Peter Fitzpatrick
Ceist:196. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an orthopaedic appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23659/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraHospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (196)
Freagraí 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 you directly.
Home Care Packages Provision
Ceisteanna (197)
Fiona O'Loughlin
Ceist:197. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health if he will review a case (details supplied) regarding home care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23662/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Accident and Emergency Departments Data
Ceisteanna (198)
Lisa Chambers
Ceist:198. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who have presented at Mayo University Hospital emergency department from 1 January 2017 to 30 April 2017; and if the numbers presenting are over the capacity of the emergency department. [23666/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In response to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
Hospitals Funding
Ceisteanna (199)
Lisa Chambers
Ceist:199. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the capital funds which will be allocated to Belmullet community hospital for rebuilding and refurbishment; and his plans to extend or reduce services at the hospital. [23667/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Hospitals Data
Ceisteanna (200)
Lisa Chambers
Ceist:200. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the position regarding rheumatology services at Mayo University Hospital; the number of days and hours per week a consultant is on site seeing patients; the number of rheumatology patients who have been seen by a rheumatology consultant at Mayo University Hospital to date in 2017; his plans to extend the service; and if so when. [23668/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In response to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
Hospital Staff Recruitment
Ceisteanna (201)
Lisa Chambers
Ceist:201. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health his plans to employ a rheumatology clinical nurse specialist at Mayo University Hospital; and if not, the reason therefore. [23669/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In response to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
Patient Transfers
Ceisteanna (202)
Lisa Chambers
Ceist:202. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the number of rheumatology patients from County Mayo who have been referred for services in counties Galway, Leitrim, Sligo and Donegal to date in 2017, in tabular form. [23670/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In response to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
Mental Health Services Data
Ceisteanna (203)
Eoin Ó Broin
Ceist:203. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health the HSE funding allocated to each of the 11 Jigsaw projects across the State in each of the years 2012 to 2016, and to date in 2017, in tabular form; and his plans to increase funding for jigsaw projects. [23672/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Health Screening Programmes
Ceisteanna (204)
Kevin O'Keeffe
Ceist:204. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if sufficient funding will be maintained by his Department to ensure that the bowel screen service remains in place. [23676/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
BowelScreen, the National Bowel Screening Programme, is run by the HSE's National Screening Service. The BowelScreen programme is adequately funded and strenuous efforts are being made to improve the uptake rate of this free service, particularly among men who have lower rates of participation but significantly higher rates of cancer detection compared to women.
The BowelScreen programme has led to the early diagnosis of cancers and better outcomes for patients. The introduction of BowelScreen, is in line with best international practice in regard to the early detection and effective treatment of colorectal cancer.
The BowelScreen Round One Programme Report (2012-2015) shows that 521 cancers were detected through bowel screening, 3 out of 4 of which were detected at an early stage of cancer development.
Ambulance Service Staff
Ceisteanna (205)
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:205. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if there is a policy prohibiting first response paramedics deployed from Northern Ireland from providing treatment according to their qualified skillset, such as suturing, to persons when dispatched to attend to calls here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23680/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
Addiction Treatment Services
Ceisteanna (206)
Eoin Ó Broin
Ceist:206. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to tackle gambling addiction; the amount of funding which has been provided by the HSE to gambling addiction support services in each of the years 2014 to 2016 and to date in 2017; and his plans to increase funding for these services. [23683/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
People who present to the HSE for addiction treatment for gambling are offered the same range of interventions as those who present with a drug and alcohol addiction, or a mental health concern, including an initial assessment, a comprehensive assessment, and individual counselling. Counselling and rehabilitation services provide care to those presenting with a gambling addiction through one to one counselling, financial advice and onward referral to other services and supports where appropriate, such as Gamblers Anonymous.
The HSE provides funding to a number of voluntary sector providers who, in addition to treating drug and alcohol addictions, also treat gambling addiction. However, it is not possible to identify the amount of funding which has been provided by the HSE specifically for the treatment of gambling addiction. According to the National Drug Treatment Reporting System, 208 cases were treated for gambling in Ireland in 2015, the latest year for which data is available.
I am informed by the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality that it remains her intention to proceed with gambling legislation at the earliest opportunity. The preparation of a Gambling Control Bill continues on that basis. However, it should be acknowledged that it will require some significant updating to take account of developments since 2013. The preparation of legislation will be a major and complex undertaking.
