Tuesday, 20 Jun 2017

Written Answers Nos 1401-1427

Brexit Issues

Ceisteanna (1401, 1402, 1403, 1404, 1405)

Alan Kelly

Ceist:

1401. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the Government’s contribution to the human milk bank in Northern Ireland. [28299/17]

Alan Kelly

Ceist:

1402. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health his plans in the event of a hard Brexit to access breastmilk for sick infants and babies that are born premature that depend on the breastmilk [28300/17]

Alan Kelly

Ceist:

1403. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of babies that are born with necrotizing enterocolitis and received breastmilk from the human milk bank in Northern Ireland. [28301/17]

Alan Kelly

Ceist:

1404. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of babies that are born prematurely and received breastmilk from the human milk bank in Northern Ireland. [28302/17]

Alan Kelly

Ceist:

1405. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health his plans for building a human milk bank here in order that infants can be protected in the event of Brexit. [28303/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1401 to 1405, inclusive, together.

As the Deputy's questions relate to service matters, I have arranged for the questions to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Questions Nos. 1406 to 1422, inclusive, answered with Question No. 1000.

National Maternity Strategy

Ceisteanna (1423)

Alan Kelly

Ceist:

1423. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the steps which will be taken to guarantee the first 24 to 48 hours of skin to skin contact between mother and infant for the benefit for infants [28322/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris)

Ireland's first National Maternity Strategy - Creating A Better Future Together 2016 - 2026 - was published in January 2016. It proposes an integrated model of care with three new care pathways - supported, assisted and specialised. The Strategy provides that all care pathways should support the normalisation of pregnancy and birth. It also provides that all women should benefit from best practice to support the initiation of breastfeeding and promote bonding of mother and baby, such as skin to skin contact, immediately after birth.

Implementation of the Strategy will be led by the HSE National Women & Infants Health Programme. The Programme is currently working on a detailed action plan for the phased implementation of the Strategy. I expect that this plan will be submitted to my Department by the end of June.

Questions Nos. 1424 to 1426, inclusive, answered with Question No. 1000.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (1427)

Seán Haughey

Ceist:

1427. Deputy Seán Haughey 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. [28328/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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.