Written Answers Nos. 1094-1114
1094. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the implementation of the emergency department task force report recommendations; and the recommendations that have and have not been fully implemented in tabular form. [36487/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Emergency Department Taskforce (EDTF) was convened in December 2014 to provide focus and momentum in dealing with the challenges presented by ED overcrowding. The EDTF Implementation Group, co-chaired by the HSE Director General and the INMO General Secretary meets on a regular basis to oversee implementation of the ED Taskforce Action Plan and monitor ED performance. The EDTF Implementation Oversight Group met most recently on the 3 July 2017.
The Minister for Health, and officials from his Department, sit on the EDTF and the recommendations for action as set out have been used to develop key measures aimed at alleviating pressure in ED including the Winter Initiative 2016-2017.
As the HSE is co-chair of the EDTF, and provide the Secretariat for this group, I have asked them to directly respond to the above request to provide in tabular form a list of the recommendations for this group and current status of their implementation.
1095. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health his plans for the recruitment of staff in Ballymote primary care centre; when the recruitment process will commence; the way in which and when positions will be advertised; the type of staff currently sought; when interviews are due to take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36496/17]
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.
1096. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health the status of the consideration of a proposal to provide specific general practitioner training programme for County Kildare in view of the increasing population in the county and concerns around the future availability of GP's particularly in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36502/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to the continued development of General Practitioner capacity and to ensuring that patients across the country continue to have access to GP services.
The annual number of GP training places available has been increased from 120 in 2009 to an intake of 170 in 2017. The Government is committed to further increasing this number in future years.
The HSE works alongside the Irish College of General Practitioners in actively recruiting and training GP trainees. At present, GP training is delivered by 14 separate GP training programmes throughout the country. While Co. Kildare does not have its own dedicated GP training programme, there are several GP trainees based in GP training practices in Co. Kildare. These trainees are principally aligned to the Midlands and Trinity training programmes. In 2016, there were a total of 18 trainees based in training practices in Kildare - 14 trainees from the Midlands training programme and 4 from the Trinity training programme. There are no plans, at present, to introduce a new training programme for County Kildare.
1097. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health the reason a short stay ward at Letterkenny university hospital has recently closed; the number of beds that were located in this ward; if all these beds have been reopened in another section of the hospital; if the total number of beds available in the hospital has been affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36508/17]
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.
1098. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health the details of the request made by Letterkenny University Hospital for additional staff to re-open the recently closed short stay ward at the hospital; the number of nursing posts and other support staff posts requested; the number of beds the additional staff will create at the hospital; the date on which the request was made to Saolta for the additional staff; when approval is expected; the timeframe for the additional beds to be in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36509/17]
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.
1099. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health his plans to refurbish the medical rehab ward at St. Conal's hospital in Letterkenny; the number of beds currently in the ward; the type of refurbishment involved; if the work has been tendered; the timeframe for the works to take place and be completed; the projected cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36510/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1100. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of children and adolescents on the waiting list at the child and adult mental health services in Cork city south Lee; the timeframe they are waiting; the posts that are vacant; if recruitment is planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36513/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1101. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of children and adolescents on the waiting list at the child and adult mental health services at a location (details supplied); the timeframe they are waiting; the posts that are vacant; if recruitment is planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36514/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1102. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will provide information regarding public hospital waiting lists for surgery (details supplied). [36516/17]
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.
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. 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.
In addition, the NTPF is currently rolling out its Daycase Waiting List Initiative focused on those waiting longest for daycase treatment. The NTPF advises that 3,200 patients waiting more than 18 months for a daycase procedure had received an offer of an appointment for their procedure by the end of June.
In response to the particular query raised, the NTPF provides comprehensive and up to date data on inpatient and daycase waiting lists on its website www.ntpf.ie.
1103. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will provide information regarding public hospital waiting lists (details supplied). [36517/17]
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.
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. 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 16,700 patients have come off the Inpatient/Daycase Waiting List and nearly 62,000 patients have come off the Outpatient Waiting List.
