Bernard Durkan
Ceist:388. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when required medical equipment will be provided to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40642/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMedical Aids and Appliances Provision
Ceisteanna (388)
Freagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Primary Care Centres Provision
Ceisteanna (389)
Catherine Connolly
Ceist:389. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 65 of 3 May 2017, if the ecology assessment has been completed; if so, if a copy of the assessment can be provided; if a programme for procurement of the site and the design services has begun; if so, the timescale for the completion of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40648/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Your question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply as the delivery of the healthcare infrastructure is a service matter.
Primary Care Centres Provision
Ceisteanna (390)
Catherine Connolly
Ceist:390. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made on the provision of a primary care centre in Galway, further to the identification of the site as Shantalla, Galway as the appropriate location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40649/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.
Hospital Services
Ceisteanna (391)
Catherine Connolly
Ceist:391. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health his plans in place to deal with the situation at Merlin Park hospital, Galway; the expected repair time; the arrangements for surgery to be carried out at an alternative site; the number of persons affected that were scheduled to have operations (details supplied); when they can expect to have their operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40650/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Saolta University Healthcare Group has advised that a leak developed in the roof of a building in the Merlin Park hospital campus that houses the Hospital's two orthopaedic theatres on the 4th of September. Hospital management temporarily suspended operations for a week to facilitate the Galway University Hospital Buildings and Maintenance Unit to effect repairs.
However, a second leak was noted on 13 September and Saolta advise that a multi-disciplinary team, consisting of members of the hospital's management and infection control teams and the HSE's West Estates division, took the immediate decision, in the interest of patient safety, to suspend operations in the two theatres to allow a full assessment of the infrastrucutural damage and the development of a plan to effect a complete repair of the damage. As a result, elective orthopaedic surgeries are now being deferred at Merlin Park and affected patients are being contacted by the Hospital. It should be noted however that no emergency patients have been affected.
Saolta and the University Hospital Galway management team have engaged an external engineering firm to carry out a full assessment of the damage and provide a time-frame for the completion of repairs. In addition, they are exploring a range of potential solutions including the use of modular theatres as an interim measure; assessing the scope to utilise excess theatre capacity in University Hospital Galway; and evaluating the appropriateness of outsourcing some services to the private hospital sector.
The relative merits of these solutions or a combination thereof will largely be determined by the length of time the orthopaedic theatres are expected to be out of commission. This timeline is also necessary to estimate the number of patients whose cases may be deferred.
Saolta and the University Hospital Galway management team have both been in regular contact with my Department to update on the situation at Merlin Park and my Department has requested that the Saolta Group formulate and implement a contingency plan to address this incident.
I have asked the HSE to contact you directly as soon as possible with this information.
Hospital Waiting Lists Data
Ceisteanna (392)
Catherine Connolly
Ceist:392. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the number of persons awaiting orthopaedic surgery at Merlin Park hospital, Galway; the length of time they have been on the waiting list; the nature of the surgery to be carried out, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40651/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
Hospitals Building Programme
Ceisteanna (393)
Catherine Connolly
Ceist:393. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 136 on 21 June 2017, the status of this project; if a design team has been appointed; the completion date for the new design; the timescale to delivery of the new emergency department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40652/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Significant progress has been made in terms of planning for a new ED at University Hospital Galway and funding of €100,000 to progress the planning phase has been indented in 2017.
The Saolta Group has committed to working to expedite this project as effectively as possible and the Group advise that, at present, HSE Estates is finalising the Tender process for the procurement of design services for the new Emergency Department block at UHG. It is envisaged that the design team will be appointed by the end of October 2017. The initial design stages of the project will commence once the design team is in place. The establishment of a projected timeline for the delivery of the new Emergency Department will constitute part of this design process.
In addition in the interim, the HSE have been asked to develop a short to medium term plan for managing the demand for both scheduled and unscheduled care for both the UHG and Merlin Park sites. The HSE advises that work on this is progressing.
Nursing Staff Recruitment
Ceisteanna (394)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:394. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the reason nurses and midwives returning from abroad who apply directly to the HSE for job vacancies are not entitled to a relocation grant, in view of the fact that returning nurses and midwives who submit applications for job vacancies in the HSE through a private nursing agency are; his views on whether this situation is fair; and his plans to extend the relocation grant to those nurses and midwives that apply directly to the HSE for job vacancies [40654/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Nursing and midwifery recruitment and retention is a priority for the Government and my Department is in regular contact with the HSE on matters concerning the recruitment of nurses and midwives. The HSE is currently focused on offering graduating nurses and midwives permanent posts and replacing agency staff with permanent staff. Recruitment of additional nurses is also the subject of considerable ongoing activity by the HSE and voluntary hospitals with campaigns in train in Ireland and abroad. The campaigns encompass General, Mental Health, Intellectual Disability and Registered Children's Nurses, and also Midwives.
