Niamh Smyth
Ceist:342. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will review correspondence (details supplied); if he will schedule the relevant assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6736/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraServices for People with Disabilities
Ceisteanna (342)
Freagraí 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.
As the Deputy's question relates to an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
Question No. 343 withdrawn.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (344)
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:344. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive a date for a spinal operation at Our Lady’s Hospital, Crumlin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6983/17]
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 you directly.
Medical Card Eligibility
Ceisteanna (345)
Mick Barry
Ceist:345. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Health if those who are in receipt of domiciliary care allowance are automatically entitled to a medical card; and if not, his plans to introduce measures to make this so. [7219/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I received permission from Government to draft the new Bill in December. This new legislation will effectively mean that all children in respect of whom a DCA payment is made will automatically qualify for a medical card and, therefore, no longer be subject to the medical card means test at any point in the future while in receipt of DCA. The legislation is currently being prepared and will be brought before the Oireachtas as quickly as possible.
In addition to the preparation of the legislation, I have asked the HSE, so that the proposal can be implemented in a smooth and efficient manner, to commence the process of planning for the requirements of the scheme and how the cards will issue.
Disability Services Provision
Ceisteanna (346)
Anne Rabbitte
Ceist:346. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the reason children in County Galway are failing to access early intervention in occupational therapy and speech and language services despite the new AIM programme (details supplied). [7404/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme, is the responsibility of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. The Department of Children and Youth Affairs has brought forward a new model of supports to facilitate the full participation of children with a disability in the ECCE Programme. The new model, AIM (Access and Inclusion Model), provides supports including enhanced continuing professional development for early years practitioners; grants for equipment, appliances and minor alterations; and access to therapeutic intervention. Funding of €15m was provided to phase these supports in during 2016. Full year costs for these supports are estimated to be €33m from this year onwards.
It should be noted that while the Health Service Executive has no statutory obligation to provide assistant supports for children with special needs wishing to avail of the ECCE scheme, it has, to date, worked at local level and in partnership with the relevant disability service providers to address individual needs as they arise. This has been done, for example, by funding special pre-schools that cater specifically for children with disabilities. In some limited cases at local level, disability services have also facilitated children with a disability to attend mainstream pre-schools by providing assistant supports where possible and where resources are available. The provision of such pre-school assistant supports should not be confused with Special Needs Assistants who are funded by the Department of Education and Skills to support children with special educational needs in primary and post-primary school settings.
Within this context, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to the individual case she has raised. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
Mental Health Services Provision
Ceisteanna (347)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:347. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which adequate resources continue to be made available to children or their families at risk through self-harm; if any particular requirements remain to be met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7446/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The HSE Mental Health Division has a multifaceted response to people at risk of self-harm or who have had a self-harm episode including referral by GP to Community Mental Health Teams for the appropriate service; liaison psychiatry services onsite in Model 3 and 4 and acute hospitals; a comprehensive mental health on-call service in Emergency Departments in the acute hospitals for people presenting in crisis during the on-call period; self-harm clinical specialist nurses in a number of Emergency Departments; the Suicide Crisis Assessment Nurse (SCAN) Initiative by which GPs can refer directly to SCAN Nurses for assessment and advice on management of their patients who attend their surgeries with suicidal ideation. In each of these settings, a comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment is carried out together with an assessment of mental state and a risk assessment for suicide. On the basis of this, a care plan is drawn up and the next steps depend on the psychosocial stresses identified together with the presence or absence of a mental illness such as depression. The progression of the development of a clinical programme for the assessment and management of self harm presentations in Emergency Departments is one of the HSE's National Service Plan priorities for 2017.
Community Child & Adolescent Mental Health teams are the first line of specialist mental health services for children and young people. There are currently 67 Child and Adolescent Community Mental Health Teams and 3 liaison services nationally. The multidisciplinary team, under the clinical direction of a Consultant Child & Adolescent psychiatrist, includes junior medical staff, psychologists, social workers, nurses, speech & language therapist, occupational therapist and child care workers. The assessment and intervention provided by such teams is determined by the severity and complexity of the presenting problem(s). This range of disciplines and skills offer a care and treatment package geared to individual needs.
The HSE’s National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP) helps to support a wide array of work in communities, in partnership with the voluntary sector, across the country that focus on promoting positive mental health and reducing suicide and self-harm by providing significant grant funding each year, as well as by assisting in coordinating and giving strategic direction to the work undertaken in this area. NOSP supports a range of services for teenagers and young people including Pieta House, SpunOut.ie ReachOut.com/Inspire Ireland, BeLongTo. The 24 hour call services provided by the Samaritans and Childline are available to any young person in distress and are also funded by the NOSP. In addition, the NOSP also worked closely with the Department of Education and Skills in the development of Guidelines for Mental Health Promotion and Well-Being in Primary and Post Primary Schools.
