Seán Haughey
Ceist:1428. 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. [28329/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraHospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (1428)
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 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.
Medical Card Reviews
Ceisteanna (1429)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:1429. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the grounds upon which a full medical card was not renewed in the case of a person (details supplied) whose circumstances have not changed since initial processing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28332/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information was issued to Oireachtas members.
Home Care Packages Data
Ceisteanna (1430, 1431, 1432)
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Ceist:1430. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the number of persons supported by home help and home care packages in each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28338/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraCaoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Ceist:1431. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the proportion of the population 65 years of age and over receiving home care as recommended by the OECD international standards; the details in respect of each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28339/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraCaoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Ceist:1432. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the number of delayed discharges as a result of delayed access to community supports, including home help and home care packages in each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28340/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1430 to 1432, inclusive, together.
As these are service matters they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Hospital Appointments Administration
Ceisteanna (1433)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:1433. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28345/17]
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.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (1434)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:1434. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the likely waiting period for a cardiac procedure in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28385/17]
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.
Hospital Complaints Procedures
Ceisteanna (1435)
Joan Collins
Ceist:1435. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding a hospital complaint; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28389/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
At the outset I would like to sympathise with the patient in relation to their hospital experience which sounds extremely distressing for the patient and the family.
My Department received this patient query earlier this month and has responded directly to the individual advising her that her correspondence has been referred to the HSE National Advocacy Unit in the Quality & Patient Safety Directorate, Oak House Millennium Park Naas Co Kildare. The HSE will follow up on the matter with the hospital concerned and a reply will be sent directly to the individual.
You may wish to know that there are processes in place for any individual who wishes to raise a concern regarding their treatment in our health service. With regard to specific complaints in relation to experiences of individuals in our hospitals, there is a formal complaints policy, entitled “Your Service Your Say”, details of which are on the HSE website, at: http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/yourhealthservice/feedback/complaints/.
In accordance with this procedure, a complaint must be made in the first instance to the hospital in which the incident causing the complaint occurred. If the individual not satisfied with the response from the hospital, a review can be sought from the HSE Director of Advocacy and the Ombudsman, whose details are set out below.
HSE Director of Advocacy
Oak House
Millennium Park
Naas
Co Kildare
Tel 1890 424 555.
Office of the Ombudsman
18, Lower Leeson Street
Dublin 2
Tel 1890 223 030
Email: ombudsman@ombudsman.gov.ie.
I hope this is of assistance to you.
Health Services Staff Data
Ceisteanna (1436)
Catherine Connolly
Ceist:1436. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the posts that have become vacant in a group (details supplied) in occupational therapy, physiotherapy and public health nurses in the past three years; the posts which have been filled; the date on which they were filled; the posts which have not been filled; the reason for same; the vacant posts that no longer exist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28391/17]
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 Discharges
Ceisteanna (1437)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:1437. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of delayed discharges per hospital. [28407/17]
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.
HSE Investigations
Ceisteanna (1438)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:1438. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will direct the HSE to provide an update on the status of an investigation into a person (details supplied) who was employed as a psychologist by the south eastern health board in 1995; if the attention of the health board was drawn to the allegations of abuse against this person at the time of their employment; if references were sought from their previous employer in the United States of America before their employment in County Wexford commenced; if their private psychology practice in County Wexford was monitored by the south eastern health board; the nature of the concerns raised with the south eastern health board by the Diocese of Ferns between 1996 and 1998; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28409/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
National Disability Strategy Implementation Plan
Ceisteanna (1439)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:1439. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will address concerns regarding the rollout of the progressing disabilities programme in CHO 9 (details supplied); if service levels will not be further degraded as part of this roll out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28412/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 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.
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.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (1440)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:1440. 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. [28413/17]
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.
