Written Answers Nos. 930-943
930. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the status of a scan for a person (details supplied); if an operation is required; if so, when this will be carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19669/17]
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 particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
931. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason facilities (details supplied) in Clonmel and Grange, County Tipperary, are only operating on a part-time basis; if these facilities will be supported to allow them open full time to provide improved respite services to families of children with special needs; the estimated costs associated with operating these houses as opposed to the costs of full-time residential care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19680/17]
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.
The Programme for Partnership Government states that the Government wishes to provide more accessible respite care to facilitate full support for people with a disability.
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.
932. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if a person's medical records are secure with the expansion of the ehealth system; if it is possible to opt out of the system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19685/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe importance of, and the opportunity for, eHealth or digital health to support health care reform and the delivery of a modern health care system has been recognised for quite some time. In 2013, the Government approved and published a strategy for developing eHealth capability in the Irish health system called the eHealth strategy for Ireland, 2013. This strategy sets out a number of objectives and a road map for the delivery and implementation of eHealth for the benefit of patients. One of the recommendations in the strategy was the development of a system of unique identifiers for patients to underpin patient safety and efficiency.
The Health Identifiers Act 2014 gives the legal basis for the development and the deployment of health identifiers that will cover individual patients, and health care providers and professionals in the health service. The development and implementation of a system of unique patient identification for our health service is a major task and was recommended by the Health Information and Quality Authority and the Commission on Patient Safety and Quality Assurance in 2008. Each patient will be assigned a unique identifier when they engage with the health system for the purposes of better patient care and safety both of which are of paramount importance. A privacy impact assessment (PIA) has been conducted and a public consultation exercise undertaken as part of the preparation for the implementation. There has also been engagement with the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner in relation to the deployment. It should be noted that the Individual Health Identifier is only a number and is, of itself, not a medical record. Therefore the opt out from the number itself is not feasible and should not be confused with a patients right regarding the use of their medical information. In that regard, it is important to bear in mind that the Health Identifiers Act 2014 did not change in any way the law, including data protection law, in relation to the statutory rights of patients regarding their medical records or the obligations that data controllers have for patients' personal health data. Furthermore, patients are entitled to discuss with their health care provider what happens with their health data. It is important to point out that the roll out of a system of health identifiers for patients, has no linkage with any eligibility for any type of health service or benefit. It is primarily a patient safety initiative and a fundamental building block for eHealth and ICT developments into the future.
The delivery of digital health care services and the roll out of an electronic health record (EHR) will need to be underpinned by a robust legal framework to ensure confidentiality and security of patient data consistent with the new EU general data protection regulation, Regulation (EU) 2016/679. The new EU regulations (General Data Protection Regulation) will, from May 2018, regulate the collecting, use, keeping and disclosing of personal data, including the purposes for which it is collected and used. The GDPR provides a timely opportunity to examine how public confidence in the way the health system handles personal health data can be enhanced and that will involve consideration of a range of matters, including consent and the related idea of opt-out.
Accordingly, my Department is currently examining the appropriate information framework that will provide the optimum environment to support patient safety and allow for digital deployment of information systems into the future. The health care delivery system requires a robust information governance environment to ensure the right information about the right patient is available securely, in the right place and at the right time. The confidentiality of health data and the right of citizens to privacy must always be respected while at the same time be balanced against the health needs of the individual and the use of health data for the greater good of society. These are complex and demanding issues which must be addressed in the context of the Health Information and Patient Safety Bill, national and health sector implementation of the new General Data Protection Regulation and existing health legislation including the Health Identifiers Act 2014.
933. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost to restore the former gross income limits for the over-70s medical card (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19688/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
934. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the record number of persons left on trolleys in view of the fact that the €40 million winter initiative was not effective in addressing the issue; if one of the central focuses of his plan will be acquiring additional nursing staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19690/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince the start of 2017 there have been approximately 5% less patients waiting on trolleys nationally compared to the same period last year.
As the Deputy will be aware, in September the HSE launched its ‘Winter Initiative Plan 2016-2017’ which provided €40 million of additional funding for winter preparedness. This Initiative was developed to manage the expected winter surge in demand for hospital care in an integrated way across Primary, Acute and Social Care.
A significant focus of the Winter Initiative was on reducing delayed discharges in acute hospitals through the funding and provision of additional homecare packages, home help hours and transitional care beds. Delayed discharges reduced from 638 in September 2016 to a low of 434 at the end of December and were maintained below 500 from mid-December through to end February. This had a positive impact on ED overcrowding and trolley numbers, in freeing up beds for use by patients awaiting admission to hospital.
My Department and the HSE fully recognise the importance of recruiting and retaining nurses within the public health system to deliver services. There is now a commitment to increase the nursing and midwifery workforce in 2017 with 1,208 additional permanent posts, along with 130 additional undergraduate places available in 2017. There will also be the offer of full-time contracts to all graduating nurses. Furthermore, commitments have also been made in relation to the provision of maternity leave cover and a career break scheme, along with improved educational opportunities and career pathways.
