Robert Troy
Ceist:457. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health his views on the issues raised in correspondence regarding HSE recruitment (details supplied). [23759/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraHSE Staff Recruitment
Ceisteanna (457)
Freagraí scríofa
I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
Nursing Staff Data
Ceisteanna (458)
Seán Fleming
Ceist:458. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the number of community registered general nurses in each location in a region (details supplied); the number of these nurses dealing with children; the number of these nurses dealing with adults; the number of vacancies in each location that have not been filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23761/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
Hospital Waiting Lists Data
Ceisteanna (459)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:459. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the most serious waiting list situations in respect of various procedures at various public hospitals as recorded over the past three years; the degree to which he has put in place corrective measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23770/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Improving 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.
Waiting list data from the past three years show that the highest waiting lists have been across the specialties of orthopaedics, ophthalmology and Otolaryngology (ENT).
The recently launched Inpatient/Day Case Action Plan outlines the combined impact of HSE and National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) activity in 2018 and includes a particular focus on those specialties with high waiting lists.
Under the Action Plan the HSE will deliver 1.14 million elective inpatient and day case discharges and the NTPF will deliver 20,000 Inpatient Day Case treatments through both outsourcing and HSE insourcing. As part of this process the NTPF and the HSE are currently reviewing proposals from hospitals for waiting list initiatives. The NTPF will provide funding to the solutions proposed if appropriate.
The NTPF initiatives will include a number of high volume specialties and in particular 5,000 cataracts, 800 hip/knee replacements, 1,200 tonsillectomies. In addition, under the Plan, the NTPF commits to offer treatment to all clinically suitable patients waiting more than 9 months for treatment in these high volume specialties. 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.
The Action Plan will continue to build on the work, in 2017, of the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) and the HSE, to maintain the reduction in the overall number of patients waiting for cataract surgery and the number of patients waiting more than 12 months. Last year funding was allocated to provide additional capacity at the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital as a result and a cataract theatre is now operational three days per week. This year, in line with the Action Plan, the HSE is planning to open a dedicated Cataract theatre in Nenagh Hospital in July.
Finally, my Department has placed a particular priority on performance improvement in scheduled and unscheduled care in order to improve access for patients. At the end of 2017, a new Unit was established in my Department with a remit to work with colleagues, HSE and NTPF to provide strategic direction and drive a whole of Department approach to performance oversight and innovation in this area. The monitoring of waiting lists is a key activity of this Unit.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (460)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:460. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which the national treatment purchase scheme can be utilised to alleviate waiting lists at various public hospitals throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23771/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Improving waiting times for hospital procedures is a key commitment in the Programme for Government and in 2018 €50 million was allocated to the National Treatment Purchase Fund (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.
In 2018 the NTPF will provide 20,000 inpatient day cases through a combination of outsourcing and HSE insourcing initiatives. The HSE will deliver 1.14 million hospital operations or procedures.
Under the Action Plan, the NTPF commits to offer treatment to all clinically suitable patients waiting more than 9 months for treatment in a number of high volume specialties - including cataract, hip and knee replacement, tonsils and scopes.
For patients who are waiting longest for other procedures, the NTPF and HSE will work together to identify the requirements, develop treatment plans, and where possible offer treatments from within existing HSE and NTPF resources.
In terms of treatment offers, the NTPF authorises public hospitals to offer outsourced treatment to clinically suitable long waiting patients who are on an inpatient/day case waiting list for surgery, having been referred on to such a list following clinical assessment by a consultant/specialist at an outpatient clinic. NTPF authorisations are made in respect of the longest waiting patients first.
Hospital Waiting Lists Data
Ceisteanna (461)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:461. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the number of patients on waiting lists for hip replacements at various hospitals throughout the country; the longest period of time that a person has been on this waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23772/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Improving waiting times for hospital procedures is a key commitment in the Programme for Government and this year, €50 million was allocated to the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to provide treatment for patients and reduce waiting times. The Inpatient/Day Case Action Plan 2018 which was published in April outlines the combined impact of HSE and NTPF activity in 2018 to reduce the number of patients waiting for treatment. NTPF authorisations are made in respect of the longest waiting patients first.
The Action Plan has been developed to ensure an appropriate balance between high volume activities and offering treatment to complex long waiting patients.
