Written Answers Nos. 269-288
269. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of nursing home beds in County Meath; the number of persons on waiting lists for nursing home beds in County Meath; and the average waiting times for persons waiting for nursing homes. [52682/17]
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.
270. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the board members of the Ireland East hospital group and Our Lady's Hospital, Navan. [52687/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department recently advertised, through the Public Appointments Service process, for nominees to the Ireland East Hospital Group Board and I expect to be in a position to appoint Board members shortly.
Our Lady's Hospital Navan is part of the Ireland East Hospital Group and does not have a board.
271. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the number of the 2012 recommendations by HIQA in regard to the quality, safety and governance of care provided to acute patients at Tallaght Hospital that have been implemented to date. [52691/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra272. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the monitoring conducted by HIQA in regard to the implementation of its 2012 recommendations in regard to the quality, safety and governance of care provided to acute patients at Tallaght Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52692/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra273. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if HIQA has received reports of concerns regarding the implementation of the 2012 report into the quality, safety and governance of care provided to acute patients at Tallaght Hospital; and if so, if it plans to act to investigate them. [52693/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 271 to 273, inclusive, together.
You may be aware that the Board of Tallaght Hospital established a Committee to oversee the implementation of the 2012 HIQA Report recommendations relating to Tallaght Hospital.
I understand that many of these HIQA recommendations are now incorporated into the normal working of the hospital's governance, leadership, management and clinical processes. I have asked the HSE to reply directly to you with a current update on the implementation of the 2012 recommendations by HIQA.
274. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 418 of 21 November 2017, his views on whether the question asked was answered; and his further views on whether this is acceptable. [52694/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy view is that the answer to the question did not address the details sought and was not satisfactory. I have asked the HSE to revert to the Deputy with a more comprehensive answer addressing the details sought in the Deputy's question.
275. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in a person (details supplied) receiving an appointment; when they will receive an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52696/17]
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.
276. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the mental health training provided for first responders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52712/17]
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.
277. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health his plans to bring forward amendments to the Health Act 2004 to delegate budget authority further down the structure of mental health services in view of the recent Roscommon service review report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52714/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health Act 2004 (as amended), it is the responsibility of the HSE to manage its entire budget and to set out in its National Service Plan what can be delivered in the coming year within the funding available. The Executive has responsibility for implementing its mental health Budget as part of its Service Plan, including agreed service priorities at national or local levels. In this context, further delegation is a matter for the Executive.
The Accountability Framework within the HSE also provides an administrative framework of delegated authority, which currently provides for delegated budget accountability from the National Director of Mental Health to a Chief Officer at Community Health Organisation level.
I am familiar with the report recently published by the HSE on mental health services in Roscommon, including a recommendation that the HSE should consider delegating budget authority further down its organisation than is currently the case. The Executive has established an Implementation Team to follow through on the recommendations of this Report.
At this time and bearing in mind all the circumstances, it is not considered that any legislative amendments along the lines suggested by the Deputy are necessary in relation to any recommendation of this report.
278. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the provision of services at a residential care centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52723/17]
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.
279. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the timeframe for the introduction of changes to the fair deal scheme; the way in which a cap on farm land reduction will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52747/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS) is a system of financial support for those in need of long-term nursing home care. Participants contribute to the cost of their care according to their income and assets while the State pays the balance of the cost. 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.
When the NHSS commenced in 2009, a commitment was made that it would be reviewed after three years. The Report of the Review was published in July 2015. Arising out of the Review, a number of key issues have been identified for more detailed consideration across Departments and Agencies.
An Interdepartmental/Agency Working Group has been established to progress the recommendations contained in the Review. This Group is chaired by the Department of Health and includes representatives from the Department of the Taoiseach, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the HSE, the Revenue Commissioners, and when required, the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF). These recommendations include examining the treatment of business and farm assets for the purposes of the financial assessment element of the Scheme. The programme for a Partnership Government has also committed to reviewing the NHSS to remove any discrimination against small businesses and family farms. It is important to remember that the NHSS is largely underpinned by primary legislation and changes to the NHSS will require legislative implementation.
