Written Answers Nos. 1-33
12. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Health the details of the CHO's recruitment initiatives; and the steps being taken to improve recruitment, for example, acute units, community mental health adult teams and child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS. [16230/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe level of vacancies and difficulty in recruiting and retaining skilled staff, particularly nursing and medical staff, poses a significant challenge for the provision of Mental Health Services. The Mental Health Division continues to work with Community Health Organisations (CHOs) to maximise and ensure the most effective use of resources. There is work on-going with the HSE HR partners and the National Recruitment Service to attract and retain staff within mental health services.
The CHOs are continuing to recruit across all staff categories in accordance with the Pay and Numbers strategy and are actively pursuing the conversion of agency staff to improve cost effectiveness and workforce continuity.
Consultant Psychiatrists within the CAMHS speciality have proven problematic to recruit and retain, particularly in some CHO areas, and while recruitment efforts have been on-going it must be acknowledged there is a serious shortage of suitably qualified CAMHS Consultants at both national and European level.
Psychiatric Nurse numbers have been affected by the age profile of the grade, with a large number of retirements in recent years. To combat this, agreement was reached at the Workplace Relations Commission in August 2016 which provided for 130 extra student places per annum. Around 32 extra places have been provided for post-graduate students who wish to transfer from general or intellectual nursing disability to mental health. In addition it was agreed that retired staff nurses who returned to service would be able to do so up to the Long Service Increment point of the Scale.
In addition, the HSE continue to target relevant events, for example an international CAMHS Medical Conference in Geneva in late 2017 in which they hosted a stand in the convention centre. Further to this, the CHOs are also exploring the use of technology and Skype to communicate directly with prospective international candidates for screening and interview and to make the system more responsive and to reduce costs.
Notwithstanding the above, the HSE is working to provide the best possible service within available staffing resources. A key focus is on managing clinical risks and prioritising referrals accordingly. Mental health services, including CAMHS, will continue to deliver on a number of service improvements to increase productivity and efficiencies. A key approach to developing services for young people, and thereby reducing pressures on CAMHS, is the decision by Government to increase access to counselling services in Primary Care, with the appointment of 114 Assistant Psychologists and 20 Psychologists. These key staff are now being put in place nationally by the HSE.
In addition, I have requested the HSE to examine as a matter of priority the feasibility of providing counselling support services remotely via a Tele-Psych type service at primary care centres.
15. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Health the number of counselling and educational psychologists required to complete extensive inservice training in order to maintain eligibility for their own jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17031/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2015, the HSE established a group to review the eligibility criteria for employment as a psychologist in the Psychological Services.
This review was completed in 2016 and made recommendations which have been accepted in full by the HSE Leadership Team. The group reviewed the care group delineation and decided to move the requirement away from named psychology qualifications solely. Instead, a combination of qualification and placements or supervised work experience will be considered.
The criteria established do not require existing psychologists to undergo supervised work experience to maintain eligibility for their current role. The criteria, which will come into effect in October 2019, are applicable to candidates applying for recruitment competitions. Existing psychologists are only required to have completed the additional placements if they are applicants for recruitment competitions from October 2019 onwards. To be clear, there is no compulsion to complete these placements if an individual is not entering a recruitment process.
The review group did however, recommend that existing psychologists should be facilitated to acquire the necessary supervised work experiences, should they wish to compete in any future recruitment competitions.
16. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the reason the HSE fell short of its target for the establishment of children’s disability network teams in 2017. [17105/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE is rolling out the Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People Programme. This Programme entails the reconfiguration of all current HSE and HSE funded children’s disability services into geographically-based Children’s Disability Network Teams.
The Programme aims to achieve a nationally equitable approach to service provision for all children based on their individual need and regardless of where they live or where they go to school.
Some HSE Areas have already reconfigured into interdisciplinary Children’s Disability Network Teams. A total of 56 networks are in place. The remaining 82 teams are developing their reconfiguration and implementation plan and will be reconfigured in 2018. HSE Areas currently planning reconfiguration continue to have significant Early Intervention and School Age Services in place, provided either directly by the HSE or by voluntary service providers funded by the HSE.
A key enabler to the establishment of the remaining Children’s Disability Network Teams is the recruitment of Children’s Disability Network Managers. The grade and role for this post has been agreed with the Department of Health and Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Following the outcome of a protracted IR process with FORSA, a process of mediation is currently on-going with the relevant Lead Agencies, including key voluntary providers, to agree a path forward for recruitment of these posts. This process is due to conclude shortly, following which the recruitment process will commence.
17. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the reason the restoration of pay to section 39 workers cannot be costed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13518/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder section 39 of the Health Act 2004, the HSE provides financial assistance to organisations by means of a grant. Section 39 legally underpins the provision of services similar or supplementary to a service that the HSE may provide. In 2017, the HSE provided funding of approximately €800 million to over 2,200 of these agencies. The funding provided can range from high value, in their millions, to relatively modest amounts of just a few hundred euro.
Staff in these organisations were not subject to the provisions of FEMPI legislation. They were not a party to the Public Service Agreements. As such, they are not covered by the pay restoration provided for in these Agreements. While it is understood that pay savings were made by the organisations, the precise mix of pay cuts or other savings measures will have varied. Also, where there were pay cuts, it is not at all clear that they were applied in a universally consistent manner, as is the case in the public sector. As a result, the cost of restoring pay will also vary between these organisations, depending on the actions taken.
Therefore, the Government has put in place a process to establish a deeper understanding of the funding position in these grant - aided organisations and the true extent of the pay reductions applied. I asked the HSE to engage with the Section 39 organisations to establish the facts around what cuts were applied and how and when they were implemented. When these facts are established, it will inform the assessment of the costs involved. A plan then needs to be developed in relation to possible solutions and their implementation.
I am expecting an interim report on this matter from the HSE in the coming weeks.
18. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health his views on the need for investment in regional hospitals and, in particular, the emergency department at Cavan General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16830/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe RCSI Hospital Group has identified the need for development of the resuscitation area in Cavan Emergency Department. Future investment in Cavan General Hospital will be considered within the overall acute hospital infrastructure programme, the prioritised needs of the hospital groups and within the overall capital envelope available to the health service.
The National Development Plan provides €10.9 billion for Health capital developments across the country, including both national programmes and individual projects, across acute, primary and social care. Health capital projects and programmes currently underway will continue.
As to be expected with a ten year plan, many proposals are at an early stage and will require to progress through appraisal, planning design and tender before a firm timeline or funding required can be established.
19. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health his plans to establish a national co-ordinated helpline and clearly publicised nationwide professional supports for persons with mental health issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16234/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraImproving access to mental health services is a key priority for this government. At present there are a number of voluntary and non-governmental organisations being supported by the HSE that are providing mental health support to the public via the telephone, internet or text message.
In December 2017, I published the recommendations of the National Taskforce on Youth Mental Health. These included recommendations to provide active digital listening and signposting services that will be accessible by telephone or mobile phone and on the internet for members of the public. It is envisaged that such services will form part of an overall comprehensive system of mental health care specifically designed for young people but accessible to everyone.
The proposed service will be broader than a telephone helpline as studies have shown that the use of a full array of digital technologies can play an important role in the delivery of mental health supports for the whole population from children up to and including older people. The skills to develop such tools are already available and existing services should be enhanced, expanded and co-ordinated to provide an easily-accessible, responsive, quality-assured suite of digital and online mental health supports and services for people.
The HSE is committed to urgently establishing coordinated ICT based mental health supports including a helpline. Commencing in February 2018, the HSE has initiated the development of a Digital Mental Health Support project encompassing the expansion of ICT based mental health supports in Ireland. Within this project, a key aspect relates to the exploration of options towards the development of a coordinated helpline to assist those experiencing mental health difficulties and their families. Working in collaboration with existing partners in this space, the HSE is currently examining the most efficient, effective and suitable arrangements with a view to providing the optimum telephony based solution. In addition the HSE currently supports yourmentalhealth.ie which contains public facing information about services and supports. A final date for roll-out of this service is yet to be determined, but significant work is on-going.
20. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health when the new 50-bed psychiatric unit at University Hospital Galway, UHG, will open; the number of beds that will be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17113/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE has advised me of its plan to open the new 50 bed Acute Adult Mental Health Unit in University Hospital Galway on a phased basis. In the first phase the HSE will open 45 beds before the 1 June 2018 and in the second phase the remaining five beds will be opened by the end of 2018.
This new state of the art purpose built unit will provide better quality mental health services in the Galway area. The unit when opened will replace the current 45 bed in-patient facility at the hospital which does not meet the latest standards and urgently needs to be vacated in the interest of service users and staff. The new building is on the UHG site, a short distance from the current unit.
21. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision of an endoscopy unit for Naas General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17108/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra36. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health the proposed expansion plans at Naas General Hospital under the health priorities of the National Development Plan 2018-2027; if timelines or individual investment amounts are available for the new endoscopy unit and new mental health unit to serve the residents of County Kildare and west County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11318/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 36 together.
The endoscopy suite and the mental health acute unit at Naas Hospital are both included in the National Development Plan 2018-2027.
