Wednesday, 26 Jul 2017

Written Answers Nos. 654-673

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (654)

Pat Deering

Ceist:

654. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) who was assessed for a serious back problem in 2014 will be called for surgery. [34919/17]

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.

Medical Products Supply

Ceisteanna (655)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

655. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision of Vimizin (elosulfase alfa) for the treatment of Morquio A syndrome (MPS 1VA); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34924/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drug schemes, in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.

Medical Products Supply

Ceisteanna (656)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

656. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if Vimizin (elosulfase alfa) is being provided to persons here; if so, the qualifying criteria; if other persons avail of this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34925/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drug schemes, in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.

Hospital Facilities

Ceisteanna (657)

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

657. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide funding towards the upgrading of a hospital facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34931/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The Emergency Department in Cavan has been performing well and is not currently a site of concern.

The RCSI Hospital Group has identified the need for development of the resuscitation area in Cavan Emergency Department. Any future investment in Cavan General Hospital must be considered within the overall acute hospital infrastructure programme, the prioritised needs of the hospital groups and within the overall capital envelope available to the health service.

The HSE will continue to apply the available funding for infrastructure development in the most cost effective way possible to meet current and future needs, having regard to the level of commitments and costs to completion already in place. My Department is working with the Health Service Executive and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to conduct a mid-term review of the capital programme.

The Department of Health and the HSE are also currently engaged in a process to commence winter planning for this year and to drive key improvement measures aimed at reducing trolley numbers and improving the patient experience in our EDs.

Nursing Home Accommodation Provision

Ceisteanna (658)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

658. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a place for a person (details supplied) in the Deerpark facility in Killarney; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34933/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Hospitals Building Programme

Ceisteanna (659)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

659. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the status of the proposed construction of the 50-bed residential unit in Tuam, County Galway, on HSE lands adjoining the Grove health centre; if a person has offered €7 million towards the construction of the hospital; his plans to provide the remaining €5 million of capital funding for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34944/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The Capital Programme announced in January 2016 year provides for the replacement and refurbishment of 90 public nursing homes across the country over the five year period from 2016 to 2021. Under this programme it is proposed to deliver a new Community Nursing Unit in Tuam by 2021. This project is being part-funded by philanthropy and will replace existing beds where the physical environment requires significant improvement.

Significant work has been undertaken by the HSE in determining the most appropriate scheduling of projects over the multi-annual period from 2016 to 2021, within the phased provision of funding, to achieve compliance and registration with HIQA. All healthcare infrastructure developments, including this development, must comply with DPER guidelines and EU directives and will require a lead-in time to complete the various stages. These stages include appraisal, project brief, design feasibility, detailed design, some of which may overlap, the review of costing estimates and finalisation of financing.

This project is currently at appraisal stage and is proceeding according to capital planning guidelines. Based on this early stage of the development, it is expected that the facility will be operational by Q4 2021.

Home Help Service

Ceisteanna (660)

Kevin O'Keeffe

Ceist:

660. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite extra home help hours for a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [34949/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Home Care Packages

Ceisteanna (661)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

661. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the reason there has been a delay in organising a home care package for a person (details supplied); and the steps he will take to organise same in view of the fact that the person has been in hospital for 12 months due to no home care package being available. [34952/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (662)

Mary Butler

Ceist:

662. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an appointment for a person (details supplied) at University Hospital Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34954/17]

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 Staff Recruitment

Ceisteanna (663, 810, 852)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

663. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will address staffing shortages in hospitals which are putting staff under immense pressure; his plans regarding this issue at hospitals in the north east health region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34961/17]

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

810. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health his views on the greatest barriers to recruiting nurses for rural hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35445/17]

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

852. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health the specific actions he has taken in his Department to address the shortage of nurses across the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35577/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 663, 810 and 852 together.

In line with the Department’s Statement of Strategy, the Department of Health is working with the HSE and other cross-sectoral partners to develop a national strategic framework for health workforce planning which aims to support the recruitment and retention of the right mix of health workers across the Irish health service to meet planned and projected service need. During 2016, the Department of Health convened a cross-sectoral Steering Group to begin work on the development of this Framework.

