Written Answers Nos. 644-667
644. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if he will request that Beaumont Hospital publishes a freedom of information disclosure log as per the Freedom of Information Act 2014 on its website; if he will further request the hospital to publish as much information as possible in an open accessible manner on a routine basis outside of freedom of information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45750/17]
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.
645. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the Health Service Executive's plans for the site and building of the old Dingle hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45752/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraYour question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply as the management of the healthcare property estate is a service matter.
646. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1018 of 17 January 2017, his views on the substantial increases in each of the years since 2007 in the number of maternity cases in which damages claims were paid, notwithstanding the fact that 39 of the 489 claims for which damages were paid in those years involved single cases across multiple transactional years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45753/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Clinical Indemnity Scheme (CIS) was established in 2002 and from February 2004 provided cover to consultants in respect of clinical incidents occurring after that date. Also, we must take account, particularly in relation to certain maternity services-related claims, of the potential time lag between adverse incidents occurring and the initiation and settlement of claims. The State Claims Agency describes the Scheme as still maturing and this is demonstrated by the steady increase in the number of claims for which payments have been made each year.
Any adverse clinical incident is one too many and it is essential that all stakeholders continue to learn from past experience and that we continue to deliver improved patient outcomes across all medical disciplines.
647. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1019 of 17 January 2017 if the State Claims Agency keeps records of confidential settlements in maternity damages cases; and if so, the number of such confidential settlements that were made between 2010 and to date in 2017. [45754/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe State Claims Agency informed me in its response to PQ 41605/17 (1019) of 17 January 2017, which I gave on that date to the Deputy, that it settles very few claims subject to a confidentiality agreement with the exception of cases settled through mediation. The Agency does not formally record, on its IT system, the fact that any individual settlement is bound by a confidentiality clause. Therefore, on posing this question to the Agency again, it has informed me that this information is not readily available.
648. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an appointment will be scheduled for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45755/17]
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.
649. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if the tendering document that resulted in a company (details supplied) being awarded a Health Service Executive contract to supply behaviour based cultural change implementation support will be made public; his views on whether the expenditure on this tender represented best value for money that could be achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45757/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
650. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health the services that are provided in the primary care centre, Carnew, County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45758/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra651. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health the additional services that will be made available to persons in the primary care centre, Carnew, County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45759/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 650 and 651 together.
As these questions relate to service matters, I have arranged for them to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
652. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if an urgent hospital appointment for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45761/17]
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.
653. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the number of hospitals that employ whole body neonatal cooling on site as treatment for hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy; and if there are plans to extend access to this treatment to more hospitals around the country. [45762/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
654. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health if there is an increase in funding for drugs and alcohol task forces in budget 2018; and if so, the amount it will be increased by. [45781/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government’s response to addressing substance misuse in Ireland is set out in Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery -A health-led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland 2017-2020. The strategy emphasises a health-led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland, based on providing person-centred services that promote rehabilitation and recovery. It identifies a set of key actions to be delivered between 2017 and 2020, and provides an opportunity for the development of further actions from 2021 to 2025 to address needs that may emerge later on in the lifetime of the strategy.
The key health-related priorities for 2018 under Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery and the associated resource requirements will be determined in the context of the development of the HSE National Service Plan. The amount of funding available to each Task Force, Project and Programme in 2018 will also be determined by the Department of Health, in conjunction with the HSE.
655. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the supports in place for persons engaging in mental health services that have complaints about service providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45802/17]
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.
656. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce legislation regarding surrogacy allowing persons to be recognised as a child’s legal parents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45807/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn Tuesday 3 October 2017 the Government approved the drafting of a Bill on assisted human reproduction (AHR) and associated areas of research. Officials in my Department are engaging with the Office of the Attorney General in relation to the process of drafting this Bill. The General Scheme is published on the Department's website and has been submitted to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health for review.
The specific provisions relating to surrogacy are outlined in Part 6 of the General Scheme. These provisions outline the specific conditions under which surrogacy in Ireland will be permitted, which includes setting out a court-based mechanism through which the parentage of a child born through surrogacy may be transferred from the surrogate (and her husband, if applicable) to the intending parent(s).
657. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if emergency funds will be made available from the budget 2018 investment of over €640 million in health funding to be made available for the provision of respite services for persons with disabilities in County Louth; his plans to address the serious respite emergency the county is currently experiencing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45809/17]
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.
The Programme for Partnership Government states that the Government wishes to provide more accessible respite care to facilitate full support for people with a disability.
As the issue raised by the Deputy 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.
658. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact the flu strain H3N2 component of the 2017 vaccine programme has been shown to have been less effective in combatting the spread of influenza than in previous years; the Health Service Executive's plans in respect of the pressure that an upswing in influenza admissions will have on the hospital system this winter season; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45812/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFlu vaccine is the best protection against the flu. The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the USA states that the influenza vaccine is 50-60% effective in preventing hospitalisation among elderly persons and 80% effective in preventing death among elderly persons.
