John Curran
Ceist:397. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who received treatment under the National Treatment Purchase Fund in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17746/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraNational Treatment Purchase Fund Data
Ceisteanna (397)
Freagraí scríofa
In 2017, the number of persons that received treatment under the National Treatment Purchase Fund was 5,917. The number of persons treated on the GI Scopes waiting list was 700.
Infectious Diseases
Ceisteanna (398)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:398. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health his plans for improvements in the diagnostic testing and treatment for Lyme disease here; and his further plans to meet with representatives of the organisation that represents persons with the condition here. [17792/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Lyme disease (also known as Lyme borreliosis) is an infection caused by a spiral-shaped bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi. It is transmitted to humans by bites from ticks infected with the bacteria. The infection is generally mild affecting only the skin but can occasionally be more severe and highly debilitating. Lyme disease is diagnosed by medical history and physical examination. The infection is confirmed by blood tests which look for antibodies produced by an infected person's body in response to the infection. These normally take several weeks to develop and may not be present in the early stages of the disease. The standard laboratory approach to Lyme diagnostics is a two-stage approach and has been agreed by experts from the Scientific Advisory Committee of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre and other Irish and international experts. This testing is available in Ireland.
Laboratories in Ireland generally follow the laboratory testing recommendations of the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, the Infectious Disease Society of America, the European Federation of Neurological Societies, and the British Infection Association. Irish laboratories have their own quality assurance methods to make sure the tests are working correctly as well as being accredited by the Irish National Accreditation Body to perform the test correctly. In undertaking Lyme testing, it is essential that the results are interpreted in the light of the clinical condition of the patient. If the result of this initial screen is equivocal, the patient's samples are referred to the U.K.'s Rare and Imported Pathogens Laboratory. This laboratory uses a two-tier system recommended by American and European authorities which involves a screening test followed by a confirmatory test.
Testing which is performed abroad may be performed in laboratories which have not met National or International Accreditation (Quality Standards). These tests may be more likely to give a “false positive” result.
Lyme disease can be very successfully treated using common antibiotics by General Practitioners. These antibiotics are effective at clearing the rash and helping to prevent the development of complications. Antibiotics are generally given for up to three weeks. If complications develop, intravenous antibiotics may be considered.
The HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre website (www.hpsc.ie) gives extensive information on Lyme disease diagnosis, treatment and how to avoid tick bites. A Lyme Disease Subcommittee of the Scientific Advisory Committee of HPSC with professional clinical, entomological, scientific and environmental health expert representation (including a representative of the Lyme Support Group, Tick-Talk Ireland) has been established to explore all possible ways of raising awareness about Lyme disease. This Subcommittee is expected to meet shortly with a view to finalising it report. This report will cover a number of areas, including initiatives undertaken to date, summary advice relating to awareness, preventive advice for the general public, preventive advice and material for those responsible for sites or locations known to have or suspected as having higher densities of ticks, and summary advice relating to GP management of the condition. Any person who is suffering ill-health is eligible to seek medical attention, and to access appropriate health and social care services, irrespective of the cause of their symptoms.
Health Service Capacity Review
Ceisteanna (399)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:399. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the reason workforce planning and assessment was excluded from the health service capacity review 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17794/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Given the timelines in which the Capacity Review had to be conducted in order to inform the new National Development Plan, it was not possible to include a full workforce planning exercise within the scope of the Review. It is important to note that aspects of the primary care workforce were included within the scope of the review, where the key units of capacity were workforce-based. This included GPs, practice nurses, public health nurses and a number of therapy professions.
However, in parallel, a number of initiatives have been underway to enable robust and accurate workforce planning, including:
- The National Strategic Framework for Health and Social Care Workforce Planning, which was launched in November 2017, was developed alongside the Capacity Review. This Framework will support an approach to workforce planning that will enable the recruitment and retention of the right mix of health workers, across the health system.
- Recently I launched “A Framework for Safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix in General and Specialist Medical and Surgical Care Settings in Adult Hospitals in Ireland”. This is a new plan to determine the number and type of nurses needed in each hospital ward around the country.
- Effective workforce planning and appropriate resourcing of health services will be a key enable of Sláintecare reforms. This will be addressed in the Sláintecare Implementation Plan which I expect to bring to Government in May.
These initiatives, in tandem with the findings of the capacity review, will provide a robust framework within which workforce planning and assessment can be undertaken on an ongoing basis.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (400)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:400. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the workforce planning reports being undertaken for the health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17795/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As you may already be aware, I launched the National Strategic Framework for Health and Social Care Workforce Planning in November 2017. This Framework will support the development and implementation of a more consistent approach to strategic workforce planning. It will also support the establishment of structures and governance arrangements to enable the application of this strategic approach both within the health sector and with across other sectors. Early actions to implement the Framework including the establishment of governance and oversight arrangements, are underway.
Of course, workforce planning is still being carried out in the health system, while the National Stategic Framework is in the process of being implemented. Most recently, I launched the Framework for Safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix in General and Specialist Medical and Surgical Care Settings in Adult Hospitals in Ireland on the 16th of April. This framework sets out, for the first time in Ireland, the methodology to determine the appropriate number of nurses and healthcare assistants required for a medical/surgical ward based on the number of patients and their particular needs.
In terms of the HSE, currently, at national level, there are small teams with dedicated resources and significant expertise in workforce planning within HSE National HR Division. These include resources in the National Doctors Training and Planning area, the Office of the Nursing and Midwifery Services Director and in the Health and Social Care Professions Office.
