Written Answers Nos. 310-328
310. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the grant which was available through the HSE to purchase a wig for patients suffering with alopecia has now been withdrawn; if he will ensure that this grant is reinstated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33268/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra312. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health the reason changes to policy relating to breast cancer supports were recently announced by the HSE; if he will ensure these supports are not reduced for persons affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33276/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 310 and 312 together.
I became aware through media reports on 30 June of the HSE’s intention to introduce revised arrangements for the provision of supports to patients who are being or have been treated for cancer and other illnesses. I understand that the HSE’s objective was to develop more equitable arrangements for the provision of post-mastectomy products, wigs and hairpieces and to extend these supports to a broader cohort of patients. Neither my Department nor I were involved or consulted in the course of this process. At my request, the HSE has deferred introduction of the proposed changes. I have asked the Executive to re-examine the matter with a view to devising a plan which will achieve an equitable outcome but not lessen the level of provision for patients who are already coping with serious illness. The HSE has confirmed that the status quo will operate pending further consideration of the matter, including discussions with my Department.
311. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health the progress which has been made to recruit staff at Dungarvan Community Hospital to enable St. Patrick's ward to reopen, which closed as a result of staff shortages; the expected timeline for reopening; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33275/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
313. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health if he has satisfied himself that all persons are suitably informed of the services they will receive in both the public and private system prior to signing the patient waiver form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33277/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhen patients are admitted to hospital they have the option of being treated as a public patient or private patient. Those patients opting to be treated privately have chosen to pay the consultant and the hospital in respect of the services that each provides. The charges applied in respect of private care in a public hospital relate not only to accommodation costs but also costs associated with non-consultant hospital doctors, nursing staff, medicines, blood, medical and surgical supplies, radiology, diagnostics, operating theatres, laboratories, administration and support staff.
The operational procedures for the management of patients' treatment preferences and the collection of private inpatient charges are a matter for the HSE in the first instance and I have asked the Executive to respond directly to the Deputy in this regard.
314. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health his views on whether the south east region is the only region nationally without a 24/7 cardiac care service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33278/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra316. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health his views on whether referring heart attack patients to outside centres where travel times can be double the European standard of 60 minutes is proven to be a clinical sub-optimal treatment protocol (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33280/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 314 and 316 together.
Primary PCI is recognised internationally as the preferred treatment of STEMI in terms of morbidity and mortality outcomes. Highly specialised services such as primary PCI need to be carried out in a small number of hospitals, where the volume of patients supports the provision of a safe service. Low volume services do not facilitate the ongoing and sustainable achievement of the patient outcomes required. Based upon this country's population, we can only operate a limited number of primary PCI centres in order to ensure that the services we provide achieve the required standards.
Across the country, patients are transferred to cardiac centres for primary PCI. For example patients in Louth are transferred to Dublin, patients in Kerry go to CUH or Limerick. As the Deputy is aware, primary PCI is provided at University Hospital Waterford from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday, and patients are transferred to CUH or to St James's Hospital Dublin for primary PCI outside of these hours. Where primary PCI cannot be delivered within an acceptable timeframe, thrombolysis is recommended with early transfer to a primary PCI centre for angiography. My aim is to ensure that as many patients as possible have access on a 24/7 basis to safe and sustainable emergency interventions following a heart attack and, accordingly, I have asked my Department to make arrangements for a national review of primary PCI services to be undertaken, based on independent clinical expertise.
315. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health his views on whether in multiple worldwide clinical assessments primary emergency coronary angioplasty and stenting for ST elevated heart attack has been demonstrated to only be effective if carried out soon after the first presentation of symptoms of heart attack, as after 90 minutes the benefits of primary PCI are negligible as heart muscle starved of oxygen and blood supply has already died and is not replaceable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33279/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a matter relating to the clinical management of myocardial infarction, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
317. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will schedule an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33281/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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 National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
318. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the development of sectorial response plans to Brexit; the publication date of these plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33341/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 2 May, the Government published a comprehensive document on Ireland and the negotiations on the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union under Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union. This document sets out the approach of the Government to the forthcoming negotiations, following the successful campaign to have key Irish issues recognised in the EU negotiation position. Following on from publication of this document, work is underway across departments to prepare adaptive Sectoral Brexit Response Plans to mitigate emerging sectoral challenges. These plans will build on ongoing cross-Government research, analysis and consultations with stakeholders, and will encompass the following themes:
- Sustainable fiscal policies to ensure capacity to absorb and respond to economic shocks, not least from Brexit;
- Policies to make Irish enterprise more diverse and resilient, to diversify trade and investment patterns, and to strengthen competitiveness;
- Prioritising policy measures and dedicating resources to protect jobs and businesses in the sectors and regions most affected by Brexit;
- Realising economic opportunities arising from Brexit, and helping businesses adjust to any new logistical or trade barriers arising;
- Making a strong case at EU level that Ireland will require support that recognises where Brexit represents a serious disturbance to the Irish economy.
