Written Answers Nos. 126-136
126. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the progress he has made in his analysis of the way private accident and emergency departments will be used during peaks in public accident and emergency department usage. [4410/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraEmergency Departments in public hospitals provide comprehensive 24/7 emergency care to all patients. Currently EDs in private hospitals do not offer a 24 hour service and only a minority provide services at weekends.
I recently met with the Private Hospitals Association to discuss how private hospitals can contribute to meeting urgent health priorities, including demand for emergency care and waiting list management. There is significant experience of private hospitals assisting in addressing lengthy waiting times for scheduled care. Funding of €20 million has been allocated to NTPF in Budget 2017 rising to €55 million in 2018 and I am aware that the NTPF has been engaging with private hospitals in this regard.
In September 2016 the HSE launched the ‘Winter Initiative Plan 2016-2017’ which provided €40 million of additional funding for winter preparedness. Last month, in response to significant pressures in EDs, a series of enhanced measures were added to this Initiative. One such measure has involved availing of additional capacity in certain private hospitals to support the public hospital system.
So far, the Winter Initiative has delivered 75 newly-opened additional acute hospital beds. Also, as of 24 January, delayed discharges have reduced nationally to 469, freeing up hospital beds to alleviate ED pressures. In addition under the Initiative: over 3,900 patients have availed of aids and appliances; over 780 additional homecare packages and 410 additional transitional care beds have been provided, enabling patients to be discharged from hospital sooner .
Every week, with my Department, I meet with senior HSE officials to monitor the Winter Initiative and ED performance. I can assure the Deputy that this is a very strong focus on reducing Emergency Department overcrowding in all my interactions with the HSE, hospitals and other interested parties.
127. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision of a catheterisation laboratory at Sligo University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4253/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSligo University Hospital is currently served by a mobile Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory which provides services one day per week for elective procedures.
In terms of cardiac services in the North West region, a Cross Border Cardiology Service was established in 2016 between Letterkenny University Hospital and Altnagelvin Hospital providing primary PCI services for Donegal patients, with diagnosed heart attacks, at Altnagelvin.
Following treatment, patients are repatriated to either Sligo or Letterkenny University Hospitals. From May to the 20 December, 2016, 23 patients have received treatment under this scheme.
Any proposal for the further development of cardiac catheterisation lab services at Sligo University Hospital must first be considered from a Hospital Group perspective, and in relation to the planning for the cardiology needs of the population cared for by the Saolta Group hospitals. The development must then be considered in a national context, and in the light of competing demands for scarce resources.
In 2017, consideration will be given to a wider cardiology waiting list initiative, which will address waiting times for cardiology treatments in a number of hospitals, including Sligo University Hospital.
128. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health if he will amend the lifetime community rating regulations in order that serving members of the Defence Forces do not feel obliged to buy health insurance which they do not need in order to avoid premium loadings in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4666/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraPrivate health insurance in Ireland is optional and, similar to any other individual or groups in Ireland, there is no statutory obligation on members of the Defence Forces to purchase private health insurance plans. Where people choose to purchase private health insurance, the application of loadings under LCR applies consistently to all residents of the State, whether purchased during periods of employment or during retirement.
A review of the Lifetime Community Rating regulations, after 30 April 2017, is provided for in the legislation. The independent regulator, the Health Insurance Authority (HIA), has already commenced its public consultation process as the first phase of its review. A consultation paper to inform and assist those who may wish to make a submission can be viewed on its website www.hia.ie. Proposals will be accepted before the deadline of 3 March 2017. When the HIA concludes its review and submits its report to me, I will consider any recommendations made with an open mind.
131. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of the general practitioner service in Waterville and Rathmore, County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4523/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt present, there are four GPs in the Waterville to Cahirciveen area. Two of these GPs, who form one practice in Waterville, are due to retire in the near future. The HSE is currently undertaking a recruitment process to replace these upcoming retirements. In relation to the GP service in Rathmore, the HSE is continuing its efforts to revert to a full-time GP service in the area.
The Government is committed to the continued development of GP capacity to ensure that patients across the country continue to have access to GP services. 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 practicing 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 have emphasised 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 in recent years. The next phase of engagement on a new GP contract is under way and initial meetings with GP representative bodies have been held in January. The GP contracts review process will, among other things, seek to introduce further measures aimed at making general practice a fulfilling and rewarding career option into the future.
132. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health when his Department is likely to update the list of conditions on the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4697/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe LTI Scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). The conditions covered by the LTI are: acute leukaemia; mental handicap; cerebral palsy; mental illness (in a person under 16); cystic fibrosis; multiple sclerosis; diabetes insipidus; muscular dystrophies; diabetes mellitus; parkinsonism; epilepsy; phenylketonuria; haemophilia; spina bifida; hydrocephalus; and conditions arising from the use of Thalidomide. Under the LTI Scheme, patients receive drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of their illness, free of charge.
There are no plans to extend the list of conditions covered by the Scheme.
133. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if the new emergency department in University Hospital Limerick will be funded and opened on schedule in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4521/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe opening of the new emergency department at University Hospital Limerick has been identified as a priority in the HSE's National Service Plan 2017. To this end, an additional €1.4m has been allocated to facilitate its opening later this year.
135. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health his views on the need for increased provision of endoscopy services at Naas General Hospital to allow for reduction in waiting lists in this area following his recent visit; the status of progress; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4623/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraReducing waiting times for the longest waiting patients is one of this Government's key priorities. Consequently, Budget 2017 allocated €20 million to the NTPF, rising to €55 million in 2018.
In relation to endoscopy services in Naas General Hospital, the Deputy might wish to note that, in December 2016, approximately 75% of patients were waiting less than 9 months and no patient was waiting over 12 months for this service.
Capital funding for a project to develop an Endoscopy Unit, Day Ward, Oncology and Physical Medicine Services at Naas Hospital is being considered in the context of the capital funding available in the next few years and the overall priorities for future service development in the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group and nationally.
136. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the provision of a dedicated obstetrics theatre at University Hospital Kerry, UHK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4255/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to this particular query, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
