Written Answers Nos. 385-406
385. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the long waiting times faced by transgender persons to access public endocrinology services here; the steps he will take to address these waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6984/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe NTPF publishes the Inpatient and Outpatient waiting list figures by specialty and hospital each month. This information is available on NTPF.ie. The most recent figures published by the NTPF for December 2017 indicates that there is a total of 41 people on the Inpatient/Daycase waiting list for Endocrinology and a total of 9,043 people on the Outpatient waiting list for Endocrinology. The Deputy may wish to note that this data is extracted from the overall waiting list figures which does not differentiate transgender patients from other patients on the waiting list.
Reducing waiting times for the longest waiting patients is one of this Government's key priorities. Consequently, Budget 2018 allocated €55 million for the National Treatment Purchase Fund in 2018. This significant increase in funding more than doubles their 2017 total allocation which was €20m.
The HSE and NTPF are working together to develop coherent and synergistic Waiting List Action Plans in 2018 with the objective of arranging the provision of treatment for patients across a range of inpatient/daycase and outpatient specialties and procedures. These initiatives will continue to focus on long-waiting patients and overall waiting list numbers.
The existing care pathway in Ireland generally begins with an approach by an individual to their GP. The GP may refer the person to the local Community Mental Health Team for support and a diagnosis of Gender Dysphoria by psychiatrist or a clinical psychologist. A thorough assessment is a pre-requisite to commencing hormone suppressants in Ireland, in line with international best practice. This is to ensure that the correct path is being taken for the individual and to ensure co-morbid issues are identified and addressed.
386. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health his views on whether it is appropriate to require transgender persons to seek a psychiatric diagnosis of gender dysphoria before they can seek endocrinology services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6985/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraA proposed model of care for transgender children, adolescents and adults was submitted by the HSE Quality Improvement Division to the HSE Divisions of Primary Care, Mental Health and Acute Hospital programme. The model was developed in consultation with key treating clinicians, planners, policy makers, advocates and service users.
The model outlines key services required to ensure the needs of the transgender population including children and adolescents are addressed. It details current service provision and emerging service demand in relation to adults and separately in relation to children and adolescents. It draws on evidence based international best practice to build on services which already exist and develop services where deficits prevail.
In line with evidence-based international best practice, a thorough assessment is a pre-requisite to commencing hormone suppressants in Ireland. This is to ensure that the correct path is being taken for the individual and to ensure co-morbid issues are identified and addressed.
It would be inappropriate for me as Minister to comment on the assessment process as this is a matter between clinical personnel and the individual concerned.
387. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the number of beds in use in January 2018 in each hospital; the bed capacity of each hospital if all bed spaces were fully available; the reason all beds in hospitals are not being fully utilised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6986/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
388. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the steps that have been taken to enable persons who work as home helps to join the HSE pension scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7004/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs access to the HSE Superannuation Scheme is managed by the employer, I have asked the Executive to respond directly to the Deputy.
389. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision of 12 dedicated respite houses around the State announced on 12 December 2017; the specific locations of each; the number of persons who can be accommodated in each; the estimated number of respite nights each individual house will provide in a full calendar year; the capital and acquisition costs of each; the estimated annual running costs of each; the number of wholetime equivalent staff to be employed in each; if each house is now operational; and if not, when each will commence providing services, in tabular form. [7019/18]
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.
The Programme for Partnership Government states that the Government wishes to provide more accessible respite care to facilitate full support for people with a disability.
The full details of the services to be provided with the additional €10 million for respite care will be contained in the HSE’s detailed operational plan. This initiative will provide for nine new dedicated houses for respite in each Community Health Area, plus an additional three houses in the greater Dublin area to respond to the very high demand for respite from this area. These additional twelve respite houses will provide 19,000 extra respite nights to the people living in those areas, on a yearly basis. In addition, a further €2 million extra funding will be used for innovative respite solutions, such as Home Sharing and extended day services, to provide assistance where people need it most.
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.
390. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health when an appointment for cataract surgery will be scheduled for a person (details supplied) at University Hospital Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7042/18]
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 the Deputy directly.
391. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if additional support can be provided for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7071/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra392. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide funding to ensure the epidermolysis bullosa outreach nurse is available as a permanent position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7072/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra393. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health his plans to appoint two additional outreach nurses to be based in Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, and St. James's Hospital to be available for persons living with epidermolysis bullosa; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7073/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra394. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health his plans for the 13 patients who have epidermolysis bullosa and who will transfer from paediatrics to adult services in the coming years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7074/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 391 to 394, inclusive, together.
