Written Answers Nos 1469-1491
1469. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health the number of days per year full capacity protocol has been implemented at University Hospital Galway in each of the years 2012 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form. [28681/17]
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.
1470. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a report on the high volume recruitment online application system procured by the HSE’s national recruitment service in Manorhamilton in 2016; the details of all services provided under the contract; the costs associated with each service (details supplied); the number of additional staff employed and promoted by the national recruitment service to conduct this high volume recruitment project; and if all of these staff members have been appropriately assigned to the project. [28683/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
1471. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 434 of 9 May 2017, the reason Portlaoise Prison is excluded from this information. [28688/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
1472. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the Central Mental Hospital waiting list on 12 June 2017; the length of time each person has been on the waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28690/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
1473. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the estimated full year cost of employing a social care worker. [28704/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
1474. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Minister for Health the regulations in place regarding the provision of professional care for the elderly; and the way it is vetted. [28711/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Information and Quality Authority 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.
This responsibility is underpinned by a comprehensive framework, including the Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2013 (as amended), and new National Standards for Residential Care Settings for Older People which were approved in 2016.
The Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2013 provide that the person in charge and each member of staff have a vetting disclosure in accordance with the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act, 2012.
Primary legislation and resources will be required for the introduction of a statutory regulation system for home care services. However, the HSE has already progressed a range of measures to improve its Home Care provision overall. A Procurement Framework for Home Care Services came into effect in mid-2012. This framework, which requires service providers to meet defined minimum standards applies to services procured by the HSE from external providers and the process was most recently repeated in 2016. Providers of home care services are monitored through Service Level Agreements with the HSE. They are required to provide a prescribed range of information in relation to the services they provide, and are supervised through regular local operational meetings and reviews of clients' care plans. The purpose of these measures is to promote quality and safety and to ensure a more standardised approach to service provision nationally. Home Care Services are reviewed regularly by the HSE. In addition, the HSE has in place a complaints procedure that is available to all service users.
The Department is currently engaged in a detailed process to determine what type of home care scheme is best for Ireland. This process will consider the future design of both the funding and regulation systems for these crucial services.
As an initial step, the Department commissioned the Health Research Board to undertake an evidence review of the home care systems that are in place in four other European countries. This review was published on 11 April. The Review will help us to learn from the experiences of other jurisdictions and will inform the debate and future consideration of approaches to formal home care financing and regulation here in Ireland.
Another important step in this process is a public consultation process which I will be launching shortly. The purpose of this consultation is to allow all those who have views on this topic to have their say, including older people themselves, their families, and healthcare workers. The Department wants to find out what people think about current home care services and would also like to hear the public’s views on what the future scheme should look like. I strongly urge all those with an interest in home care services to make a submission to the consultation.
1475. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28712/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
1476. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of persons currently waiting for an appointment for orthopaedic treatment in Louth County Hospital; and the number of these persons that have been waiting three months, six months, 12 months and in excess of 12 months. [28714/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe NTPF publishes waiting list data by speciality, hospital and hospital group each month. This data can be viewed on its website at NTPF.ie.
1477. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if a new initiative has been implemented in Louth County Hospital to manage waiting times in respect of orthopaedic treatment; when this initiative commenced; the additional resources, staff and funding that have been put in place to roll this out; and the way this initiative will work for patients currently awaiting treatment. [28715/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1478. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if the new initiative in place in Louth County Hospital will only be in place for orthopaedic treatments; if not, the other treatments that will be referred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28716/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1479. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the criteria applied when referring persons to the new initiative in place in Louth County Hospital awaiting orthopaedic treatments; the pathways persons are referred; if persons that are currently awaiting orthopaedic treatment will be referred to this new initiative and will then lose their place on the original waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28717/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1480. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health his plans to extend the new initiative in place in respect of orthopaedic treatments in Louth county hospital to other hospitals; and if so, the hospitals to which. [28718/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1477 to 1480, inclusive, together.
The HSE has advised that the Physiotherapy Orthopaedic Triage Initiative has been in operation in Louth County Hospital since 2010. This is a nationally and internationally approved approach to managing Orthopaedic referrals to assist with management of waiting lists for Orthopaedic patients.
A staffing compliment of 0.8 wte Senior Physiotherapist was put in place to implement this initiative involving the triaging of appropriate patients to Physiotherapy for assessment and possibly further progression of treatment of their condition. The triage process is overseen by an Orthopaedic Consultant who assesses and grades all referrals in terms of Consultant or Physiotherapist triage.
A letter is then issued to the patient explaining the triage option informing them that a triage physiotherapy assessment may be of use as a treatment option. The outcome of the physiotherapy triage is discussed and reviewed by the Orthopaedic Consultant and Physiotherapist and physiotherapy treatment may be the proposed treatment option for the patient.
