Written Answers Nos. 364-381
364. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of patients availing of mental health services in the community setting who are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23269/18]
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.
365. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of patients availing of mental health services in the acute setting who are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23270/18]
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.
366. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the way in which malnutrition is identified and managed in patients of mental health institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23271/18]
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.
367. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a study (details supplied) that documents a strong correlation between mental health problems and malnutrition in free-living older persons; the way in which this is identified and managed in the community here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23272/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of the study referred to by the Deputy, which has only recently come to the attention of my Department. I have asked the Department of Health, in conjunction with the HSE, to examine this in detail, in the context of developing future policy and services for mental health.
368. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of children in County Wexford awaiting access to the community ophthalmic physician; the numbers waiting more than three, six, nine, 12, 15, 18 and 21 months, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23274/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
369. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of persons County Wexford awaiting cataract surgery between referrals; the numbers waiting more than three, six, nine, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24 and 27 months, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23275/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
370. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23284/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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.
371. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the status of the new transport support scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23285/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be familiar with the background to the closure of both the Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Grant schemes in February 2013. Since the closure of the Mobility Allowance, the Government has directed that the Health Service Executive should continue to pay an equivalent monthly payment of up to €208.50 per month to the 4,133 people in receipt of the Mobility Allowance, on an interim basis, pending the establishment of a new Transport Support Scheme.
The Government decided that the detailed preparatory work required for a new Transport Support Scheme and associated statutory provisions should be progressed by the Minister for Health. The Programme for a Partnership Government acknowledges the ongoing drafting of primary legislation for a new Transport Support Scheme to assist those with a disability to meet their mobility costs. The Health (Transport Support) Bill is on the list of priority legislation for publication in the Spring/Summer session 2018. I can confirm that work on the policy proposals for the new Scheme is at an advanced stage. The proposals seek to ensure that:
- There is a firm statutory basis to the Scheme's operation.
- There is transparency and equity in the eligibility criteria attaching to the Scheme;
- Resources are targeted at those with greatest needs; and
- The Scheme is capable of being costed and is affordable on its introduction and on an ongoing basis.
My colleague, the Minister for Health and I recently brought a Memorandum to Government for proposals for a new Transport Support Payment Scheme. Following consideration of the matter, it was decided to withdraw the Memorandum from the cabinet Agenda on 8 May last. I intend to revert to Government with revised proposals to reflect the discussion at Cabinet, in due course.
With regard to the Motorised Transport Grant, this scheme operated as a means-tested grant to assist persons with severe disabilities with the purchase or adaptation of a car, where that car was essential to retain employment. The maximum Motorised Transport Grant, which was payable once in any three year period, was €5,020. Following the closure of the scheme in February 2013, no further Motorised Transport Grants have been payable.
It is important to note that the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers scheme operated by the Revenue Commissioners, remains in place. This scheme provides VRT and VAT relief, an exemption from road tax and a fuel grant to drivers and passengers with a disability, who qualify under the relevant criteria set out in governing regulations made by the Minister for Finance. Specifically adapted vehicles driven by persons with a disability are also exempt from payment of tolls on national roads and toll bridges. Transport Infrastructure Ireland has responsibility for this particular scheme.
There are improvements in access to a range of transport support schemes available to persons with disabilities in the State and on-going work is being carried out by Government Departments, agencies and transport providers to further improve access to public transport services. Under the National Disability Inclusion Strategy, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has responsibility for the continued development of accessibility and availability of public transport for people with a disability.
372. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can avail of rehabilitation services; the position of the person on the waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23286/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
373. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health if the need to allow advanced nurse practitioners to provide initial assessment for access to CAMHS will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23287/18]
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.
374. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health if the need to open day hospitals to provide an alternative to acute hospital admission for those seeking access to CAMHS will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23288/18]
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.
375. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied that all contracts a company (details supplied) holds with his Department and State agencies under his aegis have been tendered for; if his attention has been drawn to contracts awarded to the company that have not been tendered for; if his attention has been drawn to contracts awarded to the company that have rolled over; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21667/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs previously advised to Deputy Burton earlier this year, the Department has one contract with this company. One payment was made to the company in question in June 2017 following a procurement exercise, in respect of an one year contract for maintenance and licensing in respect of Sophos Anti Virus protection.
I have referred the Deputy's question to the HSE in respect of any contracts that organisation may have with the company in question.
Details for other bodies under the aegis of the Department are operational matters for the bodies concerned and the Deputy should contact the relevant Director/CEO/Registrar directly.
376. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be allocated extra home help hours in view of their exceptional medical conditions; if the HSE will provide an extensive home care package in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23293/18]
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.
377. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the use of equipment (details supplied) in the treatment of children with scoliosis; the steps he has taken to satisfy himself that there are no health and safety risks to children with scoliosis being treated with the equipment; the steps he has taken to ensure that parents are informed about potential health and safety risks in the use of the equipment and to ensure informed consent guidelines are abided by in all such instances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23298/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Health and the HSE promote the use of safe high quality evidence-based treatment in all clinical situations. The use of a specific treatment for an individual patient is a clinical matter for the treating consultant to discuss and agree with the patient and his/her family.
378. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the steps he has taken to correct the inequity in waiting times, which can differ in children's hospitals by up to two years in some cases, for outpatient children with scoliosis (details supplied); the steps he has taken to ensure that lists are amalgamated, as committed to previously; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23299/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraImproving waiting times for hospital procedures and outpatient appointments is a key commitment in the programme for Government.
The development of a sustainable and safe paediatric orthopaedic service, including scoliosis services for children and young people has been prioritised in the 2018. An additional €9 million has been provided to the HSE in 2018 specifically to develop paediatric orthopaedic services, including increasing access to scoliosis services.
The HSE and Children’s Hospital Group (CHG) developed a Paediatric Scoliosis Waiting List Action Plan for 2018 and this includes actions targeted at patients waiting longest for an outpatient appointment.
The HSE advise that, under the National Service Plan 2018, funding for two new consultant posts for paediatric orthopaedics has been provided and these appointment are expected to be finalised in quarter 4 of 2018. These posts are to be allocated to Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin and Temple Street Children’s University Hospital for paediatric orthopaedics and are expected to have a positive impact on current patient waiting times.
The HSE National Service Plan sets out a target that 80% of patients waiting for a first outpatient appointment will be seen within a 52 week wait timeframe. HSE figures for March 2018 show that the three hospitals of the CHG are seeing 62-64% of outpatients within 52 weeks.
The CHG advise that capacity challenges are managed daily, with each of the three children’s hospitals supporting each other in terms of bed utilisation and availability.
The HSE advise that a Paediatric Scoliosis Services Co-Design group is in place, which includes clinicians, hospital staff and representatives from the scoliosis advocacy groups, to design a comprehensive, contemporary, and patient-centred approach to the delivery of scoliosis services.
The Children’s Hospital Group has developed an integration strategy to integrate clinical and non-clinical services across the three hospitals and to ensure a smooth transition to the new facilities. A central referrals system is being developed as part of this integration strategy which will be key to supporting clinical services to operate as a single service across multiple locations. The system will be introduced on a phased basis commencing with general paediatrics in the first quarter of 2019.
The HSE is working with the NTPF and my Department to finalise a joint plan focused on improving overall use of resources to tackle long patient waiting times and ensure timely access to treatment and care for our patients. I hope to publish this Plan shortly. As part of this process the NTPF and the HSE are currently reviewing proposals from hospitals, including the hospitals across the CHG, for outpatient initiatives.
379. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the provision of vests for bracing therapy for children being treated for scoliosis; the steps he has taken to ensure that vests for bracing therapy are provided to children being treated for scoliosis free of charge at children's hospitals (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23300/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly, as soon as possible.
380. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the number of opening days per week for operating theatres at children's hospitals (details supplied); if operating theatre opening days will be extended, if possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23301/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly, as soon as possible.
381. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the four-month waiting list target for surgeries for children suffering with scoliosis not being met as committed to previously; the steps he has taken to ensure that the 88 children currently waiting longer than four months will be catered for as urgently as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23302/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraImproving waiting times for hospital procedures and outpatient appointments is a key commitment in the programme for Government.
The development of a sustainable and safe paediatric orthopaedic service, including scoliosis services for children and young people has been prioritised in the 2018. An additional €9 million has been provided to the HSE in 2018 specifically to develop paediatric orthopaedic services, including increasing access to scoliosis services.
The HSE has confirmed that it will maintain the 4-month target in 2018 and beyond, which is international best practice, for all patients who are clinically deemed to require scoliosis surgery now.
Figures provided by the Children's Hospital Group (CHG) show that as of the week-ending 18th May 2018, there were 178 patients on the scoliosis waiting list, with 84 patients waiting more than 4 months.
Patients waiting over 4 months are reviewed weekly in relation to their treatment plan. Decisions to schedule patients are made clinically. In line with the Scoliosis Action Plan 2018, the CHG will prioritise inpatient access to include outsourcing initiatives to achieve a 4 month waiting time for clinically deemed treatments and offers of outsourcing are currently being made to the families of those deemed clinically suitable.
The HSE advise that, under the National Service Plan 2018, funding for two new consultant posts for paediatric orthopaedics has been provided and these appointments are expected to be finalised in quarter 4 of 2018. These posts are to be allocated to Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin and Temple Street Children’s University Hospital for paediatric orthopaedics and are expected to have a positive impact on current patient waiting times.
The CHG advise that capacity challenges are managed daily, with each of the three children’s hospitals supporting each other in terms of bed utilisation and availability.
The HSE advise that a Paediatric Scoliosis Services Co-Design group is in place, which includes clinicians, hospital staff and representatives from the scoliosis advocacy groups, to design a comprehensive, contemporary, and patient-centred approach to the delivery of scoliosis services.
The CHG has developed an integration strategy to integrate clinical and non-clinical services across the three hospitals and to ensure a smooth transition to the new facilities. A central referrals system is being developed as part of this integration strategy which will be key to supporting clinical services to operate as a single service across multiple locations. The system will be introduced on a phased basis commencing with general paediatrics in the first quarter of 2019.