Food Imports
Ceisteanna (1441)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:1441. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which traceability and country of origin labelling continues in respect of all food and food products imported, including imports from third countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28433/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Since 1999, responsibility for the enforcement of food legislation is vested in the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI). The Authority co-ordinates the work of its official agencies through service contracts which specify the food sectors to be supervised, the types of controls to be provided, including inspections and laboratory analysis. The main official agencies under contract to the FSAI are the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), the Health Service Executive (HSE), the Local Authorities and the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority.
The system of official controls includes checks on all imported foods, including compliance with traceability and country of origin labelling requirements. Imports of food of animal origin are the subject of specific authorisations before they can be placed on the market in Ireland or the EU for which controls at import are carried out by DAFM. Imports of foods of non-animal origin are subject to compliance with all relevant EU rules for which controls at import are carried out by the HSE.
Primary responsibility for compliance with food law rests with the food business operator (FBO). Traceability as a legal obligation for every FBO was introduced in 2002 by Regulation EC No. 178/2002 on the general principles of food law.
Each FBO must be able to identify from whom they have been supplied with a food or any substance intended to be, or expected to be, incorporated into a food. They must also have in place systems and procedures to identify the other businesses to which their products have been supplied. This information shall be made available to the competent authorities on demand. In addition, foods of animal origin must come from approved premises and the identity number of that premises within and outside the EU must be indicated.
The general rules on traceability have been augmented since 2002, with additional requirements being introduced for specific foods. For instance under European Parliament and Council Reg. 1760/2000, all fresh, frozen or minced beef marketed in the EU (with the exception of offal) is subject to a mandatory system of origin traceability and origin labelling under the remit of DAFM. There are two elements to the beef labelling regime which apply to all parts of the supply chain namely a compulsory system, which requires FBOs to label their beef products with certain prescribed information, the country of the slaughterhouse and approval number, the country of the cutting hall and approval number and the origin of the beef. This information must be present up to and including the point of sale to the consumer. A voluntary system covers any other labelling claim that processors or retailers wish to make concerning the origin, characteristics or production methods of the beef they supply.
In 2011, the European Union passed a new Regulation on Food Information for the Consumers (FIC Regulation No.1169/2011) which updates the requirements for consumer information and labelling in a number of areas, including in relation to country of origin labelling (COOL). In general, under this rule, information provided with food must not be misleading as to, inter alia, its country of origin or place of provenance.
Commission Regulation No. 1337/2013 introduced mandatory origin labelling for meat from pigs, poultry, sheep and goats from 1st April 2015. This Implementing Regulation provides for mandatory labelling by the Member State or third country of rearing and slaughter for these meats. There are also specific rules applying to fish whereby information on the catchment area and species must be provided.
DAFM is planning to extend origin labelling rules to non-prepacked meat products via national measures. A DAFM Working Group, with membership drawn from the Department of Health, the FSAI and the HSE, is currently considering the introduction of a Statutory Instrument to bring the labelling of loose pig meat and poultry meat into line with the origin labelling rules for packaged meat brought in on April 1st 2015. This will require businesses who sell meat loose in their premises to clearly identify the country of rearing and slaughter of the animal from which the meat is derived.
The empowerment to adopt national measures is being facilitated by the Department of Health through Section 54(1)(d) of the Health Act 1947 as DAFM does not have such empowering legislation.
HIQA Inspections
Ceisteanna (1442)
Seán Haughey
Ceist:1442. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health if he has satisfied himself that HIQA has enough powers under existing legislation to deal with allegations of abuse by staff of residents in nursing homes; if he will end the practice of announcing inspections by HIQA in advance; his views on whether cameras should be installed in nursing homes where appropriate; if criminal proceedings can be taken against staff that may engage in such activities; if he has further satisfied himself that there is transparency and accountability regarding nursing homes generally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28474/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) is the independent authority established under the Health Act 2007 to drive continuous improvement and to monitor safety and quality in Ireland’s health and personal social care services. Since 2009 all nursing homes - public, voluntary and private have been registered and inspected by HIQA.
Nursing home operators must ensure that all reasonable measures are taken to protect residents from all forms of abuse. These measures include;
- Staff training in relation to the detection and prevention of and responses to abuse.
