David Cullinane
Ceist:203. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of beds the HSE plans to open in prefabs at acute hospitals, by hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10889/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraHospital Beds Data
Ceisteanna (203)
Freagraí scríofa
As the Deputy may be aware, the Winter Initiative Plan which the HSE launched in September last year, provided €40 million of additional funding for winter preparedness and to manage the expected surge in demand for hospital care in an integrated way across Primary, Acute and Social Care.
As part of this the HSE put in place a National Framework for the provision of temporary alternative accommodation, as just one part of a broad range of measures undertaken to alleviate pressure on our Emergency Departments. Under the Framework, the HSE has advised that consideration will be given to managed temporary patient accommodation solutions which are staffed. The next stage will be for a mini-tender to be coordinated in the coming weeks to request proposals in relation to temporary patient accommodation solutions.
Decisions in relation to the opening of temporary alternative accommodation in specific locations will be made based on the outcome of this procurement process and the submissions made by hospitals and hospital groups.
This year’s gross budget for the Health Sector is in excess of €14 billion and represents an increase of almost half a billion compared to the 2016 allocation. The additional funding secured will continue to ease the pressure on the Health Service to provide the optimum level of safe services for patients within the budgetary limits. In addition to increasing capacity by providing additional financial resources to the public health system over the last two years, this Government has also demonstrated its commitment to increasing bed capacity in the public hospital system. Under the Winter Initiative, funding has been provided to open around 100 extra acute beds this year; of these 90 are already open.
So far, the Winter Initiative has also delivered a reduction in delayed discharges nationally from a high of 659 earlier in 2016 to 517 as of this week, freeing up hospitals beds to alleviate ED pressures, aids and appliances to over 4,250 patients, as well as almost 1,050 additional homecare packages and 615 additional transitional care beds approvals, all enabling patients to be discharged from hospital sooner.
There is a commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government regarding the conduct of a bed capacity review in the public health system. This review is already underway. It will be comprehensive with a wider scope than previous reviews, which focused on bed capacity in acute hospitals only.
Hospitals Expenditure
Ceisteanna (204)
David Cullinane
Ceist:204. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if the HSE has costed the provision of beds in prefab units at acute hospitals; the details of the costings; the comparison with a bed in an acute hospital ward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10890/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The HSE has put in place a National Framework for the provision of temporary alternative accommodation, as just one part of a broad range of measures undertaken under the Winter Initiative Plan 2016-2017. Under the Framework, the HSE has advised that consideration will also be given to managed temporary patient accommodation solutions which are staffed. The next stage will be for a mini-tender to be coordinated in the coming weeks to request proposals in relation to temporary patient accommodation solutions.
Decisions in relation to the opening of temporary alternative accommodation in specific locations and information on associated costs will be made based on the outcome of this procurement process and the submissions made by hospitals and hospital groups.
Hospital Staff Recruitment
Ceisteanna (205)
David Cullinane
Ceist:205. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the additional staff that will be hired to work in any additional acute hospital beds in prefabs being considered by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10891/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The HSE has put in place a National Framework for the provision of temporary alternative accommodation, as just one part of a broad range of measures undertaken under the Winter Initiative Plan 2016-2017. Under the Framework, the HSE has advised that consideration will also be given to managed temporary patient accommodation solutions which are staffed. The next stage will be for a mini-tender to be coordinated in the coming weeks to request proposals in relation to temporary patient accommodation solutions.
Decisions in relation to the opening of temporary alternative accommodation in specific locations and associated staffing requirements will be made based on the outcome of this procurement process and the submissions made by hospitals and hospital groups.
Hospital Accommodation Provision
Ceisteanna (206)
David Cullinane
Ceist:206. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans to open a prefab at University Hospital Waterford, UWH, to provide additional beds at the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10892/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy may be aware, the Winter Initiative Plan which the HSE launched in September last year, provided €40 million of additional funding for winter preparedness and to manage the expected surge in demand for hospital care in an integrated way across Primary, Acute and Social Care.
As part of this the HSE put in place a National Framework for the provision of temporary alternative accommodation, as just one part of a broad range of measures undertaken to alleviate pressure on our Emergency Departments. Under the Framework, the HSE has advised that consideration will be given to managed temporary patient accommodation solutions which are staffed. The next stage will be for a mini-tender to be coordinated in the coming weeks to request proposals in relation to temporary patient accommodation solutions.
It is open to hospitals to submit applications within the guidelines as set out in this Framework.
