Peter Burke
Ceist:394. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if funding allocated for an MRI scanner in a hospital (details supplied) is to replace an existing MRI scanner. [6806/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraHospital Equipment
Ceisteanna (394)
Freagraí scríofa
The proposed funding is for a replacement MRI scanner at the Midlands Regional Hospital, Tullamore.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (395)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:395. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied) who has been referred to Tallaght Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6811/17]
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 Administration
Ceisteanna (396)
Kevin O'Keeffe
Ceist:396. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if he will review procedures in his Department regarding medical card applicants (details supplied); and if his attention has been drawn to the current situation it is causing for many persons. [6826/17]
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.
Medicinal Products Reimbursement
Ceisteanna (397)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:397. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health when the HSE will consider including a new blood glucose monitoring system using skin sensors; the status of the review of the formal application to add the FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system to the reimbursement list; if he has a timeframe for its consideration in compliance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6828/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (398)
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:398. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the reason planned surgery at Our Lady’s Hospital, Crumlin, was cancelled on two separate occasions for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; when this surgery is expected to take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6839/17]
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 Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (399)
Timmy Dooley
Ceist:399. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will have an appointment to assess their deteriorating condition and determine treatment going forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6840/17]
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.
Maternity Services Provision
Ceisteanna (400)
Clare Daly
Ceist:400. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health his plans to make non-invasive prenatal testing available through the public health system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6843/17]
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.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (401)
Timmy Dooley
Ceist:401. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) who is on a waiting list will have a video EEG; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6847/17]
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 Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (402)
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:402. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive a date for an appointment at Letterkenny University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6854/17]
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 Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (403)
Catherine Connolly
Ceist:403. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the total figure that has been ring-fenced to tackle waiting lists in Galway University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6856/17]
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 2016, I granted approval to the NTPF to dedicate €5m to a daycase waiting list initiative with the aim of ensuring that no patient will be waiting more than 18 months for a daycase procedure by 30 June 2017. In excess of 2000 daycases will be managed through this process and outsourcing of treatment will commence shortly.
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. These Plans will utilise both the capacity within the private hospital system through outsourcing, whilst maximising existing capacity in our public hospital system through insourcing within hospital groups. The Plans are being developed in conjunction with, and supported by, the NTPF's proposal for utilisation of the remaining €10m of 2017 funding for patient treatment, which I expect to receive by 24 February.
Initiatives organised by the NTPF and HSE will target the longest waiting patients and as such will include patients waiting for treatment in Galway University Hospital.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (404)
Joan Burton
Ceist:404. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health when a cataract operation will be carried out for a person (details supplied) in University Hospital Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6859/17]
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 Services
Ceisteanna (405)
Joan Burton
Ceist:405. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health the reason funding has not been provided for the endoscopy unit, new physical medicine, physical therapy, oncology services and day procedure departments at Naas General Hospital; when funding will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6862/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Funding for the endoscopy unit, new physical medicine, physical therapy, oncology services and day procedure departments at Naas General Hospital will be considered in the context of the future capital envelope for the health service and the overall priorities for future service development in the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group. It is proposed that there will be a mid-term review of the State’s capital envelope, which will assess progress, review emerging pressures and demands. It is expected that this mid-term review will be completed in 2017.
Disabilities Assessments
Ceisteanna (406)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:406. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be granted a date for an assessment of needs to be carried out. [6865/17]
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.
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.
Cyber Security Policy
Ceisteanna (407)
Noel Rock
Ceist:407. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health the actions his Department is taking to strengthen against cyber attacks after the NTMA website was temporarily down for several hours after a suspected hacking attack; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6883/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department takes Information Security (IS) issues very seriously and has a comprehensive set of IS policies, procedures and controls in place to safeguard and strengthen its ICT systems against cyber attacks. Security reviews are carried out on a regular basis. Responsibility for this area is assigned to an IS manager and my Department also uses the services of an external IS service provider to deliver expert advice and recommendations.
Assistance, support and cyber crime intelligence is also received through regular contact with the Computer Emergency Incident Response Team - Ireland (CSIRT) which is a unit in the National Cyber Security Centre, hosted by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment.
Maternity Services
Ceisteanna (408)
Catherine Connolly
Ceist:408. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 509 of 12 July 2016 (details supplied), the details of each of the recommendations, in tabular form; if same have been implemented in full; if not the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6892/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. However, all recommendations are being acted upon and implementation is well underway.
