Written Answers Nos. 308-326
308. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of spinal fusion patients in Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin, and Temple Street Children’s University Hospital waiting less than four, four to eight and more than eight months for treatment, respectively; and if he will provide the same information for other spinal patients [21995/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly.
309. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in the HSE taking a decision to provide a person (detailed supplied) with a placement at a service for acquired brain injury; and if he will request the HSE to consider the person for a placement at the facility. [21998/18]
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 a service issue, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
310. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health the amount spent on agency and locum nurses in 2017 in each CHO area in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22000/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra311. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health the amount spent on agency and locum doctors in 2017 in each CHO area in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22001/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra312. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health the amount spent on agency care assistants in 2017 in each CHO area in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22002/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra313. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health the amount spent on agency staff in 2017 in each CHO area in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22003/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 310 to 313, inclusive, together.
I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on these matters.
314. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the criteria the HSE uses to warrant mental health supports as valid for patients using maternity services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22006/18]
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.
315. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health if funding will be provided for home help hours to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22008/18]
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.
316. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health if provisions are being made to accommodate women with a free general practitioner visit and a repeat smear test who were previously within the 24 to 60 years of age bracket but are now over the limit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22010/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am conscious of the need to provide reassurance to women who may have concerns about the results of a smear test they had through the national screening service. The clinical advice from the HSE and the Department of Health is clear that there is no evidence that the clinical and technical aspects of CervicalCheck have performed outside or below international standards or the quality guidelines set for the programme. However, where a woman has concerns, she can if necessary have a smear test with her GP. CervicalCheck will reimburse the GP for the consultation and any smear test and no charge will arise for the patient. Women who have recently completed with the programme and are now somewhat above the age range, but who are concerned, will not be excluded from these arrangements.
317. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that University Hospital Kerry, UHK, through a company (details supplied) stated in writing that the hospital does not accept the statements of a person and has no knowledge of the alleged incidents; the reason the hospital or the HSE has denied all knowledge of the issue raised by the person in view of correspondence that shows that the attention of the hospital management was drawn to the issue on numerous occasions in writing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22012/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
318. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health if private patients are being booked for scans assigned to protected public patient slots in radiology at University Hospital Kerry, UHK, and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22013/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
319. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health if the scan delay issue raised by a person (details supplied) has not resulted in missed diagnosis or in delayed treatment that has adversely affected an existing diagnosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22014/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy may wish to be aware that cases of misdiagnosis/failure to diagnose at University Hospital Kerry Radiology Department were notified to the Department by the HSE in September 2017. A lookback review commenced at that time, followed by a Quality Assurance process, which is now complete. I have been advised that all patients have been supported. I hope that the publication of the final Report, which is due shortly, will inform both the patients and the healthcare system on the lessons for improving radiology services so that future users will experience better, safer care.
In regard to the issues now being raised by the Deputy, which are separate to those outlined above, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
320. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health his views on the claims made by a person (details supplied) and the concerns raised about delayed scans at the radiology department at University Hospital Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22015/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issues raised relate to timely access to services at University Hospital Kerry, including for both public and private patients. The management and delivery of health services is a matter for the HSE, in this instance the South/South West Hospital Group. My Department has sought a report from the HSE on these issues.
321. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the issue relating to the radiology department at University Hospital Kerry, UHK, raised by a person (details supplied); if so, when; the action taken in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22016/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issues raised relate to timely access to services at University Hospital Kerry, including for both public and private patients. The management and delivery of health services is a matter for the HSE, in this instance the South/South West Hospital Group. My Department has sought a report from the HSE on these issues.
322. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health if the HSE is preparing the details of proposed changes to the model of assessment of needs; if so, the details of the proposed changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22022/18]
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.
323. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the provision of bariatric care in the west of Ireland, specifically Letterkenny University Hospital, University Hospital Galway and Sligo University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22025/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra324. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding provided for hospital based bariatric services in County Galway in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22026/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 323 and 324 together.
The HSE advise that there are two central weight management programmes operation within the Saolta Hospital Group. Saolta, in association with the National Clinical Programme for Health and Wellbeing, commenced the 'Croí Clann' programme in January 2017 and funding of €200,000 per year for a 3 year period will support 400 places on the Croí Clann programme per year. The ‘Croí Clann’ programme adopts a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach, focusing on weight management as part of a comprehensive cardiovascular risk reduction strategy.
In addition, Galway University Hospital provide the 'Milk-based Intensive Lifestyle Intervention' programme (MILIS programme), which is an intensive meal-replacement programme involving 14 visits over six months to the bariatric outpatients department for patients with severe complications of obesity. Currently there are 244 patients on the waiting list for this programme, with the longest waiting on the list since April 2016.
The HSE advise that funding of €110,000 was allocated to Galway University Hospital in 2016 and 22 bariatric surgeries were undertaken.
