Robert Troy
Ceist:157. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied) will be scheduled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51284/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraHospital Appointments Administration
Ceisteanna (157)
Freagraí scríofa
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.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (158)
Pat Deering
Ceist:158. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when an operation for a person (details supplied) in St. James's Hospital will be scheduled. [51286/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (159)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:159. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if a surgical appointment for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51288/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.
Disability Support Services Provision
Ceisteanna (160)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:160. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in opening a care association (details supplied); the timeframe for its occupancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51289/17]
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 service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
Child Care Services
Ceisteanna (161)
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:161. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if a policy position has now been agreed in respect of the status of the loco parentis policy on the current HSE review of care services and supports for children with life limiting conditions and complex healthcare needs; if service users and their families have been updated accordingly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51328/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.
Respite Care Services
Ceisteanna (162)
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:162. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if the operational appraisal into the Ballyshannon campus site in County Donegal to examine respite service provision options within the community healthcare organisation or CHO 1, as requested by HSE corporate management, is now complete; if he will provide the details of the report's findings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51330/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Health Services Provision
Ceisteanna (163)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:163. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the number of chiropodist appointments an elderly person is entitled to (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51337/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Departmental Agencies Staff Remuneration
Ceisteanna (164)
Dara Calleary
Ceist:164. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the cost of restoring section 39 grants to pre-2008 levels in order to account for pay restoration in section 39 health organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51358/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
Departmental Agencies Funding
Ceisteanna (165)
Dara Calleary
Ceist:165. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the savings from cutting the grants to section 39 organisations since 2008; the amount by which these grants have been restored; the estimated cost of restoring them; the cost of fully restoring them to pre-2008 levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51359/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I have arranged for this question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
Health Services Staff Remuneration
Ceisteanna (166)
Dara Calleary
Ceist:166. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of restoring nursing and midwifery allowances by July 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51361/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
Medicinal Products Reimbursement
Ceisteanna (167)
John Curran
Ceist:167. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health if the HSE recently met the company that manufactures the drug Respreeza; if arrangements have now been put in place with the company and the HSE to administer Respreeza to the 21 persons who had been receiving it as part of a clinical trial; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51369/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drug schemes, in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
Medicinal Products Supply
Ceisteanna (168)
Peter Fitzpatrick
Ceist:168. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health if the HSE quota of dispensary medical stockings can be raised from two to four in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51372/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (169)
Peter Burke
Ceist:169. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) is entitled to free glasses from an optician. [51376/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Emergency Departments Services
Ceisteanna (170)
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:170. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health his plans for trauma care in the emergency departments of hospitals in the Dublin region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51379/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Traumatic injuries may be low, moderate or severe. Major trauma involves injuries which have the potential to cause prolonged disability or death. Based on available data, it is estimated that Ireland has approximately 1,600 major trauma patients each year. Trauma care is a subset of overall Emergency Department activity. Emergency Departments provide 24/7 access for emergency and urgent presentations across the spectrum of medical and surgical conditions with 1,157,074 new Emergency Department attendances in 2016.
In 2015, my predecessor established a Trauma Policy Steering Group, chaired by Professor Eilis McGovern, to make recommendations in relation to the development of a trauma system for Ireland. Patients who have used trauma services and clinicians were at the heart of the development of the plan. The Group has now completed its report and I intend to bring it to Cabinet before the end of the year.
Following on from recent media reports, it is important to say that the report is not about closing Emergency Departments or diminishing services. This is about delivering best outcomes for the small number of patients each year who suffer major trauma, that is, injuries which have the potential to cause prolonged disability or death, and ensuring they get the right care in the right place at the right time.
