Written Answers Nos. 874-893
874. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the number of inpatient hospital cancellations at Cork University Hospital in each of the years from 2013 to 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41166/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this particular query relates to a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
875. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the number of inpatients and outpatients who did not attend appointments at Cork University Hospital in each of the years from 2013 to 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41167/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this particular query relates to a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
876. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the number of theatres operational at Cork University Hospital in each of the years from 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41168/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this particular query relates to a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
879. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the number of times the full capacity protocol was initiated at Cork University Hospital in each of the years from 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41172/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this particular query relates to a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
880. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the psychological and medical interventions and supports which have been provided to a person (details supplied) who is on remand in Cloverhill Prison; if he will liaise with the Department of Justice and Equality urgently to provide the person with the necessary psychiatric medical intervention and admission to the Central Mental Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41175/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
881. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in admitting a person (details supplied) to the Central Mental Hospital; when the person can expect to be admitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41176/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
882. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding an ambulance service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41177/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
883. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 413 of October 2016, the funding streams which will be made available to community groups and businesses to deliver the actions of the obesity policy and action plan for 2017; when available funding streams will open for applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41178/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraA Healthy Weight for Ireland – Obesity Policy and Action Plan, 2016 – 2025, contains 60 actions which will be implemented, monitored and evaluated over the lifetime of the policy.
The Department of Health is currently engaging with the Health Service Executive (HSE) in the development of the HSE service plan. Key elements include the development of prevention and treatment services and the implementation of the HSE’s ‘Healthy Eating, Active Living’ (HEAL) programme which will include investing in evidence based community projects and work.
The HSE provide funding to community and non-profit groups for projects/programmes of work that address obesity prevention for example; Programmes and activities that promote participation in health enhancing physical activity - which include Parkrun, Community Games and the network of Local Sports Partnerships; Capacity building and support for the provision of community based breastfeeding support for mothers which includes La Leche League, CUIDIU, Friends of Breastfeeding; Support for the delivery of community based cooking programmes such as Healthy Food Made Easy/Cook-It which includes a number of Local Area Partnership Companies and support for National non-profit organisations to deliver health promotion programmes that address lifestyle and behaviour changes in communities, schools and workplaces.
2017 funding arrangements for similar projects are currently under review.
884. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if his Department has considered the inclusion of devices such as (details supplied) in the monitoring of patients with diabetes on the long-term illness scheme; if he will consider its inclusion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41183/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra889. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health if he will investigate making the FreeStyle Libre available on the long-term illness scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41232/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra904. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health his plans to include the FreeStyle Libre device for diabetics on the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41282/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra969. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) raised in correspondence regarding the availability of the FreeStyle Libre device on the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41416/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra1043. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health if he will consider adding the FreeStyle Libre device for blood sugar monitoring for diabetics to the list of approved medications on the long-term illness scheme. [41752/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra1119. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health his plans to approve the FreeStyle Libre scanner for children with diabetes on the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1016/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1125. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health the consideration his Department and the HSE have given to placing provision of the FreeStyle Libre diabetes analytic tool on the long-term illness classification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1076/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1150. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health if he will include a device used by those with type 1 diabetes (details supplied) on the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1182/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1260. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if the FreeStyle Libre glucose monitoring system will be approved under the GMS and long-term illness schemes for use by diabetics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1456/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1288. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that flash glucose monitoring systems are available on the long-term illness scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1566/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1299. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health when the HSE will consider including a new blood glucose monitoring system using skin sensors; when the HSE is due to meet the manufacturers of the FreeStyle Libre; if he will provide an update on this meeting; if the manufacturer has made a completed application to the HSE for reimbursement of the device under the community drugs scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1592/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1300. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health the reason the FreeStyle Libre device is not on the long-term illness scheme; if he will consider approving the device on the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1593/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1314. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if the FreeStyle Libre device will be added to the long-term illness scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1694/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 884, 889, 904, 969, 1043, 1119, 1125, 1150, 1260, 1288, 1299, 1300 and 1314 together.
The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicinal devices 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 Deputies.
885. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae 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. [41187/16]
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.
886. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health when his Department will provide a person (details supplied) with the appropriate autism specific residential service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41227/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
887. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position on capital funding for a new gastroenterology centre at Mercy University Hospital, Cork; if the HSE is supportive of this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41228/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this particular query relates to a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
888. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position on capital funding for the refurbishment of the radiology department at Mercy University Hospital, Cork, including the replacement of equipment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41229/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this particular query relates to a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
890. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if wearable flash sensor monitoring technology for the purpose of blood glucose monitoring and glucose testing is available through the long-term illness scheme; if not, his plans to include the device as part of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41244/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra1298. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to developments in the management of type 1 diabetes which eliminate the need for finger prick tests in place of a new blood glucose monitoring system using skin sensors; if he will consider the inclusion of this new blood glucose monitoring system using skin sensors on the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1591/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 890 and 1298 together.
The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicinal devices 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.
891. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in County Donegal received a review letter in respect of home help provisions; if he will take into account the age and health of the person involved as part of these formal review proceedings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41250/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
892. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the hospitals designated as Ireland's major trauma centres and when these will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41252/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe development of the trauma policy is a joint initiative from the Department of Health and the HSE, in recognition that we do not have a coordinated trauma network structure in Ireland. The focus for the development of a policy direction in relation to the strategic organisation of Ireland’s trauma service is to ensure that patients have access to the specific safe, high quality trauma services they need. The primary aim will be to improve patient outcomes and lead to a reduction in preventable death and disability.
The development of the policy is still work in progress and the group has not yet made any recommendations. It is expected the Group's report will be completed in early 2017.
893. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if the children's research and innovation centre, CRIC, (details supplied) is being built by the national paediatric hospital development board; when it is being built; the body which will own it; the body which is paying for it; if it is an integral part of the national children's hospital; if this is provided for in legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41253/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraExcellence in modern paediatric practice cannot be achieved without an embedded culture of, and focus on, research, education and innovation. The new children’s hospital and satellite centres will be a research-intensive academic healthcare institution. To deliver this vision, the main facilities for research and innovation will be located at the Children’s Research and Innovation Centre (CRIC) on the St James’s campus.
The planning, design and building of the facility will be managed by the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board. The site for CRIC is owned by the HSE. Planning permission has been obtained for this development, which has been designed as a separate building on the St James’s campus located adjacent to existing research facilities in order to optimise campus research synergies. The CRIC facility will be located adjacent to the Institute of Molecular Medicine, a cross university facility which delivers both undergraduate and postgraduate education and has a strong research platform in cancer, infection and immunity and neurosciences. This direct adjacency reflects one of the many and significant opportunities being leveraged by co-locating on the campus with St James’s Hospital, with its rich history in clinical research.
The potential for contribution to the cost of research facilities from the existing children’s research organisations, universities and the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation is to be explored. Commencement of construction of this separate building will be dependent on securing the necessary funding. Preliminary scoping of philanthropic potential, including consultation with international experts, confirms expectations that significant philanthropic funding can be secured for the project at a multiple of the costs of the research and education spaces.
The legislation for the children’s hospital body is currently being developed by my Department and includes authority for children’s research.