It is too early to tell how effective this season’s flu vaccine will be, as there is very little influenza in circulation in Ireland or the rest of the Northern Hemisphere. It is only when influenza viruses are circulating that a determination can be made whether circulating flu strains match the 2017/2018 northern hemisphere flu vaccine. Influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) data are usually not available at European or global level until mid- to late-season.
In Europe influenza vaccine effectiveness studies were initiated by the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) and have been followed systematically since the influenza season 2008–09 by a network of public health and academic researchers (I-MOVE). Influenza vaccine effectiveness is determined by several multicentre primary care and hospital based case–control studies and analyses.
In general, a vaccine effectiveness of approximately 40-60% has been estimated for the three different influenza A (H1N1, H3N2) and B strains (Victoria or Yamagata lineages) (these are the strains in the current flu vaccine).
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that recent studies show that flu vaccination reduces the risk of flu illness by between 40% and 60% among the overall population during seasons when most circulating flu viruses are well-matched to the flu vaccine see www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/vaccineeffect.htm .
In the Northern Hemisphere, the majority of influenza VE estimates for influenza A (H3N2) were less than 50% for the 2016/2017 influenza season. This has been the case for the past 9 seasons. Influenza vaccines provide substantial protection against influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and influenza B, and reduced protection against influenza A(H3N2).
A systematic review and meta-analysis of influenza VE global studies from 2004-2015 was published last year in Lancet. www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/PIIS1473-3099(16)00129-8/abstract.
Effective: the effectiveness is the amount of protection the vaccine offers against circulating strains i.e. influenza A (H3N2), A (H1N1) and B.
Also there are host factors as the elderly may not mount a good response due to a relatively weaker immune system. Those with chronic illness or immunosuppression don't mount the same response as healthy people. The vaccine effectiveness can wane over the season also as the virus evolves. The vaccine can be up to 70% effective against one or two types/subtypes/strains e.g. B or H1N1 and not as effective against H3N2 hence the overall quoted effectiveness against all influenza may decline as the flu season progresses.
I recently met with senior officials from my Department and the Health Service Executive for an update on influenza plans for the coming season.
A National Steering Group is currently in place and each Hospital group and Community Health Organisation have developed plans, based on lessons learned from last year. These include additional measures to vaccinate health care workers, as well as measures to control flu in long term care facilities. The Health Service Executive is also running a programme for immunising at risk groups including people over 65 years of age and pregnant women.
The Chief Medical Officer has been in contact with his counterparts in Northern Ireland and the UK, and at EU level, and all of the available data shows that influenza activity in Ireland is currently low but this is being monitored very closely in advance of the flu season when it can be expected to increase.
An additional 60,000 doses of the flu vaccine have been administered this year so far compared to the same period last year.
The HSE will continue to monitor the level of influenza across the population in the coming weeks, as well as the control measures in place in hospitals and the community, and will brief me on developments.
659. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health his plans for South Tipperary General Hospital, Clonmel; his views on the impending hospital group transfer which may take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45813/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have no plans to move South Tipperary General Hospital out of the South South West Hospital Group.
As the Deputy may be aware, the report of the cross-party Committee on the Future of Healthcare was published on 30 May last. It made a number of recommendations in relation to Hospital Groups, including consideration of the current alignment of hospital groups and CHOs. I have advised the Government that I intend to initiate a consultation on the future alignment of hospitals groups and community health organisations. The HSE has made considerable progress in establishing hospital groups and CHOs, but as the Sláintecare report makes clear, greater alignment between them could improve health service delivery and population-based planning. My Department will initiate a consultation on this issue in the coming weeks. Any changes to the composition of Hospital Groups will be subject to my approval.
660. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health when the clinical operations groups in Our Lady’s hospital, Manorhamilton, County Leitrim is expected to resume; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45817/17]
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.
661. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the way in which a person (details supplied) can be referred for treatment to a specialist of neurology in the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45826/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraPatients can seek to access health care in an other EU/EEA member state via two different schemes. Where a service is provided in Ireland but a patient wishes to access care in another EU/EEA Member State, this can be possible by seeking treatment under the Directive on Patients' Rights in Cross Border Healthcare, otherwise known as the Cross Border Directive (CBD).
The CBD provides rules for the reimbursements to patients of the cost of receiving treatment abroad, where the patient would be entitled to such treatment in their home Member State, and supplements the rights that patients already have at EU level. Patients may access the healthcare they require in either the public or private healthcare system of another Member State under the CBD. Access to healthcare abroad is based on patients following public patient pathways, i.e. they must demonstrate they have followed the equivalent public patient pathways that a patient would follow if accessing public healthcare in Ireland. It is important to note that reimbursement is confined to the costs of the care itself and that the rates of reimbursement cannot exceed the cost of provision of the care if it were provided in the Irish public health service.
The HSE operates the CBD in Ireland. Referral for care under the CBD may be made by a GP, a hospital consultant and certain other clinicians. In line with practice in other EU Member States, the HSE through the National Contact Point (NCP) provides information for patients on the CBD on its website which can be accessed at www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/1/schemes/cbd/ and also by phone at 056 7784551. The HSE advises where a patient is in any doubt as to the need to seek prior authorization before availing of a consultation or treatment abroad to contact the NCP.
