Barry Cowen
Ceist:367. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied); and when the person can expect an appointment at Tallaght Hospital. [6711/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraHospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (367)
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 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.
Dental Services Provision
Ceisteanna (368)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:368. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an application for braces in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6721/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
Hospital Services
Ceisteanna (369)
Robert Troy
Ceist:369. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the status of orthopaedic services in Tullamore Regional Hospital; the reason only one of the orthopaedic wards on this site is currently operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6722/17]
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 you directly.
Hospital Admissions
Ceisteanna (370)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:370. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a cataract operation in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6723/17]
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.
Respite Care Services Availability
Ceisteanna (371, 372, 373)
James Browne
Ceist:371. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of respite beds and their location in County Wexford for persons with intellectual disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6728/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraJames Browne
Ceist:372. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of long-term institutional beds and their locations in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6729/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraJames Browne
Ceist:373. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health when funding will be provided to open a facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6731/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 371 to 373, inclusive, together.
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 Programme for Partnership Government states that the Government wishes to provide more accessible respite care to facilitate full support for people with a disability.
As the Deputy's questions relate to service matters, I have arranged for the questions to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
Medical Aids and Appliances Provision
Ceisteanna (374)
John McGuinness
Ceist:374. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if a wheelchair will be provided for a person (details supplied). [6741/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
Professional Qualifications
Ceisteanna (375)
John McGuinness
Ceist:375. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the status of an application for the qualification as a diagnostic radiographer in respect of a person (details supplied). [6742/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Recognition of professional qualifications for the purposes of registration as a radiographer is a matter for the Radiographers Registration Board. I have forwarded your request to the board for direct reply to the Deputy.
Hospital Admissions
Ceisteanna (376)
John McGuinness
Ceist:376. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an operation will be arranged as a matter of urgency for a person (details supplied). [6743/17]
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.
Medical Card Eligibility
Ceisteanna (377)
John McGuinness
Ceist:377. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if he will arrange a review of an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied). [6745/17]
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 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.
Medical Card Eligibility
Ceisteanna (378)
John McGuinness
Ceist:378. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an application for the renewal of a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) will be expedited and approved. [6746/17]
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 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.
Health Services Provision
Ceisteanna (379)
Eoin Ó Broin
Ceist:379. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a rescheduled appointment for surgery at St James's Hospital following the cancellation of an appointment on 31 January 2017 due to the ongoing trolley crisis. [6768/17]
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.
Health Services Provision
Ceisteanna (380)
Clare Daly
Ceist:380. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the status of the three year pilot project for a day care centre to address the complete lack of adequate ongoing therapy and social integration of the severe acquired brain injury, SABI, survivors and their families (details supplied). [6770/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Health Service Executive National Service Plan for 2017 includes a priority action to "establish an innovative pilot day service aimed at supporting people with severe acquired brain injury."
As 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.
Home Help Service Provision
Ceisteanna (381)
Clare Daly
Ceist:381. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the options open to families for whom the HSE pays substantial amounts of money to a third party to assist in providing care for a person in their home but the organisation will not provide the cover at the times needed by the family; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6771/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
National Treatment Purchase Fund Waiting Times
Ceisteanna (382)
Micheál Martin
Ceist:382. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health if he has requested that the National Treatment Purchase Fund, NTPF, be used for treating adolescents who have scoliosis, particularly those who now have other health side effects such as decreased lung capacity, psychological problems and chronic pain; if these persons can seek treatment abroad to prevent being on the long waiting lists for treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6777/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Reducing waiting times for the longest waiting patients is one of this Government's key priorities. In 2016, I made over €11m of 2016 Winter Initiative funding available to provide additional patient treatment in 2016. Specifically €2m of the funding was made available for surgery for scoliosis patients. The Children's Hospital Group has advised me that, in 2016 over fifty additional patients were treated under this initiative.
The HSE has committed to submit to me by 17 February Waiting List Action Plans for 2017 to ensure that no patient is waiting more than 15 months for an inpatient, daycase procedure or outpatient appointment by the end of October 2017.
On 7 February a number of actions in relation to scoliosis were announced. Additional theatre capacity will be provided for scoliosis procedures in Crumlin Children's Hospital from April. An orthopaedic post in Crumlin will be filled by June and an Action Plan for Scoliosis will be presented to me by the HSE by the end of February.
The Directive on Patients' Rights in Cross Border Healthcare provides rules for the reimbursements to patients' of the cost of receiving treatment abroad, where the patient would be entitled to such treatment in their home Member State and supplements the rights that patients already have at EU level. Public patients may access the healthcare they require in either the public or private healthcare system of the country abroad under CBD. Access to healthcare abroad is based on patients following public patient pathways - i.e. patients must demonstrate they have followed the equivalent public patient pathways that a patient would follow if accessing public healthcare in Ireland. Referral for care under the CBD may be made by a GP, a hospital consultant and certain other HSE clinicians. The CBD excludes certain health services, e.g. services of public health, long term care, organ transplantation, etc. All persons on public waiting lists, other than for such exempt health services, are eligible for the Scheme.
Hospital Appointments Delays
Ceisteanna (383)
Micheál Martin
Ceist:383. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the gynaecological waiting lists in Cork University Maternity Hospital, CUMH; the way in which the consultants assess the clinical needs of public patients; the way in which they are prioritised for urgent treatment, particularly when the quality of their lives is seriously impacted upon; if public patients get priority for treatment in the CUMH when their clinical needs are assessed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6778/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Reducing 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 December, I granted approval to the NTPF for a €5m initiative focusing on daycase procedures which will aim to ensure that no patient is waiting more than 18 months for a daycase procedure, including in gynaecology, by 30 June.