The National Development Plan provides €10.9 billion to invest in infrastructure, equipment and additional service capacity for the public health sector. This represents an increase of 165% in capital funding over the previous decade. The additional capital funding is predominately in the second half of the plan.
It is important to recognise that this is a long-term plan which provides for a large number of Health developments across the country including developments at Naas Hospital.
As is to be expected with a ten year plan there are many development proposals, all of which are at different stages of progress.
22. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health if he will make information available on the safety of Misoprostol and Mifepristone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17120/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are several misoprostol-containing medicines authorised for use in Ireland, two of which contain misoprostol as the sole, active ingredient. All misoprostol-containing medicines are available only on foot of a prescription. As prescription-only medicines, they should only be taken by a patient when prescribed for them by their medical practitioner, or other healthcare professional, as appropriate.
A medicine can only be placed on the Irish market when it has been granted a marketing authorisation. This marketing authorisation may be granted following an application by the pharmaceutical company to the Health Products Regulatory Authority or the European Medicines Agency.
A marketing authorisation may only be granted following a review of the safety, quality and efficacy data submitted by a company as part of this application and where it is considered that there is a positive benefit-risk associated with that medicine.
No medicine is completely free from the risk of side-effects. Therefore, this marketing authorisation process considers and weighs up the various benefits and risks associated with the use of a medicine before determining whether or not to grant the marketing authorisation. It also informs the manner in which the medicine may be used, or the restrictions placed around its use, so as to ensure the protection of patient safety.
The safety information associated with all medicines can be found in the Summary of Product Characteristics which accompanies, and forms part of, the marketing authorisation for a medicine.
The patient leaflet, which is included in the medicines package, contains similar information and is also available on the Health Products Regulatory Authority website, along with the more comprehensive Summary of Product Characteristics.
There are currently no medicines containing mifepristone authorised in Ireland and therefore there is no associated Summary of Product Characteristics containing this safety information.
23. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the measures taken to tackle the appointment of non-specialist doctors as consultants; the steps he has taken to address this issue since it was first raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16980/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder section 57 of the Health Act 2004, the HSE’s regulatory functions include responsibility for all Consultant appointments in the public health service in Ireland including HSE hospitals, voluntary hospitals, mental health services and other agencies; whether additional, replacement, temporary or locum.
In March 2008 the HSE amended the qualifications specified for Consultant posts to require membership of the specialist division of the Register of Medical Practitioners maintained by the Medical Council. The HSE Policy in respect of all Consultant Appointments, both permanent and temporary, requires that they are on the Specialist Register. There are limited circumstances where in order to ensure Senior Medical coverage that an experienced Registrar not on the Specialist Register may cover for an absent Consultant to ensure the provision of safe quality care. This will only occur as a final option in emergency circumstances.
Any doctor who occupies a consultant post, even if he/she is not on the specialist register would still hold a medical licence and would be on a division of the Medical Council Register. They would therefore be fully qualified to practice medicine though not as consultants.
The HSE issued instructions to all managers last July in relation to the management of those in posts who are not on the Specialist Register:-
- Management are to ensure that the registration status of each consultant in the employment of the service concerned is properly recorded.
- A risk mitigation plan must be put in place for each consultant post where the appointee does not hold the qualifications specified for the appointment by the HSE. This plan is to include appropriate senior clinical oversight as required.
- Consultants appointed prior to 2008 who do not hold specialist registration are to be supported in achieving registration in conjunction with National Doctors Training and Planning Unit.
- Employers were also asked to ensure the contracts of temporary/locum doctors who do not hold the qualifications required for the post they occupy be ended and their employment terminated.
It is essential that the HSE comply with statutory requirements and its own policy directions when filling consultant posts. I am satisfied that doing so will enable it to address this issue.
At a national level the Government remains committed to continuing to increase the number of consultants and to the delivery of a consultant-led service. At the end of February 2018 there were 2,977 consultants (whole time equivalents) in the public health services. This is 98 more than the end of February 2017 figure and an increase of 750 in the past decade.
24. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health his plans to reduce waiting lists for ophthalmology treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17006/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraImproving waiting times for hospital procedures is a key commitment in the Programme for Government and in 2018 €50 million was allocated to the NTPF to provide treatment for patients. The recently launched Inpatient/Day Case Action Plan outlines the combined impact of HSE and NTPF activity in 2018 to reduce the number of patients waiting for treatment to below 70,000 in 2018. This plan marks a very important milestone in delivering on this commitment.