The HSE also operates the Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS) for persons entitled to treatment in another EU/EEA Member State or Switzerland under EU Regulation (EC) No. 883/2004, as per the procedures set out in EU Regulations (EC) No. 987/2009. The TAS provides for the cost of approved treatments in another EU/EEA member state or Switzerland through the issue of form E112 (IE) where the treatment is:
- Among the benefits provided for by Irish legislation;
- Not available in Ireland; and
- Not available within the time normally necessary for obtaining it in Ireland, taking account of the patient's current state of health and the probable course of the disease.
GPs refer patients to consultants for acute care and it is the treating consultant who, having exhausted all treatment options including tertiary care within the country, refers the patient abroad under the terms of the TAS. The consultant must specify the specific treatment and in making the referral accepts clinical responsibility in relation to the physician and facility abroad where the patient will attend.
Applications to the TAS are processed and a determination given in accordance with the statutory framework prior to a patient travelling to avail of treatment. The statutory framework stipulates the patient must be a public patient and is required to have followed public patient pathways. Information on the TAS can be accessed on the HSE website at www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/1/schemes/treatmentabroad/ and also by phone at 056 7784551.
662. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the funding source of the €2 million estimated cost for the additional fire safety measures for the national children's hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45832/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra669. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if all fire safety regulations have been adhered to with respect to the national children's hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45897/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 662 and 669 together.
Everyone involved with this project holds the view that safety is paramount in relation to this project and ensuring that children, parents and staff operate within a safe environment. The National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB) has statutory responsibility for the construction of the new children’s hospital and associated outpatient and urgent care centres in Tallaght and Connolly, including fire safety certificate matters. The NPHDB was granted a fire certificate for the hospital in May 2017, with four conditions attached. These conditions required measures above and beyond what is stipulated in the Healthcare Design Standards and Building Regulations. The NPHDB had already included a wide array of measures in excess of what was required by the design standards and building regulations, including sprinklers on the top three floors, wet risers, additional fire lifts and additional fire escape stairs and, on that basis, it appealed the conditions to An Bord Pleanála. The NPHDB received the decision from An Bord Pleanála recently and will comply with the fire safety requirements associated with An Bord Pleanála's decision. The NPHDB has confirmed that they will meet with Dublin City Fire Services Department to agree how best to comply with the decision of An Bord Pleanála and the new conditions. A cost analysis of the implications of the ruling is currently underway.
663. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the reason for the drop in funding from the Health Service Executive national lottery grant scheme to an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45848/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
664. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the external company undertaking an audit of his Departmental website; the cost of the audit; the timeframe for its completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45862/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra691. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the last time his Department's website was revamped or remodelled; the cost of same; if he or his department officials have been consulted regarding creating one standalone online Government portal website; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46011/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra692. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the investment in his Department’s website since 2011 including total associated costs incurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46028/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 664, 691 and 692 together.
My Department's website was last redeveloped in 2013/2014. As part of the Government's eGovernment strategy 2017- 2020 the Office of the Chief Information Officer has been working on the development of a Digital Service Gateway - a single digital point where citizens can easily access information about the Government services that are available to them. This work, which began at beginning of this year is ongoing and will involve the rationalisation of existing Government websites and online services over time. This project will be managed and developed by existing resources within the civil service.
An external audit of the website is not currently being undertaken, but my Department is in the early planning stages of a website redevelopment project. Any redevelopment will be undertaken in a cost-effective way, taking account of Government decisions and policy on the matter.
Cost associated with my Department's website since 2011, including the 2013/2014 redevelopment project are laid out below.
|
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
|
|
Domain rental |
€ 243 |
€165 |
€82 |
€245 |
€165 |
€165 |
Nil |
|
Hosting |
€5,866 |
€8,462 |
€8,644 |
€5,609 |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Website design and development |
Nil |
Nil |
€13,223 |
€10,763 |
€3,383 |
€3,383 |
Nil |
|
Website enhancements, support and maintenance |
Nil |
Nil |
€6,596 |
€13,879 |
€7,421 |
€7,421 |
€2,707 |
665. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision of respite care for families in County Donegal with children that have life-limiting conditions and high complex needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45879/17]
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.
The Programme for Partnership Government states that the Government wishes to provide more accessible respite care to facilitate full support for people with a disability.
As the issue raised by the Deputy 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.
666. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter in relation to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45881/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish Society for Colitis and Crohn’s disease met with the Department of Health and HSE officials earlier this year.
During this meeting the HSE outlined the services they provide to tackle the disease. The requirements to improve access to specialised nurses and the means of providing information to support self -management was also discussed.
A meeting between the Minister and the Society is currently being organised.
667. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a home care package for a person (details supplied); the details of this home care package; the reason the person's physiotherapy has ceased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45885/17]
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 an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
