Written Answers Nos. 442-466
442. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the immediate efforts that he will take to address the four-plus years waiting time for a urology appointment in University Hospital Waterford; when the two additional consultant urologists will be appointed; the options available to patients waiting four-plus years for urgent appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6999/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to this particular issue, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
443. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has been left for four years without clinical supports, which is holding back their educational development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7001/17]
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.
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.
444. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a list of all public hospitals here; if he will identify which of these public hospitals is or is not resourced with one or more occupied whole-time equivalent clinical nurse specialist role., that is, specific to the HSE’s outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) programme; the number of persons that were IV antibiotic inpatients in 2016; the number of hospital bed days that this inpatient group of patients accounted for in 2016 for each hospital; the number of persons that were community based IV antibiotic patients via the OPAT programme; the number of hospital bed days that this group of patients accounted for in 2016 for each hospital, in tabular form, in each instance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7004/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
445. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health the status of an occupational therapy appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7006/17]
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.
446. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health the number of children on the waiting list for speech and language therapy, physiotherapy and occupational therapy in Dublin north west; the length of time the children have been waiting; if measures will be taken to deal with the waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7007/17]
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.
447. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the reason the HSE is withdrawing medical cards, as happened in the case of a person (detailed supplied); his plans to instruct the HSE to inform itself of this matter in order not to cause unnecessary stress to elderly persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7008/17]
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 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.
448. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health the status of the ongoing provision of the Alzheimer's centre in west Sligo which is run with the assistance of the HSE to the benefit of the entire community in west Sligo; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this service, which has been operational in the community for the past four years, is now due to close on 24 February 2017; his plans to ensure this service is retained in the community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7011/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
449. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the number of additional clinical nurse specialist posts in diabetes care for adults approved for recruitment at Beaumont Hospital; if those posts have yet to be advertised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7065/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
450. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if he will allocate funding for the recruitment of two full-time consultant geneticists for the HSE National Rare Disease Office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7066/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
451. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the acute hospital bed numbers in the health service, broken down by inpatient and day patient beds, area and employer over the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7068/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
452. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the staffing levels in the health service, broken down by area and employing agency, both public and private, over the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7069/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that the Deputy is referring to staffing levels in the HSE and the private sector. I have therefore asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on the matter. My Department does not have access to information on staffing levels in the private health service.
453. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the ambulance response times for emergency call outs, by area, for the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7070/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you.
454. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the membership of four committees (details supplied) and the community representative members on each. [7073/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe membership of the four committees requested are set out in the tables.
Oversight Forum on Drugs
|
Sector |
Body |
Number of Reps |
|
Statutory Sector |
Department of Health |
1 |
|
Statutory Sector |
An Garda Siochána |
