Written Answers Nos. 360-378
360. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the reason a report following a review of the audiology services in the HSE west remains in draft form and has not been published; and if he will ensure prompt publication without further delay (details supplied). [13725/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
361. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of staff employed by Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe, in each of the years 2012 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13744/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is query relates to a service matter, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
362. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of agency staff employed by Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe, in each of the years 2012 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13745/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is query relates to a service matter, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
363. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an application by an organisation (details supplied) for funding to provide additional services to school leavers with intellectual difficulties in County Longford will be considered in view of the lack of spaces available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13750/18]
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.
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.
364. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13760/18]
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.
365. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health the number of meetings he has held with the HSE regarding the 500 beds to be delivered in the winter of 2018-2019; his plans for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13765/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraOne of the key recommendations of the recently published Health Service Capacity Review is that in order to reach international standards of bed occupancy levels, the acute hospital system needs additional beds frontloaded in the short term.
As a response to this, in January, I requested the HSE to prioritise the development of a plan to identify the location and mix of beds across the hospital system which can be opened and staffed this year and into 2019, to alleviate overcrowding in our hospital ED’s and improve preparedness for next winter.
Since then, officials in my Department have been meeting regularly with their counterparts in the HSE on advancing the plan, and I recently received an update from the Departmental/HSE working group on progress in relation to the development of the proposals. I very regularly meet with the HSE on this and all matters to do with both scheduled and unscheduled care.
I look forward to receiving the plan, which I understand is at an advanced stage, in the coming weeks.
366. Deputy Pat Casey asked the Minister for Health the status of the implementation of the Jeyes report recommendations with regard to a service (details supplied); the status of all residential and day-service units, staffing ratios, and staffing pay disputes; his plans for future alignment with additional services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13768/18]
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.
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.
367. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the status of a person (details supplied) on the orthodontist waiting list. [13769/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
368. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a decision on a medical card application submitted in January 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13774/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
369. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health if he will publish the review of the pricing system for long-term residential care facilities as recommended within the review of the fair deal scheme in view of the fact that the pricing review was scheduled for completion on 1 June 2017 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13781/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS), commonly referred to as Fair Deal, is a system of financial support for people who require long-term residential care. Participants contribute to the cost of their care according to their means 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.
The Report of the NHSS Review published in 2015 identified a number of issues for more detailed consideration, including a review of pricing mechanism by the NTPF, with a view to:
- Ensuring value for money and economy, with the lowest possible administrative costs for clients and the State and administrative burden for providers;
- Increasing the transparency of the pricing mechanism so that existing and potential investors can make as informed decisions as possible; and
- Ensuring that there is adequate residential capacity for those residents with more complex needs.
A Steering Committee has been established to oversee this review which is chaired by the NTPF and includes representatives from the Department of Health and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
The NTPF have responsibility for the development of this report, although Department Officials continue to engage with the NTPF regarding the review. The most recent update from the NTPF is that the report will be finalised and ready for review in the first half of 2018.
370. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce an independent appeals mechanism within fair deal to provide third-party recourse for nursing home providers that cannot agree a fee with the NTPF and to bring greater transparency to the fair deal pricing mechanism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13782/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra371. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the reason the four HSE nursing homes operating within County Tipperary are paid fees that are on average 65% above those payable to the 25 private and voluntary nursing homes operating within County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13783/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 370 and 371 together.
The Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS), commonly referred to as Fair Deal, is a system of financial support for people who require long-term residential care. Participants contribute to the cost of their care according to their means 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.
The Report of the NHSS Review published in 2015 identified a number of issues for more detailed consideration, including a review of pricing mechanism by the NTPF, with a view to:
- Ensuring value for money and economy, with the lowest possible administrative costs for clients and the State and administrative burden for providers;
- Increasing the transparency of the pricing mechanism so that existing and potential investors can make as informed decisions as possible; and
- Ensuring that there is adequate residential capacity for those residents with more complex needs.
A Steering Committee has been established to oversee this review which is chaired by the NTPF and includes representatives from my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. The NTPF have responsibility for the development of this report, although Department Officials continue to engage with the NTPF regarding the review. The most recent update from the NTPF is that the report will be finalised and ready for review in the first half of 2018.
With regard to the Deputy’s question on plans to introduce an independent appeal mechanism within the NHSS to provide third party recourse for nursing home providers that cannot agree a fee with the NTPF, I cannot nor would I wish to, prejudge the outcomes of the NTPF pricing mechanism review. However I welcome the work to date and look forward to the NTPF concluding the review later this year.
In relation to variations in the cost of care for public and private nursing homes it is acknowledged that public nursing homes have, in general, a higher cost of care. It is understood that a number of factors contribute to this such as; higher dependency levels of clients requiring a higher staff skill mix, environmental implications for staffing levels and the geographical provision of residential placements.
That said, there is a need to undertake a deeper analysis of the factors driving the higher costs of care in public units. This is why the 2015 Review of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme identified the need for a Value for Money and Policy (VFM) review of the cost differentials in public and private/voluntary residential facilities.
The aim of this review is to identify and analyse these factors. The VFM review will also make recommendations on how the differentials can be addressed. This review has recently commenced and is being led by my Department.
372. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) that presented multiple times at both Blanchardstown and Naas hospitals with suicidal ideation over the course of six days recently was refused admission by Blanchardstown hospital three times and by Naas hospital twice; the reason the person was only admitted to a psychiatric lockdown after six days had elapsed and three suicide attempts had been made; the reason for the delay in their admission; the resources and support which should have been made available to them but were not; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13791/18]
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.
373. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health when he expects a decision will issue by the South-South West Hospital Group regarding approval of a capital submission for a dedicated obstetric theatre for University Hospital Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13792/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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 as soon as possible.
374. 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. [13793/18]
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.
375. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an application for a medical card by a person (details supplied) will be expedited. [13803/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond directly to the Deputy.
376. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of children presenting to emergency departments for mental health issues in each of the years 2015, 2016 and 2017; the number of these presentations that led to admissions in each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13804/18]
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.
377. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health if the immediate publication of the review of pricing system for long-term residential care facilities as recommended within the review of the fair deal scheme will be made; his plans for the introduction of an independent appeals mechanism within the scheme to provide third-party recourse for nursing home providers that cannot agree a fee with the NTPF; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13805/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Report the Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS) Review published in 2015 identified a number of issues for more detailed consideration, including a review of pricing mechanism by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF), with a view to:
- Ensuring value for money and economy, with the lowest possible administrative costs for clients and the State and administrative burden for providers;
- Increasing the transparency of the pricing mechanism so that existing and potential investors can make as informed decisions as possible; and
- Ensuring that there is adequate residential capacity for those residents with more complex needs.
A Steering Committee has been established to oversee this review which is chaired by the NTPF and includes representatives from my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
The NTPF have responsibility for the development of this report, although Department Officials continue to engage with the NTPF regarding the review. The most recent update from the NTPF is that the report will be finalised and ready for review in the first half of 2018.
With regard to the Deputy’s question on plans to introduce an independent appeal mechanism within the NHSS to provide third party recourse for nursing home providers that cannot agree a fee with the NTPF, I cannot nor would I wish to, prejudge the outcomes of the NTPF pricing mechanism review. However I welcome the work to date and look forward to the NTPF concluding the review later this year.
378. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health when the result of the assessment of the PKU treatment drug Kuvan will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13807/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
