Written Answers Nos. 392-416
392. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the number of persons outsourced at Letterkenny University Hospital, by speciality, for each of the years 2013 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; the facilities to which persons were referred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8092/17]
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.
393. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the number of emergency department attendances at Letterkenny University Hospital for each of the years 2013 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8093/17]
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.
394. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the number of inpatient and day procedure beds respectively at Letterkenny University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8094/17]
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.
395. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the operating budget for Letterkenny University Hospital for each of the years 2007 to 2016, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8095/17]
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.
396. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal can expect to receive an appointment for an operation at Beaumount Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8096/17]
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.
397. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health the way in which and when the necessary regulations will be put in place with regard to the provision and regulation of medicinal cannabis for certain categories of patient; the categories of patients to which the Government is seeking to make medicinal cannabis available; when it is expected to be made available; and if he will provide any further information he has on this matter. [8098/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Misuse of Drugs Act cannabis is strictly controlled and possession is unlawful except under licence.
In November 2016 I initiated a review of policy on the use of cannabis for medical purposes and asked the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) to provide expert advice on the matter.
On 10th February I published the HPRA’s Report “Cannabis for Medicinal Use – A Scientific Review ” and announced my decision to establish an access programme for cannabis-based treatments for the following conditions, spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis resistant to all standard therapies and interventions, intractable nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy, despite the use of standard anti-emetic regimes and severe, refractory (treatment-resistant) epilepsy that has failed to respond to standard anticonvulsant medications.
Patients accessing cannabis through the programme will be under the care of a medical consultant and medical information and utilisation data are to be kept on a central register for the purposes of collecting safety and efficacy data to support continuation and expansion of the medical use of cannabis.
The HPRA report has been referred to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and my officials will continue to analyse the report and advise on legislative changes that may be necessary.
Until such time as the necessary legislative amendments have been made to facilitate the implementation of the access programme, it remains open to an Irish registered doctor to apply for a licence for access to medicinal cannabis for named patients. To date one licence has been granted via this mechanism.
398. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health when the next advanced paramedic training programme for the National Ambulance Service will be held; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8101/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
399. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) is waiting a significant time for a second procedure after the initial procedure was unsuccessful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8106/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
400. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health to outline the status of the primary care centre planned for Bray; the timeframe for its development; if funding for the project is ring-fenced; the services that will be made available at the centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8111/17]
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.
401. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health his plans for a primary care centre to be established in Arklow; if so, the timeframe for its development; if funding for the project is ring fenced; the services that will be made available at the centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8112/17]
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.
402. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health if additional areas in County Wicklow have been identified for the development of a primary care centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8113/17]
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.
403. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health when mammogram services were discontinued in Tallaght hospital; the reason for same; the number of persons that were using this service; and the locations where these persons are now availing of this service. [8115/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy's questions relate to service delivery matters and accordingly I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him.
404. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health his plans to reduce the waiting time of 26 weeks for the mammogram service in St. James's Hospital for those persons under 50 years of age. [8116/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy's question relates to service delivery matters and accordingly I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him.
405. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health if a person who does not qualify for a medical card can access HSE audiological services and purchase audiological equipment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8117/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
406. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health the number of children diagnosed with autism and other behavioural conditions such as ADHD and so on in the HSE community organisation 7 area that are on waiting lists for the early bird programme, Beechpark services, speech and language therapy and psychology and occupational therapy; and the average length of time these children will be waiting on lists for these services in this area. [8121/17]
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 service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
407. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of children that have been diagnosed with thoracic scoliosis and are awaiting corrective surgery; the rate at which surgeries are currently being progressed; the details of those who have been waiting six months or longer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8130/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraLong waiting times for scoliosis surgery have to be addressed, and the Department has been working closely with the HSE to address services pressures, particularly in Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin, which is the largest provider of scoliosis surgery for children and young people.
Additional funding has been provided in recent years to develop the paediatric orthopaedic services, including scoliosis services. €2m was made available under the Winter Initiative Funding in 2016 and over fifty additional patients have been treated to date under this initiative. As a result of investment, we made some progress but there is much more to do to provide the level of service that is needed.
