Written Answers Nos. 960-977
960. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of the work of the implementation group established on foot of the sexual health action plan for 2015-2016; the timeline it is working to; when he expects it will make a recommendation in relation to HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19841/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
961. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the actions contained within the sexual health action plan for 2015–2016 which have been completed; the remaining actions to be completed; the reason for delay in completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19842/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll of the priority actions which were identified for 2015 - 2016 have been progressed. Appropriate governance structures for implementation of the National Sexual Health Strategy have been established, including reconfiguring the HSE Crisis Pregnancy Programme as the HSE Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme and the appointment of a Clinical Lead for Sexual Health.
The remaining actions are operational matters and accordingly I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
962. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will instruct the Health Service Executive, HSE, to update its diagnostic and treatment procedures for persons suffering with myalgic encephalomyelitis, ME, to reflect best international practice; if he will address the current lack of specialist support within the health service for those suffering with ME; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19844/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMyalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) is a condition that is associated with long term fatigue and other symptoms that may limit daily activities in individuals. It has been linked with infectious, genetic and biological causative factors. While there is no specific laboratory diagnosis of ME, clinical investigations are used to exclude other conditions which could be responsible for symptoms. The management of ME does not relate to one specific medical specialty but may involve a number of specialties depending on the symptoms of individuals with the condition. This often involves diagnosis and treatment in acute hospitals as well as primary care. The focus is on treating individuals in hospitals when necessary but also important is the need to provide supports for the maintenance of health for people with the condition.
In response to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
965. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to review all the evidence relating to the drug Respreeza objectively and enter into meaningful discussions with a company (details supplied) in order to find a solution that will make Respreeza available for persons with alpha-1 anti-trypsin deficiency as soon as possible. [19852/17]
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; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
966. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health when an appointment will be scheduled for a person (details supplied); the routine waiting list time to see persons for assessment at the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19854/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to both the queries raised, as they are service matters, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
967. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase the number of respite beds in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19855/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply
968. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health when a project (details supplied) will proceed to the next stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19856/17]
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.
970. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the number of HIQA reports into residential services for persons with disabilities, per county, which have found instances of non-compliance of regulations, in each of the years 2013 to 2016 and to date in 2017; if he will report on the follow up to these inspections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19908/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe particular issue raised by the Deputy is a service matter for the Health Service Executive (HSE). Accordingly I have arranged for the Deputy's question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
971. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for surgery will be scheduled for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19922/17]
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.
972. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify an issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19928/17]
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.
973. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 215 of 9 March 2017, the details of the services that will be moved; the precise timeframe; his plans to establish a minor injuries unit at University Hospital Galway to relieve chronic overcrowding in the emergency department; the expected timeframe for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19935/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraGalway University Hospitals (GUH) comprises University Hospital Galway (UHG) and Merlin Park University Hospital (MPUH). This administrative structure was established with a view to delivering a co-ordinated service across both sites.
During my visit to UHG on 20 February, I invited the Saolta University Healthcare Group to develop a plan for both the UHG and Merlin Park sites which seeks to maximise the use of both hospital sites, while planning for necessary service expansion.
The Saolta University Healthcare Group advise that there are a number of future plans for the Merlin Park site at present. In general, further development of services on the site are planned, and the development control plan is currently being updated. Planning permission has been obtained for a Day Services/Endoscopy Unit as Phase 1 of the Hospital’s development plan. A proposal for a temporary unit housing two Theatres and a Day Unit is to be resubmitted for consideration by HSE at corporate level.
Other services planned on the site include, the replacement of existing long stay elderly care residential units, the building of a Hospice Unit, the development of Intensive Care Rehabilitation Unit, Mental Health Services. Finally, tenders are currently under evaluation for a Permanent Ambulance Base and a new entrance to the site is planned.
With regard to University Hospital Galway, funding has been allocated to progress the design phase for a new ED. Winter Initiative and New Development funding was allocated to enable the opening of the new ward block at UHG. 28 beds in this facility are already operational, with the remaining wards to be opened sequentially during 2017.
Any investment in individual hospitals, such as the development of an MIU at University Hospital Galway (UHG), must be considered within the overall acute hospital infrastructure programme and that of the Saolta University Healthcare Group.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
974. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) having received compensation following the death of their spouse is not entitled to nursing home support under the fair deal scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19936/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
975. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health the status of a cataract operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19937/17]
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.
976. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19938/17]
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.
977. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a further appointment at University Hospital Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19939/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy's question relates to service delivery matters and accordingly I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him.