In 2015 a recruitment support package was introduced with the agreement of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. This recruitment package provides for up to €1,500 in vouched removal/relocation expenses including the cost of flights subject to Revenue guidelines on allowable removal expenses to nurses who return from overseas. Extension of the scheme was agreed as part of the Nursing Agreement 2017. Circular 26/2017 states:
"As part of the March 2017 agreement between Nursing /Midwifery Unions and the HSE, it has now been agreed to extend this scheme, known as the “Bring them Home” campaign beyond the U.K, to encompass nurses returning and taking up employment in the Irish Public Health Service from any overseas location. Such payments should be processed and drawn down at local employer level as expenses and each Hospital group/CHO should have a robust application process, which includes a commitment by the nurse to remain in the employment for a period of 12 months. This initial payment should be made immediately following these matters being finalised. Additionally, there is, as part of the nursing/midwifery agreement, provision for the payment of an additional €1,500, after a period of 12 months employment with the employer, and subject to a commitment to remain in that employment for a further period of 12 months."
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (395)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:395. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the reason persons who are waiting for surgery and are on a hospital waiting list are questioned after a period of time if they still need said surgery and are then removed from the waiting last if they do not reply within a period of time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40655/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Good practice around the management of hospital waiting lists recommends periodic validation processes and in this context, the NTPF National Inpatient/Daycase Planned Procedure Waiting List Management Protocol sets out the national protocols for the management of waiting lists including validation and clinical suspensions.
The purpose of Validation is to:
- Maintain hospital-patient communication during the patient’s waiting list journey;
- Update the patient record;
- Reduce the rate of patient non-attendance and/or patient cancellations; and
- Provide clean, accurate, up to date waiting list data which reflects the true demand for hospital services.
Administrative validation is the process whereby hospital administration contacts patients on inpatient and day case waiting lists at pre-planned intervals during the year to ensure that patients are ready, willing, suitable and available to attend a hospital appointment or wish to be removed. When a patient is removed from a waiting list due to non-response to a written validation cycle, notification must be sent to the referring clinician and the patient. A copy should also be placed in the patient’s Health Care Record (HCR). If requested by the GP/referring clinician, patients can be reinstated back to their original place on to the Waiting List.
In addition, clinical validation is the process whereby the Clinician or delegate clinical team member conducts a review of the patients healthcare records and/or medical notes for patients on inpatient, day case and planned procedure waiting lists in excess of six months. Where there is a requirement for clinical validation, patients are contacted by phone by the clinician or delegate as part of a virtual clinic. These reviews are carried out at pre-planned intervals during the year.
Long-Term Illness Scheme
Ceisteanna (396)
Tony McLoughlin
Ceist:396. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1195 of 11 September 2017, the reason chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is not included on the long-term illness benefit list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40665/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As I stated in parliamentary question 1195 of 11 September 2017 there are no plans to extend or amend the list of conditions covered by the LTI Scheme.
The LTI Scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). The conditions covered by the scheme are: acute leukaemia; mental handicap; cerebral palsy; mental illness (in a person under 16); cystic fibrosis; multiple sclerosis; diabetes insipidus; muscular dystrophies; diabetes mellitus; parkinsonism; epilepsy; phenylketonuria; haemophilia; spina bifida; hydrocephalus; and conditions arising from the use of Thalidomide. Under the LTI Scheme, patients receive drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of their illness, free of charge.
Medicinal Products Availability
Ceisteanna (397)
Michael Harty
Ceist:397. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Health when the access scheme for medicinal cannabis products will be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40687/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In February, I published the Health Products Regulatory Authority’s (HPRA) report ‘Cannabis for Medical Use – A Scientific Review’. On foot of the HPRA’s conclusions I announced that I would establish a cannabis for medical use access programme, for patients under the care of a consultant, for the following medical conditions:
- spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis resistant to all standard therapies;
- intractable nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy, despite the use of standard anti-emetic regimes;
- severe, refractory (treatment-resistant) epilepsy.
An expert group, chaired by Dr Mairín Ryan from HIQA was established in March to develop the operational, clinical and practice guidelines for this access programme.
The Expert Group conducted a targeted consultation on the draft guidelines and is due to finalise these guidelines shortly. Officials in my Department are working on secondary legislation to underpin the programme and on the logistics of sourcing suitable cannabis-based product supplies for the Irish market place.
This work will take a number of months to complete but the Access Programme will be operational later this year.
Pending implementation of the Cannabis Access Programme, and for medical conditions that are not included in the Cannabis Access Programme, under existing legislation it is open to me as Minister to consider granting a licence to an Irish registered medical practitioner, under the Misuse of Drugs Acts, for access to medical cannabis for named patients.
The Chief Medical Officer has advised that the granting of such a licence must be premised on an appropriate application being submitted to the Department of Health, which is endorsed by an Irish-based consultant who is responsible for the management of the patient and who is prepared to monitor the effects of the treatment over time.