Work on the draft framework is well advanced and a stakeholder consultation process on the draft commenced in June. It is anticipated that the finalised framework, and an associated high-level implementation plan, will be submitted to the Minister for Health in September 2017.

Recruitment of nurses and midwives is challenging in rural and urban areas at present due to a range of factors, including an international shortage and intense global competition. Under proposals formulated at the WRC between this Department, DPER, the HSE, the INMO and SIPTU in February and March this year it was agreed that management would increase the HSE’s National Workforce Plan for nurses and midwives in 2017 through a broad range of initiatives that will result in the delivery of 1,208 additional permanent posts. These initiatives include the conversion of agency employed staff into HSE direct employees and offering all graduating nurses and midwives full time contracts. Other key measures agreed to support recruitment and retention include maternity leave cover; a career break scheme; 130 additional undergraduate places in 2017; enhanced rates of pay for retirees who return to work and offering nurses and midwives improved educational opportunities and career pathways. Recruitment measures include careers days, HSE attendance at national and international recruitment fairs, and a communication from the National Director for HR to all Nursing and Midwifery Graduates.

There has been significant improvements in the numbers employed in the public health service in the past three years, including nursing in the Dublin North East Hospital Group. The overall number of nurses and midwives in the public health sector has increased from 34,492 (WTE's) in June 2014 to 36,467 in June 2017, while the number in the Dublin North East Hospital Group has increased from 7,837 to 8,395. Similarly, the number of consultants has increased nationally from 2,587 in June 2014 to 2,883 in June 2017, while the number of NCHDs has increased from 4,943 to 6,058.

Care Services Provision

Ceisteanna (664)

Brian Stanley

Ceist:

664. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the reason no supports are being given to persons (details supplied). [34962/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Hospital Staff

Ceisteanna (665)

Darragh O'Brien

Ceist:

665. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the reason there is only one tissue viability nurse serving north Dublin from Coolock to Balbriggan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34965/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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.

Primary Care Centres Data

Ceisteanna (666)

Peter Burke

Ceist:

666. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the number of primary care centres opened since March 2011, by county, in tabular form; the number currently in construction and at an advanced planning stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34966/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As 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.

Medical Card Reviews

Ceisteanna (667)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

667. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will review the case of a person (details supplied) regarding a medical card review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34969/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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.

Hospital Investigations

Ceisteanna (668, 669)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

668. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health his plans to hold an independent inquiry into the death of a person (details supplied) at Holles Street hospital. [34970/17]

Clare Daly

Ceist:

669. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if he has satisfied himself that the recommendations arising out of the internal investigation by Holles Street hospital into the death of a person (details supplied) have been implemented in full. [34971/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 668 and 669 together.

This death was a terrible tragedy. I have met the patient's husband and explained that I have asked the National Women and Infants Health Programme and the Quality Assurance and Verification Division in the HSE to report to me on the work that has been undertaken to date to review the circumstances of this maternal death. We have agreed to meet again following the finalisation of the report, and I have made it clear that if, at that stage, he is still of the view that an external review is required, I will accede to that request.

I should mention that the Programme has been established to lead the management, organisation and delivery of maternity, gynaecology and neonatal services across the HSE. I am very firmly of the view that we can make the system safer by listening and learning from incidents, in tandem with ensuring that the patient and family are both informed and cared for by the system throughout. I can assure the Deputy that any learning from this patient's death will be disseminated nationally by the Programme.

Medical Card Applications

Ceisteanna (670)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

670. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in the determination of an application for a medical card in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34973/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (671)

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

671. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive an early intervention appointment; the reason for the delay; the steps he will take to alleviate the delays being experienced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34980/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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 an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

Suicide Prevention

Ceisteanna (672)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

672. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the policy or procedures in place in the accident and emergency departments of Cherry Orchard Hospital, Our Lady's Children's Hospital and the Coombe women and children's hospital when an adult, adolescent or child, respectively, presents with suicidal ideation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35010/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Suicide Prevention

Ceisteanna (673)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

673. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the number of suicide crisis assessment nurses in Cherry Orchard Hospital, Our Lady's Children's Hospital and the Coombe women and children's hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35011/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.