Nursing Staff Recruitment
Ceisteanna (171)
Kevin O'Keeffe
Ceist:171. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the filling of a vacancy in a community hospital (detailed supplied) in view of the difficulties being experienced by those who avail of this facility. [51384/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Departmental Properties
Ceisteanna (172)
Paul Kehoe
Ceist:172. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health the number of domestic properties purchased by his Department in County Wexford: the amount paid for the properties; the current usage of each; the purpose for which each one was purchased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51385/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Deputy's question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply as the management of the healthcare property estate is a service matter.
Hospitals Funding
Ceisteanna (173)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:173. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 971 of 17 January 2017, the status of the provision of promised funding for the narcolepsy service at St. James's Hospital; when funding will be provided for the clinic; his views on the situation whereby Ireland is one of the only countries in Europe without a dedicated sleep clinic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51389/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department, the HSE and the Department of Education and Skills continue to work together to provide a wide range of services and supports for those affected by narcolepsy following pandemic influenza. These include discretionary medical cards, reimbursement of expenses associated with diagnosis and treatment, home tuition and learning supports. The HSE’s Advocacy Unit acts as liaison with service and support providers and other Government Departments to facilitate access to required services. It is in regular contact with individuals affected and regularly meets with representatives of the SOUND (sufferers of unique narcolepsy disorder). Regional co-ordinators have been appointed to assist individuals by providing advice, information and access to local services.
The ex-gratia health supports include clinical care pathways to ensure access to diagnosis and treatment, multi-disciplinary assessments led by clinical experts, counselling services for both the individuals and their families, discretionary medical cards for those who have been diagnosed have been provided to allow unlimited access to GP care and any prescribed medication, ex-gratia reimbursement of vouched expenses incurred in the process of diagnosis and treatment, including travel expenses for attending medical appointments; physiotherapy, occupational therapy assessments, dental assessments and dietary services all on a needs basis.
The development of a national service for patients with all forms of narcolepsy in adults, and in children transitioning from pediatric services, in St. James's Hospital is being prioritised. The HSE is currently in the process of preparing its 2018 National Service Plan and discussions are continuing with my Department. The timeframes for submission of the HSE Service Plan for approval are set down in legislation and on receipt of the letter of determination, the HSE has 21 days to prepare and submit its Service Plan for 2018 for my approval. Following this, the National Service Plan will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas and then published at the earliest possible time.
In the interim, the HSE will continue to pay for access to services, such as dietician and psychology services, that would have been provided in the Centre of Excellence from private providers to so that none of the affected individuals miss out on receiving these supports.
Hospital Consultant Contracts
Ceisteanna (174)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:174. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to a recent media programme (details supplied) which reported on a number of consultants that were found not to be in compliance with their contacts, his views on whether this issue does not solely relate to these specific consultants that were highlighted in the programme but rather there are significant numbers of consultants in certain hospitals that fail to meet their contract obligations; and the way in which he plans to address this matter [51390/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The HSE collects and reports information 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. 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 public/private ratio provided for in Consultant Contract 2008 and the public/private bed designation ratio in the 1997 Common Contract held by approximately 10% of consultants. This aggregate data indicates that the majority of consultants are in compliance with their contracts.
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 and 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 to manage private activity 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 am very clear that consultants must deliver their work commitment to the public system. I have asked the HSE to ensure that more robust measures are in place in 2018 to make sure all consultants, those highlighted in the programme and all others, comply with their contractual obligations. 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.
Nursing Home Services
Ceisteanna (175)
Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:175. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the year, name and location of the public nursing homes that have closed each year from 2005 to 2013, respectively, in tabular form [51411/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
GLAS Payments
Ceisteanna (176)
Eamon Scanlon
Ceist:176. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a GLAS payment will issue to a person (details supplied) which is being withheld due to a departmental error; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51262/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The person named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1st October 2015. All 2015 payments have been paid to the applicant along with the 2016 advance payment.
A penalty was applied to the 2016 balancing payment but this has now been resolved. However the resolution of the case requires additional non-routine processing. Work is ongoing to resolve the issue and any payment due will issue to the nominated account as soon as possible.