In 2018 the NTPF will outsource 20,000 inpatient day cases, while the HSE will deliver 1.14 million hospital operations or procedures This will mean that by the end of 2018 we will expect to see a significant reduction in the number waiting for a procedure to under 70,000 - from a peak of 86,100 in July 2017.
As part of this initiative all patients who are waiting more than 9 months for a cataract, hip and knee replacement, tonsils, Gastro Intestinal scope or one of four other high-volume treatments, and who are clinically suitable for outsourcing, will be offered treatment in 2018.
The HSE published the Report of the Primary Care Eye Services Review Group in June 2017. The Report sets out the way forward for a significant amount of eye services to be provided in a primary care setting. This will ensure that hospital services are focused on patients who require more specialist diagnostics or treatments. The recommendations of the Report are to be implemented on a phased basis subject to available resources.
25. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the reason the HSE undertook no public consultation on the closure of MIDOC services in Birr and Edenderry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17054/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn independent review of MIDOC services in Offaly was undertaken in 2017, which identified concerns in the areas of clinical risk, medical emergencies, and lone working. These concerns related specifically to locum doctors working alone at the MIDOC satellite sites at Birr and Edenderry.
Since 2 April 2018, MIDOC has been operating one fully functioning treatment centre on the campus of the Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore for the entire Offaly population. This is broadly in line with the other MIDOC centres across the Midlands. A full review and assessment of the service provision for the entire county was undertaken in terms of quality, risk, safety, population, activity levels and viability before these changes were made.
Previous service provision at the Edenderry and Birr satellite sites was limited and available on a part-time basis only. At all other times patients would have appointments facilitated for them at their nearest full-time MIDOC treatment centre.
It was also not possible for the doctors in the Edenderry or Birr sites to provide home visits to patients. Following the reorganisation of County Offaly MIDOC services it is now possible to provide call outs and home visits to patients where clinically indicated.
A review of current monthly activity levels indicates that Tullamore will be more than capable of absorbing the patients from Birr and Edenderry centres. An additional doctor has been placed on duty in Tullamore during weekends and public holidays from 12pm to 8pm. This will facilitate the more effective management of call outs to the entire county, including Birr and Edenderry. Additional administration support will also be provided to free up doctors' time, resulting in more patient contact and a more effective out-of-hours service for all.
I would like to reassure the Deputy that there has been no reduction in funding or total GP clinical time allocated to the MIDOC service. As the Deputy will be aware, local HSE management met with public representatives from Birr and Edenderry on 17 April to discuss the reorganisation of MIDOC services. At this meeting the HSE accepted the need for improved public communication around such service changes in future. The HSE also agreed to request a meeting between public representatives and MIDOC. This request has been submitted to MIDOC and is currently being considered.
26. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health the range of health services that are available in the Kilcock primary health care facility; the number of general practitioners that are due to or that have commenced practice in this centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17109/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
27. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the status of the options appraisal in respect of the future acute hospital needs in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17114/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI gave approval to the Saolta Group to conduct an options appraisal in respect of future acute hospital needs in Galway. I understand that the Saolta Group has undertaken a tender process for this options appraisal and letters will issue shortly to the successful and unsuccessful vendors.
The Deputy may wish to note that the National Development Plan provides that new dedicated ambulatory elective-only hospital services will be introduced in Galway as well as in Dublin and Cork. These will provide high volume, low complexity procedures on a day and outpatient basis, together with a range of ambulatory diagnostic services. It is envisaged that these facilities will be sited adjacent to general hospitals.
28. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Health the progress which has been made in the negotiations between the HSE and a company (details supplied) to ensure that the 19 patients currently involved in the clinical trials will have unlimited access to the Respreeza treatment for the remainder of their lives; and if the small group affected by alpha 1 here will also have access to Respreeza. [16242/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra72. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the progress made towards securing consistent access to a drug (details supplied) for persons suffering with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency via its approval for reimbursement by the HSE. [17008/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 72 together.
The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on the pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drugs schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. The HSE carefully considered the pricing and reimbursement of human alpha1-proteinase inhibitor (Respreeza). The manufacturer, CSL Behring, was notified in August 2017 that the HSE was unable to recommend reimbursement. The HSE concluded that there was not enough evidence to suggest that patients would derive a clinically meaningful benefit from this treatment and that the current price was not a cost effective use of resources. A number of patients were on an access scheme for this product, operated by the manufacturer, for the treatment of Alpha-1 deficiency. This scheme was being run independently by the manufacturer without reference to the HSE.