I can assure the Deputy that there continues to be a very strong focus on reducing ED overcrowding. My Department and the HSE are currently engaged in a process to commence winter planning for next year and to achieve an improvement trajectory in ED performance.
935. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health if grants are available for home gym equipment for persons with Down's syndrome; if not, if he will consider creating such a programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19693/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not operate any scheme providing grants of the type referred to by the Deputy and there are no plans to introduce such a scheme.
936. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health if he will consider implementing a time maximum at which hospitals must release a body to relatives for burial; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19698/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
937. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who had their pre-scheduled operations at Cork University Hospital cancelled over the Easter weekend; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19699/17]
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.
938. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health the reason the HSE has neglected to offer paediatric heart transplant services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19700/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIrish paediatric patients travel to the UK for heart, liver and lung transplants, while kidney transplants are carried out in the Children's University Hospital, Temple Street. In the case of paediatric heart transplants, only around 5 to 6 cases arise in Ireland each year and the current policy reflects this low level of activity.
The possibility of heart transplants for paediatric patients being undertaken at Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin has been raised recently. This suggestion has not been considered in detail at this time. If any change was to be pursued, it would take a considerable time to implement.
939. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health when the HSE decided not to reimburse persons for a drug (details supplied); when the HSE informed the company of this decision by letter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19715/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drug schemes in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
940. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be moved to a rehabilitation facility in order to begin their rehabilitation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19760/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
941. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health his views on the ownership of the National Maternity Hospital; his further views on whether it should be retained in State ownership and control; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19766/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra942. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health if his Department has been in communication with the National Maternity Hospital regarding changing the charter of the hospital. [19767/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra943. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 630 of 11 April 2017, his views on changing the current composition of the National Maternity Hospital governance structures in order that there is no ex-officio religious representation. [19768/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra945. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the reason for awarding the new maternity hospital to a group (details supplied); the ownership and governance structure of this group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19782/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra952. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health his rationale for giving the new maternity hospital to a religious congregation; and the way in which the public interest will be entirely protected in view of the fact that the independence of the new maternity hospital at St. Vincent's will be copper fastened by reserved powers and a golden share held by the Minister for Health of the day; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19815/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra984. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health if procedures not in line with Roman Catholic teaching will not be prevented or hampered in any way at the National Maternity Hospital in view of the new relationship with a group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19968/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 941 to 943, inclusive, 945, 952 and 984 together.
Following extensive mediation discussions, agreement was reached late last year between the St.Vincent’s Healthcare Group (SVHG) and the National Maternity Hospital (NMH) on the relocation of the NMH to the Elm Park campus. The terms of the agreement, which has now been published, provides for the establishment of a new company - "The National Maternity Hospital at Elm Park DAC (limited by shares)”.
The new company will have clinical and operational, as well as financial and budgetary independence in the provision of maternity, gynaecology and neonatal services. This independence will be assured by the reserved powers which are set out in the agreement and will be copperfastened by the golden share which will be held by the Minister for Health of the day. These reserved powers can only be amended with the unanimous written approval of the Directors and with the approval of the Minister for Health. The Board of the new NMH will comprise nine directors; four nominated by SVHG, four by NMH, including the Master, and one will be an international expert in obstetrics and gynaecology. Two of the NMH Directors will also sit on the SVHG Board.
The agreement ensures that a full range of health services will be available at the NMH at Elm Park without religious, ethnic or other distinction. In that regard, I welcome the confirmation by the Board of SVHG that any medical procedure, which is in accordance with the laws of this State, will be carried out at the new hospital. I should also acknowledge that the SVHG is making valuable land available, at no cost to the State, to facilitate the new NMH. In doing so, they have foregone the opportunity to put this land to alternative use.
As set out in the agreement, the establishment of the new company will necessitate an amendment of the NMH Charter; however as we are still in the very early stages, my Department has not yet been in communication with the NMH in relation to this issue.
Now that the planning application for the development has been submitted we must now turn our focus to the legal mechanisms necessary to operationalise the agreement. The hospital will be publicly funded, built on lands in the ownership of the SVHG and operated by the new company. Over the next few weeks I will meet with both hospitals and will consider further the legal mechanisms necessary to absolutely protect the State's considerable investment in the hospital, including the issue of ownership of the new facility. Prior to the HSE entering into any construction contract, I will formally sanction the necessary arrangements to ensure that the facilities are legally secured on an on-going basis for the delivery of publicly funded maternity, gynaecology and neonatal services commitments. I should add that over the years we have made very significant capital investment in voluntary hospitals, and no issues have ever arisen in relation to same. I therefore do not foresee any difficulty in this regard.
I intend to report to Government on this project at the end of May. At that stage I expect to have further details on the legal and other arrangements envisaged and will make this information available publicly. This will allow for the necessary clarity well in advance of contractual or other commitments being entered into in respect of this project.
Finally, I would like reaffirm my commitment to this hugely important project. The facilities at Holles St are no longer fit for purpose. It is also acknowledged that for optimal clinical outcomes, maternity services should be co-located with adult acute services. I look forward to working with all stakeholders to deliver the new National Maternity Hospital which is so badly needed to provide women and infants with modern healthcare facilities.
