Kathleen Funchion
Ceist:164. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health if there have been changes to the assessment of needs process with regard to the provision of specific diagnosis (details supplied). [7611/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraDisabilities Assessments
Ceisteanna (164)
Freagraí 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.
Medical Aids and Appliances Applications
Ceisteanna (165)
Kevin O'Keeffe
Ceist:165. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if the provision of medical equipment to a person (details supplied) will be expedited. [7613/18]
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.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (166)
Mary Butler
Ceist:166. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to reduce the waiting times for cardiac rehabilitation care at University Hospital Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7615/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
Medical Aids and Appliances Provision
Ceisteanna (167)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:167. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding glucose monitoring systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7619/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Hospitals Capital Programme
Ceisteanna (168)
Eamon Scanlon
Ceist:168. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health the reason the plan for the new diabetes centre at Sligo University Hospital is not included in the capital development fund for 2018; if the HSE applied for capital funding for the project; if not, the reason the funding is being withheld; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7620/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of health care capital projects, my Department has requested the Health Service Executive to reply directly to you in relation to your questions regarding proposed capital developments at Sligo University Hospital.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (169)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:169. Deputy Niamh Smyth 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. [7622/18]
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 the Deputy directly.
Hospitals Discharges
Ceisteanna (170)
Kevin O'Keeffe
Ceist:170. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if accommodation will be provided for a person (details supplied) in a specific facility on discharge from hospital. [7637/18]
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.
Data Protection
Ceisteanna (171)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:171. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the preparedness of his Department in the context of the incoming general data protection regulation, GDPR, EU 2016/679; if staff in his Department have undertaken or been offered specific training and-or briefing on the GDPR; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7648/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Department of Health is working closely with other Government Departments and participating fully in an inter-departmental group on data protection chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach, which is identifying GDPR related issues at central level and facilitating coordinated preparations for the coming into effect of the GDPR in May 2018.
The Department's core GDPR related activity, at present, is in working closely with the Department of Justice and Equality on the Data Protection Bill, to ensure that the Bill includes health information provisions consistent with the GDPR that will support patient care and safety and better health service management while, at the same time, building greater public confidence in how health information is handled through improved transparency and other suitable and specific measures provided for in the Bill.
In addition, the Department has been liaising with the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner, the HSE, the Health Research Board and a number of other health agencies in relation to the legislative framework around the processing of health data post GDPR to create an appropriate and robust legislative basis for the processing of personal data across the health system. This is closely related to a public consultation conducted by the Department in 2017 on the drafting of a health information policy framework. Preparations will continue in the coming weeks and months.
A number of staff in key areas of my Department have attended relevant seminars and presentations in recent months and I expect that additional training will take place over the course of the coming months. An appointment to the role of Data Protection Officer, as required under the GDPR, will be made in time for the coming into effect of the regulation in May this year.