Other investigations such as Xray, CT and MRI scans or further diagnostic tests may also be considered and surgery may also be an option. In summary, the clinical decision regarding treatment options is always made by an Orthopaedic Consultant
The Orthopaedic Physiotherapy Triage Initiative is dedicated for Orthopaedic patients and it is planned to continue this service going forward. The Consultant Outpatient service is also available for referrals.
The criteria for referral to the Physiotherapy Orthopaedic Triage Initiative is a clinical decision made by the Orthopaedic Consultant. This Initiative may refer patients for intensive physio, an exercise programme, falls programme, 'back school', relaxation therapy or referral to primary care. Consultant-led service may involve surgery, injection therapy or oral medication. If required, patients referred to this initiative maintain their original place on the Consultant Orthopaedic waiting list which is managed by chronological booking.
1482. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the position regarding recommendation 3.1 of the national cardiovascular health policy 2010 to 2019 regarding meeting the 10 year targets; the way in which the targets in respect of healthy body weight, healthy eating physical activity, salt consumption, smoking reduction and alcohol consumption have been met; if they will be achieved by 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28736/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1483. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the position regarding recommendation 3.2 of the national cardiovascular health policy 2010 to 2019; if actions on this are reported to the Cabinet committee on health; if so, the frequency with which; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28737/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1482 and 1483 together.
Progress on the recommendations which relate to an increased emphasis on prevention, promotion of health-enhancing behaviours and an intersectoral approach to tackling the determinants of health (Recommendations 3.1 and 3.2), are now comprehended within the implementation of Healthy Ireland - A Framework for Improved Health and Well-being (2013-2025).
The Healthy Ireland Framework is based on evidence and experience from around the world which clearly shows that the creation of positive changes in health and well-being takes the involvement of the whole of Government and all of society working in unison. It describes four high-level goals and a number of action areas to increase the proportion of people who are healthy at all stages of life, reduce health inequalities, protect the public from threats to their health and well-being, and to create an environment where every individual and sector of society can play their part in achieving a healthy Ireland.
The implementation of Healthy Ireland is overseen by the cabinet Committee on Social Policy and Public Sector Reform which is chaired by An Taoiseach.
Since Healthy Ireland was launched in March 2013, a number of core policies and strategies have been published which deal more specifically with the factors relevant to preventing cardiovascular disease, and which include a more specific range of intersectoral actions as well as targets for improved population health. These are in particular the Tobacco Free Ireland Policy (published in 2013), Get Ireland Active! - National Physical Activity Plan for Ireland (published 2016) and A Healthy Weight for Ireland - Obesity Policy and Action Plan (published 2016). In addition, the National Substance Misuse Strategy (published 2012) sets out the policy approach to deal with the use and misuse of alcohol with the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill a key deliverable from that Strategy.
Building relationships and strengthening partnerships is a key focus of the implementation of Healthy Ireland - with other Government Departments, Local Authorities, the education sector, and with the wider business, voluntary and community sectors. Structures supporting the work include a Cross Sectorial Group comprising senior officials from Government Departments and key agencies; and a Healthy Ireland Council comprising representation from a wide range of stakeholder sectors.
1484. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the position regarding recommendation 4.1 of the national cardiovascular health policy 2010 to 2019; the media and education campaigns which have been undertaken since the publication of the policy; the number of same; if he will provide details of the interim evaluations of these campaigns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28738/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
1485. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the status of recommendations 4.2 and 4.3 of the national cardiovascular health policy 2010 to 2019 in respect of the 2007 ESC clinical practice guidelines; the protocols on best practice on cardiovascular clinical care which were agreed; the availability of targeted individual assessment and management of cardiovascular disease in primary care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28739/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1486. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the status of recommendation 4.4 of the national cardiovascular health policy 2010-2019 in respect of a structured programme for cardiovascular risk ascertainment and management in the primary care setting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28740/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1487. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the status of recommendation 4.5 of the national cardiovascular health policy 2010-2019 in respect of a protocol for the early detection and structured cardiovascular care of persons with diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28741/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1488. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the status of recommendation 4.6 of the national cardiovascular health policy 2010-2019 in respect of effective management of hypertension in the primary care setting; if systems for blood pressure assessment, management and review will be considered as part of the new general practitioner contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28742/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1489. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the status of recommendation 4.7 of the national cardiovascular health policy 2010-2019 in respect of an anticoagulation service management; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28743/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1490. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the status of recommendation 4.8 of the national cardiovascular health policy 2010-2019 in respect of increasing the support and capacity of primary care to detect heart failure at an early stage and to provide proactive care; if he will provide an update on each of the eight aspects of care included in the recommendation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28744/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1491. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the status of recommendation 4.9 of the national cardiovascular health policy 2010-2019 in respect of the development of a protocol for risk assessment and management of persons with suspected peripheral arterial disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28745/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1485 to 1491, inclusive, together.
As these matters relate to the provision of primary care services for cardiovascular disease they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