Hospital Staff
Ceisteanna (348)
Michael Collins
Ceist:348. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the under-staffing in Cork University Hospital, which is resulting in bed shortages and cancellations of elective surgeries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6654/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In relation to this particular issue, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
Primary Care Centres
Ceisteanna (349)
Barry Cowen
Ceist:349. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 286 of 1 February 2017, in which he stated that his Department has not submitted any projects for consideration to the EFSI, the way it is the case that despite this, 14 primary care centre PPP projects are being financed with funding from the EIB under this programme; the way in which the funding for these projects will work; if any Government capital finance is involved in their construction; and if his Department has undertaken a comparison of the costs of the PPP method with costs of traditional direct build method. [6657/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Government decided in July 2012 to develop Primary Care Centres using the Public Private Partnership (PPP) delivery method. All PPP projects involving the use of private finance must be referred to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) to advise on the optimum means of financing public investment projects in order to achieve value for money and to provide advice in relation to all aspects of financing, refinancing and insurance, including risk analysis, of public investment projects. Therefore, the financing of the PPP project is managed by the NDFA on behalf of the Department of Finance, who submitted an application to the European Investment Bank (EIB) for funding. The NDFA worked with the HSE to complete the EIB’s due diligence process.
The PPP is funded through a combination of private equity, commercial debt and a €70m EIB loan taken out by the PPP company. Therefore, no government capital funding is provided for the construction of the PPP project.
Services for People with Disabilities
Ceisteanna (350)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:350. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if he or the HSE has received correspondence from an organisation (details supplied) regarding funding; if he will work with this organisation and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs to ensure that parenting programmes and summer groups receive additional funding needed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6660/17]
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.
The particular issue raised by the Deputy is a service matter for the HSE. Accordingly I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (351)
Martin Ferris
Ceist:351. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an operation in Tallaght Hospital. [6662/17]
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 you directly.
HSE Expenditure
Ceisteanna (352)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:352. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the rate per kilometre for taxi drivers who are paid by the HSE for east Cork and Cork city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6664/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
Occupational Therapy
Ceisteanna (353)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:353. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason there is no occupational therapist on a child development team (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6666/17]
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.
The particular issue raised by the Deputy is a service matter for the HSE. Accordingly I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
Hospitals Building Programme
Ceisteanna (354)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:354. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the building of a community hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6673/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Capital Programme announced earlier this year provides for the replacement and refurbishment of 90 public nursing homes across the country over the next five years. Under this Programme it is proposed to deliver a new Community Nursing Unit in Killarney by 2021. This will replace existing facilities where the physical environment requires significant improvement.
Significant work has been undertaken by the HSE in determining the most appropriate scheduling of projects over the 5 year period from 2016 to 2021, within the phased provision of funding, to achieve compliance and registration with HIQA. All healthcare infrastructure developments, including this development, must comply with DPER guidelines and EU directives and will require a lead-in time to complete the various stages. These stages include appraisal, project brief, design feasibility, detailed design, some of which may overlap, the review of costing estimates and finalisation of financing.
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland
Ceisteanna (355, 356, 358)
Gerry Adams
Ceist:355. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the current average waiting time in weeks for processing overseas registration applications by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland from the date initial correspondence was received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6678/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraGerry Adams
Ceist:356. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of application packs issued by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland for each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017; the number of these application packs that then progressed to review and assessment stage; and the number that were ultimately registered successfully. [6679/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraGerry Adams
Ceist:358. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he will provide figures for overseas registration applications to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland which are currently awaiting processing. [6681/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 355, 356 and 358 together.
I wish to thank the Deputy for the matter raised.
Given that this is an operational matter, it is appropriate that it should be dealt with by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI). I have referred the Deputy's question to the NMBI for attention and direct reply within 10 working days.
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland
Ceisteanna (357)
Gerry Adams
Ceist:357. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he will consider a review of the overseas registration process by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland in view of recent media reports on lengthy delays and the current crisis in staffing recruitment here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6680/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am advised by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) that it is implementing a programme of process improvements to its management of the large volume of overseas applications for registration. This aims to speed up the registration process to bring new nurses and midwives into the Irish health system as quickly as possible, without compromising registration standards. In this regard, the NMBI note that 2016 was marked by a 313% increase in overseas applications when compared to 2014 (from 1,045 to 4,323).
The process improvements arise from a full review of the then current processes within the Registration Directorate of the NMBI carried out by an external company appointed in July 2016, following a tendering process. A number of recommendations arising from this review have already been implemented.
In addition, a full process review is underway of the qualification recognition function necessitated by Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications. Guidance documents and application forms for both Directive and non-Directive applicants are also being revised to include automation of processes where feasible.
The NMBI continues to engage with and update Stakeholders including the Department, HSE and Nursing Homes Ireland on these initiatives. A meeting of stakeholders will be held in the coming weeks to discuss issues of mutual interest and to review ongoing registration issues.