1 |
|
Statutory Sector |
Revenue & Customs |
1 |
|
Statutory Sector |
The National Drug Rehabilitation Committee (NDRIC) |
1 |
|
Statutory Sector |
Department of Children & Youth Affairs |
1 |
|
Statutory Sector |
Department of Education & Skills |
1 |
|
Statutory Sector |
Department of Housing, Planning, Community And Local Government |
1 |
|
Statutory Sector |
Department of Justice & Equality |
1 |
|
Statutory Sector |
Department of Social Protection |
1 |
|
Statutory Sector |
Health Service Executive |
1 |
|
Statutory Sector |
Irish Prison Service |
1 |
|
Statutory Sector |
Dept. Foreign Affairs and Trade |
1 |
|
Statutory Sector |
TUSLA |
1 |
|
Statutory Sector |
National Advisory Committee on Drugs and Alcohol |
1 |
|
Cross-sector Task Force network |
Local Drug and Alcohol Task Force Chairs Network |
1 |
|
Cross-sector Task Force network |
Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force Chairs Network |
1 |
|
Voluntary Sector |
Voluntary Sector - represented by the Voluntary Drug Treatment Network |
1 |
|
Community Sector |
Citywide Drugs Crisis Campaign |
1 |
|
Total |
|
18 |
National Advisory Committee on Drugs and Alcohol
|
Sector |
Body |
Number of Reps |
|
Chair |
Chair |
1 |
|
Statutory Sector |
Department of Health |
2 |
|
Statutory Sector |
Health Service Executive |
1 |
|
Statutory Sector |
Department of Children and Youth Affairs |
1 |
|
Statutory Sector |
Department of Education and Skills |
1 |
|
Statutory Sector |
Department of Justice & Equality |
1 |
|
Statutory Sector |
An Garda Síochána |
1 |
|
Statutory Sector |
Health Research Board |
1 |
|
Community Sector |
Community Sector Rep |
2 |
|
Voluntary Sector |
Voluntary Sector |
2 |
|
Cross-sector Task Force network |
Local Drug and Alcohol Task Force Chairs Network |
1 |
|
Cross-sector Task Force network |
Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force Chairs Network |
1 |
|
|
Addiction Counselors |
1 |
|
|
NACDA committee consider and suggest nominees with relevant expertise |
3 |
|
Total |
|
20 |
National Coordinating Committee for Drug and Alcohol Task Forces
|
Sector |
Body |
Number of Reps |
|
Statutory Sector |
Department of Health |
3 |
|
Statutory Sector |
An Garda Siochána |
1 |
|
Statutory Sector |
Education and Training Boards |
1 |
|
Statutory Sector |
Revenue & Customs |
1 |
|
Statutory Sector |
The National Drug Rehabilitation Committee (NDRIC) |
1 |
|
Statutory Sector |
Department of Children & Youth Affairs |
1 |
|
Statutory Sector |
Department of Education & Skills |
1 |
|
Statutory Sector |
Department of Housing, Planning, Community And Local Government |
1 |
|
Statutory Sector |
Local Government Management Agency |
1 |
|
Statutory Sector |
Department of Justice & Equality |
1 |
|
Statutory Sector |
Department of Social Protection |
1 |
|
Statutory Sector |
The Probation Service |
1 |
|
Statutory Sector |
Health Service Executive |
1 |
|
Cross-sector Task Force network |
Local Drug and Alcohol Task Force Chairs Network |
2 |
|
Cross-sector Task Force network |
Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force Chairs Network |
2 |
|
Cross-sector Task Force network |
Local Drug and Alcohol Task Force Coordinator Network |
2 |
|
Cross-sector Task Force network |
Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Coordinator Chairs Network |
2 |
|
Voluntary Sector |
Voluntary Sector - represented by the Voluntary Drug Treatment Network |
2 |
|
Community Sector |
Citywide |
2 |
|
Total |
|
27 |
Steering Group Report on a National Substance Misuse Strategy
|
Sector |
Body |
Number of Reps |
|
Statutory Sector |
Department of Health |
3 |
|
Statutory Sector |
Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Department of Health from May 2011) |
3 |
|
Statutory Sector |
Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform |
1 |
|
Statutory Sector |
Department of Education and Skills |
1 |
|
Statutory Sector |
Department of Environment, Community and Local Government |
1 |
|
Statutory Sector |
Department of Children and Youth Affairs |
1 |
|
Statutory Sector |
Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism (In May 2011 the functions of that Department were transferred to the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht |
1 |
|
Statutory Sector |
Health Service Executive |
3 |
|
Statutory Sector |
An Garda Siochána |
1 |
|
|
The College of Psychiatry of Ireland |
2 |
|
|
Royal College of Physicians in Ireland |
1 |
|
|
Irish College of General Practitioners |
1 |
|
Community Sector |
Community Sector |
1 |
|
Voluntary Sector |
Voluntary Sector |
2 |
|
Statutory Sector |
Road Safety Authority |
1 |
|
Statutory Sector |
National Advisory Committee on Drugs and Alcohol |
1 |
|
NGO |
Alcohol Action Ireland |
1 |
|
Community Sector |
Family Support Network |
1 |
|
Statutory Sector |
Health and Safety Authority |
1 |
|
NGO |
Youth Council of Ireland |
1 |
|
Industry |
Alcohol Beverage Federation of Ireland |
1 |
|
Industry |
MEAS Ltd |
1 |
|
Statutory Sector |
Health Research Board |
1 |
|
Total |
|
31 |
455. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of patients on the National Treatment Purchase Fund pre-planned list for the end of each year from 2002 to 2010, in tabular form; and the numbers waiting on the list at those times for zero to three months, three to six months, six to nine months, nine to 12 months, 12 to 15 months, 15 to 18 months and more than 18 months. [7074/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Treatment Purchase Fund began collecting pre-admit data in 2014, as such the data requested by the Deputy is not available.
456. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of patients on the National Treatment Purchase Fund pre-admit list for the end of each year from 2002 to 2010, in tabular form; the numbers waiting on the list at those times for zero to three months, three to six months, six to nine months, nine to 12 months, 12 to 15 months, 15 to 18 months and more than 18 months. [7075/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Treatment Purchase Fund began collecting pre-admit data in 2011, as such the data requested by the Deputy is not available.
457. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the details of the recent agreement under which the time and one-sixth twilight payment to nurses working in the evening was restored in return for taking on tasks previously carried out by doctors; and if this payment has been restored to nurses working in all HSE and voluntary hospitals. [7107/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra458. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if the tasks previously carried out by non-consultant hospital doctors are being undertaken by nurses in all HSE and voluntary hospitals; and if not, the details of the hospitals in which this is not happening. [7108/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 457 and 458 together.
The Haddington Road Agreement addressed the potential for task transfer of four specified tasks from NCHDs to nurses and midwives. Subsequently a related Chairman’s note to the Lansdowne Road Agreement set out a framework for progressing this matter, encompassing the transfer of 4 tasks (including 1st dose antibiotics, phlebotomy, cannulation and discharge where appropriate) from doctors to nurses. A final agreement on the transfer of tasks was concluded on 17th December 2015 encompassing the roll-out of the transfer of the identified tasks and the provision of training where required for the acute sector. While there was some delay in payment arrangements being finalised all nurses and midwives working 6-8pm in the acute sector are now receiving payment (time and one sixth) and should also have received backmoney for the period from 1 January 2016.
The focus of the Agreement is on improving patient care and supporting early and timely interventions. It is noted that the tasks are to be transferred in the context of the provision of the necessary training programmes, relevant resources being available, existing arrangements for the provision of some of the tasks, for example phlebotomy teams, and that doctors would continue to perform the tasks. A core principle is that the task is undertaken by the staff member who is most appropriate to do so at that time and in that location. The National Implementation and Verification Group was satisfied that the tasks had been transferred in all HSE and voluntary hospitals on the basis provided for in the Agreement or that the roll-out of the training programmes had been progressed sufficiently to justify payment under the terms of the Agreement.
459. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health the 24-7 emergency facilities that are available to persons presenting with mental health issues here out of hours; the region that these are provided in; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7112/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
460. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health the number incidents that have been recorded in the national incident management system in 2014, 2015 and 2016 between children and adults in adult psychiatric units at approved mental health hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7113/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
461. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will extend the opening hours of the primary care centre at Clonbrusk, Athlone, County Westmeath to include evening and weekend appointments. [7114/17]
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.
462. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will put in place a freephone telephone number for the primary care centre at Clonbrusk, Athlone, County Westmeath. [7115/17]
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.
463. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide dental care for children at the primary care centre Clonbrusk, Athlone, County Westmeath. [7116/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
464. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will liaise with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in order to provide a bus service from Athlone town centre to the primary care centre at Clonbrusk, Athlone, County Westmeath. [7117/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the HSE that, on Sunday, 29 January 2017, Bus Éireann introduced service improvements which included a service to Clonbrusk Primary Care Centre.
However, as the provision of Primary Care Centres is a matter for the HSE, I have asked the Executive to reply directly to the Deputy with any other relevant information.
465. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will review the current medical card system with a view to returning the automatic medical card entitlement to persons over 65 years of age. [7118/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the provisions of the Health Acts, medical cards are provided to persons who are, in the opinion of the HSE, unable without undue hardship to arrange GP services for themselves and their dependants. In the assessment process, the HSE can take into account medical costs incurred by an individual or a family. Where deemed appropriate in particular circumstances, the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card even though an applicant's means exceed the prescribed threshold. Where a person does not qualify for a medical card, they may be provided with a GP Visit Card, appropriate therapy or other community supports or drugs.
The separate scheme of assessment for an over-70's medical card is applicable to all persons aged 70 and over. Currently, there are no proposals to introduce an age specific income threshold or to provide medical cards to those aged 65 and over without assessment.
466. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a 24 hour mental health service at the primary care centre Clonlbrusk, Athlone, County Westmeath. [7119/17]
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.