All of this work is ongoing and must also respond to the emerging developments in the Brexit negotiations. There is no decision as yet on publication dates.
I should add, that the Department of Health and its agencies have been conducting detailed analysis on the impacts of Brexit in the area of health. A number of issues are being examined and contingency planning for a range of eventualities is underway. A key issue will be to ensure that there is minimum disruption to health services and that essential services are maintained on a cross-border, all-island and Ireland-UK basis. The key priorities for my Department are therefore to ensure continuity in the provision of health services and to avoid, or mitigate against, changes to the current situation that would have a negative impact on human health. The Department of Health will continue to work closely with the Department of the Taoiseach, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and other departments on Brexit, and to work and contribute as required to the cross Governmental response, including on the themes identified, in light of the ongoing cross- Government research, analysis and consultations with stakeholders.
319. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can be facilitated at Naas day care centre; if a placement can be offered in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33372/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
320. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if respite services are being provided at a facility (details supplied) in County Donegal; if not, the alternative provisions available to service users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33399/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
321. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if the design phase for the MRI facility for Midland Regional Hospital Mullingar is completed. [33402/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
322. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the number of persons that sought drug treatment and rehabilitation services by local health area in Dublin over the past five years and to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33444/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra323. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the number of persons that accessed drug treatment and rehabilitation services by local health area in Dublin over the past five years and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33445/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 322 and 323 together.
As these are service matters, they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
324. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the budget for drug prevention, treatment and rehabilitation projects in each of the past five years; the projected budget for 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33446/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe funding provided for drug prevention, treatment and rehabilitation projects for the past five years, in addition to the funding provided in 2017, is set out in the following table.
|
LDATF |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 DOH |
2014 HSE |
2015 DOH |
2015 HSE |
2016 DOH |
2016 HSE |
2017 DOH |
2017 HSE |
|
Ballyfermot |
€1,569,489 |
€1,522,404 |
€461,150 |
€1,025,582 |
€255,446 |
€1,231,286 |
€255,446 |
€1,231,286 |
€255,446 |
€1,231,286 |
|
Ballymun |
€1,180,695 |
€1,145,274 |
€632,817 |
€488,098 |
€422,958 |
€697,957 |
€422,958 |
€697,957 |
€422,958 |
€697,957 |
|
Blanchardstown |
€1,124,343 |
€1,090,613 |
€179,305 |
€913,589 |
€179,305 |
€913,589 |
€179,305 |
€913,589 |
€179,305 |
€913,589 |
|
Bray |
€1,573,101 |
€1,525,908 |
€573,860 |
€916,271 |
€573,860 |
€916,271 |
€573,860 |
€916,271 |
€573,860 |
€916,271 |
|
Canal Communities |
€1,562,243 |
€1,515,376 |
€338,605 |
€1,141,309 |
€338,605 |
€1,141,309 |
€338,605 |
€1,141,309 |
€338,605 |
€1,141,309 |
|
Clondalkin |
€1,421,577 |
€1,428,930 |
€388,114 |
€1,007,948 |
€388,114 |
€1,007,948 |
€388,114 |
€1,007,948 |
€388,114 |
€1,007,948 |
|
Cork |
€1,578,581 |
€1,531,224 |
€411,988 |
€1,108,299 |
€411,988 |
€1,108,299 |
€411,988 |
€1,108,299 |
€411,988 |
€1,108,299 |
|
Dublin 12 |
€1,120,360 |
€1,086,749 |
€74,013 |
€990,134 |
€70,997 |
€993,150 |
€70,397 |
€993,750 |
€70,397 |
€993,750 |
|
Dublin NE |
€1,228,782 |
€988,234 |
€422,251 |
€594,836 |
€422,251 |
€594,836 |
€239,971 |
€777,116 |