- Any incident or allegation of abuse must be investigated and operators must have policies and procedures in place for the prevention, detection and response to abuse.
- Furthermore, providers must notify HIQA of any allegation of abuse or serious adverse incidents that occur in a nursing home.
HIQA’s programme of both scheduled and unannounced inspections helps to ensure that standards are maintained and where issues of non-compliance arise, that these are addressed and rectified. If a nursing home is found not to be in compliance with the Regulations it may either fail to achieve or lose its registration status. HIQA also has wide discretion in deciding whether to impose conditions of registration on nursing homes.
Images of people captured by closed circuit television (CCTV) are personal data and the processing of such images is covered by the Data Protection legislation. The National Standards for Residential Care Settings for Older People provides that “ Where closed circuit television (CCTV) systems are used to protect the safety and security of residents, they do not intrude on privacy and there is a policy on the use of CCTV which is informed by relevant legislation."
As regulator, HIQA’s remit operates at level of facilities rather than of individual complaints. However, HIQA takes into account and uses all information received to inform and plan its regulatory activity. The Authority has and will continue to report any potential criminal act identified during monitoring and inspection to An Garda. Once finalised, HIQA inspection reports are published on the Authority's website www.hiqa.ie.
Suicide Prevention
Ceisteanna (1443)
Pat Buckley
Ceist:1443. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health his plans to work with the National Office of Suicide Prevention to provide age appropriate suicide prevention and awareness training to persons under 16 years of age such as SafeTalk and Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, ASIST. [28475/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (1444)
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Ceist:1444. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan will receive an appointment for cataract surgery. [28488/17]
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.
Protection of Life During Pregnancy Reviews
Ceisteanna (1445)
Mattie McGrath
Ceist:1445. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of terminations per year carried out under the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28489/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, under Section 20 of the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act 2013, an annual report on notifications under the Act must be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas each year. Two such annual reports have been published to date and are available on the Department of Health website.
The Annual Report for 2014, covering the period from 1 January 2014 until 31 December 2014, shows that twenty-six medical procedures were carried out under the Act. Of these fourteen arose from a risk of physical illness, three arose from a risk from suicide, and nine from emergencies arising from physical illness.
The second Annual Report, covering the period from 1 January 2015 until 31 December 2015, shows that twenty-six medical procedures were also carried out in 2015 under the Act. Again, fourteen arose from a risk of physical illness, three arose from a risk from suicide, and nine from emergencies arising from physical illness.
The number reported each year to date (twenty-six) is in line with annual national estimates presented to the Joint Oireachtas Committee hearings on the General Scheme of the Act in January 2013.
The third Annual Report, covering the period 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2016, will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on or before 30 June this year. The data it covers will not be available before that time.
Health Services Provision
Ceisteanna (1446)
Billy Kelleher
Ceist:1446. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if the therapy requirements of persons (details supplied) will be assessed and organised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28490/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
Disability Services Provision
Ceisteanna (1447)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:1447. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the reason for the use of a block resource allocation model for the provision of children's disability services; the way in which this model adjusts to increased demands year on year for services; his views on whether this model is leading to unacceptable delays in the ability of children to access disability services, such as a centre (details supplied) in Dublin; if he will request the HSE to deploy a demand led model of resource allocation for children's disability services which reflects the level of demand and unmet needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28491/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 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.
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.
Disability Services Funding
Ceisteanna (1448)
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:1448. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health further to correspondence dated 19 June 2015 issued by the HSE to the parents of a person (details supplied) who used a training centre in County Donegal, the amount of funding referred to that was provided to support the person; the details of the funding for each of the years 2015 and 2016 and to date in 2017 that has been allocated to the centre to provide the necessary supports to the person; if moneys from the funding are still being provided to the centre despite the person having withdrawn from the centre; if not, the date on which funding stopped being paid to the centre for the provision of these supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28493/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 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.
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.