In line with the Government’s commitment to improve waiting times for patients, the Inpatient/Day Case Action Plan was launched last month. The Plan outlines the combined impact of HSE and National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) elective activity in 2018.
The Action Plan has been developed to ensure an appropriate balance between high volume activities and offering treatment to complex long waiting patients. For very long waiting patients, the Action Plan sets a target that the NTPF will provide 1,200 procedures in 2018. This could include those waiting for bariatric surgery. As outlined in the Plan, the NTPF will do this by inviting public hospitals to seek solutions for very long waiters either in the private sector or through insourcing. The NTPF will provide funding to the solutions proposed if appropriate.
The NTPF confirm that they have received proposals from Ireland East Hospital Group for bariatric services and these are currently being reviewed.
The Galway University Hospital outpatient waiting list, outpatient activity table, inpatient waiting list and inpatient activity table are in tabular form.
The HSE advise that there is no bariatric service in Sligo University Hospital.
I have asked Letterkenny University Hospital for similar data, and will provide this directly to the Deputy as soon as it becomes available.
The table represents the current Bariatric Medicine OPD Waiting List at GUH.
|
Time Frame |
0-3 Months |
3-6 Months |
6-8 Months |
8-12 Months |
12-15 Months |
15-24 Months |
Grand Total |
|
Numbers of pts |
110 |
97 |
108 |
74 |
0 |
0 |
389 |
OPD Bariatric Medicine 2016 and 2017 YTD
|
OPD Bariatric Med Year |
New |
Review |
DNA New |
DNA Review |
Total Attendances |
|
2017 |
421 |
1116 |
157 |
369 |
1537 |
|
Jan-April 2018 |
168 |
479 |
54 |
122 |
647 |
The following table represents the Bariatric Surgery IP Waiting List at GUH
|
Time Frame |
0-3 Months |
3-6 Months |
6-12Months |
12-18 Months |
18-24 Months |
>24months |
Grand Total |
|
Numbers of pts |
11 |
12 |
25 |
17 |
25 |
27 |
117 |
The following table represents Bariatric Surgery activity 2017 and 2018 YTD
|
Time Frame |
2017 |
2018 ytd |
|
Number of pts |
16 Bariatric Surgeries |
8 Bariatric Surgeries |
325. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding provided for hospital based bariatric services in County Dublin in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22027/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraBariatric services in County Dublin are provided through the Ireland East Hospital Group.
The weight management programme (WMP) in the Ireland East Hospital Group is delivered by St. Columcille’s Hospital (SCH) and St. Vincent’s University Hospital (SVUH). The medical multidisciplinary weight management component of the programme is delivered in St. Columcille’s Hospital, whilst patients deemed suitable for surgery are referred to the surgical component of the programme in St. Vincent's.
The HSE advise that since 2015 funding of €300,000 per annum has been allocated to St Vincent's to support the provision of bariatric surgery enabling 30 bariatric surgeries each year. In 2015, 28 bariatric surgeries were performed in St Vincent's University Hospital. In 2016, 29 bariatric surgical procedures were performed and this increased to 34 procedures in 2017.
In August 2017 a second new bariatric surgeon commenced in St. Vincent's and the hospital has made available significant additional theatre capacity to accommodate these cases.
In line with the Government’s commitment to improve waiting times for patients, the Inpatient/Day Case Action Plan was launched last month. The Plan outlines the combined impact of HSE and National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) elective activity in 2018.
The Action Plan has been developed to ensure an appropriate balance between high volume activities and offering treatment to complex long waiting patients. For very long waiting patients, the Action Plan sets a target that the NTPF will provide 1,200 procedures in 2018. This could include those waiting for bariatric surgery. As outlined in the Plan, the NTPF will do this by inviting public hospitals to seek solutions for very long waiters either in the private sector or through insourcing. The NTPF will provide funding to the solutions proposed if appropriate.
The NTPF confirm that they have received proposals from Ireland East Hospital Group for bariatric services and these are currently being reviewed.
326. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if bariatric surgeries will be carried out under the National Treatment Purchase Fund, NTPF; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22029/18]
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 National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) activity in 2018.
Under the Plan, the HSE will deliver 1.14 million hospital operations or procedures. In addition, the NTPF will provide 20,000 inpatient day cases across a range of specialties through both outsourcing and HSE insourcing.
The Action Plan has been developed to ensure an appropriate balance between high volume activities and offering treatment to complex long waiting patients. For very long waiting patients, the Action Plan sets a target that the NTPF will provide 1,200 procedures in 2018. This could include those waiting for bariatric surgery. As outlined in the Plan, the NTPF will do this by inviting public hospitals to seek solutions for very long waiters either in the private sector or through insourcing. The NTPF will provide funding to the solutions proposed if appropriate.
The NTPF confirm that they have received proposals from two Hospital Groups for bariatric services and these are currently being reviewed.
