Wednesday, 29 Nov 2017

Written Answers Nos. 335-361

Hospital Beds Data

Ceisteanna (335)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

335. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the full year cost of providing an additional 100 critical care beds. [51154/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly.

Neuro-Rehabilitation Services Data

Ceisteanna (336, 340)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

336. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of providing an additional 150 inpatient rehabilitation beds. [51155/17]

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

340. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of staff in community neuro-rehabilitation teams in each community healthcare organisation; the specific medical or health care posts in each team in each community health care organisation; and the estimated full year cost of providing a full neuro-rehabilitation team in each CHO, in tabular form [51166/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 336 and 340 together.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) Social Care Division and the HSE Clinical Programme and Strategy Division are working in tandem to progress the implementation of the National Policy & Strategy for the provision of Neuro-rehabilitation Services in Ireland. This is in line with the commitment to publish an implementation plan as outlined in the Programme for a Partnership Government and the commitment in the HSE National Service Plan 2017 and HSE Social Care Operational Plan for 2017.

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

Question No. 337 answered with Question No. 322.

Nursing Home Services

Ceisteanna (338)

Brian Stanley

Ceist:

338. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health his plans for investment in the Abbeyleix nursing unit in County Laois; the extensions and upgrades planned; the timeframe for same; the provision being made in terms of the funding for these works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51157/17]

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 Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (339)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

339. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when required surgery will be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51159/17]

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 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.

Question No. 340 answered with Question No. 336.

Question No. 341 answered with Question No. 282.

Health Services Data

Ceisteanna (342)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

342. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in each CHO waiting for a podiatry appointment in primary care; the numbers waiting 0 to 12 weeks, 12 to 26 weeks, 26 to 52 weeks and the numbers waiting more than 52 weeks. [51179/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Health Services Data

Ceisteanna (343)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

343. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in each CHO waiting for a ophthalmology appointment in primary care; the numbers waiting 0 to 12 weeks, 12 to 26 weeks, 26 to 52 weeks and the numbers waiting more than 52 weeks. [51180/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Health Services Data

Ceisteanna (344)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

344. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in each CHO waiting for a dietetics appointment in primary care; the numbers waiting 0 to 12 weeks, 12 to 26 weeks, 26 to 52 weeks and the numbers waiting more than 52 weeks. [51181/17]

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.

Health Services Data

Ceisteanna (345)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

345. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in each CHO waiting for a oral health appointment in primary care; the numbers waiting 0 to 12 weeks, 12 to 26 weeks, 26 to 52 weeks and the numbers waiting more than 52 weeks. [51182/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Primary Care Centres Data

Ceisteanna (346)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

346. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the primary care centre projects announced on 17 July 2012, in tabular form; the status of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51185/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Delivery of primary care infrastructure is a dynamic process, which evolves to take account of changing circumstances including the feasibility of implementation.

The table below gives details of the 35 locations announced on 17 July 2012, and their current status including estimated opening dates. Two of these primary care centres are already operational and five are projected to open by the end of 2017 or early next year, and a further ten in 2018.

In addition, it should be noted that 61 primary care centres have been opened since 2011, and a further 8 primary care centres are projected to open in 2017 or early 2018, in addition to those shown in the table below.