I have asked the HSE to submit a Waiting List Action Plan for 2017 in respect of both the Inpatient/Daycase and the Outpatient Waiting Lists. The focus of these plans will be to ensure that no patient is waiting more than 15 months by the end of October 2017. As part of these plans the HSE has been asked to target specialties, services and hospitals with highest numbers of long waiters as well as improving in-sourcing in public sector, within and across Hospital Groups. In addition, on 23 January, I wrote to the HSE requesting that, in developing these Action Plans, a particular focus be given to reducing waiting times in gynaecology.
I am aware that there are difficulties in relation to waiting times for gynaecology services in Cork University Hospital. On 12 January, I visited the hospital to meet with hospital management, South/South West Hospital Group management and a number of consultant obstetricians/gynaecologists, to learn at first-hand about these problems, which are in part due to staff resource challenges including those associated with recruiting Theatre Staff Nurses. I have asked my officials to work closely with the HSE and the Hospital Group to ensure that the waiting list for gynaecology procedures is addressed as a priority.
The hospital has advised that the provision of additional gynaecology operating capacity is a priority for the Executive Management Board, as is the optimisation of output from those theatres sessions already in place. In that regard, the Board is working with the Gynaecology Department and the Hospital Group to maximise capacity in the theatre sessions already in place, recruit additional Theatre Staff Nurses to provide additional theatre time and to progress the introduction of pre-admission assessment for these patients to improve efficiencies and patient flow.
I would also like to draw the attention of the Deputy to the newly established National Women & Infants Health Programme (NWIHP). The NWIHP will lead the management, organisation and delivery of maternity, gynaecological and neonatal services, ensure the consistent delivery of high quality care in these services and oversee the development of maternity networks. Governance arrangements for the networks will be agreed between the NWIHP and the hospital group CEOs. It will facilitate greater oversight and support for service providers.
I am hopeful that the new maternity network which is currently being established in the South/South West Hospital Group (SSWHG) will ensure better coordination and utilisation of maternity and gynaecological resources across the group. In that regard, I am pleased to note the very recent appointment of Professor John Higgins as Clinical Director Women and Children Services for the SSWHG. I am advised that Prof. Higgins will assume clinical and executive responsibility for maternity services in the Group's four maternity hospitals viz Cork University Maternity Hospital, University Hospital Kerry, University Hospital Waterford and South Tipperary General Hospital on the 28 of February next.
I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly on the specific questions raised concerning the assessment of patients on the Cork University Hospital gynaecology waiting lists.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (384)
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Ceist:384. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will secure an appointment in Beaumont Hospital for lumbar epidural injections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6787/17]
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.
Hospital Consultant Recruitment
Ceisteanna (385)
Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:385. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the number of advanced excision surgeons there are here who can carry out surgery on a person with stage 4 endometriosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6788/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In relation to this particular query, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
Patient Data
Ceisteanna (386)
Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:386. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the support and care plans that are in place for patients with endometriosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6789/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As 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.
Disease Awareness
Ceisteanna (387)
Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:387. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that there is an investment in highlighting and informing the public about the dangers of endometriosis which is a particular issue with regard to women's health. [6790/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The website of the national Health Service Executive (HSE) contains specific information on endometriosis for the purposes of promoting education and awareness of the condition. I have therefore arranged for the Deputy's question to be referred to the Executive for a direct and more detailed reply to be provided to the Deputy on the matter.
Question No. 388 withdrawn.
Nursing Education
Ceisteanna (389)
Joan Burton
Ceist:389. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health his views on whether there is a need for accelerated nursing degrees similar to those available in the UK in order to address the shortage of applicants for nursing positions in the HSE and to attract mature students into the profession; if he has raised with the Department of Education and Skills the need for such degrees to be approved by the HEA and introduced in third level institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6793/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I would like to advise the Deputy that the 2016 Report of the Monitoring Group - Implementation of the Recommendations of the Report of the Review of Undergraduate Nursing and Midwifery Degree Programmes made a number of recommendations. One of these recommendations proposed that graduate entry programmes be developed for those who have already attained degree level education in a relevant area. Subsequently, the HSE have commissioned a scoping exercise on the feasibility of developing a Mental Health Nursing Graduate Entry Programme. The report on the feasibility study is due at the end of March 2017. Subject to the outcome of this report, liaison will be undertaken with the Minister for Education and Skills and the Education sector.
Nursing Staff
Ceisteanna (390)
Imelda Munster
Ceist:390. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health the number of nursing posts that were submitted for approval and advertised by the HSE for nursing vacancies in the Cottage Hospital, Drogheda, since October 2016; the number that have been approved; and the number of those nursing posts that have been filled. [6795/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
Hospital Beds Data
Ceisteanna (391, 392, 393)
Imelda Munster
Ceist:391. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health the number of step down and transitional care beds that are provided in the Cottage Hospital in Drogheda; the number of those beds that are occupied; the number that have been vacant since October 2016; and the status of these beds from October 2016 to date in February 2017. [6796/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraImelda Munster
Ceist:392. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health the number of long-term care beds available in public hospitals in each area in County Louth in 2008 and in 2017. [6797/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraImelda Munster
Ceist:393. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health the percentage of occupancy of the Cottage Hospital, Drogheda, since it became strictly transitional care. [6798/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 391 to 393, inclusive, together.
As these are service matters they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.