The Action Plan includes a focus on orthopaedic patients with 800 of the 20,000 NTPF funded procedures planned for patients requiring hip/knee replacements. In 2018, under the Plan, all clinically suitable patients waiting over 9 months for a hip/knee replacement will be offered treatment this year.
As outlined in the Plan, the NTPF will invite public hospitals to suggest solutions for very long waiters either in the private sector or through insourcing. The NTPF will provide funding to those suggested solutions that are appropriate.
The Waiting list figures are published every month by the NTPF on their website, ntpf.ie. The following table, and attached link, sets out the waiting list information requested by the Deputy for April 2018:
|
Longest waits (days) |
days |
|
Total arthroplasty of hip, bilateral |
483 |
|
Total arthroplasty of hip, unilateral |
1116 |
Nursing Staff Recruitment
Ceisteanna (462)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:462. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the degree to which adequate numbers of nurses are likely to become available throughout the public health sector over the next three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23773/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
There is a global shortage of nurses and midwives. Irish nurses are much sought after internationally due to the quality of the education, training and experience they have received from the universities and hospital internships. The recruitment moratorium that was in place across the public service from 2007 has had a lasting impact on staffing levels with some specialties having been particularly affected.
However, despite these challenges, the HSE has succeeded in increasing the nursing numbers significantly to 36,777 at the end of 2017. As part of the Nursing Recruitment and Retention Agreement with the INMO and SIPTU, the HSE agreed to appoint 1,224 additional nurses and midwives in 2017. The final progress report shows that there has been significant growth in the appointment of nurses and midwives in the final months of the year with 942 WTE of the 1,224 posts filled (including student nurses) or 69% (847 WTE) excluding the student nurses. The HSE remain committed to the Agreement and efforts will continue to fill the remaining posts.
The measures put in place by the HSE to recruit nurses and midwives included two international recruitment campaigns in 2017 the "Bring Them Home" campaign and the "New Year New Career". Nurses who relocate to work in the Irish public health service can receive up to €3,000 in relocation expenses. The HSE has also offered all 2017 graduate nurses permanent posts within a Hospital Group or CHO subject to them attaining registration and satisfactory performance. The HSE is currently in the process of offering the 2018 graduates permanent posts. Other efforts to increase nursing supply include an additional 130 nursing undergraduate places that were made available in the 2017 nursing degree programme.
To maintain the supply of nurses it is important to retain the current nurses and midwives. Some of the retention measures undertaken by the HSE include providing 120 Advanced Nurse Practitioner education places, a pre-retirement initiative, career breaks and education and training opportunities for career development.
Hospital Procedures
Ceisteanna (463)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:463. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which provision is being made to ensure that patients awaiting access to surgical procedures can have their waiting period minimised, thereby reducing the level of pain and suffering which can be considerable in cases in which such persons have to wait for a long period before gaining access to the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23774/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Improving waiting times for hospital procedures is a key commitment in the Programme for Government and in 2018 €50 million was allocated to the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to secure 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. In 2018, the NTPF will provide 20,000 inpatient day cases through a combination of outsourcing and HSE insourcing initiatives. The HSE will deliver 1.14 million hospital operations or procedures.
The Action Plan has been developed to ensure an appropriate balance between high
volume activities and offering treatment to complex long waiting patients.
Under the Plan, the NTPF commits to offer treatment to all clinically suitable patients waiting more than 9 months for treatment in a number of high volume specialties - including cataract, hip and knee replacement, tonsils and scopes.
For those who are waiting longest for other procedures, the NTPF and HSE will work together to identify the requirements and develop treatment plans for patients. 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 as appropriate.
In terms of treatment offers, the NTPF authorises public hospitals to offer outsourced treatment to clinically suitable long waiting patients who are on an inpatient/day case waiting list for surgery, having been referred on to such a list following clinical assessment by a consultant/specialist at an outpatient clinic. NTPF authorisations are made in respect of the longest waiting patients first.
Primary Care Centres Data
Ceisteanna (464)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:464. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the number of primary care centres already provided for and in operation throughout the country on a county basis; the number proposed for the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23775/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí 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.
General Practitioner Data
Ceisteanna (465)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:465. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the number of general practitioners practising throughout County Kildare; the extent to which each practice is sufficiently supported to meet growing demands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23776/18]
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 for direct reply to the Deputy.
