Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:1014. 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. [41576/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraHospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (1014)
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 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 the Deputy directly.
Speech and Language Therapy Provision
Ceisteanna (1015)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:1015. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a speech therapy appointment in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41589/16]
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.
Occupational Therapy
Ceisteanna (1016)
Jackie Cahill
Ceist:1016. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health if he will address the lack of resources in St. Mary’s medical clinic, Thurles, County Tipperary, namely, the lack of an occupational therapist, which is making it impossible for staff to do their work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41594/16]
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.
Medical Card Reviews
Ceisteanna (1017)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:1017. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the reason persons (details supplied) were not informed of a medical card review; and the way in which their application was calculated incorrectly [41598/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for Members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information was issued to Oireachtas Members.
State Claims Agency
Ceisteanna (1018, 1019)
Clare Daly
Ceist:1018. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the specific number of maternity cases involved in the State Claims Agency damages payout in each of the years 2007 to 2014 of €282,883,052 [41604/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraClare Daly
Ceist:1019. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the number of the maternity cases involved in the State Claims Agency damages payout in each of the years 2007 to 2014 that are bound by confidentiality agreements. [41605/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1018 and 1019 together.
A total of €282,883,052 was paid in damages in cases relating to 'Maternity Services' through the State Claims Agency between the transactional years 2007 and 2015.
The State Claims Agency has informed my officials that damages payments were made on 450 separate claims involving the 'Maternity Services' during this transactional period. It is important to note that payments may be made in relation to a single case across multiple transactional years. This is reflected in the table below which shows a total of 489 payments for those 450 separate claims. A breakdown of the amounts paid each year is set out below.
|
Year of transaction |
Number of Claims for which Damages payments were made |
Payment – Damages (including special and general damages) |
|
2007 |
15 |
€6,306,100 |
|
2008 |
35 |
€19,173,135 |
|
2009 |
38 |
€12,304,382 |
|
2010 |
54 |
€23,988,384 |
|
2011 |
61 |
€29,574,808 |
|
2012 |
55 |
€22,317,384 |
|
2013 |
69 |
€44,619,121 |
|
2014 |
61 |
€40,471,681 |
|
2015 |
101 |
€84,118,059 |
|
Total |
489* |
€282,883,052 |
*Payments may be made in relation to a single case across multiple transactional years.
The State Claims Agency has also informed me that it settles very few claims that are subject to a confidentiality agreement, with the exception of cases settled through mediation. The agency does not formally record settlements that are bound by a confidentiality clause on its IT system.
National Drugs Strategy
Ceisteanna (1020)
Joan Collins
Ceist:1020. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health his plans for the community pillar to have a direct input into the national drugs strategy; and his plans for it to have an integral role in the process of developing the future national drugs strategy. [41606/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Government policy on tackling the drug problem is set out in the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016. The Strategy is a cross cutting area of public policy and service delivery, which requires a coordinated response to tackling the drug problem, involving the statutory, community and voluntary sectors. Accordingly, the community sector is represented on the institutional structures that have been established to support the coordination of the current Strategy.
As the Deputy will be aware, a Steering Committee has been established to advise me on the development of a new National Drugs Strategy from 2017 onwards. The Committee has been mandated to develop an integrated public health approach to substance misuse. The community sector is represented on the Steering Committee, and on each of the four Focus Groups established to advise the Committee on measures to address gaps in the current response to the drug problem.
While the format of the new Strategy has not yet been agreed by the Steering Committee, I very much agree on the importance of maintaining a focus on communities in the new Strategy. The Department is currently developing a performance measurement framework for Drug and Alcohol Task Forces, which should provide a more objective way of targeting funding allocations, having regard to the drugs situation and demographic factors in Task Force areas. This work will feed into the new Strategy and help to ensure that in future resources are directed towards communities facing a higher risk of substance misuse.
I understand that the Steering Committee are continuing their deliberations and I look forward to receiving their final report on the new drugs Strategy in the coming months.
Hospital Services
Ceisteanna (1021)
David Cullinane
Ceist:1021. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans to put in place a mobile cath laboratory for University Hospital Waterford as confirmed by the Minister for State in an interview (details supplied); the cost of such a measure; the staffing arrangements; the report, internal or external or both, which led to this plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41617/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In recent weeks, the South/South West Hospital Group (SSWHG) has made very significant progress to address cardiology waiting lists at University Hospital Waterford (UHW). Waiting list data, compiled and published by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) earlier this week, provide evidence that the cardiology waiting list at the hospital has reduced by almost 20% since the end of November, and the number of persons waiting longer than a year has reduced by some 66%. By year end, a total of 489 patients remained on the NTPF list, with no patient waiting longer than 18 months.
The focus on the cardiology waiting list will continue in 2017. The SSWHG has a robust plan in place to address the remaining backlog which involves access to cath lab capacity across the region. In addition, as recommended in the Herity Report, an additional €.5m funding has been provided to UHW in 2017 which will enable the hospital to provide 2 additional cath lab sessions (8 hours) per week. I am advised that patients waiting over 12 months will have their procedures completed in the first 8 weeks of 2017; patients waiting 3 – 12 months will have their procedures completed by June 2017.
Budget 2017 makes specific provision for those patients waiting longest for treatment within the health service. In this context, I am considering a national cardiology waiting list initiative which will address waiting times for cardiology treatments in a number of hospitals, including UHW. A range of measures are envisaged including sharing of facilities and resources amongst public hospitals, use of private facilities and the deployment of a mobile cath lab for specific periods in specific locations. Further detail will be available in the coming weeks.
Hospital Records
Ceisteanna (1022)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:1022. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding hospital records; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41618/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I thank the Deputy for this question and I share his urgency and his appreciation for the vital importance of electronic health records in supporting integrated patient-centred care and in strengthening patient safety and health outcomes across the entire health and social care system. This is an area of significant priority that my Department is actively progressing in partnership with the HSE and the health services.