On this basis, I have requested legal advice from the office of the Attorney General regarding potential changes to the legislation that will address this matter. My department has also been cognisant of this matter in the context of this years estimates process. I have recently met with representatives from the I.F.A and the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association to discuss various strategies that may assist with addressing their members concerns and have apprised them of the current progress. I remain hopeful to be in receipt of this legal advice before year end and I am committed to this review of the position with regard to family farms and small businesses for the purposes of the financial assessment of the scheme. Any proposed changes will require primary legislation and I hope to be in a position to progress this in early 2018.
280. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the status of the hyperbaric oxygen therapy centre at University Hospital Galway; the location, opening times and designated person in charge thereof; the referral process of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52749/17]
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.
281. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the timeframe for the FreeStyle Libre to be available on the HSE's long-term illness scheme for persons with diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52750/17]
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.
282. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for a person (details supplied) will be scheduled at the paediatric unit in University Hospital Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52756/17]
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.
283. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52757/17]
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.
284. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in receipt of financial support under the nursing homes support scheme as of December 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52768/17]
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.
285. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health his plans to advance evaluation of best practice for teleconsultations in primary and other care settings and develop guidance and clinical protocols for such teleconsultations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52791/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTeleconsultations generally mean virtual medical consultations between healthcare professionals or between a healthcare professional and a patient. Teleconsultations can potentially provide easier access to health services in certain circumstances, in a primary care setting for example, such as in remote locations or for chronically ill patients. It can also be of assistance to have health practitioners communicate virtually between each other. Such consultations are simply another channel of service, similar to GP-patient phonecalls.
There currently are no technological barriers to teleconsultations being made available for widespread use within the context of the health service. The Department are aware that some teleconsultation solutions are currently being offered in the private health sector. When delivering remote health services, providers must ensure the integrity of patient data, as required by current data protection law and the forthcoming implementation of the EU General Data Protection Regulation in May 2018.
Telemedicine linkages between patients and primary care professionals as well as between primary care settings in hospitals have significant potential to improve access, efficiency and patient centredness. The provision of services by telemedicine is already the subject of specific guidance to doctors from the Medical Council through the Guide to Professional Conduct and Ethics. An implementation plan for the SláinteCare Committee report is being finalised which will see in coming years significant opportunity to further develop telemedicine services to enhance accessibility, responsiveness and efficiency of provision of primary and secondary healthcare services.
286. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health his plans for the HSE to fund PrEP in view of the announcement on 1 November 2017 that the drugs will become available for prescription from 4 December 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52796/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the pricing and reimbursement of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
287. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the number of persons with haemochromatosis that have attended venesection clinics by clinic in 2015, 2016, and to date in 2017; the names of the venesection clinics that have reintroduced the day case levy of €80 for the same time period, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52797/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra359. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if the charge for persons with a condition of haemochromatosis (details supplied) will be abolished; the hospitals that are charging at present; the reason they are charging the fee; the reason policy has changed on this routine procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53138/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 287 and 359 together.
I am aware of this issue and have asked officials in my Department to examine it, including the particular points made by the Irish Haemochromatosis Association, and to provide me with advice.
The Deputy's questions relate to service delivery matters and accordingly I have asked the HSE to respond directly.
288. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take in the case of daily charges being introduced in the venesection clinic in County Louth earlier in 2017 in order to ensure that persons with haemochromatosis do not avoid the clinic for financial reasons and subsequently put their health at risk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52798/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Act 1970 (as amended) provides that all people ordinarily resident in the country are entitled, subject to certain charges, to public in-patient hospital services including consultant services and to public out-patient hospital services. Under the Health (In-Patients Charges) (Amendment) Regulations 2008, a person who has been referred to a hospital for an in-patient service, including that provided on a day case basis, will have to pay the statutory daily charge, currently €80 per day, up to a maximum of €800 per year. On this basis, where venesection is classed as a day case procedure and is not carried out in an out patient setting, the public in-patient charge applies. However, I am aware of this issue and have asked officials in my Department to examine it, including the particular points made by the Irish Haemochromatosis Association, and to provide me with advice.