Nursing Staff Data
Ceisteanna (207)
David Cullinane
Ceist:207. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time equivalent nursing positions in place in each acute hospital for each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10896/17]
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 Staff Data
Ceisteanna (208)
David Cullinane
Ceist:208. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the total number of vacant posts at acute hospitals here, by profession, grade, duration of vacancy and hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10897/17]
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 Staff Data
Ceisteanna (209)
David Cullinane
Ceist:209. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of vacant posts at University Hospital Waterford, UHW, by post, grade and duration of vacancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10898/17]
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 Beds Data
Ceisteanna (210)
David Cullinane
Ceist:210. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the total number of acute hospital beds operational from 2008 to 2017, by year and by hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10905/17]
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 Beds Data
Ceisteanna (211)
David Cullinane
Ceist:211. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the total number of hospital beds closed in acute hospitals in 2016, by hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10906/17]
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 (212)
Martin Ferris
Ceist:212. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive appropriate inpatient treatment at a facility suitable for children. [10949/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Services for People with Disabilities
Ceisteanna (213)
John McGuinness
Ceist:213. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to putting in place a personalised budget plan to cover the cost of care of a person (details supplied); the actions that were taken by the HSE arising from the Ombudsman report of 2012; if the plan being developed by the HSE will include adequate supports for the person's parents and an overall seamless delivery of every service required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10954/17]
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.
Health Services Provision
Ceisteanna (214)
John McGuinness
Ceist:214. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if home support and care will be provided to a person (details supplied). [10955/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Medical Aids and Appliances Provision
Ceisteanna (215)
John McGuinness
Ceist:215. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if a stroller will be provided for a person (details supplied). [10957/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
HSE Staff
Ceisteanna (216)
John McGuinness
Ceist:216. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if he will request a report from Portlaoise hospital relative to the case of a person (details supplied); and if an external independent review will be carried out of the issues concerning the person's treatment. [10958/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
It is noted that the matter raised by the Deputy relates to a person's employment and the individual's treatment as a HSE employee. As set out in the Health Acts the Minister for Health has no direct role in addressing such employment matters. The Acts specify that the HSE appoints persons to be its employees. It determines the duties, terms and conditions of employment of employees.
However, having regard to the matter raised by the Deputy I have asked the Office of the Director of National HR in the HSE to ensure that it is satisfied that the individual mentioned has been treated fairly and in accordance with the appropriate policies and procedures as set out in the HSE Employee Handbook 2016 - 2017. The Office has been requested to respond to my Department within the next 4 weeks.
Health Services Provision
Ceisteanna (217)
Denise Mitchell
Ceist:217. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health the reason for the decision to remove the public nurse from Ballymun; and the services that are now in place to carry out development examinations of toddlers at various stages. [10984/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
Hospital Appointments Administration
Ceisteanna (218)
Denise Mitchell
Ceist:218. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health the number of inpatient and outpatient did not attends at Beaumont Hospital for the years 2013, 2014, 2015 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10985/17]
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.
Hospitals Data
Ceisteanna (219)
Denise Mitchell
Ceist:219. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health the number of theatres operational at Beaumont Hospital for each of the years 2011 to 2015 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10986/17]
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.
Hospitals Capital Programme
Ceisteanna (220, 221)
Denise Mitchell
Ceist:220. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health the capital projects agreed and funded at Beaumont Hospital; the details and overview of each project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10987/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraDenise Mitchell
Ceist:221. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health the cost of each capital project funded by the HSE and-or his Department at Beaumont Hospital for each of the years 2009 to 2015 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10988/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 220 and 221 together.
My Department has not funded any capital project at Beaumont Hospital. As the HSE is responsible for the delivery of health care infrastructure projects, the Executive has been requested to reply directly to you in relation to the approved projects it has funded at Beaumont Hospital for each of the years 2009 to 2016 and to date in 2017.
Hospitals Policy
Ceisteanna (222)
Denise Mitchell
Ceist:222. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health the number of times the full capacity protocol was initiated at Beaumont Hospital in each of the years 2011 to 2015 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10989/17]
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.
State Claims Agency
Ceisteanna (223)
Clare Daly
Ceist:223. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 214 and 215 of 15 February 2017, if the table supplied as part of the response to that question relates to the actuarial estimated damages spend under the heading "maternity cases" or relates to the actuarial estimated spend on damages across the entire health service (details supplied). [10992/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The table provided in PQ reply No. 207 of 8 February showed, for the Clinical Indemnity Scheme, the annual actuarial estimates/predictions of the likely total cost of the Scheme for the years 2014 - 2016. The actuarial estimates/predictions do not separately break out the estimated/predicted costs of maternity cases as a subset of total costs, but rather, they refer to the overall estimated/predicted cost of the Scheme, to include all clinical negligence cases across the range of clinical specialties. Similarly the table in reply to questions 214 and 215 related to the annual actuarial estimates/predictions of the likely total cost of the Clinical Indemnity Scheme for the years 2009 - 2013. Total costs include damages, experts' and legal costs.
Community Care
Ceisteanna (224)
Eugene Murphy
Ceist:224. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health the cost per person to accommodate a person on a weekly basis in the community nursing unit in Creagh, Ballinasloe, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10994/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (225)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:225. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when an appropriate thorough medical examination and appropriate procedure will be offered in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11002/17]
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 the Deputy directly.