Question No. 358 answered with Question No. 355.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (359)
Mary Butler
Ceist:359. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an appointment for a person (details supplied) at University Hospital Waterford. [6685/17]
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 you directly.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (360)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:360. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the status of surgery in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6698/17]
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 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 that 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 you directly.
Services for People with Disabilities
Ceisteanna (361)
Billy Kelleher
Ceist:361. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 147 of 30 November 2016, the details of the HSE disbursement of the financial allocation by CHO between not-for-profit, for-profit and HSE-managed services. [6700/17]
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.
I understand that the information requested by the Deputy was sent to him by the Health Service Executive (HSE) at the end of January 2016.
However, as the particular issue raised by the Deputy is a service matter for the HSE, I have again referred the question to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
Nursing Home Services
Ceisteanna (362)
Billy Kelleher
Ceist:362. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who transferred from HSE acute hospitals to private nursing homes under the transitional care initiative during 2016 and under the winter initiative 2016-17; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6703/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Nursing Home Services
Ceisteanna (363, 364, 365, 366)
Billy Kelleher
Ceist:363. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his views on the fact that nursing homes are providing specialised care on a 24/7 basis in dedicated health care settings that are equipped with specialist equipment and highly skilled staff; his further views on whether nursing home care and home care have very different care elements and simplistic comparisons comparing them as like for like are misrepresentative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6704/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraBilly Kelleher
Ceist:364. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his views on the fact that the 23,000 plus persons funded by the nursing home support scheme have undertaken the common summary assessment report, as required for every applicant applying for the scheme, and by consequence have all been assessed by a multi-disciplinary team of health professionals as requiring nursing home care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6705/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraBilly Kelleher
Ceist:365. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his views on the fact that persons being transferred to nursing home care are presenting with increasingly complex and high dependency care requirements (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6706/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraBilly Kelleher
Ceist:366. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his views on whether, for thousands of older persons across the country with high dependency care requirements, nursing home care is best suited to meet their care needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6707/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 363 to 366, inclusive, together.
The Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS) is a system of financial support for those in need of long-term nursing home care. Participants contribute to the cost of their care according to their income and assets while the State pays the balance of the cost. The Scheme aims to ensure that long-term nursing home care is accessible and affordable for everyone and that people are cared for in the most appropriate settings. The applicant can choose any public, voluntary or approved private nursing home. The home must have availability and be able to cater for the applicant's particular needs.
It is the policy of Government to support older people to remain in their own homes and communities, and maintain their independence, for as long as possible. However, there will always be a cohort of people for whom this is not an option, despite the level of support that might be provided to them in their homes, and so full-time nursing home care is indeed best suited to meet their care needs. This is why the Nursing Homes Support Scheme is so important.
The first step in the NHSS application process is a care needs assessment to identify whether or not the applicant needs long-term nursing home care. This is carried out by appropriate health care professionals, appointed by the HSE, using the Common Summary Assessment Report (CSAR). This assessment will include consideration of the following:
- a person's ability to carry out the activities of daily living;
- the medical, health and personal social services being provided or available to the person both at the time of the carrying out of the assessment and generally;
- the family and community support available;
- the person's wishes and preferences.
On completion of the assessment, the healthcare professionals involved will summarise their findings in the CSAR and submit this to the Local Placement Forum (LPF). The LPF will then consider the CSAR and make a determination as to whether the applicant requires care services, and also whether the applicant is likely to require care services for the remainder of their life. This is a comprehensive process and has been put in place to ensure that there is no doubt surrounding whether a person has a requirement for long-term nursing home care or not. The LPF in all locations consists of a multidisciplinary team and in general is supported by a Consultant Geriatrician where they are available.
The comprehensive care needs assessment conducted as part of the NHSS application process, together with the fact that older people are entering residential care facilities later in life, mean that those entering long-term residential care will have reasonably high levels of dependency.
All nursing homes - public, private and voluntary - are registered and inspected by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), the independent authority established under the Health Act 2007 to drive continuous improvement and to monitor safety in Ireland's health and personal social care services. This responsibility is underpinned by a comprehensive framework, including the National Quality Standards for Residential Care Settings for Older People and the Health Act, 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations, 2013. The Regulations require that registered providers must ensure that the number and skill mix of staff is appropriate having regard to the assessed needs of the residents and the size and layout of the designated centre.
Nursing homes provide an important resource in the range of care services available to older people in Ireland. They play a vital role in ensuring that older people have access to the high quality of care and support they deserve at a vulnerable stage in their lives.
Homecare is an increasingly important part of the supports that we offer to older people, and will continue to increase in importance into the future. Services are provided on the basis of assessed health care need and there is no means testing. However, home care services are not currently formally regulated. It is my view, and that of the Government, that we need a stand-alone funding scheme designed for homecare that recognises its particular characteristics together with regulation of homecare services. The development of a regulatory and funding model for homecare services is a complex undertaking involving very significant legislative, operational and financial resources. The development of such a scheme is a priority for me, as Minister.