Written Answers Nos. 234 - 250
234. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the full year cost of increasing the number of day respite sessions from 41,000 to 51,000 and from 182,000 to 205,000 respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4955/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
235. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health his plans to implement schemes to support persons with Parkinson's disease. [4960/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
236. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 216 of 25 January 2017, the reason the anomaly scan cannot be introduced as a matter of urgency at Cavan General Hospital in view of the fact all equipment is in place; the efforts being made to hire the relevant staff to ensure this scan will be offered on site at Cavan General Hospital; if a meeting with him can be arranged urgently on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4962/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that the provision of routine foetal anomaly scanning for all pregnant women has been a key target for Cavan General Hospital; however despite every effort having been made, the hospital has not been successful to date in recruiting the necessary specialists required to provide a routine 20 week anomaly scanning service.
The Deputy will be aware that the National Maternity Strategy is clear that all women must have equal access to standardised ultrasound services. The Strategy will be implemented on a phased basis over the coming years, and this work will be led by the HSE National Women & Infants Health Programme. In this regard, the newly-appointed Programme Director has advised that clinical guidance on routine 20 week anomaly scans will be developed as a priority.
In the interim, the Programme will continue to work with the six hospital groups to assist in increasing access to anomaly scans for those units with limited availability. It is expected that the establishment of maternity networks across hospital groups will assist in developing a sustainable service model that ensures that all women within each hospital group can access anomaly scans.
As Minister for Health, I am always open to meeting individuals and organisations but, due to the busy nature of Oireachtas and Government business, it is not always possible but such requests can be made through my Private Office.
237. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will arrange to meet a person (details supplied) to discuss various issues pertaining to their case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4963/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt the outset I would like to offer my sincerest condolences to the family involved in this case. The Deputy will appreciate that I have a limited role in individual cases and do not have access to individual patient files or personal information. As Minister for Health I am always open to meeting individuals and organisations. It is not always possible due to Oireachtas and Government business but such requests can be made through my Private Office.
238. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health his plans to appoint a board to deal with the registration of podiatry and chiropody professionals under the umbrella of CORU; his views on the fact that professionals working in this sector wish to have it brought into line with other health care professions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4972/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe profession of podiatrist is one of the 14 professions that are designated for regulation under the Health and Social Care Professional Act 2005. It is envisaged that the registration board for the profession of podiatrist will be established in 2017.
239. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the primary care centres opened in each of the years 2012 to 2016 and the centres he expects to open in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4974/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
240. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the number of home care packages that his Department and the HSE provided in each of the years 2012 to 2016; the number it is intended to provide in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4975/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
241. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health his views on the current lack of respite beds for adults in north Kerry in view of the fact all places are being used for residential care; when the four-bed property purchased in Listowel, County Kerry by the HSE for adult respite will be operational; and if the beds will be used for respite care only. [4979/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
The Programme for Partnership Government states that the Government wishes to provide more accessible respite care to facilitate full support for people with a disability.
Budget 2017 includes an increased allocation to the Disability Services Programme to address a number of key priorities in the Programme for Partnership Government. The allocation for disability services will rise to over €1.654bn in 2017, an increase of €92 million on the Budget 2016 allocation.
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.
242. 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. [4982/17]
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.
243. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of respite care funding in north Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4983/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
The Programme for Partnership Government states that the Government wishes to provide more accessible respite care to facilitate full support for people with a disability.
Budget 2017 includes an increased allocation to the Disability Services Programme to address a number of key priorities in the Programme for Partnership Government. The allocation for disability services will rise to over €1.654bn in 2017, an increase of €92 million on the Budget 2016 allocation.
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.
244. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Health the measures he will put in place to reduce waiting times for multiple sclerosis sufferers who require assessment as responders to fampridine, based on a protocol provided by clinical experts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4984/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra245. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Health the measures he will put in place to expedite access to fampyra for multiple sclerosis sufferers identified as responders to fampridine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4985/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 244 and 245 together.
Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
246. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment in University Hospital Kerry in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4999/17]
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.
247. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health his plans to adjust the eligibility criteria for the long-term illness scheme to include conditions such as osteoporosis, in view of the high costs associated with this condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5001/17]
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.
248. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the basis on which a person (details supplied) was assessed in the course of the determination of means in respect of their spouse's application under the fair deal scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5003/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
249. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the details of the national epilepsy service; his views on whether a seven-day service would be more appropriate than the current service; the supports and services that are available to epilepsy sufferers outside of Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5025/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraEpilepsy is a neurological condition that is associated with seizures. While many causes are unknown, it may be the result of a brain injury, stroke, infection, malignancy or genetic conditions. It is diagnosed using a variety of tests including an EEG, brain scans and blood tests. These diagnostic tests are available in hospitals. It can be managed by anticonvulsant medication which are widely available in primary care and acute hospital settings. Surgery may be required for less common forms of epilepsy.
The HSE's National Clinical Programme for Epilepsy has advised my Department of improvements in epilepsy services with the development of epilepsy centres, 16.5 whole time equivalent Advanced Nurse Practitioners for Epilepsy in post, an Electronic Patient Record in use across the country (more than 6,500 patients are now registered on the Electronic Patient Record) and the development of additional specialised centres.
Prior to the establishment of the National Clinical Programme for Epilepsy, there were two beds available nationally for Epilepsy Monitoring based at Beaumont Hospital. Four beds are now available at Beaumont Hospital. In addition, a second Epilepsy Monitoring Unit has been opened in Cork University Hospital which has 2 beds. This has made an impact on services available to those with severe Epilepsy
In Ireland, composite data from the Hospital In-Patient Enquiry system (HIPE) revealed that in 2008 - before the programme was established - there were 6,982 discharges from acute Irish hospitals with a principal diagnosis of epilepsy. The total number of bed days used was 31,532 with an average (mean) length of stay (LOS) of 4.5 days (median 3.3 days) per discharge. The creation of a new Model of Care in Ireland using a seizure care pathway with early follow-up and prioritised diagnostics shows average length of stay has been reduced to 3.4 days in 2015. The number of patients being admitted to hospital has also seen a decrease to 6,009 – a release of thousands of bed days into the acute hospital setting. This has been due in a large part to the development of a wide breadth of nurse led services including:
- Nurse led OPD clinics;
- Nurse led rapid access clinics;
- Regional Outreach services;
- Group OPD clinics;
- Ambulatory phone and email service; and
- Educational programmes to both nurses and other health & social care professionals.
Another contributing factor to the reduction in admissions has been the development and implementation in 2 sites of the Acute Seizure Integrated Care Pathway. An audit of the use of the integrated care pathway in one hospital demonstrated a reduction in admission rate from 45.9% (when the pathway wasn’t used) to 28.7% where the pathway was followed. A significant drop in patient readmissions with seizure was also noted when the pathway was used i.e. 7.41% of patients were readmitted to hospital with seizure when the pathway was not used versus 0.8% readmission rate when the pathway was used.
The HSE National Clinical Programme for Epilepsy has a vision for the transformation of epilepsy care in Ireland. The core of the plan to deliver these objectives is to address each aspect of care with a specified care pathway delivered by experts:
1. Local level: This includes the patient’s GP, Primary Care HSCPs and nurses, Community Rehabilitation Teams, the nearest Acute General Hospital and support provided by Epilepsy Ireland, the national advocacy service for people with epilepsy.
2. Group Epilepsy/Neurology Services: The hospitals with an epilepsy service (existing or proposed) collaborate to function as a Group Neurology Service, operating as a Clinical Network in each of the six Hospital Groups. These group neurology services will support hospitals within their hospital group and Primary Care professionals in the management of patients with epilepsy in a planned and coordinated way.
3. National Tertiary Centres: In addition to the two neuroscience centres, Beaumont Hospital and Cork University Hospital, tertiary centres can be further developed across the service. Tertiary centres will generally have teams with sub specialism in some of the low volume / high complexity conditions within epilepsy.
250. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the reason hip operations have been cancelled at Tullamore Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5027/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
