Mental Health Services
Ceisteanna (1258)
James Browne
Ceist:1258. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a map indicating the individual geographical areas of each CAMHS team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1448/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Hospital Staff Recruitment
Ceisteanna (1259)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:1259. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the expected additional number of nurses and midwives the HSE expects to hire in the Cavan and Monaghan Hospital group following the Christmas recruitment drive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1451/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The HSE has open recruitment campaigns running continuously with no closing date to ensure that all eligible applicants for nursing posts can apply at any time to work in hospitals throughout the country. National HR HSE ran an open recruitment event from 28 to 30 December in Dr Steevens’ Hospital for nurses and midwives from all disciplines who were interested in working in the Irish Public Health Service. 220 attended the event. 115 nursing and midwifery candidates were deemed successful and panelled following interview. A number of attendees attended the event to register their interest in future opportunities. The files for successful candidates have passed to the contracting unit within National Recruitment Service, Manorhamilton. This event will be followed by a series of careers events for nurses throughout 2017 with the next one scheduled for 31 March 2017.
The allocation of staff is determined by service requirements. Funding exists to facilitate nursing and midwifery recruitment in Cavan and Monaghan General Hospitals under the HSE service plan. I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
Question No. 1260 answered with Question No. 884.
General Practitioner Services Provision
Ceisteanna (1261)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:1261. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the plans in place to replace general practitioners in rural Ireland who are coming close to retirement age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1461/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Government is committed to ensuring that patients throughout the country continue to have access to GP services, especially in remote rural areas and also in certain disadvantaged urban areas, and that general practice is sustainable in such areas into the future. It is imperative that existing GP services in these areas are retained and that general practice remains an attractive career option for newly-qualified GPs.
The Programme for Partnership Government commits to increasing the number of GP training places to 259 places annually. In July 2016, the GP training intake increased from 157 to 172 places and the HSE's 2017 National Service Plan envisages a further increase, to 187 places this year. I am anxious to achieve further increases in future years in order to ensure that the future manpower needs of general practice can be met.
Further efforts undertaken in recent years to increase the number of practising GPs include changes to the entry provisions to the GMS scheme to accommodate more flexible/shared GMS/GP contracts, and to the retirement provisions for GPs under the GMS scheme, allowing GPs to hold GMS contracts until their 72nd birthday, as well as the introduction of an enhanced supports package for rural GP practices. These steps should help to address the future demand for GPs by enticing GPs who may have ceased practising for family or other reasons back into the workforce, facilitating GPs to work past the standard retirement age and encouraging more GPs to work in rural areas.
In addition, I am cognisant of the need for a new GP services contract which will help modernise our health service and develop a strengthened primary care sector, and health service management have already progressed a number of significant measures through engagement with GP representatives. Preparations for the next phase of discussions on a new GP contract are underway. The GP contract review process will, inter alia, seek to introduce further measures aimed at making general practice a fulfilling and rewarding career option into the future.
Home Help Service Data
Ceisteanna (1262, 1263)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:1262. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the way in which the HSE is designating home help hours to its external and agency carers in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1464/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraNiamh Smyth
Ceist:1263. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for persons waiting on the allocation of home help hours in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1465/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1262 and 1263 together.
As these are service matters they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Treatment Abroad Scheme
Ceisteanna (1264, 1309)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:1264. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will request the HSE to intervene to ensure that treatment is received in Northern Ireland in relation to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1467/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Billy Kelleher
Ceist:1309. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if treatment for a person (details supplied) under the treatment abroad scheme is still available and sanctioned for Belfast; if, following the initial three months' treatment, the person can continue infusions at another location in Northern Ireland, in view of capacity issues in Belfast; if he will provide a full list of locations in Northern Ireland where other patients that have been released from the hospital in Belfast have continued their infusions in order that the person can select the most convenient location to travel to; if, in the event that the person cannot be facilitated in Northern Ireland after the three months, the HSE will facilitate the infusions here under the treatment abroad scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1629/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1264 and 1309 together.
The HSE operates a Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS), for persons entitled to treatment in another EU/EEA Member State or Switzerland under EU Regulation 883/04, as per the procedures set out in EU Regulation 987/09, and in accordance with Department of Health Guidelines. Patients apply to the HSE TAS seeking access to public healthcare outside the State through model form E112. The application requires the patient's Irish-based public referring hospital consultant, following clinical assessment, to certify, among other things, that the treatment is medically necessary and will meet the patient’s needs. The treatment must not be available within the State or not available within a time normally necessary for obtaining it.
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 HSE has been asked to further examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (1265)
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:1265. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal can expect to receive an appointment for an operation at Letterkenny University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1477/17]
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 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 (1266)
Robert Troy
Ceist:1266. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) can be scheduled for an operation. [1479/17]
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 you directly.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (1267)
Robert Troy
Ceist:1267. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) can be scheduled for an operation. [1480/17]
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 you directly.
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland
Ceisteanna (1268)
Mary Butler
Ceist:1268. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health the number of applications received in 2016 by An Bord Altranais for registration as general, paediatric, intellectual disability and psychiatric nurses; the number of each still awaiting a decision on their application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1488/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I wish to thank the Deputy for the matter raised.
Given that this is an operational matter, it is appropriate that it should be dealt with by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI). I have referred the Deputy's question to the NMBI for attention and direct reply within 10 working days.
Questions Nos. 1269 and 1270 answered with Question No. 814.
Primary Care Centres Data
Ceisteanna (1271)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:1271. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of staff, by grade, who will be employed in the new primary care centre in Balbriggan; the services they will provide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1508/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
Primary Care Centres Provision
Ceisteanna (1272)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:1272. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the exact opening date for the primary care centre in Balbriggan; the services that will be available when this service opens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1509/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
Primary Care Services Provision
Ceisteanna (1273)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:1273. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if the new primary care centre in Balbriggan will offer scans; if so, the precise type of scans that will be available, for example, MRI, ultrasound and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1510/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.