Written Answers Nos. 156-167
156. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health when FreeStyle Libre will be available for persons with diabetes on the long-term illness scheme; the reason this treatment is not available on the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52444/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
157. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health if the HSE and his Department have developed a comprehensive sexual and reproductive health policy for adolescents (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52478/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Sexual Health Strategy 2015-2020, launched in October 2015, is the first nationally coordinated approach to address sexual health and well-being. It takes a life course approach, which is a key underpinning concept in the Healthy Ireland Framework under which the Strategy will be implemented. It acknowledges the importance of developing a healthy attitude to sexuality in young people and of building on that foundation for positive sexual health and well-being into adulthood and older age.
The publication of the National Sexual Health Strategy 2015-2020 provided the opportunity to ensure that all efforts across the entire range of sexual health – from awareness, education, training, access, treatment and surveillance – are co-ordinated, evidence informed and based on best practice.
The National Sexual Health Strategy has been developed against a backdrop of a changing Ireland regarding sexual behaviour and sexuality in recent decades. This changing landscape is evident in legislation introduced in recent years, and more openness generally in attitudes and culture around sexuality and sexual health issues.
The strategy was developed based on three goals:
- Everyone in Ireland will receive comprehensive and age-appropriate sexual health education/information and will have access to appropriate prevention and promotion services;
- Equitable, accessible and high quality sexual health services, which are targeted and tailored to need, will be available to everyone; and
- Robust and high quality sexual health information will be generated to underpin policy, practice, service planning and strategic monitoring.
The strategy recognises the diversity of sexual identities. It supports all expressions of sexual identity through positive sexual health and well-being outcomes.
Governance structures for implementation of the National Sexual Health Strategy have been established. The HSE Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme is the national programme charged with developing and implementing a national strategy to, among other things, improve the effectiveness and impact of sexual health services and preventative work. The programme is responsible for developing and implementing an action plan for each year of the Strategy. A Clinical Lead for Sexual Health has also been appointed in the HSE.
The HSE has worked with the Department of Education Skills (DES) for several years to support the Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) Programme. In partnership with the DES, the HSE has developed RSE lesson plans for teachers; the TRUST resource for senior cycle RSE and the B4uDecide Resource for Junior Cycle RSE. Over 60% of schools use these resources, according to the Lifeskills Survey. The HSE also developed B4uDecide.ie, a website for 14-16 years olds with trustworthy information on relationships and sexual health. It includes videos, quizzes and polls that teachers use as part of their RSE classes. There are 80,000 visits to the website every year. The Programme also supports RSE in youth clubs and funds the REAL U – a very popular RSE resource developed by Foroige. Funding is also provided to the National Parents Council to provide RSE seminars to parents.
158. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the policy regarding building a community nursing home and the prevention of displacement of existing private providers that live in close proximity thereto (details supplied). [52479/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to enhancing the quality of life of older people, maintaining their full potential, supporting them in their homes and communities, providing access to respite care and day care and, when required, providing access to appropriate quality long-term residential care.
Residential care in Ireland is provided through a mix of public, voluntary and private provision. It is worth highlighting that the net budget for long-term residential care in 2017 is €940m and the Nursing Homes Support Scheme will support over 23,000 people by the end of the year. The Scheme aims to ensure that long-term nursing home care is accessible and affordable for everyone and that people are cared for in the most appropriate settings. A key principle of the Scheme is that applicants can choose any public, voluntary or approved private nursing home. The home must have availability and be able to cater for the applicant's particular needs.
Community Nursing Units like Ballinasloe are an essential part of our national infrastructure of nursing homes. They provide over 5,000 long stay residential care beds or approximately 20% of the total stock of nursing home beds nationally. Ballinasloe Community Nursing Unit is a purpose designed building. The centre has opened on a phased basis, initially with 25 residents. Earlier this year the Unit increased the maximum number of persons that can be accommodated to 50 residents.
The demand for residential services will continue to grow with changing demographics, and the associated complex needs of an ageing population. The recently published ESRI report on projections on demand for health care indicates that demand for long-term and intermediate care places in nursing homes and other settings will increase by 40-54% by 2030 from 29,000 in 2015.
159. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of the national maternity hospital on the St. Vincent's hospital campus; his plans for the final agreement to include a lien or a licence; the body with which such a lien or licence would be agreed; when he expects a final agreement to be reached; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52505/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing the grant of planning permission for the new National Maternity Hospital on the St Vincent's University Hospital campus, the Design Team is continuing to work on the detailed design of the hospital and the preparation of tender documents. This development will of course represent the flagship project of the National Maternity Strategy and will constitute the largest single investment ever made in maternity services in Ireland.
Work is also continuing on the development of a legal framework which will protect the State's significant investment in the hospital. The Deputy will, I hope, appreciate that pending the finalisation of an agreement between all the stakeholders, it is premature for me to give any further information at this point.
160. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the waiting lists for each HSE psychological service, by age and length of time on the list, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52506/17]
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.
161. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding funding for a podiatrist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52510/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this matter is a service issue, this question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for a direct reply.
162. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in issuing a generic medical card to persons living in temporary emergency accommodation, such as at a facility (details supplied). [52513/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince the centralisation of the administration of the medical card scheme in July 2011, the National Medical Card Unit in the HSE does not provide "generic or house" medical cards to organisations or establishments. Residents in emergency accommodation who have applied for a medical card are assessed by the HSE under the current medical card guidelines. Under the guidelines, the HSE assesses whether a person is unable, without due hardship, to arrange general practitioner services for himself or herself and his or her family, having regard to his or her overall financial position and reasonable expenditure and every application must be assessed on that basis.
A person who is in receipt of a medical card must register with a General practitioner. However, if they move temporarily from their official postal address, and are resident in a place not ordinarily served by their medical card GP, they will be regarded as a "temporary resident" and can avail of medical services with any GP registered to provide GMS services. If the cardholder intends to relocate to a new area for longer than three months and/or a permanent basis, they must submit a change of doctor request to the HSE.
163. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a hospital appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52515/17]
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.
164. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a medical card will be approved in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52519/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
165. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if he will meet with community hospitals and other health advocacy groups (details supplied) in County Donegal to address ongoing concerns regarding community hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52545/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra166. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health his plans for a reduction of service delivery for the care of older persons in existing hospitals, in view of his statements on community hospitals in County Donegal (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52546/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra167. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if HIQA standards and compliance regulations (details supplied) as currently in operation will be maintained; the timeframe for a review of same; the timeframe for the subsequent notification to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52547/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 165 to 167, inclusive, together.
I would suggest that the Deputy arrange for a representative from one of the groups referred to contact my office to request a meeting and I will endeavour to facilitate the request. A meeting which had been arranged with one of the representative groups recently was cancelled.
The Deputy will be aware that since the announcement of the 5 year Capital Investment Programme for Community Nursing Units and following discussions with public representatives, Health Forum members and local community groups, local HSE management in CHO 1 agreed to review overall requirements for the area. I understand that a report has now been received by the HSE's Social Care Division and will be considered over the coming period. Any proposals for changes to the approved Capital Investment Programme for Community Nursing Units would have to be considered in the context of capital funding available to Health, potential revenue implications and compliance with the agreed capital approval process.
The National Quality Standards for residential Care Settings, developed by the Health Information and Quality Authority, set out what is expected in terms of the service provided to residents, with a focus on continuous development of safe and effective care. A revised set of National Standards were approved in 2016 and there are no plans to review these at present. Also in 2016 the Minister for Health approved the Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) (Amendment) Regulations 2016. The amendment regulations provide that by January 2022:
- Bedrooms must have an area available for each resident to a minimum of 7.4m2 space (inclusive of bed, seating and personal storage facilities), and have no more than 4 residents (other than a high dependency room where maximum allowed is 6);
- There will be a minimum of one accessible toilet in close proximity to every eight residents (not necessarily direct or en-suite access);
- Communal dining space will cater for all residents but not necessarily at a single sitting.