In response to the particular query raised, the NTPF provides comprehensive and up to date data on outpatient waiting lists its their website www.ntpf.ie.
1104. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment to see a consultant. [36518/17]
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 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.
1105. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of children in a location (details supplied) on a waiting list for orthodontic assessment and for orthodontic treatment; the timeframe they have been waiting; the number of consultants providing such services in the location including vacancies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36519/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
1106. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36520/17]
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 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.
1107. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health the detail and composition of the multidisciplinary team in a location (details supplied); the disciplines provided for the school; and the number of professional persons allocated to each discipline. [36530/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
1108. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of mental health community residences that have implemented the tobacco-free campus policy; and the percentage of mental health community residences that now do so. [36531/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1109. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of mental health approved centres that have implemented the tobacco-free campus policy; and the percentage of mental health approved centres that now do so [36532/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1110. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the development of a national mental health promotion plan [36533/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMental health remains a priority for Government, as reflected in the HSE Service Plan 2017. The promotion of positive mental health in the population is a strategic priority under the Plan, in line with A Vision for Change and Connecting for Life.
The Health Service Executive currently has several campaigns ongoing to promote awareness of mental health and to tackle stigma, such as the 'little things' campaign- the national mental health and wellbeing campaign designed to highlight evidence-based, simple and powerful day-to-day steps - and to help raise awareness of accessible supports such as www.yourmentalhealth.ie.
The Department of Health, and the HSE, will keep under review how improvements to promoting positive mental health might be made generally, particularly in the context of the ongoing reviews of both A Vision for Change and the Mental Health Act.
1111. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for assessment for cataracts in counties Cork and Kerry; the waiting time for assessment; the number of persons waiting for a cataract operation in counties Cork and Kerry for less than 12 months and more than 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36534/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the specific issue raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
1112. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the number of persons employed as home help by the HSE in each of the years since 2010, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36554/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
1113. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the status of the implementation of the national dementia strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36555/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1114. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health his plans to expand funding and assistance in the area of community support for persons with dementia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36556/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1113 and 1114 together.
The Irish National Dementia Strategy was launched in December 2014, with the objective of increasing awareness, ensuring early diagnosis and intervention and developing enhanced community based services.
In parallel with the Strategy, the Department of Health and the HSE have agreed a joint initiative with the Atlantic Philanthropies to implement significant elements of the Strategy over the period 2014-2017. This Implementation Programme represents a combined investment of €27.5m, with the Atlantic Philanthropies contributing €12m and the HSE €15.5m.
Key elements of the initiative include:
- the roll-out of a programme of Intensive Home Supports and Home Care Packages for people with dementia valued at €22.1 million over a three year period;
- the provision of additional dementia-specific resources for GPs, to include training materials and guidance on local services and contact points valued at €1.2 million;
- measures to raise public awareness, address stigma and promote the inclusion and involvement in society of those with dementia valued at €2.7 million.
The roll out of Intensive Home Care packages commenced in January 2015 and monitoring of the allocation and uptake of these packages to persons with dementia is ongoing. By end of June 2017, the HSE had delivered a total of 227 dementia-specific intensive homecare packages at an average cost of €953 per week. There are currently 132 people with dementia in receipt of an Intensive Home Care Package with a further 12 approved. In addition to the Intensive Home Care Packages the HSE has continued to provide mainstream home help and routine Home Care packages to people with dementia whose needs have been assessed as requiring these supports and within available resources. Up to 500 people with dementia and their families are expected to benefit from Intensive Home Care Packages over the lifetime of the implementation programme.
It is Government policy that, wherever possible and appropriate, people should be cared for in their own homes and communities, and the National Dementia Strategy specifically restates this commitment to those living with dementia.
The Department and the HSE are working on a mid-term review of the implementation of the National Dementia Strategy which will be published in the Autumn and will identify the achievements so far and set out the further work that is required to implement the Strategy over the next 12 months and beyond. The resources required for the ongoing implementation of the Strategy can only be considered in the context of the Estimates and Budget process. The mid-term review will assist in identifying further actions required and will be helpful in the context of budgetary considerations.
