Written Answers Nos. 119-142
119. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health his views on the lack of availability of physiotherapists in south Kildare for children with scoliosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27830/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
121. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health when the report into maternity services in Portiuncula hospital will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29072/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter the question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
I am advised that regular re-audits of the maternity unit at Portiuncula University Hospital have confirmed that there is no continuing patient safety concern arising from the issues identified.
I am also advised that while the work to publish the overall report continues, implementation of the recommendations from the individual systems analysis reports provided to the families in April is progressing.
122. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if he has used the National Treatment Purchase Fund since its introduction to make a reduction in the waiting times for persons to avail of gynaecological services in CUMH. [27863/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI acknowledge that waiting times are often unacceptably long and I am conscious of the burden that this places on patients and their families.
There is no doubt that our public hospital system is challenged in meeting the growing demand for care. Last year alone, there was a 2% increase in inpatient and day-case activity over 2015.
Reducing waiting times for the longest waiting patients is one of this Government's key priorities. Consequently, Budget 2017 allocated €20 million to the NTPF, rising to €55 million in 2018.
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. The Inpatient / Daycase and Outpatient Plans which have now been published and currently being implemented, focus on reducing the number of patients waiting 15 months or more for inpatient and daycase treatment or outpatient appointment as much as possible within existing resources by the end of October. The Scoliosis Action Plan aims to ensure that no patient who requires scoliosis surgery will be waiting more than four months for surgery by the end of 2017. Under these Plans, since early February, over 14,200 patients have come off the Inpatient/Daycase Waiting List and nearly 49,000 patients have come off the Outpatient Waiting List.
The Inpatient Daycase Waiting List Action Plan makes specific reference to a targeted initiative to address long-waiting Gynaecology patients in the South/South West Hospital Group to be supported through the funding allocated to the NTPF.
123. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health the status of the introduction of the integrated hospital waiting list management system, Comhlista. [27656/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis Government is committed to reducing waiting times for patients, and I am keenly aware that waiting times are often unacceptably long and this places a significant burden on patients and their families.
In order to reduce this burden for patients and to ensure that best practice is applied in how waiting lists are managed, I am open to evaluating new approaches to waiting list management in our health service. I agree that greater integration of hospital waiting list management systems is a step in the right direction and IT can play a significant role in underpinning these integrated approaches.
On this basis, on 15th February during a Private Members Business debate in the Seanad regarding waiting lists and Comhliosta, I committed to asking the NTPF to establish and lead a project team of relevant experts and stakeholders to examine the feasibility of progressing to a more integrated approach to waiting list management at Hospital Group level.
Over the last few months the NTPF has been scoping out the structure and format of this study. The first meeting of the steering group took place last week and a workshop will follow later this month. I have asked the NTPF to report to me by the end of August and I will examine their recommendations once the study has been finalised.
124. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will address hospital waiting times for persons in counties Cavan and Monaghan waiting on cataract procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29062/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraReducing waiting times for the longest waiting patients is one of this Government's key priorities. Consequently, Budget 2017 allocated €20 million to the NTPF, rising to €55 million in 2018.
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 been published and their implementation is ongoing. The Inpatient / Daycase and Outpatient Plans focus on reducing the number of patients waiting 15 months or more for inpatient and daycase treatment or for an outpatient appointment by the end of October. The Scoliosis Action Plan aims to ensure that no patient who requires scoliosis surgery will be waiting more than four months for surgery by the end of 2017. Under these Plans, since early February, over 14,200 patients have come off the Inpatient/Daycase Waiting List and nearly 49,000 patients have come off the Outpatient Waiting List and 130 scoliosis surgeries have taken place.
In addition, the NTPF is currently rolling out its Daycase Waiting List Initiative focused on those waiting longest for daycase treatment, with a view to ensuring that in excess of 2,000 patients waiting more than 18 months for a daycase procedure will have received an offer of an appointment for their procedure by the end of June. The NTPF has advised that to date over 2500 patients files have been transferred to private hospitals under this Initiative, 631 patients have accepted an offer of treatment in a private hospital and that 178 patients have received their procedure.
The inpatient/daycase Waiting List Aciton Plan will be delivered through a combination of normal hospital, National Service Plan-funded activity, as well as insourcing and outsourcing initiatives using the €15m of Budget 2017. Under insourcing, initiatives to address orthopaedic and ophthalmology waiting lists will be progressed.
125. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the reason behind the 11% reduction in home help hours in east County Limerick and north County Tipperary for January to April 2017 relative to the same period in 2016. [29083/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
126. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide support for persons that have to travel long distances for cancer treatments across the country from County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27643/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe overall the aim is to ensure that the best possible outcomes are delivered to cancer patients. Patients receive this treatment as close to home as possible, but inevitably long distances will be involved for some.
Arising from the 2006 National Cancer Strategy, cancer services were organised to ensure that patients received treatment in hospitals that had sufficient case volumes, as well as adequate staffing and other resources to deal with these volumes. Eight hospitals are designated as cancer centres, with Letterkenny Breast Cancer Service operating as a satellite of Galway University Hospital. Medical oncology and chemotherapy services are also available at Letterkenny University Hospital.
While the focus of the HSE's National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) is on improving treatment outcomes, some supports are available for patients travelling from Donegal for cancer treatment, including voluntary and community transport services. The Travel 2 Care scheme, which is part funded by the NCCP and managed by the Irish Cancer Society, is open for applications from patients who are travelling more than 50kms to designated cancer centres.
127. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health his plans to co-ordinate with third level institutions to ensure that there will be adequate staffing in the national children's hospital. [27654/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraExcellence in modern paediatric practice cannot be achieved without an embedded culture of, and focus on, research, education and innovation. More than a hospital, the new children’s hospital will be a research-intensive academic healthcare institution.
To deliver this vision, the main facilities for research and innovation will be located at the Children’s Research and Innovation Centre (CRIC) on the St James’s campus. The CRIC facility will be located adjacent to the Institute of Molecular Medicine, a cross university facility which delivers both undergraduate and postgraduate education and has a strong research platform in cancer, infection and immunity and neurosciences.
Clinical management and research staff at the new children’s hospital will be able to study, evaluate, and improve the healthcare services provided to children and young people in Ireland.
In relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, I have asked the Children’s Hospital Group to respond to you directly.
129. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the status of the stretch income targets set for hospitals; the amount generated in 2016 from private income by hospital; the amount budgeted for in 2017; the amounts which constitute these stretch targets; and the expected consequences if said targets are not met by the hospitals. [27660/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe level of planned expenditure in individual hospitals is a function of the level of monies allocated by the exchequer and the amount of income projected for the hospitals (including patient income, canteen receipts etc.).
The process of setting expenditure budgets is a collaborative effort between the hospital and the HSE's Finance function.
Maintenance charge income from the hospitals in 2016 amounted to €626.3m - a breakdown of income by hospital is provided in the table. For 2017, estimated income in the sector is €625.8m and the budget for 2017 has been set at this level. There is no “stretched” maintenance budget included for 2017.
Overall, the HSE is required to balance its books, so an underperformance in one financial area needs to be balanced by another, or savings found.
The approach is outlined under the Performance and Accountability Framework, where underlying performance issues are considered and actions taken to deal with them.
130. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the way in which his Department will implement a diabetes proactive care pilot for County Donegal; and if the proper resources will be provided including the doubling of staffing levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27642/17]
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.
131. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health his views on the recent confirmation that the vacant physiotherapy post in south Connemara will not be filled due to financial constraints (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27906/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
132. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health further to his meeting with a charity (details supplied), if plans have been progressed for a hospice in a location in the midlands in view of the concerns raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27897/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for a Partnership Government sets out the Government’s commitment to “encourage the development of a hospice in the Midlands”. This proposed and long overdue development is in line with national policy which states that each HSE region should have its own hospice as the hub of specialist palliative care service provision. I am aware that there have been many efforts over the years to realise this project on the basis of consensus which regrettably have not borne fruit. The development of a hospice in the Midlands in addition to other planned hospices in Mayo, Waterford, Wicklow and the North East will ensure equity in the provision of specialist palliative care countrywide over the next five years.
The HSE is planning for a 16-20 bedded hospice in the Midlands on the campus of the Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore. This location is viewed as best serving the interests of the 300,000 population of the Midlands. The decision to develop a single hospice rather than two smaller units is based on the most efficient use of public money. The absence of a hospice and associated day services and specialist supports in the Midlands results in higher numbers of palliative care patients dying in the region’s three acute hospitals when they could be more appropriately cared for in a hospice setting.