Hospital Waiting Lists Action Plans
Ceisteanna (466)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:466. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which his Department has identified the quantum of deficiencies within the health services which has resulted in delays to waiting lists at various levels; the measures he plans to take to address such issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23777/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Improving 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 Inpatient/Day Case Action Plan 2018 which was published in April outlines the combined impact of HSE and NTPF activity in 2018 to reduce the number of patients waiting for treatment.
Under the Plan, in 2018 the HSE will deliver 1.14 million hospital operations or procedures and the NTPF will deliver 20,000 Inpatient Day Case treatments and 4,000 Gastro Intestinal Scopes.
Under the Action Plan, the NTPF commits to offer treatment to all clinically suitable patients waiting more than 9 months for treatment in a number of high volume specialties - including cataract, hip and knee replacement, tonsils and scopes.
Under the Action Plan the number of patients waiting longer than 9 months will fall by 10,000. The overall number of patients waiting for hospital operations and procedures will fall to under 70,000 by year end.
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 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 HSE is also working with the NTPF and my Department to finalise a joint Outpatient Waiting List Action Plan focused on improving overall use of resources to tackle long patient waiting times and ensuring 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 for outpatient initiatives.
HSE Staff
Ceisteanna (467)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:467. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which plans are afoot to ensure the retention of adequate health personnel at all levels to meet eventualities and eliminate overcrowding at acute hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23778/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In the short term, I have asked the HSE and my Department to identify opportunities to increase capacity, in line with the Capacity Review recommendations, and I expect to receive finalised proposals shortly. Recruitment and retention of personnel will be a key factor in the delivery of additional capacity.
Recruitment and retention of key medical personnel in the health workforce is of vital importance. With regard to consultants, notwithstanding recruitment and retention challenges, these have increased by 110 in the 12 months to end March 2018 and by 462 in the past five years. The number of Non Consultant Hospital Doctors has also increased by 289 in the 12 months to end March, 2018, and by 1,358 in the past five years.
The HSE has been focussed on addressing issues associated with the creation and approval of consultant posts and successful recruitment. It is now giving effect to the report 'Towards Successful Consultant Recruitment, Appointment and Retention', completed in December 2016. It is also focussed on implementing the recommendations of the 'MacCraith Group' to support the recruitment and retention of consultants and NCHDs.
In terms of nurses and midwives, increasing nursing and midwifery numbers has been a priority for the past 18 months. The 2017 funded workforce plan, as part of the Nursing Recruitment and Retention Agreement, committed the HSE to recruiting 1,224 additional nurses and midwives. The final report setting out progress on implementation of the Agreement shows that there has been a significant growth in the appointment of nurses and midwives with 942 WTE of the 1,224 posts filled (WTE’s). The HSE remain committed to the Agreement and efforts will continue to fill the remaining posts. It has once again committed to offer all 2018 graduating student nurses and midwives permanent contracts within a Hospital Group or CHO, subject to their attaining registration and satisfactory performance.
I also note that the Public Service Pay Commission is currently looking at a number of medical grades, including consultants and nurses and midwives in the current phase of its work and is expected to report at the end of June.
Pharmaceutical Sector
Ceisteanna (468)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:468. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which the use of the single European market can be identified as a means of alleviating the impact of persons currently faced with the high cost of experimental drugs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23779/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Officials in my Department have sought clarification from the Deputy and on receipt of same I will arrange for a reply to issue.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (469)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:469. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the degree to which lack of theatre space of a particular category has been identified as a contributory factor in the ongoing delays experienced by persons on waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23780/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Improving waiting times for hospital procedures is a key commitment in the Programme for Government. Investing in additional capacity, including beds and theatre space; the progression of recruitment and retention of staff; the delivery of the NDP project including dedicated elective only hospitals and the ambitious reform agenda in the Sláintecare Report will improve waiting times and access for patients.
A number of initiatives are currently underway to improve access this year. As part of the Inpatient and Day Case Action Plan, launched in April 2018, €50 million was allocated to the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to secure treatment for patients and reduce waiting times. The Action Plan targets a reduction in the waiting list for inpatient and day case treatment to below 70,000 by the end of 2018.
Under the Plan, the HSE will deliver 1.14 million hospital procedures. The NTPF will deliver 20,000 Inpatient Day Case treatments through both outsourcing and HSE insourcing. Through outsourcing, the NTPF secures access to additional theatre space for public patients.