Hospital Services
Ceisteanna (207)
Mick Barry
Ceist:207. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Health his views on the comment from the representative of Cork university hospital in correspondence (details supplied) justifying a three day delay to the treatment of a person's head wound; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23690/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The HSE is responsible for providing public health care in hospitals and communities throughout the country. In relation to the specific case raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
Health Services Provision
Ceisteanna (208)
Jack Chambers
Ceist:208. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health his plans for winter 2017 and 2018; his further plans to incorporate private hospitals to the winter task force in order that all possible facilities are used to facilitate patient care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23701/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In September 2016 the HSE launched its ‘Winter Initiative Plan 2016-2017’ which provided €40 million of additional funding for winter preparedness. This Initiative took a broad approach to managing Winter pressures in an integrated way across Acute Hospitals, Primary Care and in the community. Practical measures implemented included 90 additional beds, aids and appliances for over 4,450 patients, around 1,000 extra home care packages and 615 additional transitional care bed approvals.
Within this context the Winter Initiative also aimed to utilise as appropriate, all services at its disposal both public and private, to alleviative pressure in EDs. For example this Winter it funded a collaboration between the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital and the Mater Private Hospital and under the enhanced measures put in place in January 2017, access to additional diagnostic services such as Ultra-sound and X-ray were made available to GPs, through existing private providers.
The Winter Initiative concluded in March 2017 and both the Department and HSE have undertaken a Lessons Learned process to collate the key learning from this Initiative in order to inform planning for Winter 2017 and 2018. In addition the Department is working with the HSE to develop a roadmap towards improving the patient experience and reducing the number of patients waiting for admission on trolleys nationally. This important work will provide a framework for the planning, development and monitoring of measures aimed at alleviating pressure on EDs and in particular Winter preparedness moving forward.
During 2017 the HSE will also continue to work with the NTPF and the Department to ensure the best use of public hospital capacity and the private hospital system to meet the needs of patients.
Hospital Procedures
Ceisteanna (209)
Jack Chambers
Ceist:209. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the cost for procedures (details supplied) in each public hospital. [23702/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In response to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
Health Insurance Prices
Ceisteanna (210)
Jack Chambers
Ceist:210. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health his views on an organisation's (details supplied) statement that the public hospital charges for private patients is adding in a significant way to health insurance premium costs; the amount per annum which has been collected by the charge since its introduction; the amount collected to date in 2017; if his Department has carried out an assessment of the link between these charges and premium increases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23703/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am aware that some organisations have attributed recent rises in health insurance premiums to increasing claims cost, arising primarily from the introduction of the Health (Amendment) Act 2013. However, it is important to clarify that the cost of private health insurance is influenced by a number of factors, for example the number of persons in the market, the age profile of those holding private health insurance and ongoing medical innovations. Each of these is a contributor to the cost of care, the cost of claims and therefore the cost of premiums payable.
It is also important to re-state the policy rationale for the introduction of the Health (Amendment) Act 2013. Although a proportion of activity in public hospitals involves the provision of care to private patients, the core purpose of the system is to provide services for public patients. Government policy is to ensure that there is equitable access for public patients, that the proportion of private activity is appropriately controlled and that the costs of provision of services to private patients are appropriately recouped by public hospitals. All patients who opt to be treated privately in a public hospital are subject to charges, as provided for by the Health (Amendment) Act 2013. This Act addressed a situation identified by the Comptroller and Auditor General in his 2008 report whereby when a private inpatient was accommodated in a public or non-designated bed, no private inpatient charge applied. The additional income generated as a result of the enactment of the 2013 legislation is a key element of the funding to the public hospital system and any curtailment of this funding stream would put further pressure on the Exchequer and the taxpayer in order to maintain service levels.
While my Department has not carried out a specific assessment of the link between these charges and premium increases, it is conducting an analysis of trends in private activity in public hospitals since the Health (Amendment) Act 2013 commenced. It is expected that this report will be completed before the end of May. In relation to the particular queries raised regarding charges collected, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly on this matter.
Health Insurance Levy
Ceisteanna (211)
Jack Chambers
Ceist:211. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health if the State takes a profit from the Revenue Commissioners’ collection of health insurance levies from health insurance companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23704/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Risk equalisation is a mechanism designed to support the objective of a community-rated health insurance market, whereby all customers pay the same net premium (adjusted to reflect any loadings applicable under lifetime community rating) for the same health insurance product, irrespective of age, gender or health status. Under the risk equalisation scheme, credits are paid to insurers for their older and sicker members. These credits are funded directly by stamp duty levies on all health insurance contracts written. The scheme redistributes funds between insurers to meet some of the additional costs of insuring older and sicker members. The scheme is self-funding and exchequer neutral, neither a cost nor a benefit to the State.