I would also like to assure the House that the safety and quality of maternity services is a priority for this Government. The Galway Report also recommended that the Department of Health develop and implement a National Maternity Services Strategy. The publication of Ireland’s first National Maternity Strategy just over a year ago demonstrates a new and enhanced focus on maternity care at both policy and service delivery level. It provides a roadmap for how we can improve maternity and neonatal care in the years ahead in order to promote and assure safe, standardised and high quality care.
The National Clinical Effectiveness Committee (NCEC) has endorsed and published a number of Clinical Guidelines for the health system, arising from the Galway Report, including a Maternity Early Warning System Guideline (2014), Maternity Clinical Handover Guideline and a Sepsis Guideline (2014). In addition the NCEC has commenced the development of a National Clinical Guideline for Intrapartum Care as recommended by the Maternity Strategy. This Guideline is being chaired by Professor Michael Turner. Monitoring of implementation of the Guidelines is a continuing process by the HSE.
I might add that since December 2015, each maternity hospital, including the National Maternity Hospital, is publishing a monthly Maternity Patient Safety Statement.
Hospital Procedures
Ceisteanna (409)
Barry Cowen
Ceist:409. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the reason there have been no orthopaedic surgeries carried out in the Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore, since before December 2016 [6893/17]
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.
Medical Card Administration
Ceisteanna (410)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:410. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if an MRI scan is covered by the medical card scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6897/17]
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.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (411)
Mary Butler
Ceist:411. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health the number of patients on the waiting list for knee and hip operations at University Hospital Waterford in each of the years 2012 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6907/17]
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.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (412)
Mary Butler
Ceist:412. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health the number of patients awaiting follow-up appointments for knee and hip operations at University Hospital Waterford in each of the years 2012 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6908/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (413)
Martin Ferris
Ceist:413. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a hospital appointment. [6909/17]
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.
Food Safety Standards Regulation
Ceisteanna (414, 415)
Billy Kelleher
Ceist:414. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of times the European Union’s rapid alert system for food and feed has received a notification from Ireland from 2010 to 2016 per annum, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6915/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraBilly Kelleher
Ceist:415. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the communications he has had with his UK counterpart with regard to the UK's continued participation in the European Union’s rapid alert system for food and feed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6916/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 414 and 415 together.
The legal basis of the EU’s Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) is Article 50 of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002, which establishes the RASFF as a network involving the Member States, European Commission (which manages the system) and European Food Safety Authority. Switzerland and the EEA countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway are also members of the RASFF. Whenever a member of the network has any information relating to the existence of a serious direct or indirect risk to human health deriving from food or feed, the information must be notified to the Commission. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) is the national contact point for the RASFF.
I have not had specific contact with my UK counterpart about the UK’s continued participation in the RASFF post Brexit. Work is ongoing to deepen analysis of the potential implications of Brexit. However, this is challenging as it is not yet known what new arrangements may emerge as regards the UK’s future relationship with the EU. It is also important to state that until the UK formally withdraws from the European Union, it remains a full member, with all of its existing rights and obligations.
The FSAI has advised that between 2010 and 2016, the number of original notifications to the system was more than 3,000 per year, of which Ireland contributed 31-57 per year (see annual data in following table). Many of the notifications from Ireland concern foods which did not originate in Ireland, while the number of notifications concerning foods which originated in Ireland is very small – less than 1%.
|
RASFF Notifications 2010-2016 |
|||||||
|
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
|
|
Original Notifications submitted by Ireland |
33 |
49 |
53 |
42 |
42 |
57 |
31 |
|
Notifications concerning foods distributed to Ireland |
65 |
83 |
82 |
88 |
117 |
120 |
106 |
|
Notifications about foods originating from Ireland |
25 |
12 |
19 |
29 |
24 |
17 |
16 |
|
Total Original Notifications issued by the European Commission |
3,349 |
3,718 |
3,441 |
3,168 |
3,128 |
3,005 |
2,944 |
HSE Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (416)
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:416. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if he is considering any sanctions to higher tier management structures in the HSE and hospitals for mismanagement of waiting lists, for failure to reduce waiting lists and for failure to improve patient outcomes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6925/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The HSE's Performance and Accountability Framework sets out how the HSE including the National Divisions, Hospital Groups and individual managers will be held to account for their performance. It makes explicit the responsibilities of health service managers in relation to the four domains of performance which are Access to services, the Quality and Safety of those services, doing this within the Financial Resources available and by effectively harnessing the efforts of the Workforce.
My Department oversees and monitors the HSE's implementation of its Performance Accountability Framework and monitors implementation of the HSE corporate plan and annual National Service Plans.
I and my Department continues to meet with senior officials from the HSE on a weekly basis to monitor performance in relation to waiting lists.