Written Answers Nos 216-235
216. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if an internal investigation was carried out on the complications arising from the delivery of a person (details supplied) at Portiuncula Hospital 25 years ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23728/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraGiven the date of birth, this particular case does not fall within the scope of the current Portiuncula University Hospital Maternity Review.
The Department is following up with the Saolta University Healthcare Group with respect to this case.
In relation to the particular query raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
217. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health the number of multiple sclerosis patients waiting for three months, six months or a year or more for an appointment to see a neurologist in tabular form. [23729/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI acknowledge that waiting times are often unacceptably long and I am conscious of the impact of this on people’s lives. Reducing waiting times for the longest waiting patients is one of this Government's key priorities.
In order to reduce the numbers of long-waiting patients, I asked the HSE to develop Waiting List Action Plans for 2017 in the areas of Inpatient/Daycase, Scoliosis and Outpatient Services. These plans have now been finalised and will be communicated shortly.
The National Clinical Programme for Neurology Model of Care was launched by the Director General of the HSE on the 27 September 2016 and the HSE is now working towards its implementation.
In response to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
218. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health the number of multiple sclerosis patients waiting for three months, six months or a year or more for an appointment to have an MRI scan in tabular form. [23730/17]
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.
219. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding the HSE has provided for neuro-rehabilitation services and home care for multiple sclerosis patients in each of the years 2014 to 2016 and to date in 2017; and the number of multiple sclerosis patients who are on a waiting list to access neuro-rehabilitation services and home care services. [23731/17]
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.
220. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the HSE budget for information technology in each of the years 2012 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form. [23735/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra225. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the estimated expenditure on information technology in the capital plan to 2021; and the amount that has been drawn down to date. [23740/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 220 and 225 together.
The HSE information and communications technology (ICT) expenditure is made in two areas - the Capital ICT expenditure which focuses on ICT equipment, ICT projects and new ICT developments such as the Maternal and New Born Clinical Management System and Revenue which supports the operational costs related to ICT.
The outturn for ICT in each of the years 2012 to 2016 is set out in tabular form in the table below for both Capital and Revenue.
HSE ICT 2012-2017
|
Year |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 Projected |
|
Capital |
€22m |
€39m |
€39m |
€53m |
€52m |
€55m |
|
Revenue |
€86m |
€87m |
€95m |
€100m |
€112m |
€121m |
The capital ICT allocation in the 2017 capital plan is €55.0m. Of the €55.0m capital allocation, current ICT capital expenditure to the end of April 2017 has been €11.3m.
The capital provision for eHealth and ICT projected to 2021 is set out below and allows for a multi-annual rolling programme of work on multiple projects. The capital provision set out does not include provision for the full costs outlined in the New Children’s Hospital ICT business case nor for the national Electronic Health Record (EHR) business case. In association with the HSE, the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and other stakeholders, my Department is evaluating the EHR business case and working to secure increases in public investment in eHealth in the context of the Mid-Term Capital Review that will be completed by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform by Autumn 2017.
ICT Projected Capital Requirements 2017-2021:
|
2017 |
2018 |
2019: |
2020 |
2021 |
|
€55m |
€60m |
€70m |
€85m |
€87m |
221. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the amount the HSE has spent upgrading and updating information systems in each of the years 2012 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form. [23736/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
222. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the amount the HSE has spent on software to combat malware and cyber attacks in each of the years 2012 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form. [23737/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
223. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of computers provided by the HSE to staff; and the number that have had software upgrades in each of the past five years with a view to strengthening protection against cyber attacks. [23738/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
224. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of computers provided by the HSE to staff; and the number of each that came into service in each of the past ten years. [23739/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
226. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of hospital consultants currently employed on a full-time permanent basis; the number employed on a temporary basis; the number on the specialist register; and the number not on the specialist register [23741/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
227. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time hospital consultants who have left the health service in each of the past four years. [23742/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
228. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if survival rates for ovarian cancer are less here than in other EU and OECD countries; if so, the action being taken to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23743/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe latest available data which compares ovarian cancer survival in Ireland to other countries around the world is the CONCORD-2 study, which was published in 2014. For the period studied, 1995-2009, patients with ovarian cancer in Ireland had an average five year survival rate of 30%, the lowest of all the EU and OECD countries included in the study. However, survival rates for ovarian cancer in Ireland have since improved, and the five year survival rate is now 35% for patients diagnosed between 2009 and 2013.
The HSE National Cancer Control Programme has developed GP guidelines on ovarian cancer which highlight the symptoms and appropriate investigations for women with suspected ovarian cancer. These guidelines have been distributed to GPs nationally. They recommend a combination of CA125 testing and ultrasound testing on patients with suspicious clinical features and referral for specialist opinion depending on the patient's clinical examination and the results of investigations.
The development of a new National Cancer Strategy is nearing finalisation and I intend to bring the Strategy to Government shortly. Significant improvements have been made in cancer care in recent years under the previous cancer strategy. Outcomes have improved and overall five year cancer survival is now at 61%. The new National Cancer Strategy will aim to build on this success and will provide the overall strategic direction for cancer control for the next decade.
229. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health when the promised mobile cath lab for County Waterford will be deployed; the timeframe for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23758/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra230. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if a business plan and funding proposal for a mobile cath laboratory for University Hospital Waterford was submitted by the hospital to the South/Southwest hospital group; the date of its submission; if it has been accepted; if the funding is in place; the amount which has been provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23759/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra240. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health when the promised mobile cath laboratory for County Waterford will be deployed; the length of time it will be deployed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23917/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra241. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if a business plan and funding proposal for a mobile cath laboratory for University Hospital Waterford was submitted to the South/Southwest hospital group; the date of its submission; if it has been accepted; if the funding is in place; the amount provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23918/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 229, 230, 240 and 241 together.
I have formally approved the deployment of a mobile cath lab at UHW for a specific period during 2017. As recommended by the Herity report, an additional €500,000 has been allocated to the hospital for 2017. I have asked the HSE to maximise the benefit for patients from that funding, in respect of both additional sessions at the existing cath lab and the temporary use of a mobile cath lab for a specific period and expect further details to be available shortly.
231. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) had a contract to work as a psychologist for the south eastern health board in 1995 and 1996; and if they continued to work in private practice in County Wexford until 1998. [23779/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
232. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of HSE personnel assigned to cyber security in each of the years 2012 to 2016, and to date in 2017, in tabular form. [23785/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
233. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the recommendations and requirements given to publicly funded hospitals on cyber security; the amount spent on cyber security by the HSE in each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23793/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraWithin the HSE the Office of the Chief Information Officer has responsibility for information security, information governance and cyber prevention across the HSE including HSE acute hospitals and Community Health Organisations and regularly informs all business unit users within the HSE on information security issues and best practice. Along with managing the HSE's own ICT estate and assets they also manage shared applications and services that exist in voluntary hospitals and other providers. These agencies in turn have responsibility for local ICT security and assets in relation to their own systems. The Office of the Chief Information Officer also manages the health networks that connect many health care facilities across the country. Other activities in terms of cyber security are ensuring that the infrastructure, including the data networks, file servers and personal computers are securely maintained with anti virus software and updates. In addition, other services provided include managing perimeter security devices such as firewalls, monitoring tools, anti-virus and mal-ware detection systems and software. Staff training and awareness is also a critical element in providing a defence against cyber attacks and is provided by the Office of the Chief Information Officer. In that regard it is difficult to quantify those costs elements that are security related from other management activities. As other cyber related costs are not routinely available I will instruct the HSE to provide a more comprehensive breakdown of figures in relation to cyber costs to the Deputy. In relation to anti virus software the HSE spend approximately €0.5m per annum.
As the Deputy is aware, the last week has brought home to us the importance of digital technology supports in the provision of modern health and social care services and the threats that cyber attacks can bring to undermining those services. The HSE first became aware on Friday last of a major cyber security threat in the form of a ‘ransomware’ attack on its infrastructure. The CIO's Office coordinated and organised a comprehensive response to the cyber attacks in the last week including developing the #ThinkB4Uclick information campaign across the health services. Similar attacks were threatening the national Health Services in the UK and many other countries. Such attacks pose a serious threat to the provision of health services and the priority at all times is to ensure that patient safety is not compromised, particularly in relation to the provision of clinical services. It is a critical priority to protect the confidentiality of patient data. In relation to the current cyber incident the HSE and the Department are working in close cooperation with the National Cyber Security Centre and with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment.
234. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health to provide details of the buildings, including each publicly funded hospital, clinic, nursing home or health related-building, and equipment worth in excess of €10,000 that were transferred in whole or in part from his Department, the HSE or a body under the aegis of his Department or the HSE to a religious order or body or a voluntary body in each of the years 2007 to 2016 and to date in 2017; the name of the religious order or body in question; the date of transfer; the value and purpose of the transfer; the consideration that was paid to the Exchequer in return for the transfer of each of these assets; the details of each building, including each publicly funded hospital, clinic, nursing home or health-related building currently under construction that is being funded by his Department or the HSE and that is intended to be transferred in whole or in part to a religious order or body or a voluntary body; the projected value of the transfer; the purpose of the transfer; the amount spent to date; and the details of equipment that is intended to be transferred. [23812/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has not transferred buildings or equipment worth in excess of €10,000 to a religious order or body or a voluntary body.
In relation to the Health Service Executive and agencies under its remit the information sought will take some time to collate and my Department will liaise with the HSE in this regard. However, it is important to note that building works and equipment are made available to voluntary agencies in support of their various remits in the delivery of specific health care services. The Health Service Executive has in place processes and procedures which protect the State's interest. These are set out in the Executive's Protocol for the Acquisition and Disposal of Property and its National Financial Regulation 18.
Given the remit of the other smaller agencies under the aegis of my Department, these agencies do not deliver the type of health care services which would necessitate their access to or need for the type of buildings and equipment described in the question. Therefore, it is suggested that if this element of the query is to be further explored the Deputy should contact the relevant CEO/Director/Chairperson.
235. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if he has received correspondence (details supplied) from campaigners in County Donegal regarding the national maternity hospital; if a response has been issued to the correspondence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23814/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Private Office has confirmed that the correspondence referred to by the Deputy, which is dated 12 May, has been received. The letter is being processed and a reply will issue shortly.
