Thursday, 22 Jun 2017

Written Answers Nos. 154-173

Mental Health Services Staff

Ceisteanna (154)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

154. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the estimated full-year cost of completing the recruitment required for the full implementation of A Vision for Change. [29358/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Drugs Payment Scheme Expenditure

Ceisteanna (155)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

155. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the full-year cost of reducing the drug payment threshold from €144 to €100. [29359/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Speech and Language Therapy

Ceisteanna (156)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

156. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the estimated full-year cost of recruiting an additional 200 speech and language therapists. [29360/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.

Occupational Therapy

Ceisteanna (157)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

157. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the estimated full-year cost of recruiting an additional 200 occupational therapists. [29361/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.

HSE Staff Recruitment

Ceisteanna (158)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

158. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the estimated full-year cost of recruiting an additional 200 physiotherapists. [29362/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.

Dental Services Staff

Ceisteanna (159)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

159. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the estimated full-year cost of recruiting an additional 50 dental surgeons. [29363/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.

Ambulance Service Provision

Ceisteanna (160)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

160. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the estimated capital cost of providing an additional emergency ambulances fleet; and the estimated full-year costs of additional personnel required for its staffing. [29364/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Ambulance Service Provision

Ceisteanna (161)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

161. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the estimated capital cost of providing an additional emergency ambulance; and estimated the full-year costs of additional personnel required for its staffing. [29365/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Services for People with Disabilities

Ceisteanna (162)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

162. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the estimated full-year cost of providing an additional one and a half million personal assistant hours for persons with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29366/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Government is committed to providing services and supports to 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. The commitment is outlined in the Programme for a Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles, equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) is committed to protecting the level of Personal Assistant services available to people with disabilities. In their National Service Plan for 2017, the HSE expects to deliver 1.4 million Personal Assistance hours to 2,357 adults with a physical and/or sensory disability.

As the Deputy's query relates to a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for a more detailed direct reply to the Deputy.

Question No. 163 answered with Question No. 152.

General Practitioner Services Provision

Ceisteanna (164)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

164. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the estimated full-year cost of providing free general practitioner care to all the population. [29368/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The cost of GP visit and medical cards varies significantly with the age of the cardholder. The following table outlines the current indicative annual cost for GP visit card eligibility and medical card eligibility, by age group.

Note: Data is compiled by the HSE Primary Care Reimbursement Service, based on available information for the 6 month period to February 2017 and by extrapolation to full year costs.

The extension of free GP care to all citizens not currently covered by medical or GP visit card would encompass a further 2.6 million people approximately.

The Deputy will be aware of the ongoing review of the GMS and other publicly funded contracts involving GPs, and that the next phase of discussions to progress this work is underway. The estimated cost of extending free GP care to all citizens, or specific cohorts of the population, will vary depending on the outcome of these negotiations and any implications they may have for the future scope and content of the general practitioner service, and the relevant fees and payments to GPs. As with any negotiation-type process, and given the range and complexity of the issues to be discussed, the engagement may take some time.

Hospital Beds Data

Ceisteanna (165)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

165. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the estimated full-year cost of providing an additional 100 critical care beds. [29369/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (166)

Martin Ferris

Ceist:

166. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect to receive an operation at Crumlin hospital. [29391/17]

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.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (167)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

167. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the actions he will take to ensure timely access to MRIs in Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin for persons with scoliosis in view of the fact that 18 month to two year waits are putting children at huge risk of injury, deformity and lifelong health complications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29410/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

In relation to the query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (168, 170)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

168. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his plans to safeguard children with scoliosis waiting for halo traction treatment in Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin; the way in which he will ensure that no child will be left to deteriorate on a waiting list for halo traction; the actions which will be taken to ensure all children awaiting halo traction in the hospital will have immediate access to care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29411/17]

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

170. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the way in which he plans the four month target is to be met by year end; if he will commit to his pledge that no child will have to wait longer than four months for scoliosis surgery by year end 2017 once a clinical decision is made by the treating consultant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29414/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 168 and 170 together.

In order to reduce the long waiting times for scoliosis surgery for children and young people, I asked the HSE to develop an Action Plan for 2017. The HSE Scoliosis Waiting List Update and Service Development Plan has been finalised and details of it are available on the HSE website. The Plan aims to ensure that no patient who requires spinal fusion or other scoliosis procedures, including halo traction, will be waiting more than four months for surgery by the end of the year, where that is appropriate clinically. The HSE has advised the Department that every patient, including children under the age of 14, who needs to be treated in 2017, has been considered and is included in the overall plan for scoliosis services.

The Plan includes measures to increase capacity in the children's hospitals as well as proposals to outsource some spinal procedures to other hospitals nationally and internationally. The Children's Hospital Group is monitoring progress made and is reporting to the Department on a weekly basis.

While the Plan endeavours to deliver on short to medium term reduction in the waiting lists, in tandem the HSE is working to develop a long-term sustainable solution for scoliosis and paediatric orthopaedic cases. The numbers of patients on each of the waiting list categories is being taken into account in planning the future service requirements.

Hospital Services

Ceisteanna (169)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

169. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the percentage of children with scoliosis that are transferred to Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin, Temple Street CUH and Cappagh for diagnostics, pre-ops and surgery having had first contact with the orthopaedic team privately; his views on whether there should be a fair and equitable access to public services and care for all children regardless of their ability to pay; the actions he will take to ensure all children can access timely outpatient assessments in the public system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29412/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

In relation to the queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service issues, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Question No. 170 answered with Question No. 168.

National Maternity Hospital

Ceisteanna (171)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

171. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health his views regarding ownership of the new national maternity hospital; his plans to ensure that it is retained in public ownership; and the timeframe to make a final decision on this matter. [29421/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The Deputy will be aware that I recently asked for a period of time to reflect on, and address, issues associated with the National Maternity Hospital project. While work is continuing on these issues, I am happy to note the significant developments that have taken place over the period. I have met with the Chair and CEO/Master of both hospitals and reaffirmed my commitment to the project. In addition, there has been extensive engagement between the St Vincent's Healthcare Group and my officials.

Discussions are continuing with the St. Vincent's Healthcare Group on the terms of the State's investment in the new hospital and, in particular, arrangements for the protection of this investment. The Mulvey agreement envisaged that further consideration was required in relation to the legal mechanisms necessary to protect the State's considerable investment. My Department is very actively engaged in devising suitable arrangements to ensure that the facilities are legally secured on an on-going basis for the delivery of publicly funded maternity, gynaecology and neonatal services.

I hope to update the Government on the project very shortly.

Question No. 172 answered with Question No. 133.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (173)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

173. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the status of an eye operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29432/17]

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.