Written Answers Nos. 300-317
300. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health his plans to implement a system of clocking in for consultants in hospitals to prevent the abuses revealed by a programme (details supplied) which have led to some consultants being paid tens of thousands of euro for work they did not do and to increased wait times for persons in public hospitals. [50853/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraA key objective of Consultant Contract 2008 is to improve access for public patients to public hospital care. Latest data from September 2017 shows that the public/private mix at a system level stands at 82% public for elective in-patient work and at almost 86% for day-case work. This is consistent with the typical 80/20 split provided for in the consultant contract. The framework for the regulation of a consultant's private practice is contained in Section 20 of Consultant Contract 2008. It provides that the public to private practice ratio is to be implemented through the Clinical Directorate structure. It also gives the employer of the consultant concerned full authority to take all necessary steps to ensure a Consultant's practice shall not exceed the agreed ratio of public to private practice.
However it is clear that the arrangements in place are not robust enough to deliver compliance in all circumstances and, as a result, some consultants are able to engage in private practice activity at levels that significantly exceed the permitted levels, or else they may engage in significant levels of off-site private practice, although their contract does not provide for this.
It is the responsibility of management to make sure these contracts are being enforced and to put in place structures that support compliance. I have asked the HSE to ensure that more robust measures are in place in 2018 to make sure consultants comply with their contractual obligations. It is a matter for the HSE and hospital management to determine whether a system of clocking in for consultants should be part of these structures.
In the longer term I have established an independent group, chaired by Dr Donal de Buitléir, to examine the impact of separating private practice from the public hospital system. This was one of the key recommendations of the Sláintecare Report.
301. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will examine the situation of heath care workers that work for section 39 organisations and are not directly paid by the HSE and therefore will not be paid increases to be paid to workers in HSE employment; and if there is a provision for funding for section 39 organisations to be increased to allow for pro rata increases for staff. [50857/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder section 39 of the Health Act 2004, the HSE has in place Service Level Agreements with voluntary providers which set out the level of service to be provided for the grant to the individual organisation. Any individuals employed by these section 39 organisations are not HSE employees, therefore neither the HSE nor the Minister has a role in determining the salaries or other terms and conditions applying to these staff.
The staff of these Section 39 organisations are not public servants and therefore were not subject to the FEMPI legislation which imposed pay reductions. It follows then that the staff of the section 39 bodies will not be eligible for any pay restoration which is provided for under the more recent Public Service Agreements. It is a matter for Section 39 organisations to negotiate salaries with their staff as part of their employment relationship and within the overall funding available for the delivery of agreed services.
302. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 157 of 22 November 2017, if he will request the NTPF to ensure that the public or private status of patients on hospital waiting lists is collected in all future audits of waiting lists in order to achieve a full picture in respect of the problems already identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50860/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe key functions of the National Treatment Purchase Fund include arranging for the provision of hospital treatment to those patients waiting longest for treatment and collecting, collating and validating information on public patients waiting for public hospital treatment.
The NTPF has advised that its role does not currently include the audit of patients waiting for treatment privately.
303. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 174 of 22 November 2017, the person or body responsible for ensuring compliance with the consultants contract; if it is the hospital groups or a designated person within the HSE; if he will provide all data available to him on such compliance in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50861/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe framework for the regulation of a consultant's private practice is contained in Section 20 of Consultant Contract 2008. It provides that the public to private practice ratio is to be implemented through the Clinical Directorate structure. It also gives the employer of the consultant concerned full authority to take all necessary steps to ensure a consultant's practice shall not exceed the agreed ratio of public to private practice.
The HSE collects and reports information from HIPE monthly, in arrears, in relation to the percentage of public and private work being undertaken at each Hospital on an elective in-patient basis and on a day-case basis. I have asked the HSE to revert to the Deputy in relation to the provision of all data available on compliance in each of the past three years.
I am very clear that consultants must deliver their work commitment to the public system. It is the responsibility of management to make sure these contracts are being enforced and I have asked the HSE to ensure that more robust measures are in place in 2018 to make sure consultants comply with their contractual obligations.
305. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 323 of 10 October 2017, if the disclosure been processed in accordance with his Department’s policy and legislation; if the person who made the disclosure through the Deputy has been interviewed; if his Department and the HSE have protected this person in their place of employment in accordance with the legislation; the reason details cannot be divulged while at the same time protecting the confidential nature of the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50890/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs previously advised, all protected disclosures submitted to my Department are given due attention in keeping with my Department's protected disclosures policy and procedures and in accordance with the requirements under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014. Given that all protected disclosures must be treated as confidential, it is therefore not appropriate for me to comment in detail on a specific case. However, I understand that this particular case has been assessed by my officials in accordance with the requirements of the legislation and a letter has been sent to you outlining the current position. I understand the person was not interviewed by my Department, but my Department has assessed the case based on the written material submitted.