As these are service issues, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
395. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health the basis for a decision by his Department (details supplied); the reason for delaying a decision until 2021 in the context of the decision already taken by his predecessor in January 2016 to downgrade the hospital; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this will lead to an urgent need to invest in the hospital in the interim in order to maintain standards required by HIQA; the reason there is such a delay in deciding on the matter; the interim plans he has for the hospital in the intervening four years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7075/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Capital Investment Programme for Community Nursing Units, announced in January 2016, a decision was made to build a new 130 bed community nursing unit in Letterkenny by the end of 2021, through a Public Private Partnership or alternative funding model. This decision relates to long term residential services, and is separate to, and independent of, any consideration of the other services currently provided in the three Community Hospitals. The decision reflected the fact that these hospitals were not considered to be appropriate for use as long-stay residential care homes in the medium term.
No further decisions have been made in relation to the future use of the existing CNUs in the East Donegal area. Any proposals for upgrade of existing facilities will be considered in the context of capital funding available to Health and must comply with the agreed capital approval process.
However, I understand that the HSE is examining requirements for the area and a report has been submitted to the HSE’s National Social Care Division and the HSE’s National Capital Property Steering Group, where it is being considered.
397. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for persons to receive counselling in primary care centres in CHO area 9; the number of persons who received counselling in CHO area 9 in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7082/18]
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.
398. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health his views on whether funding needs to be provided for the recruitment of one additional full-time consultant neurologist with a special interest in migraine for Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9; the number of vacancy posts by job title currently in the department; the date each vacancy arose; when each post will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7083/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly.
399. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for orthotics shoes in CHO area 9; the average waiting time for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7084/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
400. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health ,further to Parliamentary Question No. 307 of 5 December 2017, if he has arranged for the HSE to reply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7123/18]
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.
The particular issue raised by the Deputy is a service matter for the Health Service Executive. I have been in further contact with the Executive about this matter and I have requested that a reply issues directly to the Deputy as a matter of urgency.
401. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the procedure used by consultants when discharging persons with serious illnesses in circumstances in which a person attends a number of consultants in different fields due to the diversity of his or her illness (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7125/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra402. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health if persons who have attended consultants for many years for serious ongoing illnesses are being discharged without further consultation or follow-up (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7126/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 401 and 402 together.
As the issues raised by the Deputy are a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly.
403. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health when the financial emergency measures in the public interest, FEMPI, cuts imposed on medical general practitioners will be reversed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7128/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs with other health professionals, General Practitioners were subject to fee reductions under FEMPI. I acknowledge the contribution made by GPs and other health professionals who provide services under contract on behalf of the HSE, through reductions in the fees in respect of these services, to addressing the unprecedented economic crisis which the State faced over recent years.
In the context of the publication of the Public Service Pay and Pension Bill 2017, on 7 November 2017, I announced that in 2018 I will undertake a process of engagement with representative bodies of contracted health professionals, aimed at putting in place a new multi-annual approach to fees, in return for service improvement and contractual reform and in line with Government priorities for the health service. I am currently considering, along with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, the most appropriate approach in this regard. I expect engagement to begin shortly.
404. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the accessibility of drug rehabilitation in west County Cork (details supplied); the breakdown of attendees attending at each unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7129/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
406. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Health if there are guidelines or rules for general practitioners charging for taking blood samples; and if this procedure is covered by the medical card. [7170/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra449. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if a case (details supplied) will be reviewed; if this is accurate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7389/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 406 and 449 together.
There is no provision under the GMS GP contract for persons who hold a medical card or GP visit card to be charged for routine phlebotomy services provided by their GP which are required to either assist in the diagnosis of illness or the treatment of a condition. The HSE has advised GPs that where a blood test forms part of the investigation or necessary treatment of a patient’s symptoms or conditions, this should be free of charge for patients who hold a medical card or GP visit card. Notwithstanding this, I am aware that in recent times some GPs have begun to charge GMS patients for phlebotomy services in some circumstances.
This is a matter of concern for me as it has long been the position, under successive Governments, that no user charges should apply to GP services provided to GMS and GP visit card patients. If a patient who holds a medical card or GP visit card believes he or she has been incorrectly charged for routine phlebotomy services by his or her GP, then that patient may take the matter up with the HSE Local Health Office, who will deal with the matter in accordance with the HSE's Complaints Policy.
