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Tuesday, 17 Apr 2018

Written Answers Nos. 792-808

Health Services Funding

Ceisteanna (792)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

792. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the funding provided in each year since 2010 for the implementation of the national cardiovascular health policy, in tabular form. [15627/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The annual Health Estimates are negotiated taking account of the cost to maintain existing services, in addition to developing new services in line with Government priorities. Following this process, the HSE is provided with an approved level of funding to meet its existing requirements and any policy developments as set out by the Department of Health (which would include the Cardiovascular strategy). On receipt of this approval, the HSE prepares its National Service Plan, setting out the quantum of services to be delivered within the available resources.

As the Cardiovascular strategy includes a spectrum of services across a range of operational areas, we are referring this P.Q. to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Hospital Services

Ceisteanna (793)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

793. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the hospitals providing cardiac rehabilitation, in tabular form. [15628/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.

Hospital Staff

Ceisteanna (794)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

794. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if all hospital cardiac units have positions (details supplied); and if not, the positions unfilled in each hospital cardiac unit, in tabular form. [15629/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly on this matter.

Hospital Services

Ceisteanna (795)

John Brassil

Ceist:

795. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the status of cataract treatment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15632/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí 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 Building Programme

Ceisteanna (796)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

796. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the status of the dedicated cystic fibrosis unit at Beaumont Hospital; when this unit will be completed and fully operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15635/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Programme for Partnership Government contains a Government commitment regarding the development of a dedicated Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Unit in Beaumont Hospital, to be progressed in the context of a CF Model of Care.

This CF Unit capital project will thus be underpinned by the “Model of Care for People with Cystic Fibrosis in Ireland” which is being developed by the National Clinical Programme for Cystic Fibrosis (NCPCF). The Model of Care will set out standards and requirements for the physical and human resources to be provided for treatment of cystic fibrosis patients from a national perspective.

The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform governs the processes surrounding the development of healthcare projects by way of guidelines, principally the Public Spending Code. Further rigour is demanded by, and set out in, relevant EU Directives. All proposed projects must be submitted to the HSE’s Capital and Property Steering Committee for approval and prioritisation prior to inclusion in its multi-annual Capital Plans. In terms of the progression of the CF Unit capital project I am happy to confirm that it has been included in the National Planning Framework under Project Ireland 2040, as well as being recommended for inclusion in the capital plan by the HSE National Capital Steering Committee.

Proposed Legislation

Ceisteanna (797)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

797. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health when the Human Body Organs and Human Tissue Bill 2008 will be progressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15636/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Government approved the preparation of a General Scheme and Heads of a Human Tissue Bill last year.  The proposed legislation will include provisions on:

- organ donation and transplantation;

- an opt-out register for organ donation;

- post-mortem practices;

- anatomical examination/medical education and training; and

- public display of bodies after death.

Work on drafting the General Scheme is progressing and it is proposed to seek Government approval to publish the General Scheme shortly.

Hospital Services

Ceisteanna (798)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

798. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health when the seven pre and post transplant rooms in the Mater Hospital will be operational and fully staffed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15637/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Deputy's questions relate to service delivery matters and accordingly I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him.

Hospital Appointments Delays

Ceisteanna (799)

Maurice Quinlivan

Ceist:

799. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a person (details supplied) is waiting for an operation; the reason for the delay in a hospital appointment; if the person will be scheduled for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15640/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí 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.

Maternity Services

Ceisteanna (800)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

800. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the recommendations that have been fully implemented and yet to be fully implemented, respectively, of the total of 33 recommendations that were made in three separate reviews into the death of a person (details supplied) by the HSE, HIQA and the Coroner’s inquest in Galway University Hospital and all other maternity hospitals; and his views on whether he is undermining the reasons for the HSE’s unreserved apology, the grounds of a person's case against the HSE, the disciplining of Galway University Hospital staff, the 33 recommendations and the out of court settlement in view of the fact that his views and statements on the eighth amendment are incongruous with the above actions. [15642/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

However, I am pleased to advise progress has been made in many areas of the maternity services which encompass these recommendations.