Ultimately it is the decision of the clinician, in consultation with their patient, to prescribe or not prescribe a particular treatment for a patient under their care. As Minister for Health I have no role in this clinical decision-making process.
Where consultants require information or clarification in relation to the licence application process, he or she should contact my Department directly.
Hospital Staff Recruitment
Ceisteanna (398)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:398. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the reason the positions of two paediatric advanced nurse practitioners (details supplied) applied for by Letterkenny University Hospital as requested by an association have been turned down by the HSE and his Department; and if he will meet the association again to address its concerns at the decision. [40710/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In June this year, I met with representatives to discuss diabetes services in the Northwest. Following that meeting, officials of my Department requested the HSE to progress a number of action points in relation to the provision of services for paediatric and adult diabetes in County Donegal, including the progression of two Advance Nurse Practitioners posts for Letterkenny University Hospital through the 2018 Estimates process. The Estimates 2018 process is ongoing and no final decisions have been made regarding the allocation of funding.
I have previously committed to a further meeting with the association and I look forward to arranging a meeting as soon as my diary allows.
Hospital Staff
Ceisteanna (399)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:399. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if only one of the 120 advanced nurse practitioner posts sanctioned by the HSE and his Department was allocated to Letterkenny University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40711/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I will correspond directly with the Deputy on this question.
Services for People with Disabilities
Ceisteanna (400)
Willie Penrose
Ceist:400. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the reason the HSE failed to reply to correspondence (details supplied); the steps that were taken to have this correspondence replied to and the matters raised therein addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40721/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.
Mental Health Services Funding
Ceisteanna (401)
Seán Barrett
Ceist:401. Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Health the amount allocated to the mental health budget in each of the years 2015 to 2017; the 2012 funding for mental health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40751/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Mental Health Funding
The overall gross non-capital mental health budget for 2012 – 17 is as follows:
|
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
|
€711m |
€737m |
€766m |
€791.8m |
€826.6m |
€853.1m* |
*includes €2m transferred from another HSE Directorate
Since 2012, around €140 million has been added to the HSE Mental Health Budget; an increase of around 20% between 2012 and 2017.
Over 1,150 new posts have been recruited over the period 2012-16, including some 270 dedicated to CAMHS, to implement the principles and objectives of A Vision for Change.
Key priorities to be addressed in the HSE 2017 Service Plan include youth mental health, further improvement to child & adolescent (CAMHS) and adult services, older people's services and further enhanced out of hours response for those in need of urgent services.
The Programme for Partnership Government gives a clear commitment to increasing our mental health budget annually, as resources allow, to expand existing services.
Hospitals Data
Ceisteanna (402)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:402. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1015 of 26 July 2017, the composition of the minimum dataset; the data which will be collected; the degree to which each hospital will be required to adhere and submit to the data collection; the way in which it will help document necessary information on outpatient hospital cancellations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40753/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In response to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
Hospitals Data
Ceisteanna (403)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:403. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question number 1024 of 26 July 2017, the reason certain data, for example, did not attend rates, is not available for the years 2012 and 2013 for Our Lady's Children's Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40754/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.
Greyhound Industry
Ceisteanna (404)
Ruth Coppinger
Ceist:404. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will end the obligation of greyhound owners to register with a club (details supplied) and pay a registration fee to it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40335/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Irish Coursing Club (ICC) is the competent authority with regard to the maintenance of the Irish Greyhound Stud Book. The objects of the ICC are set out in the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 and among these objects is "the promotion of the breeding of thoroughbred greyhounds (including maintenance of the Irish Greyhound Stud Book)”.
The ICC is subject to the general control and direction of Bord na gCon, which is the statutory body with responsibility for the improvement and development of the greyhound industry, greyhound racing and coursing.
The ICC has been responsible for the Irish Greyhound Stud Book since 1923 and this was further reinforced by the enactment of the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958. The Constitution of the Irish Coursing Club is set out in the 1958 Act.
Greyhound Industry
Ceisteanna (405)
Clare Daly
Ceist:405. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the fact that all greyhound owners have to register with an organisation (details supplied) if they wish to enter their dogs in track races here, regardless of objections owners might have to blood sports and the fact that these registration fees go towards financing blood sports; and his plans to remedy this situation. [40359/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Irish Coursing Club (ICC) is the competent authority with regard to the maintenance of the Irish Greyhound Stud Book. The objects of the ICC are set out in the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 and among these objects is "the promotion of the breeding of thoroughbred greyhounds (including maintenance of the Irish Greyhound Stud Book)”.
The ICC is subject to the general control and direction of Bord na gCon, which is the statutory body with responsibility for the improvement and development of the greyhound industry, greyhound racing and coursing.
The ICC has been responsible for the Irish Greyhound Stud Book since 1923 and this was further reinforced by the enactment of the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958. The Constitution of the Irish Coursing Club is set out in the 1958 Act.
The deputy should be aware that it is not a condition of registering a greyhound in the Irish Greyhound Stud Book that an owner participate in coursing or express an interest in coursing.