I recently met with the CEO of the Children’s Hospital Group and of Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin (OLCHC) to discuss immediate action that can be taken to reduce waiting times for children and adolescents with scoliosis.
While the new theatre in OLCHC was commissioned in 2016, it is only now being used for scoliosis surgery due to challenges with recruiting nurses. The hospital has undertaken an aggressive recruitment drive to attract new theatre nurses with the necessary paediatric training. As a result four new nurses will be in place by April. A further 16 international nurses have been offered posts, and have commenced the registration process. The recruitment of these nurses means that the new theatre will be used to provide the additional capacity for scoliosis procedures in OLCHC from April. This will allow an additional day of procedures to be carried out in the medium term. I am advised by OLCHC that an orthopaedic surgeon post in the hospital will also be filled by June. This means that from July, the hospital expects that the theatre use will be further increased. In addition I will receive an Action Plan for Scoliosis from the HSE by the end of February which will take on board the concerns of the advocacy groups.
In relation to the specific issue raised by the Deputy regarding the waiting list and waiting times for children for scoliosis surgery and activity levels in hospital across the country, as this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
408. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be scheduled for an appointment for braces. [8154/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
409. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there was no ambulance or rapid response car in east Cork available to respond to an emergency involving a suicide on 11 February 2017 and local fears that the second ambulance in Midleton, County Cork, which operates on a 12-hour basis only, will be removed soon; if this is planned, the rationale for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8156/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to express my sympathies to the family of the person concerned. With regards to the issues highlighted by the Deputy, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
410. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health if the ambulance service in Midleton, County Cork has been fully staffed each day for the past year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8157/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
411. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the number of electricians who are employed by the HSE in County Roscommon; the locations that they are based in as their place of employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8165/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra412. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the number of supervisors that are employed by the HSE in County Roscommon to supervise electricians; the ratio of supervisors to subordinates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8166/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 411 and 412 together.
I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
413. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health the contingency plans in place to deal with the upcoming industrial action being taken by nurses and by support staff across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8179/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra477. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the steps his Department is taking regarding the impending nursing strike; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8583/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 413 and 477 together.
The INMO sent a notice of industrial action to the HSE on 13th February 2017 in which it advised that a work to rule would commence on the start of the day shift on Tuesday 7th March 2017 when all INMO members would work to contract. It confirmed that all duties would be undertaken as normal however requests to redeploy, or stay on for additional periods, would not be agreed by INMO members during the dispute. It further stated that the action would be escalated to a nationwide work stoppage in the second week, commencing with a one day work stoppage; in the week beginning 14th March 2017. It has confirmed that emergency services would be provided, in line with the Framework for Dispute Resolution in the Health Services (Framework Agreement) which sets out the procedures to be followed in order to make the required arrangements in such circumstances.
Pursuant to the notice and the INMO confirming that it would be available to meet to agree national and local contingency arrangements in accordance with the Framework Agreement a meeting has been arranged between the HSE and the INMO to consider these arrangements and it is taking place this afternoon. My Department will be in attendance. The INMO has also confirmed it is available to meet in respect of the substantive issues. The parties had an initial engagement with the Lansdowne Road Oversight Body on 9th February and it has been in contact with the parties in the interim. Arising from this it is expected that there will be further engagement between the parties in advance of 7th March. In relation to the industrial action underway involving support staff, I can confirm that discussion between the parties is ongoing. With regard to any contingency planning, the parties concerned would also engage in accordance with the Framework for Dispute Resolution in the Health Services.
414. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the assistance he has provided to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8192/17]
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. 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.
415. 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. [8226/17]
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.
416. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the services available for children with speech and language difficulties in County Tipperary; if speech and language therapy drop-in clinics are available in County Tipperary for parents who are concerned about whether their children require speech and language therapy similar to the service available in other parts of the country (details supplied); if not, the reason for same; the current wait time for speech and language assessments in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8229/17]
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.