I can confirm that I have discharged the obligations that are owed to the discloser by me, that I have treated the correspondence received as confidential and protected the identity of the discloser.
306. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the number of persons that have transferred from congregated settings to community living to date in 2017; and the number of additional homes provided. [50896/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE’s report “Time to Move on from Congregated Settings – A Strategy for Community Inclusion” (2011) proposes a new model of support in the community by moving people from institutional settings to the community. The plan is being rolled out at a regional and local level and involves full consultation with stakeholders.
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to continue to move people with disabilities out of congregated settings, to enable them to live independently and to be included in the community. In May 2016, 2725 people lived in congregated settings and our objective is to reduce this figure by one-third by 2021 and ultimately, to eliminate all congregated settings.
The HSE has established a subgroup, under ‘Transforming Lives’, the Programme to implement the recommendations of the Value for Money and Policy Review of Disability Services, which is developing an implementation plan for moving people from institutions.
At the end of December 2016, less than 2,600 people with a disability were living in congregated settings. The HSE's 2017 National Service Plan has set a target of 223 to move from institutions in 2017. This will ensure that people are able to move out of congregated settings, and into their own homes in the community.
As the HSE is responsible for leading out on the recommendations on "Time to Move on from Congregated Settings - A Strategy for Community Inclusion", I have arranged for the Deputy's question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
307. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the number of additional whole time equivalent speech and language therapists newly employed by the HSE to date in 2017; and the sectors of the HSE in which they are employed. [50897/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra308. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the number of additional whole time equivalent occupational therapists newly employed by the HSE to date in 2017; and the sectors of the HSE in which they are employed. [50898/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 307 and 308 together.
I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
309. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the locations of the 185 new residential emergency places provided under disability services in 2017, in tabular form. [50899/17]
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.
310. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the number of children’s disability network teams established. [50900/17]
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 a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
311. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the number of adults with a physical and-or sensory disability in receipt of a personal assistant service as of 1 November 2017 or the latest date available. [50901/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra312. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the number of persons with a disability (details supplied) in receipt of home support services as of 1 November 2017 or the latest date available. [50902/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra332. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the estimated full year cost of providing an additional one and a half million personal assistant hours for persons with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51151/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 311, 312 and 332 together.
The Government is committed to protecting the level of Personal Assistant and Home Support Services available to people with disabilities. In 2017, the Health Service Executive's (HSE's) priority is to provide 1.4 million hours of Personal Assistance to more than 2,000 people with disabilities, which is an increase of 100,000 hours over the 2016 target. The HSE will also provide 2.75 million hours of Home Support to adults and children with disabilities, an increase of 150,000 hours over the 2016 target.
As the Deputies' questions relate to service matters, I have referred the questions to the HSE for direct replies to the Deputies.
313. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health if a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50905/17]
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.
314. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if persons that are aged 75 years or over have experienced an emergency department wait time more than 24 hours to date in 2017; and, if so, the hospital in which that wait occurred. [50907/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
315. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the estimated full year cost of amending the fees charged under the NHSS to enable nursing home residents with an assessed weekly income of €300 or less to retain a minimum of €60 weekly. [51134/17]
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.
316. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the estimated full year cost current and capital of providing a mobile catheterisation laboratory for Waterford University Hospital. [51135/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Mobile Cath Lab was deployed for the short term provision of cardiac diagnostic angiogram services on the grounds of University Hospital Waterford from 2 October 2017 for a period of 20 weeks i.e. until end of week commencing 12 February 2018. The Mobile Cath Lab is providing a scheduled diagnostic angiography service on a 3 day per week basis. The estimated cost of the temporary additional service is €800,000 for the 20 weeks.
317. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the estimated full year running costs of opening all medical assessment units on a seven day basis. [51136/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for a Partnership Government recognises the contribution of Medical Assessment Units (MAUs), Urgent Care Clinics and Minor Injury Clinics in providing a safe and local alternative to Emergency Departments.
My Department is committed to undertaking a Review of these services, as outlined in the Programme for a Partnership Government. Initial scoping work on the Review is progressing in 2017, and will continue moving into 2018, with a view to extending their hours of opening and weekend opening.
Currently my Department does not have details of the estimated costs of opening all medical assessment units on a seven day basis.
