Written Answers Nos. 219-229
219. Deputy Hildegarde Naughton asked the Minister for Health if the requirement for a second MRI scanner at University Hospital Galway, UHG, has been brought to the attention of his Department; if a request for resources in this respect has been received from UHG; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7559/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe requirement for a second MRI scanner at University Hospital Galway has been brought to the attention of my Department.
The Saolta University Health Care Group advises that UHG is undertaking an internal review of waiting list/outpatients management with a view to identifying improvements around process flow.
Saolta advises that a business case for a second MRI scanner has been submitted to HSE Estates and Acute Hospitals Divisions. It also advises that, from 29 November 2016 to 24 January 2017, the hospital has outsourced 5 MRI high priority scans to the private sector to free up capacity for inpatient requirements.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
220. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the theatre utilisation rate for each of the acute and non-acute hospitals here for 2017 and for each of the past five years; if data are collected in respect of under booking, turnaround and downtime between patients; if so, if he will provide this information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7563/17]
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.
221. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if he will announce a date for the publication of the national policy for the development of a trauma network for Ireland in view of the fact that a public consultation took place in autumn 2015 and that according to his Department's website, the national steering group was scheduled to publish its report in mid-2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7564/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe development of a policy on a trauma system for Ireland is a joint initiative from the Department of Health and the HSE. The primary aim of developing this policy is to improve patient outcomes and to lead to a reduction in preventable death and disability by ensuring that the trauma patient is delivered to the care facility that has the right resources to match his/her often multiple and critical needs in the shortest time possible.
The trauma care pathway encompasses pre-hospital care, Emergency Department resuscitation and emergency surgical intervention, reconstruction of injuries and rehabilitation. A Steering Group on a Trauma System for Ireland was established by the Minister (Chaired by Prof Eilis McGovern) in 2015. Five Working Groups were also established to make recommendations to the Steering Group in relation to each of the components of the trauma care pathway and in relation to the configuration of a trauma system for Ireland.
Given its scale, the development of the policy is still work in progress but it is expected the Steering Group's report will be completed as soon as possible in 2017.
222. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be called for hip replacement surgery; and the expected timeframe in view of the fact that this person has been on the waiting list a considerable length of time and is in deteriorating health. [7567/17]
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 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.
223. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health if he will review the decision to cut funding for the centre for narcolepsy in St. James’s Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7569/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra224. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health the reason for the decision to cut funding for the centre for narcolepsy in St. James’s Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7570/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 223 and 224 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
225. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an orthopaedic consultation in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7575/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
The scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she should take the matter up with the consultant and the hospital involved. In relation to the specific case raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
226. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the reason an orthopaedic operation was not provided for a person (details supplied) in view of the exceptional medical circumstances in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7577/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
The scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she should take the matter up with the consultant and the hospital involved. In relation to the specific case raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly
227. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7587/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
The scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she should take the matter up with the consultant and the hospital involved. In relation to the specific case raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
228. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7592/17]
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 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.
229. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the fair deal scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7651/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