  Progress to date

Ireland’s first National Maternity Strategy, ‘Creating A Better Future Together, 2016 – 2026’ was published in January 2016 and delivered on a recommendation in the HIQA (Galway-Savita Halappanavar) Report to develop a Strategy to implement standard, consistent models for the delivery of a national maternity service that reflects best available evidence.  Indeed, the Strategy aims to ensure that appropriate care pathways are in place in order that mothers, babies and families get the right care, at the right time, by the right team and in the right place.  It is currently being implemented on a phased basis by the National Women and Infants’ Health Programme, which has been established within the HSE to lead the management, organisation and delivery of maternity, gynaecological and neonatal services across primary, community and acute care.  In 2017, the Programme launched a detailed implementation plan for the Strategy, for which, this year, the Government has provided an additional €4.15m development funding.

Since 2016 each maternity unit publishes a Maternity Patient Safety Statement (MPSS).  The monthly publication of the MPSS is a significant milestone in terms of openness and transparency. It will be a core element of clinical governance arrangements and as such is a critical step in improving patient safety.

I have endorsed and mandated full implementation of the following National Clinical Guidelines through the National Clinical Effectiveness Committee (NCEC);

- National Early Warning Score (NEWS) - February 2013.

- Irish Maternity Early Warning System (IMEWS) -  November 2014

- Clinical Handover in Maternity Services - November 2014

- Sepsis Management  - November 2014

- Clinical Handover in Acute and Children’s Hospital Services - November 2015

It should be noted that a further Maternity Guideline with the working title "Risk in Pregnancy" is in development.

In addition, HIQA published National Standards for Safer Better Maternity Services in January 2016 and HIQA intends to commence a monitoring process against these standards shortly.

As Minister for Health it would be inappropriate of me to comment on an individual court case.

Health and Social Care Professionals Registration Boards

Ceisteanna (801)

John Brassil

Ceist:

801. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1077 of 11 September 2017, the status of the establishment of a registration board for regulation of counsellors and psychotherapists; the status of the drafting of by-laws to establish a register of members of the professions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15643/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Further to Parliamentary Question 37780/17, the Joint Committee on Health met on 7 March, 2018 to consider the regulations to designate the professions of counsellor and psychotherapist and establish the registration board under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act, 2005.

These regulations were subsequently approved by both houses of the Oireachtas on 22 March 2018 and will be signed by me later this month.

The next steps include the appointment of the 13 members of the Counsellors and Psychotherapists Registration Board by way of an advertisement campaign by the Public Appointments Service and the submission by the service of suitable candidates for my consideration. The registration board, once appointed later this year will undertake an extensive programme of work including the drafting of the various bye-laws to allow it to establish its registers.

Hospital Services

Ceisteanna (802)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

802. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to Parlimanetary Question No. 453 of 30 May 2017, if autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation treatment for multiple sclerosis will be made available here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15648/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this P.Q. relates to a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for a direct reply

Hospital Services

Ceisteanna (803)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

803. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the details of all services provided at Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe. [15661/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Hospital Staff Data

Ceisteanna (804)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

804. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of persons employed at Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe. [15662/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Hospital Staff Data

Ceisteanna (805, 807)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

805. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of nurses based in Portiuncula hospital, Ballinasloe. [15663/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

807. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of suicide crisis assessment nurses based in Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe. [15665/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 805 and 807 together.

As this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Hospital Staff Data

Ceisteanna (806)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

806. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of midwives based in Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe. [15664/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Question No. 807 answered with Question No. 805.

Emergency Departments Data

Ceisteanna (808)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

808. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of emergency department attendances in each of the years 2009 to 2017, and to date in 2018, at Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe. [15666/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Government has provided an additional €30 million in 2017 and €40 million in 2018 for measures to alleviate the additional pressure our Emergency Departments face this winter.  

Over 190 additional beds have been opened this winter including in Beaumont, St. James, Our Lady of Lourdes Drogheda, Limerick and Galway. In additional €25 million of this funding was allocated for social care measures, including Transitional Care Beds and Home Care Packages, to support patients to leave hospital and move back home, or to a community setting, when clinically appropriate.

In relation to the specific question asked, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

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