Count	HSE Region	County	Location/PCT Name	Delivery Method	Project Status - Q3 2017
1	DML	Dublin	Rowlagh / North Clondalkin	Direct build	Stage 2a design team report completed.  Purchase agreement finalised with adjoining school, subject to planning permission being granted for the development. Planning application expected to be lodged by end of 2017.
2	DML	Dublin	Curlew Road / Crumlin / Drimnagh	Direct build	Planning permission in place
3	DML	Dublin	Knocklyon / Rathfarnham	Direct build	Planning permission in place
4	DML	Wicklow	Rathdrum	Operational Lease	Planning approved.  HSE has finalised layouts.  Construction expected to be completed Q3 2018.
5	DML	Kildare	Kilcock	PPP	In construction. Projected opening 2018
6	DNE	Dublin	Coolock / Darndale	PPP	In construction. Projected opening 2018
7	DNE	Dublin	Summerhill, north inner city Dublin	PPP	In construction. Projected opening 2018
8	DNE	Dublin	Balbriggan	Operational Lease	Operational Q3 2017
9	DNE	Dublin	Swords	Operational Lease	Preferred bidder selected. Letter of Intent issued August 2017.
10	DNE	Louth	Drogheda north	Operational Lease	Existing building requires fitout. Projected completion Q1 2018 and operational Q2 2018.
11	DNE	Meath	Laytown and Bettystown	Operational Lease	Project is progressing as operational lease.  Schedule of accommodation under review
12	DNE	Meath	Kells	Operational Lease	Operational since Q1 2016
13	DNE	Monaghan	Carrickmacross	Operational Lease	Letter of Intent issued.  Progressing Agreement for Lease.
14	South	Carlow	Tullow / Rathvilly / Hacketstown	Direct build	Adjoining landowner has re-engaged with HSE.  Options being reviewed.
15	South	Kilkenny	Kilkenny city (East)	Operational Lease	Letter of Intent issued.  Layouts being reviewed.
16	South	Wexford	Wexford town	PPP	In Construction. Projected opening 2018
17	South	Waterford	Dungarvan	PPP	In Construction. Projected opening 2018
18	South	Waterford	Waterford city (east)	PPP	In Construction. Projected opening 2018
19	South	Cork	Cork city - Ballyphehane/Togher/ Greenmount/The Lough	Operational Lease	Letter of Intent issued.  Layouts being developed.
20	South	Kerry	Tralee	Operational Lease	Letter of Intent issued.  Layouts being reviewed. Planning application submitted.
21	South	Tipperary	Carrick-on-Suir	PPP	In Construction. Projected opening 2018
22	South	Tipperary	Clonmel	Operational Lease	Reviewing accommodation requirements before progressing to stage 3. Existing HSE facilities being reviewed.
23	West	Tipperary	Thurles	Operational Lease	Letter of Intent issued. Agreement for Lease signed.
24	West	Limerick	Limerick city (Ballinacurra/Weston)	PPP	Construction nearing completion. Projected opening late 2017/early 2018.
25	West	Clare	Ennis	Operational Lease	Stage 3 of the Operational Lease process. Priced offers to be reviewed.
26	West	Galway	Tuam	PPP	Construction nearing completion. Projected opening late 2017.
27	West	Galway	Gort	Operational Lease	Letter of Intent withdrawn  24/05/2016.  Possible re-advertisement.
28	West	Roscommon	Boyle	PPP	Construction nearing completion. Projected opening late 2017/early 2018.
29	West	Roscommon	Ballaghadereen	Operational Lease	Letter of Intent issued 27/10/2015.  Project progressing to Agreement for Lease.
30	West	Mayo	Westport	PPP	In Construction. Projected opening 2018
31	West	Mayo	Claremorris	PPP	Construction nearing completion. Projected opening late 2017/early 2018.
32	West	Sligo	Ballymote	PPP	Construction nearing completion. Projected opening late 2017/early 2018.
33	West	Donegal	Dungloe - An Clochán Liath	Operational Lease	Re-advertised for Operational Lease option. Expressions of interest received.
34	West	Donegal	Donegal town	Operational Lease	Expressions of interest received. Currently being reviewed

Coolock and Darndale were announced as two separate locations.

The mechanism and timescale for delivery of primary care centres is dependent on a number of factors. Some of these factors are outside the control of the Health Service Executive. Regardless of the delivery mechanism, all potential primary care infrastructure is subject to suitable locations being offered/provided/available; successful planning processes; and GP commitment to sharing accommodation and delivering health care services with HSE staff. In addition, the operational lease mechanism is subject to market pressures such as the developers' access to adequate financing.

Patient Data

Ceisteanna (347, 348, 349, 350)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

347. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the percentage of serious reportable events being notified within 24 hours to a designated officer. [51186/17]

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

348. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the percentage of mandatory investigations that commence within 48 hours of the events occurring. [51187/17]

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

349. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the percentage of mandatory investigations that are completed within four months of notification of the events occurring. [51188/17]

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

350. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the percentage of reportable events in 2017 that were reported within 30 days of occurrence to the designated officer. [51189/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 347 to 350, inclusive, together.

As these are service matters the questions have been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

The Department of Health takes the management of patient safety very seriously and the establishment of the National Patient Safety Office (NPSO) is just one of a number of patient safety reforms agreed by Government in November 2015. The Office is overseeing a programme of patient safety measures including progressing a programme of legislation. The General Scheme of the Health Information and Patient Safety Bill approved by Government in November 2015 provides for the extension of the Health Information and Quality Authority’s (HIQA’s) remit to the private sector, mandatory external reporting of Serious Reportable Events and measures to promote clinical audit. The Bill has undergone pre-legislative scrutiny (PLS) with the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and the PLS Report is currently being considered by the Department. The Patient Safety Licencing Bill will introduce a regulatory regime for all hospitals as well as certain designated high risk activities. The Department of Justice and Equality’s Civil Liability Amendment Act 2017 includes provision for the open disclosure of patient safety incidents.

In addition, on 25 October 2017, I launched the National Standards on the Conduct of Reviews of Patient Safety Incidents . These standards, developed jointly by HIQA and the Mental Health Commission, set out a new approach to the way health providers respond to, review and investigate incidents in order to determine as quickly as possible what may have transpired, and why, to ensure that they can immediately implement any improvements necessary to prevent a re-occurrence.

Finally, it is my understanding that the Health Service Executive (HSE) is currently finalising the review of its Safety Incident Management Policy.