It is usual for local fundraising groups to fund the capital cost of new hospice builds. However, despite ongoing efforts by the HSE and the Irish Hospice Foundation over a protracted period it has not been possible to reach consensus on this matter and only one of the five local hospice groups has given any commitment towards capital funding for the proposed hospice. The HSE will provide the revenue funding once the hospice is built.
To advance the Midlands hospice project, the HSE is reviewing planning work to date and will develop plans for submission to the HSE National Director for Primary Care and the HSE Capital Estates Steering Group in September. Key deliverables include a revised schedule of accommodation, a revised brief, indicative capital costings, the precise location of the hospice on the Tullamore Hospital campus, staffing requirements and indicative costings, and a communication and engagement plan. The HSE will continue to engage with local hospice groups as this preparatory work progresses.
133. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which deficiencies in services have been identified as a contributory factor at various levels throughout the public general hospital system in the context of hospital waiting lists, overcrowding at accident and emergency and bed shortages; the degree to which the adequacy of numbers in respect of beds, consultants, hospital doctors, general practitioners and nurses has been identified as the primary or secondary cause of backlogs and waiting lists; the extent to which provision can be made to address these issues in line with best practice throughout the European Union and globally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27853/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am very aware of the interrelated nature of the challenges our health service faces. As a consequence, I have prioritised a range of policy and operational initiatives to address waiting lists, Emergency Department overcrowding, bed capacity and staff recruitment.
Reducing waiting times for the longest waiting patients is one of this Government's key priorities. Consequently, Budget 2017 allocated €20 million to the NTPF, rising to €55 million in 2018. The HSE has published, and is implementing Waiting List Action Plans for 2017 in the areas of Inpatient/Daycase, Scoliosis and Outpatient Services, focused on longest-waiting patients.
In relation to Emergency Departments, the HSE is implementing a Roadmap towards improving patient ED experience and reducing trolley wait times. In addition, planning for next winter has commenced.
My Department has also commenced a capacity review, in line with the Programme for a Partnership Government commitment. The review will take a whole-of-system approach, and will examine key elements of primary and community care infrastructure, in addition to hospital facilities. Further, my Department and the HSE are implementing a range of initiatives to increase the medical and nursing workforce.
The Committee on the Future of Health Care has also made a series of recommendations, including specific measures to tackle waiting times and ED overcrowding. I look forward to considering the report and its recommendations in full.
134. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the status of all primary care health centres in County Tipperary. [27538/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the HSE has responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres and other Primary Care facilities, the Executive has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.
135. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health when a paediatric diabetic specialist will be appointed at university hospital Galway. [29071/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraGalway University Hospital serves as a regional centre for the delivery of diabetes, endocrine and related services in the West of Ireland. This clinical care is delivered in close collaboration with related education and research programmes in the National University of Ireland, Galway.
During 2015 a consultant vacancy arose in the paediatric diabetes service at Galway University Hospital. The Saolta Healthcare Group prioritised the filling of this consultant paediatric diabetes specialist post and a candidate was selected in late 2015. However delays arose, and in February 2017 the Hospital was advised that the candidate was no longer in a position to take up the post.
In light of the importance of this post, it has been re-advertised by the Public Appointments Service as a priority, and applications have now been received. The HSE is actively engaging with the Public Appointments Service in order to fill this critical post as soon as possible.
In the interim, the Saolta Healthcare Group has been making every effort to provide appropriate diabetes care services to paediatric patients. Children under the age of 12 years are currently referred to University Hospital Limerick for diabetes treatment, while patients aged 12 years and over are commenced on insulin pump therapy under the guidance of a consultant endocrinologist at GUH.
The Saolta Healthcare Group has advised that it is committed to urgently recruiting a permanent paediatric diabetes consultant to Galway University Hospital in order that the Hospital can provide comprehensive paediatric diabetes services, so that children do not have to travel to hospitals outside the Hospital Group.
136. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made in relation to the written request to him by the clinical director of Galway University Hospital and the management of a group (details supplied) to examine an options appraisal of a new hospital; if the permission has been given; if not, the status of the request; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27902/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSignificant progress has been made in terms of planning for a new ED at University Hospital Galway. At a visit to the Hospital in February, I announced that funding had been allocated to progress the design phase of the new Emergency Department. The Saolta Healthcare Group has since received notification of capital approval of €100,000 in this regard.
Currently, work is on-going with regard to the design team procurement process; expressions of interest were due to be submitted in early June and the project is expected to go out to tender in July of this year.
The Saolta Healthcare Group has committed to working to expedite this project as effectively as possible, as a new ED will provide valuable opportunities to significantly improve safety, dignity and privacy for patients attending UHG.
In May, I gave my approval to the Saolta Healthcare Group to develop a plan for the future of its hospitals and necessary service expansion and for the conduct of an options appraisal for the future acute hospital needs in Galway.
Having regard to the need to manage the demand for both scheduled and unscheduled care in the interim, the HSE has also been asked to develop a short to medium term plan for both the UHG and Merlin Park sites, prior to the delivery of significant new capacity.
137. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the amount of money spent by the HSE in 2016 on hiring private ambulances in counties Laois, Kildare and Offaly. [27645/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the context of the continued increase in demand for emergency ambulance services in recent years, there is at times, a need to avail of private ambulance services to secure additional capacity for patient transfers. To this end, the HSE has put in place arrangements under a framework agreement, which provides for the utilisation of private ambulance providers.
The following table lists the expenditure in 2016 by Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore, Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise and Naas General Hospital on private ambulance provision.
Private Ambulance Expenditure 2016 - Laois, Offaly and Kildare
139. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach the Central Statistics Office data for persons aged 15 years of age and over in employment according to hours worked; and the approximate number of workers on zero-hour contract arrangements from the latest CSO data available. [29152/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe exact information requested by the Deputy is not available.
The Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) is the official source of estimates of employment in the State.
The most recent figures available are for Q1 2017.
Table 1 shows the number of persons aged 15 years and over in employment (ILO) classified by usual hours worked in Q1 2017.
Table 2 shows the number of employees (ILO) aged 15 years and over classified by permanency of job in Q1 2017.
Table 3 shows the number of employees (ILO) aged 15 years and over not in permanent employment classified by reasons for being in temporary employment in Q1 2017.
Table 4 shows the number of employees (ILO) aged 15 years and over with temporary job/work contract of limited duration as a percentage of total employees (including not stated) in Q1 2017.
Table 1 Persons aged 15 years and over in employment (ILO) classified by usual hours worked 'ooo
Data may be subject to future revision.
Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change.';
Reference period: q1 = January - March,
Source: Quarterly National Household Survey, Central Statistics Office.';
Table 2 Employees (ILO) aged 15 years and over classified by permanency of job 'ooo
Data may be subject to future revision.
Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change.';
Reference period: q1 = January - March,
Source: Quarterly National Household Survey, Central Statistics Office.';
Table 3 Employees (ILO) aged 15 years and over not in permanent employment classified by reasons for being in temporary employment
'ooo
Data may be subject to future revision.
* Estimates for numbers of persons or averages where there are less than 30 persons in a cell are not produced as estimates are too small to be considered reliable;
Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change.';
Reference period: q1 = January - March,
Source: Quarterly National Household Survey, Central Statistics Office.';
Table 4 Employees (ILO) aged 15 years and over with temporary job/work contract of limited duration as a percentage of total employees (including not stated)
%
Data may be subject to future revision.
Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change.';
Reference period: q1 = January - March,
Source: Quarterly National Household Survey, Central Statistics Office.';
140. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he is reorganising his own Department. [29057/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraHaving appointed Ministers to their various portfolios across Government, I will reflect on how my Department can best support the important work ahead for the Government. I will continue to meet officials in the Department and decide over the coming weeks what changes might be required.
141. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if the Cabinet committees will remain the same in number or if he is making changes to them. [29056/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll Cabinet Committees stand dissolved at the end of every Government's term in office. I expect that the Government will shortly establish a number of Cabinet Committees to deal with specific aspects of policy.
142. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach the amount spent by his Department and State agencies under his aegis on outside contract or third-party public relations advice and training in the past three years to date in 2017 by year and company engaged, in tabular form. [29238/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere has been no expenditure on public relations by my Department or the body under its aegis, the National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO), in the period in question.