In addition my Department will continue to work with the HSE and the NTPF to identify sustainable initiatives to improve waiting times. Last year funding was allocated to provide additional capacity at the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital as a result of such initiatives and a cataract theatre is now operational three days per week. This year, in line with the Action Plan, the HSE is planning to open a dedicated Cataract theatre in Nenagh Hospital in July.
Hospital Waiting Lists Data
Ceisteanna (470)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:470. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on waiting lists for all orthopaedic and cardiac procedures; the extent to which contributory factors in the context of waiting lists have been identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23781/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Improving waiting times for hospital procedures is a key commitment in the Programme for Government and this year, €50 million was allocated to the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to provide treatment for patients and reduce waiting times. The Inpatient/Day Case Action Plan 2018 which was published in April outlines the combined impact of HSE and NTPF activity in 2018 to reduce the number of patients waiting for treatment. NTPF authorisations are made in respect of the longest waiting patients first.
The Action Plan has been developed to ensure an appropriate balance between high volume activities and offering treatment to complex long waiting patients.
The Action Plan includes a focus on orthopaedic patients with 800 of the 20,000 NTPF funded procedures planned for patients requiring hip/knee replacements. In 2018, under the Plan, all clinically suitable patients waiting over 9 months for a hip/knee replacement will be offered treatment this year.
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 more complex procedures such as cardiology. As outlined in the Plan, the NTPF will invite public hospitals to suggest solutions for very long waiters either in the private sector or through insourcing. The NTPF will provide funding to those suggested solutions that are appropriate.
In addition, the HSE is working with the NTPF and my Department to finalise a joint Outpatient Waiting List Action Plan. Each year 3.3 million patients attend Hospital Outpatient clinics for appointments, with demand for services growing year-on-year. The Action Plan will focus on improving overall use of resources to tackle long patient waiting times and to 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 for outpatient initiatives.
In addition, my Department has placed a particular priority on performance improvement in scheduled and unscheduled care in order to improve access for patients. At the end of 2017, a new Unit was established in my Department with a remit to work with Departmental colleagues and with the HSE and NTPF to provide strategic direction and to drive a whole of Department approach to performance oversight and innovation in this area. The monitoring of waiting lists is a key activity of this Unit.
Waiting list figures are published every month by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) on their website, www.ntpf.ie. The following table sets out the waiting list information requested by the Deputy for April 2018:
|
Cardiology |
Orthopaedics |
|
|
Inpatient / Daycase |
4,023 |
11,483 |
|
Outpatient |
19,867 |
62,448 |
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (471)
Barry Cowen
Ceist:471. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied); and when the person can expect a hospital appointment. [23801/18]
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.
Ministerial Transport
Ceisteanna (472)
Mattie McGrath
Ceist:472. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of ministerial cars or vehicles in operation in each of the past six years; and the costs associated with same. [24032/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can confirm that neither I nor any other Minister or Minister of State in the Department of Health in each of the past six years have had a Ministerial car provided from the Garda fleet.
GLAS Applications
Ceisteanna (473)
Pat Breen
Ceist:473. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23729/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The above named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015 and has received all payments in respect of 2015 and 2016.
The application was rejected from the scheme due to non-compliance with the Rare Breed action. The above named was informed of the appeals procedure for such cases and it is understood that an appeal has been received by the Agriculture Appeals Office.
Knowledge Transfer Programme
Ceisteanna (474)
Pat Breen
Ceist:474. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23730/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Knowledge Transfer (KT) is one of a suite of measures included under the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 and involves the formation of knowledge transfer groups across the beef, dairy, equine, sheep, tillage and poultry sectors.
Participants attend group meetings and produce a Farm Improvement Plan in consultation with their KT Facilitator. For each year of the three year programme participants receive a payment of €750 for a primary sector and €375 for a secondary sector where all requirements of the programme have been met.
The person named is a participant in the Knowledge Transfer Beef Programme. Reimbursement for actions completed in Year 1 of the programme has, as required under the governing EU regulations, recently issued via his Knowledge Transfer Facilitator. This reimbursement includes a reduction to reflect non-completion of the Animal Health Measure (AHM) requirement of the Programme. His Knowledge Transfer Facilitator has confirmed the transfer of this reimbursement to the person named on 25/05/2018.