Ambulance Service Data

Ceisteanna (351)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

351. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of ambulance attendances at each emergency department nationwide in September 2017; the number of such ambulances that waited longer than of 20 minutes to hand over patients, get their trolleys back and return to responding to calls; the number that waited longer than 40 minutes, 60 minutes, 90 minutes 120 minutes and 180 minutes for same, in tabular form. [51190/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Hospital Admissions

Ceisteanna (352)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

352. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of operations that have been cancelled or postponed in each public hospital to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51191/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I fully acknowledge the distress and inconvenience for patients and their families when elective procedures are cancelled.

Maintaining scheduled care access for all patients is a key priority for hospitals, and balancing this with emergency demand at times is challenging. However, all efforts are made by hospitals to limit cancellations particularly for clinically urgent procedures.

Cancellation of elective procedures can occur for a variety of exceptional reasons including cancellations because a bed or the clinical team are not available, cancellations by the patient or because the patient may not be fit for surgery at the time.

Based on data provided by the NTPF, collated from reports by hospitals, approximately 3,400 elective procedures, on average, are cancelled per month. However, this must be seen in context. In 2016, typically in a month, there were approximately 53,000 admissions to acute hospitals on a daycase and an inpatient basis.

It is essential that hospitals continue to improve how they manage, and balance, the demand for emergency care with the planning of elective procedures, to minimise the impact on patients. In addition, the HSE continues to improve its processes to minimise the number sessions lost when patients cancel or do not attend for their procedures.

The Department of Health has commenced a Health Service Capacity review in line with the Programme for Government commitment, the findings of which are due to be published before the end of the year.

In response to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Voluntary Hospital Sector

Ceisteanna (353)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

353. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of operations that have been cancelled or postponed in each voluntary hospital to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51192/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I fully acknowledge the distress and inconvenience for patients and their families when elective procedures are cancelled.

Maintaining scheduled care access for all patients is a key priority for hospitals, and balancing this with emergency demand at times is challenging. However, all efforts are made by hospitals to limit cancellations particularly for clinically urgent procedures.

Cancellation of elective procedures can occur for a variety of exceptional reasons including cancellations because a bed or the clinical team are not available, cancellations by the patient or because the patient may not be fit for surgery at the time.

Based on data provided by the NTPF, collated from reports by hospitals, approximately 3,400 elective procedures, on average, are cancelled per month. However, this must be seen in context. In 2016, typically in a month, there were approximately 53,000 admissions to acute hospitals on a daycase and an inpatient basis.

It is essential that hospitals continue to improve how they manage, and balance, the demand for emergency care with the planning of elective procedures, to minimise the impact on patients. In addition, the HSE continues to improve its processes to minimise the number sessions lost when patients cancel or do not attend for their procedures.

The Department of Health has commenced a Health Service Capacity review in line with the Programme for Government commitment, the findings of which are due to be published before the end of the year.

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 (354)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

354. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of procedures the HSE procured from private and independent hospitals to date in 2017; the amount spent by the HSE on these procedures in private and independent hospitals to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51193/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

In response to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

HSE Staff Data

Ceisteanna (355)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

355. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of staff at national director level, assistant national director level, general manager level and grade VIII level in the HSE on 1 November 2017 or latest date available. [51194/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.

Hospitals Data

Ceisteanna (356)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

356. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of public or voluntary hospitals that carry out MRI scans, in tabular form; the number of persons waiting as of 1 November 2017 or the nearest available date for such a procedure at each of the hospitals in the following waiting periods, less than three months, three months to six months, six months to nine months, nine months to 12 months and more than 12 months. [51195/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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 (357)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

357. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of public or voluntary hospitals that carry out CT scans, in tabular form; the number of persons waiting as of 1 November 2017 or the nearest available date for such a procedure at each of the hospitals in the following waiting periods, less than three months, three months to six months, six months to nine months, nine months to 12 months and more than 12 months. [51196/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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 (358)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

358. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of public or voluntary hospitals that carry out bone scans, in tabular form; the number of persons waiting as of 1 November 2017 or the nearest available date for such a procedure at each of the hospitals in the following waiting periods, less than three months, three months to six months, six months to nine months, nine months to 12 months and more than 12 months. [51197/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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 (359)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

359. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of public or voluntary hospitals that carry out angiograms, in tabular form; the number of persons waiting as of 1 November 2017 or the nearest available date for such a procedure at each of the hospitals in the following waiting periods, less than three months, three months to six months, six months to nine months, nine months to 12 months and more than 12 months. [51198/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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 (360)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

360. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of public or voluntary hospitals that carry out electroencephalograms, in tabular form; the number of persons waiting as of 1 November 2017 or the nearest available date for such a procedure at each of the hospitals in the following waiting periods, less than three months, three months to six months, six months to nine months, nine months to 12 months and more than 12 months. [51199/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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 (361)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

361. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of public or voluntary hospitals that carry out endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, in tabular form; the number of persons waiting as of 1 November 2017 or the nearest available date for such a procedure at each of the hospitals in the following waiting periods, less than three months, three months to six months, six months to nine months, nine months to 12 months and more than 12 months. [51200/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

In response to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.