Late last year the company decided to terminate the access scheme. Following interventions by the HSE, the company modified its decision and agreed to continue to supply the medication free of charge for the patients on the access scheme for a further six months, or until the next clinical trial commences in mid 2018, but stipulated that it would not cover the cost of administering the medicine. Due to the critical and exceptional circumstances, the HSE decided to facilitate a transitional arrangement, under which it would fund the necessary nursing service to ensure that patients would continue to receive the medicine until a new clinical trial commences in 2018. The terms of this transitional arrangement, under which the HSE has agreed to fund the administration of the drug, include a requirement that the lead clinician (who is the patients' treating consultant) ensures that appropriate alternative treatment regimes are put in place in good time for those patients not proceeding onto the next trial.
The HSE is liaising with the treating consultant and the pharmaceutical company in relation to the longer term care of this group of patients and in order to ensure that appropriate care arrangements are in place for each patient in advance of an anticipated further clinical trial which is expected to begin later in 2018.
The HSE has asked that the plan for the longer term care of this group of patients would be finalised without delay.
This transitional arrangement does not alter the reimbursement decision of the HSE in relation to Respreeza.
The HSE has advised the company that it is willing to undertake a timely review of any new application for reimbursement.
29. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health his views on falling general practitioner numbers; the steps he is taking to address the fall in numbers through the negotiation of a new general practitioner contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16979/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to delivering more non-acute care within the primary care sector, so that better care closer to home can be provided for communities around the country.
GPs play an important role in the primary care system. The number of GPs on the specialist register continues to increase – up from 2,270 in 2010 to 3,637 in 2017 and there are now 2,485 GPs contracted to the HSE under the GMS scheme compared to 2,098 in 2008. It should be noted that as of 1 March there were only 23 GMS panels that do not have a permanent GP in place – a vacancy rate of less than 1%.
The Government is committed to increasing GP capacity to ensure that patients across the country continue to have access to GP services and that general practice is sustainable in all areas into the future. Efforts undertaken in recent years to increase the number of practising GPs include changes to the entry provisions to the GMS scheme to accommodate more flexible/shared GMS/GP contracts, and to the retirement provisions for GPs under the GMS scheme, allowing GPs to hold GMS contracts until their 72nd birthday, as well as the introduction of an enhanced supports package for rural GP practices.
In addition, the Government has also taken steps to expand GP training. In 2009, there were 120 GP training places and this year there are 194 GP training places available for the 2018 GP training intake. The Government is committed to further increasing this number to 259 places annually in future years.
It is generally accepted that there is a need to modernise the current GMS contract and ensure that general practice benefits patients while providing for a viable and rewarding career for current and future GPs. The aim is to develop a contract which has a population health focus, providing in particular for health promotion and disease prevention and for the structured ongoing care of chronic conditions.
Engagement with GP representatives on contractual issues will commence in the coming weeks. It is important that any new contract will result in service improvements across general practice benefiting both patients and GPs.
30. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the reason for the further delays in relation to the extension and refurbishment works at Kanturk and Millstreet community hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17035/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has asked the Health Service Executive to reply directly to the Deputy with regard to capital developments at Kanturk and Millstreet Community Hospitals.
31. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health the reason Cork city and county accounts for 40% of overdue HSE assessments of need under the Disability Act 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17083/18]
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.
32. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health his plans for the provision of additional capacity in acute hospitals to alleviate high levels of bed occupancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17088/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAgainst a background of growing demand for hospital services and high acute hospital occupancy rates, Government provided €30 million in 2017 and a further €40 million in 2018 for measures to increase acute hospital capacity and alleviate overcrowding in Emergency Departments. Almost 50% of this funding was used to deliver home support packages and transitional care beds to reduce the incidence of delayed discharges. Furthermore, over 200 beds have been opened this winter and more beds are due to come on stream later in the year.
In the light of the conclusions of the Health Service Capacity Review that the system will need nearly 2,600 additional acute hospital beds by 2031, I have asked my Department to work with the HSE to identify the location and mix of beds across the hospital system which can be opened and staffed this year and into 2019 in order to improve preparedness for Winter 2018/2019.
As outlined in the Capacity Review, the demographic pressures being experienced by the health service are such, as to demand not just additional capacity, but continued emphasis on health and wellbeing initiatives, an improved model of care with a stronger role for enhanced community based services and continued improvement in productivity including in acute hospitals.
The Government has approved a record level of capital investment in health at €10.9 billion over the next ten years. This will provide for a major enhancement of the capacity of our health services to meet demand. Importantly, the accelerated introduction of additional capacity for 2018/2019 will be matched by forthcoming reforms including the publication of a detailed Sláintecare Implementation Plan and the renegotiation of the current GP contract.
33. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the financial challenges facing the Saolta hospital group in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17077/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
