Wednesday, 1 Feb 2017

Hospitals Data

Ceisteanna (82)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

82. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the number of elective surgeries cancelled in each hospital in 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4567/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I fully acknowledge the distress and inconvenience for patients and their families when elective procedures are cancelled.

Cancellation of elective procedures can occur for a variety of exceptional reasons including:- cancellations because a bed or the clinical team are not available; cancellations by the patient or because the patient may not be fit for surgery at the time.

Based on data provided by the NTPF, collated from reports by hospitals, approximately 3,400 elective procedures, on average, are cancelled per month. In 2016, typically in a month, there were approximately 53,084 admissions to acute hospitals hospitals on a daycase and an inpatient basis.

The National ED Escalation Framework sets out procedures to be followed in hospitals during periods of high demand for emergency care, to ensure that safe care is provided to all patients. In order to respond to surges in ED demand, under the Framework, hospital managers may, in consultation with the relevant clinical leads, review and cancel non-urgent planned electives, where appropriate. This allows both beds and staff to be redeployed to alleviate pressure in the ED.

The HSE intends to undertake a review of the Escalation Framework in the coming months to ensure its effectiveness. It is essential that hospitals continue to improve how they manage, and balance, the demand for emergency care with the planning of elective procedures, to minimise the impact on patients.

In addition, it is important that the HSE continues to improve its processes to minimise the number sessions lost when patients cancel or do not attend for their procedures.

The following tabular statement sets out details of the number of elective surgeries cancelled from January 2016 to January 2017, broken down by month.

Cancellations

Hospitals Funding

Ceisteanna (83)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

83. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his views on whether the €9 million additional funding for the expansion of existing services or the provision of new services in acute hospitals is adequate to meet demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4646/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

In order to respond to increasing demand for hospital services, Budget 2017 provides an additional €118 million for hospital services in 2017.

Of this funding, €109m will be used to maintain our existing level of service to take into account the costs associated with: our aging demographics; meeting increased demand for medicines, medical technology and procedures in hospitals. This funding will also provide for the costs associated with the restoration of payments to staff under the Lansdowne Road Agreement.

In addition, €9m has been allocated to expand existing, or develop new acute hospital services in 2017.

In order to increase capacity in acute hospitals, €1.4m has been allocated to open a new Emergency Department in University Hospital Limerick, and a further €1m has been allocated to the opening of a new 75 bed ward block in University Hospital Galway.

The setting of budgets for individual hospitals and the hospital groups, including the allocation of the remaining €6.6m of new development funding, is currently being finalised by the HSE as part of the development of hospital group operational plans.

New developments to be funded from the €6.6m include: additional ICU and HDU beds at Cork University Hospital; cardiology services at Waterford University Hospital; Phase 2 of a new AMAU for Portlaoise Hospital; implementation of the new Cancer Strategy; and implementation of the All-Island Paediatric Cardiology Service.

My Department is currently engaging with the HSE with respect to finalising the funding allocations associated with these new developments. The 2017 HSE National Service Plan outlines the HSE's need during 2017 to continue to pursue increased efficiency, value for money and budgetary control in delivering safe and effective healthcare services within its budget allocation.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 84, 87, 105, 116, 120, 134 and 148 together.

Reducing waiting times for the longest waiting patients is one of this Government's key priorities.

We are seeing a considerable increase in demand for health services as our population grows and ages. For example, the HSE has advised that to the end of September, there was a sustained increase in referrals for outpatient appointments, each month in the order of 10%, in comparison with the same period in 2015.

In November, the HSE 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. In the context of rolling out this Strategy, the HSE is currently developing an Outpatient Waiting List Action Plan for 2017. The plan will focus on ensuring that no patient is waiting more than 15 months on this list by the end of October 2017.

Each of the Hospital Groups is currently finalising its Operational Plan for 2017. These Plans will set out the specific actions to be implemented this year to address waiting lists, including outpatient waiting lists. These specific actions will form part of the HSE’s Outpatient Waiting List Action Plan.

I expect to make known the details of the HSE Outpatient Waiting List Action Plan in the coming weeks.