The legislative basis for the levy is provided for in the Stamp Duties Consolidation Act 1999. The levy is collected by the Revenue Commissioners from insurers and all of the monies collected are paid over to the Risk Equalisation Fund administered by the independent regulator - the Health Insurance Authority. The Authority redistributes the monies back to the health insurance companies by way of credits in respect of older and sicker people. The scheme therefore protects community-rating by spreading the cost of insuring older and sicker people across the market and allows all people to continue to pay the same net amount for a given health insurance product.
Disease Management
Ceisteanna (212)
Willie Penrose
Ceist:212. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health if will consider the establishment of a myalgic encephalomyelitis working group with immediate effect, as suggested by a group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23712/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
With respect to the question raised by the deputy, the HSE has advised my department that to date there is no known specific laboratory diagnostic test to determine or confirm a correct diagnosis of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.); nor is there any one specific treatment that works for all sufferers. Assessment and interventions need to be tailored by the clinician to the individual.
As with all assessments and treatments, whether they are provided in a primary care or secondary care setting, the HSE aims to provide comprehensive, evidence-based, safe, up-to-date care for all our patients. The HSE is mindful of the impact on adults, children and their families of the diagnosis of many of the serious conditions encountered. Ultimately, it aims to support patients and their families through the range of available treatments.
While there are a number of international diagnostic systems for clinicians, the HSE has advised that the Irish ME Trust, an Irish patient representative organisation, supports the use of the Canadian Consensus Guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of M.E. The diagnosis of M.E. in this document outlines that a person should have a number of symptoms in the following areas:
- Fatigue;
- Post-exertional malaise and/or fatigue
- Sleep dysfunction;
- Pain;
- Neurological/cognitive manifestations (e.g. confusion, impaired concentration, memory difficulties etc.);
- At least one symptom from the following categories: Autonomic manifestations (e.g. light-headedness, nausea); Neuroendocrine manifestations (sweating etc.); Immune manifestations (tender lymph nodes, sore throats etc.);
- The illness persists for at least six months. The HSE is currently reviewing the information it provides on ME on its website.
These are assessments/tests which can be carried out in a primary care setting by the General Practitioner. Specialised tests may be required when considering differential diagnoses. Treatment for M.E. is based on the individuals' symptoms. In general these treatments are delivered within the context of primary care, with referrals into secondary care for specialist interventions in the areas of Neurology, Rheumatology, Pain Specialists, Endocrinology, Immunology, Cardiology and gastroenterology.
These services are generally accessed through Out-patient clinics at secondary care level by the relevant specialty. My department will keep the question of any HSE working group in this area under review. The HSE is currently working on how best to improve access to these services and the work of the Outpatient Services Improvement Programme should see significant improvements relating to access to appropriate services, including for patients with ME in the coming months.
Question No. 213 answered with Question No. 192.
Hospital Admissions
Ceisteanna (214)
Willie Penrose
Ceist:214. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to ensure that a person (details supplied) is immediately admitted to the Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore to have a procedure carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23714/17]
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 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.
National Children's Hospital Expenditure
Ceisteanna (215)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:215. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the costs regarding the increased quotation from €600,000 to the latest quote for the building of the new children's hospital; the reason for the increases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23722/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
An internationally recognised design team, supported by an experienced National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB) and Project Team are in place to drive the project to develop the new children’s hospital and focus on delivering the project in accordance with national policy to optimal design and value for money. They have followed best international design, planning and procurement processes at each stage of the project.
In 2014 the Exchequer approved €650m of HSE capital funding following an initial cost estimate of the construction aspects of the new children's hospital project. This covered the core elements (new children’s hospital and 2 Paediatric OPD and Urgent Care Centres) of the hospital construction only. The €650m funding did not include equipment, educational facilities or commercial elements such as retail and car parking. Alternative funding sources were identified for these elements, estimated to cost €140m. This brought the NPHDB 2014 cost estimate to €790m. In 2015, additional shared services for the campus were included in the project bringing the overall cost estimate to €800m.
Following the evaluation by the NPHDB in early 2017 of main construction tenders and the selection of preferred contractors, the final cost of the design, build and equipment programme for which the NPHDB is responsible has increased. This increase has been led primarily by three factors. First, there has been an increase in projected construction inflation over the project duration of 2014-2021. At the time of the cost estimate in 2014, construction inflation was running at 3% per annum in 2014 and is now running at over 9% per annum. Second, the extended programme timeframe has seen longer than anticipated planning, procurement and approvals processes. Third, market costs of the tenders came in at higher than forecast. These three factors bring the cost from the estimate of €800m to €983m for all elements of construction cost and equipping. Of the €983m, some €916m is Exchequer capital and €67m is to be funded through commercial and philanthropy sources. The final construction elements of the project compare favourably to the costs of international projects of a similar size and scale.