€239,971 |
€777,116 |
|
Dun Laoghaire |
€926,167 |
€898,382 |
€94,676 |
€786,755 |
€94,676 |
€786,755 |
€94,676 |
€786,755 |
€94,676 |
€786,755 |
|
Finglas Cabra |
€936,590 |
€908,492 |
€263,277 |
€627,960 |
€263,277 |
€627,960 |
€263,277 |
€627,960 |
€263,277 |
€627,960 |
|
NIC |
€2,369,624 |
€2,298,535 |
€576,956 |
€1,652,623 |
€494,856 |
€1,734,723 |
€394,856 |
€1,834,723 |
€394,856 |
€1,834,723 |
|
SIC |
€2,161,821 |
€2,096,966 |
€255,720 |
€1,788,337 |
€176,043 |
€1,868,014 |
€176,043 |
€1,868,014 |
€176,043 |
€1,868,014 |
|
Tallaght |
€1,250,347 |
€1,262,837 |
€452,712 |
€782,240 |
€341,438 |
€893,514 |
€336,022 |
€898,930 |
€336,022 |
€898,930 |
|
Total LDATF |
€20,003,720 |
€19,299,924 |
€5,125,444 |
€13,823,981 |
€4,433,814 |
€14,515,611 |
€4,145,518 |
€14,803,907 |
€4,145,518 |
€14,803,907 |
|
RDATF |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 DOH |
2014 HSE |
2015 DOH |
2015 HSE |
2016 DOH |
2016 HSE |
2017 DOH |
2017 HSE |
|
East Coast Area |
€851,596 |
€584,227 |
€58,200 |
€508,500 |
€58,200 |
€508,500 |
€58,200 |
€508,500 |
€58,200 |
€508,500 |
|
Midland |
€849,513 |
€824,028 |
€307,810 |
€491,497 |
€136,816 |
€662,491 |
€136,816 |
€662,491 |
€136,816 |
€662,491 |
|
Mid-West |
€1,496,428 |
€1,451,535 |
€147,982 |
€1,260,007 |
€147,982 |
€1,260,007 |
€147,982 |
€1,260,007 |
€147,982 |
€1,260,007 |
|
North East |
€986,091 |
€956,508 |
€0 |
€927,813 |
€0 |
€927,813 |
€0 |
€927,813 |
€0 |
€927,813 |
|
North West |
€765,610 |
€742,642 |
€272,485 |
€447,878 |
€258,633 |
€461,730 |
€258,633 |
€461,730 |
€258,633 |
€461,730 |
|
North Dublin City & Co. |
€826,087 |
€801,304 |
€456,080 |
€321,184 |
€309,778 |
€467,486 |
€266,245 |
€511,019 |
€266,245 |
€511,019 |
|
South East |
€1,132,703 |
€1,098,722 |
€0 |
€1,065,760 |
€0 |
€1,065,760 |
€0 |
€1,065,760 |
€0 |
€1,065,760 |
|
South West |
€849,524 |
€824,038 |
€102,820 |
€696,497 |
€102,820 |
€696,497 |
€102,820 |
€696,497 |
€102,820 |
€696,497 |
|
Southern |
€1,034,305 |
€1,003,276 |
€0 |
€973,178 |
€0 |
€973,178 |
€0 |
€973,178 |
€0 |
€973,178 |
|
Western |
€702,677 |
€681,597 |
€136,994 |
€524,155 |
€136,994 |
€524,155 |
€136,994 |
€524,155 |
€136,994 |
€524,155 |
|
Total RDATF |
€9,494,534 |
€8,967,877 |
€1,482,371 |
€7,216,469 |
€1,151,223 |
€7,547,617 |
€1,107,690 |
€7,591,150 |
€1,107,690 |
€7,591,150 |
|
Overall Total |
€29,498,254 |
€28,267,801 |
€27,648,265 |
€27,648,265 |
€27,648,265 |
€27,648,265 |
Note: LDATF - Local Drug And Task Force; RDATF - Regional Drug And Task Force.
325. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health further to an assessment and diagnosis by the Health Service Executive, the number of children awaiting the services of an occupational therapist; the number of these children that are waiting for more than six months, one year and two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33447/17]
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.
326. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health further to an assessment and diagnosis by the Health Service Executive, the number of children currently awaiting the services of a speech therapist; the number of these children that are waiting for more than six months, one year and two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33448/17]
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.
327. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the steps he has taken to reduce waiting lists for children and adolescents with scoliosis in the children's hospital group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33449/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 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 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 both 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. Recent recruitment success has resulted in several new theatre nurses now in post in Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin. Additional nurses and a consultant surgeon are due to commence work shortly which will increase theatre capacity by three days a week since the beginning of the year.
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.
328. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the number of new paediatrics trained nurses placed in Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin to deal with the waiting lists for children with scoliosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33450/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