Mental Health Services Funding

Ceisteanna (85)

Martin Heydon

Ceist:

85. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health the status of funding for vital mental health support services provided by an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4629/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Helen McEntee)

As this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Disability Support Services Provision

Ceisteanna (86)

Margaret Murphy O'Mahony

Ceist:

86. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the reason the 2017 target for the number of personal assistant service hours to be delivered to adults with a physical and or sensory disability is less than the projected outturn for 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4663/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Finian McGrath)

The Government is committed to providing services and supports to 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. The commitment is outlined in the Programme for a Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles, equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) is committed to protecting the level of Personal Assistant services available to people with disabilities. In their National Service Plan for 2016, the HSE exceeded the expected activity level for Personal Assistant hours which was 1.3 million hours, by approximately 200,000 hours. This reflects the responsive nature of the service provided and takes account of assessed need over time, as individual needs change. I understand that in 2017, the HSE expects to deliver 1.4 million Personal Assistance hours, an increase of 100,000 hours, to 2,357 adults with a physical and/or sensory disability.

As the Deputy's query relates to a detailed service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for a more detailed direct reply to the Deputy.

Question No. 87 answered with Question No. 84.

Home Help Service Data

Ceisteanna (88)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

88. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons currently in receipt of home help hours and home care packages in community healthcare organisation, CHO, area 9; the number on waiting lists and the length of time waiting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4252/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Helen McEntee)

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Mental Health Services Provision

Ceisteanna (89)

Bobby Aylward

Ceist:

89. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health his plans to enable children and young persons in counties Carlow and Kilkenny to access an out-of-hours child and adolescent mental health service team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4688/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Helen McEntee)

As this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Question No. 90 answered with Question No. 53.

General Practitioner Services Provision

Ceisteanna (91)

Jackie Cahill

Ceist:

91. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the actions he will take in 2017 to build general practitioner capacity, as promised in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4507/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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 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 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, inter alia, seek to introduce further measures aimed at making general practice a fulfilling and rewarding career option into the future.

Health Services Data

Ceisteanna (92)

Joan Collins

Ceist:

92. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health his views on data from a recent OECD report showing that Ireland has 2.8 hospital beds per 1,000 of the population compared to an OECD average of 4.8, while Ireland has 2.7 doctors per 1,000 of the population compared with an average of 3.3; and his plans to remedy this situation [4258/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As of September, 2016, acute hospital bed capacity numbered 12,728 beds, comprised of 10,569 inpatient and 2,159 day case beds. The bed capacity figures per 1,000 population recorded by the OECD for the Republic of Ireland, and for the UK, do not include capacity in private hospitals, unlike figures recorded in many other EU countries. In 2007, the PA Consulting Bed Capacity Report recorded private hospital capacity as 1,926; recent unpublished reports would indicate that private capacity would add approximately 2,100 beds. Inclusion of private capacity would give a figure of approximately 3.1 hospital beds per 1,000 population.

It is important to note that our population is younger than those of European nations with high hospital bed numbers, although numbers of over 65s are increasing at the rate of almost 20,000 per year. This population cohort uses 53% of acute hospital capacity.

The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to a national bed capacity review, which will be undertaken this year. In addition to acute bed capacity, this review will examine bed capacity in the primary and community care sectors, as the availability of non-acute beds and services can mitigate the need for hospital admission, or facilitate earlier discharge. The review will also consider how reforms to the model of care will impact on future capacity requirements, in terms of how our health services are delivered.

With regard to the number of doctors in Ireland per 1,000 population, the November 2016 OECD report is based on data from 2014.

There are currently 2914 GPs contracted to the HSE in Ireland. In terms of staffing in public hospitals, consultant numbers have increased from 2,474 in 2011 to 2,861 Whole Time Equivalents in December 2016, while the number of NCHDs increased from 4,937 to 6,060 from 2011 to 31 December, 2016. These increases are in line with Government policy to move to a consultant-delivered service and also to meet service demands and ongoing efforts to achieve full compliance with the requirements of the European Working Time Directive.

In order to continue to address medical staffing levels in our hospitals, recruitment of additional consultants and non-consultant hospital doctors is ongoing. By the end of November 2016, an additional 118 consultants and 267 hospital doctors were employed in our health services, in comparison with November 2015.