The importance of, and the opportunity for, eHealth or digital health to support health care reform and the delivery of a modern health care system has been recognised for quite some time. In 2013, the Government approved and published a strategy for developing eHealth capability in the Irish health system called the eHealth strategy for Ireland, 2013. This strategy sets out a number of objectives and a road map for the delivery and implementation of eHealth for the benefit of patients. The Government eHealth strategy draws heavily on and incorporates many aspects of the work done by the EU Task Force set up in 2011 to look at the potential for eHealth. A number of the elements of the strategy have been progressed with the recruitment of a Chief Information Officer within the HSE to lead out on eHealth initiatives, the development of a system of identifiers with a legal basis with the passing of the Health Identifiers Act 2014 and the development by the HSE of an EHR (Electronic Health Record) business case.
The Health Identifiers Act, passed in July 2014, provides for a system of identification for patients, professionals and providers in support of patient safety and administrative efficiency. The implementation of an Individual Health Identifier (IHI) for Ireland will allow the identification of patients in multiple health settings, both public and private, in a secure and confidential way and will support improved patient safety.
A core deliverable for eHealth is the development of a longitudinal patient record that incorporates a patient identifier. The Electronic Health Record programme has a number of components to allow for patient information to be shared across the primary, community and acute care settings to deliver modern, safe and efficient patient care. Utilising the Individual Health Identifier to integrate the information, they can underpin a more sophisticated and patient-centred model of connected health. With regard to Electronic Health Records, the Office of the Chief Information Officer has submitted a detailed business case for a national electronic health record programme for Ireland. My Department is currently evaluating how this might be progressed particularly in delivering an EHR in the context of the work being planned for the New Children’s Hospital which aspires to be the first digital hospital facility in the country. In developing a national electronic health record programme we must build on the progress to date in ICT deployment and also the lessons learnt from other jurisdictions in developing an optimum solution for Ireland. I hope to bring proposals to Government shortly on how this plan might be progressed.
My Department currently participates in a number of forums including the EU eHealth Network in the context of digital services in support of the Cross-Border Directive (Directive 2011/24/EU) on the application of patients’ rights in cross-border healthcare and furthering the eHealth agenda on issues such as interoperability and common standards for the exchange of information in support of patient care.
The delivery of digital health care services and the roll out of an electronic health record (EHR) will require a robust legal framework to ensure confidentiality and security of patient data consistent with the new EU data protection regulation, Regulation (EU) 2016/679. The new EU regulations (General Data Protection Regulation) will have a significant effect on how and where data is gathered and the purpose for which it is used. My Department is currently examining the appropriate information framework that will provide the optimum environment to support eHealth and the deployment of electronic health records in the future. The health care delivery system requires a robust information governance environment to ensure the right information about the right patient is available securely, in the right place and at the right time. The confidentiality of health data and the right of citizens to privacy must always be respected while at the same time be balanced against the health needs of the individual and the use of health data for the greater good of society. These are complex and demanding issues which must be addressed in the context of the Health Information and Patient Safety Bill, national and health sector implementation of the new Regulation and existing health legislation including the Health Identifiers Act 2014.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (1023, 1283)
Robert Troy
Ceist:1023. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the status of a surgery appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41621/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraRobert Troy
Ceist:1283. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an appointment for a carpel tunnel operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1544/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1023 and 1283 together.
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 Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (1024)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:1024. 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. [41627/16]
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 Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (1025)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:1025. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41654/16]
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.
HSE Agency Staff Expenditure
Ceisteanna (1026)
Brian Stanley
Ceist:1026. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the cost of employing agency staff, locums and other non-HSE staff in Portlaoise hospital in each of the past three years. [41656/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In relation to the query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to him directly.
Hospital Staff Data
Ceisteanna (1027)
Brian Stanley
Ceist:1027. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the cost of the total wage bill, including HSE and non-HSE staff, in Portlaoise hospital in each of the past three years. [41657/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In relation to the query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to respond to him directly.
Occupational Therapy
Ceisteanna (1028)
Seán Haughey
Ceist:1028. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that elderly persons living on the State pension applying to Dublin City Council for housing adaptation grants are faced with a three-year waiting time for an occupational therapist's report in Dublin central; the way in which and when he will make sufficient funds available to clear the waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41660/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Addiction Treatment Services
Ceisteanna (1029)
Seán Haughey
Ceist:1029. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health the number of residential detox beds available in the public health system in Dublin for each of the years 2011 to 2016; the current waiting list for residential detox places in Dublin; the number of registered addicts in Dublin for each of the years 2011 to 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41661/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Medicinal Products Expenditure
Ceisteanna (1030)
Billy Kelleher
Ceist:1030. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the amount of public expenditure on medicines for each of the years 2013 to 2016, in tabular form; the expenditure incurred for each year on branded and patented products produced by IPHA members and non IPHA members respectively; and the expenditure incurred on generic medicines [41680/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines 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.
Hospital Services
Ceisteanna (1031)
Thomas Pringle
Ceist:1031. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the number of children from County Donegal under consultative care in metabolic, neurology and genetics departments in each of the children's hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41683/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In relation to the query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to him directly.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (1032)
Jack Chambers
Ceist:1032. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health for the average waiting times for early intervention teams for each of the past five years, in tabular form; his plans to reduce average waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41695/16]
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.
However, as 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.
Hospital Staff Data
Ceisteanna (1033)
Mattie McGrath
Ceist:1033. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the current staff vacancy rates for Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin and St. James's Hospital; that staffing for both anaesthesia and radiology departments is at critically low levels at St. James's Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41713/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In relation to the query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to respond to him directly.