Written Answers Nos. 578-592
578. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the policy regarding the costs charged to persons for use of a hospital bed who are ready for discharge but who are awaiting a nursing home place in HSE hospitals and Tallaght Hospital; his views on whether these charges are fair; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9887/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraStatutory acute in-patient charges apply when a patient is admitted to a hospital under the terms of Section 53(C) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended) and cease under the terms of the same section of the 1970 Act (as amended). The circumstances where the statutory in-patient charges cease are where the patient is either, "(i) upon a registered medical practitioner having the authority to make such a decision in the hospital concerned determining that the person concerned no longer requires acute in-patient care, or (ii) where the person is otherwise discharged as a patient from the hospital." In these circumstances, the hospital may make charges under Section 53(A) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). Section 53(A) of the Health Act 1970 allows an acute hospital to charge a patient who no longer requires medically acute care the average cost of public long term residential care.
In relation to the specific query on hospital charges raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
579. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the reason persons that have been diagnosed with diabetes type one are now being required to produce a new prescription on a six-monthly basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9962/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes, including the Long Term Illness Scheme; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
580. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health the number of persons currently waiting for outpatient services at Letterkenny University Hospital; the progress being made in reducing waiting times over the period 2014 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9963/17]
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.
581. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health his plans for the appointment of a breast radiologist at Letterkenny University Hospital; and if the breast cancer centre is appropriately staffed for the current demands placed on it. [9964/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Breast Cancer Service at Letterkenny University Hospital (LUH) operates as a satellite centre of University Hospital Galway (UHG). The Saolta Hospital Group is committed to continuing the Letterkenny University Hospital service as a fully integrated part of the Galway service, including through a joint Multi-Disciplinary Team approach.
The service at Letterkenny University Hospital is run by a single consultant who also undertakes general surgery at the hospital. This service is augmented by locum consultants and by Galway-based Saolta consultants who travel to carry out clinics in the Letterkenny service to meet needs arising.
At present, steps are being taken to recruit a full-time locum Consultant surgeon to deal with the current demands on the service. Increased levels of support from other Saolta consultants is also envisaged. Consideration is also being given to longer term measures to meet the future requirements of the service. In that regard, the level of staffing at consultancy, G.P. support and Advanced Nurse Practitioner levels will be among a range of issues to be considered.
582. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health his plans to appoint an additional consultant endocrinologist for Letterkenny University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9965/17]
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.
583. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health his plans to improve the urology department within Letterkenny University Hospital (details supplied); his further plans to recruit additional staff for urology services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9966/17]
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.
584. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the costs incurred and expenditure outlay in each year since 2012 for the new children's hospital at St. James's Hospital [9967/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Paediatric Hospital Development Board is the statutory body charged with delivery of the capital project. I have asked it to respond to you directly regarding expenditure to date.
585. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the status of plans for the provision of a dedicated centre for persons with intestinal failure catering for adults and patients moving from the paediatric unit at Crumlin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9971/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
586. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if a replacement consultant endocrinologist based at a hospital (details supplied) has yet been identified to fill a post which is soon to be vacated by its incumbent post holder; if so, when this replacement consultant will take up this position; the date on which the incumbent post holder is expected to vacate the role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10005/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
587. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to concerns regarding the land identified for extension of the Grove Hospital, Tuam, Galway; if a thorough assessment of these lands will be undertaken prior to any construction works to ensure the absence of human remains; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10007/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
588. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the population of each catchment area as per the 2011 and 2016 census figures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10045/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand the Deputy is requesting population details for each Community Healthcare Organisation.
My Department have obtained the following population breakdown from the HSE:
|
- |
Census 2016* |
Census 2011 |
|
Area 1 |
||
|
Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan, Leitrim, Sligo |
390,404 |
389,048 |
|
Area 2 |
||
|
Galway, Mayo, Roscommon |
453,413 |
445,356 |
|
Area 3 |
||
|
Clare, Limerick, Tipperary N |
385,172 |
379,327 |
|
Area 4 |
||
|
Cork, Kerry |
689,750 |
664,534 |
|
Area 5 |
||
|
Carlow, Kilkenny, Tipperary S, Waterford, Wexford |
511,070 |
497,578 |
|
Area 6 |
||
|
Dublin South East, Dun Laoghaire, Wicklow |
381,882 |
364,464 |
|
Area 7 |
||
|
Dublin S City, Dublin SW, Dublin W, Kildare/W Wicklow |
706,766 |
674,071 |
|
Area 8 |
||
|
Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath |
618,303 |
592,388 |
|
Area 9 |
||
|
Dublin N, Dublin N Central and Dublin NW |
621,216 |
581,486 |
|
Total |
4,757,976 |
4,588,252 |
*Figures in the above table for 2016 are preliminary figures only.
589. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the provision of a dedicated obstetrics theatre at University Hospital Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10057/17]
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.
590. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the total number of acute inpatient beds in mental health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10059/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra591. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the total number of acute inpatient beds in mental health in each catchment area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10060/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra617. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of mental health in patient beds nationally for zero to 18 year olds and the location of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10208/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 590, 591 and 617 together.
As these are service issues, these questions have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
592. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health if the HSE operates or contracts services for the transportation of patient samples from general practitioner or medical surgeries to and from laboratories; if so, the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10075/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