Health Service Capacity Review
Ceisteanna (401)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:401. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the data which were provided to a company (details supplied) in carrying out the health service capacity review 2018. [17796/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In carrying out the Health Service Capacity Review, activity and resource data was drawn from sources such as HIPE (the Hospital InPatient Enquiry system), the HSE, the Critical Care Programme, the Nursing Home Support Scheme, data from a survey of private hospitals and other surveys such as Healthy Ireland, published reports and stakeholder consultation, while waiting list data was drawn from the NTPF and the HSE. Demand was projected forward on the basis of national population projections. CSO regional projections were used (M2F2 scenario), adjusted for recent CSO population data.
The list of data sources used in the Capacity Review is included in Appendix D of the published Capacity Review - Main Report available at my Department's website.
Health Service Capacity Review
Ceisteanna (402)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:402. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the reason the health service capacity review 2018 did not identify the number and location of the beds which have disappeared in the health service since the 2007 health service capacity review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17797/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Health Service Capacity Review examined current and projected demand and capacity across not just acute hospitals, but also primary and social care. In terms of examining acute hospital capacity, the Review looked at bed numbers under four categories – Inpatient, Daycase, Acute Medical Units and Adult Critical Care and it took the year 2016 as its base year. Future demand was projected across those four categories in line with demographic projections and non-demographic factors and the capacity required to meet this projected demand was then calculated. It was not necessary to identify bed numbers going back to 2007 to carry out the analysis and projections.
For the Deputy's information, data on acute bed capacity at a national level is reported each year for the previous ten year period in my Department's annual publication Health in Ireland: Key Trends, and is available on the Health.gov.ie website.
As the Deputy has referenced, the overall number of acute beds nationally had decreased since 2007. However, I am pleased to say that there was a modest increase of 300 beds over the period 2013 to 2016 (or 2.5%). A further 200 additional beds were opened this winter and more will open throughout 2018. I am determined that we will continue to increase bed capacity over the coming years to tackle overcrowding in EDs and waiting times for procedures and to sustainably meet the needs of an aging and growing population.
The Capacity Review makes clear that we need additional capacity across nearly all areas of the health service over the next decade and we now have firm commitments in the National Development Plan for a coherent and substantial programme of capital investment in our hospital system and in the community. We now have a fully funded capacity review which will see an extra 2,600 beds introduced in our hospitals in the coming years and 4,500 more community beds. I am committed to front loading several hundred of these beds to ease pressure in our EDs next winter.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (403)
Barry Cowen
Ceist:403. Deputy Barry Cowen 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. [17805/18]
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.
Civil Registration Service
Ceisteanna (404)
Gerry Adams
Ceist:404. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the reason for the closure of the Dundalk civil registration office; the length of time the office has been closed; the steps he is taking to reopen the office; when it will reopen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17806/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The civil registration service is operated by the Health Service Executive on behalf of the General Register Office under the aegis of the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. I have referred your question to the Health Service Executive to address the specific issue raised and for direct reply to the Deputy.
Psychological Assessments
Ceisteanna (405)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:405. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be issued with a date for a psychologist assessment; the reason for the delay in issuing a date for this appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17807/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
Civil Defence
Ceisteanna (406)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:406. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the reason for the exclusion of the Civil Defence from the joint voluntary control centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17819/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
Services for People with Disabilities
Ceisteanna (407)
Peter Burke
Ceist:407. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will request the HSE to review its new policy of in loco parentis and the need for a competent adult to be in the home at all times in cases in which a qualified and highly trained nurse is also present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17824/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
Hospital Waiting Lists Data
Ceisteanna (408, 409)
Jack Chambers
Ceist:408. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the waiting list for outpatient rheumatology appointments; the number of adults and children waiting, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17825/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraJack Chambers
Ceist:409. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the average waiting time for children and adults, respectively, for rheumatology appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17826/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 408 and 409 together.
Reducing waiting times for hospital procedures is a key priority of this Government. On 12 April 2018, the Minister launched the Inpatient/Day Case Action Plan 2018. This plan was compiled by the Department of Health, the Health Service Executive, and the National Treatment Purchase Fund.
As part of the plan, the HSE will deliver 1.14 million hospital operations or procedures and the NTPF will deliver 20,000 Inpatient Day Case treatments. Under the plan, there will be a significant reduction in the overall number of people waiting for a procedure. The target is that the waiting list numbers will fall to 70,000 by the end of the year, from a peak of 86,100 in July 2017.
I am aware that there are challenges in meeting the growing demand for rheumatology services, and that the Health Service Executive is working towards improving access to such services. In relation to rheumatology service provision, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (410, 411)
Jack Chambers
Ceist:410. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time consultant paediatric rheumatology posts in the health service; his views on whether this is an adequate number of such posts to provide these services; if this number of posts is in line with World Health Organization guidelines for the population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17827/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraJack Chambers
Ceist:411. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health if another consultant paediatric rheumatologist will be appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17828/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 410 and 411 together.
I am aware that there are challenges in meeting the growing demand for rheumatology services, and that the Health Service Executive is working towards improving access to such services.
In relation to rheumatology service provision, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
Health Services Staff Recruitment
Ceisteanna (412)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:412. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the status of the recruitment of a dermatologist to Mullingar general hospital; when the appointment will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17829/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (413)
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:413. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 259 of 8 March 2018 and 246 of 21 March 2018, the reason a response has yet to issue from the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17830/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Regarding Parliamentary Question No. 246 (PQRef:13054/18) concerning a person; a reply has already been sent to the Deputy.
Regarding Parliamentary Question No. 259 (PQRef:10849/18) concerning a person: HSE Parliamentary Affairs have sought an update on the progress of the response to this PQ, and stressed the urgency of a reply.
Health Services Provision
Ceisteanna (414)
Brendan Howlin
Ceist:414. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health if physiotherapy services will continue at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17857/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (415)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:415. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17884/18]
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.