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Tuesday, 29 May 2018

Written Answers Nos. 346-363

Psychological Services

Ceisteanna (346)

Gerry Adams

Ceist:

346. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of children awaiting appointments for psychology services by county and age; and the length of time they have been waiting in tabular form. [23190/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (347)

Pat Deering

Ceist:

347. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be called for surgery in St. Vincent's University Hospital. [23191/18]

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.

Services for People with Disabilities

Ceisteanna (348)

Peter Burke

Ceist:

348. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the cost for the provision of an additional education officer for an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23194/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The 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.

Medical Card Data

Ceisteanna (349)

Peter Burke

Ceist:

349. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the average cost to provide a full medical card to a person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23195/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The following table details the current average cost of a medical card by age cohorts which were contained in the HSE's Performance Report of April 2018 (latest available):

Age Group

Medical Card

0-4 years

€377

5-15 years

€224

16-44 years

€623

45-64 years

€1,229

65-69 years

€1,621

Aged 70 and over

€2,144

Primary Care Centres

Ceisteanna (350)

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

350. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if concerns raised by a school (details supplied) will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23201/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the HSE has responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres and other Primary Care facilities, the Executive has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (351)

Timmy Dooley

Ceist:

351. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will receive a hospital appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23203/18]

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.

Medical Qualifications

Ceisteanna (352)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

352. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the procedure to have qualifications recognised here in order that a person may work as a doctor such as in a case (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23210/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Medical Council is responsible for the registration of doctors in Ireland. The Medical Council considers applications for registration in accordance with the provisions of the Medical Practitioners Act 2007 and the EU Directive 2005/36/EC (amended). Under the provisions of the Medical Practitioners Act 2007, eligibility for registration is based on the applicant's medical credentials rather than their citizenship.

As the Medical Council is the regulator for doctors under legislation, I have no role in relation to registration procedures.  Information and requirements on registration for doctors can be obtained from the Medical Council. It will be able to advise on requirements specific to the doctor's registration. The Council may be contacted at www.medicalcouncil.ie or by phone at 01 4983100.

Medical Aids and Appliances Provision

Ceisteanna (353)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

353. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the waiting times under the reimbursement scheme for FreeStyle Libre for type 1 diabetic children in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23222/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Hospital Beds Data

Ceisteanna (354)

Joan Collins

Ceist:

354. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health the bed capacity of University Hospital Sligo in 2008; the bed capacity of the hospital at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23235/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

Drug and Alcohol Task Forces

Ceisteanna (355)

Joan Collins

Ceist:

355. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health the resource capacity being allocated to implement the alcohol action plan strategy in drugs task forces, for example, in the Canal Communities local drug and alcohol task force, CCLDATF. [23236/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Drug and Alcohol Task Forces play a key role in assessing the extent and nature of the drug problem and in initiating appropriate responses, so that there is a coordinated approach involving all sectors to the problem of substance misuse in local communities.

I secured additional funding of €250,000 in Budget 2018 to improve the organisational effectiveness of task forces in implementing the national drugs strategy, Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery. It is intended that task forces can apply for up to €10,000 in additional funding, on a once-off basis, in 2018 under this scheme. Task forces must submit applications for this additional funding by 11 June 2018.

The Department is developing a new programme to promote community awareness of alcohol-related harm. An additional €0.25m will be made available in 2018 to fund phase 1 of the scheme, with the expectation that this will increase to €1m in 2019.  It is anticipated that the scheme will commence in the last quarter of 2018.

I strongly believe that resources should be directed towards interventions that are most effective in reducing problem substance use. Measuring the effectiveness of responses to the drug problem is therefore an important objective of public policy. Towards this end, my Department will develop a performance measurement system by 2020 which will improve accountability across all sectors, including the task forces.

Medical Card Eligibility

Ceisteanna (356)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

356. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if medical card eligibility will be reviewed in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23238/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter I have referred it to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.

Hospital Staff Recruitment

Ceisteanna (357)

Timmy Dooley

Ceist:

357. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health if a CNS post for multiple sclerosis has been filled at University Hospital Limerick, UHL, in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23248/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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

Cancer Screening Programmes

Ceisteanna (358)

Imelda Munster

Ceist:

358. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health if an audit facility is in place under the BowelScreen programme; if not, the reason therefor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23253/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

An audit facility is not in place in the BowelScreen programme. BowelScreen is relatively new, having been commenced in 2012.

A BowelScreen Quality Assurance Committee is in place and consists of experts drawn from the field of endoscopy, radiology, histopathology, surgery and programme operation and administration.  This Committee provides continuous oversight of quality within the programme, which involves reviewing international standards, recommending best practice and monitoring and supporting adherence of the standards by service providers.

A range of Quality Assurance mechanisms and Key Performance Indicators are in place, including the analysis of the FIT kit/home test and, at hospital level, the auditing of individual performances of endoscopists who carry out the programme’s colonoscopies.

The Terms of Reference of the Scoping Inquiry led by Dr Gabriel Scally include to examine the other screening programmes operated by the National Screening Service particularly in relation to quality assurance and clinical audit, open disclosure and governance.  The outcome of the Scoping Inquiry will inform the further development of the BowelScreen programme.

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Data

Ceisteanna (359)

James Browne

Ceist:

359. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of children in each CHO area that were awaiting a child and adolescence mental health services, CAMHS, appointment for over one year in June 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23261/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Hospital Appointments Delays

Ceisteanna (360)

Timmy Dooley

Ceist:

360. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment for surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23264/18]

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.

Mental Health Services Data

Ceisteanna (361)

James Browne

Ceist:

361. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of persons using mental health services that are malnourished or identified to be at risk of malnutrition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23266/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Mental Health Services Provision

Ceisteanna (362)

James Browne

Ceist:

362. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the actions being taken to mitigate against malnutrition in mental health patients; if his attention has been drawn to the impact that malnutrition has on the health and outcomes of these patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23267/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Health Screening Programmes

Ceisteanna (363)

James Browne

Ceist:

363. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health his plans for the roll-out of a mandatory nutritional screening programme in the community setting; his views on the benefits of nutritional screening in the community setting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23268/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Nutritional screening is a first-line process of identifying patients who are already malnourished or at risk of becoming so; nutritional assessment is a detailed investigation to identify and quantify specific nutritional problems.

Good nutrition is fundamental for health, healing and recovery from illness and injury. Malnutrition is associated with muscle wasting, impaired respiratory and cardiac function, decreased mobility, susceptibility to infection and delayed wound healing, depression and lethargy. Many factors including disease predispose to malnourishment and indicators of malnutrition are found in community patients.

The Health Service Executive has a nutrition screening programme in place in the community and I am referring your question to HSE for further details.

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