Written Answers Nos. 130-149
130. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when urgent orthodontic treatment will be provided in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24020/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
131. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if the treatment provided to a person (details supplied) will be clarified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24023/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
132. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for orthodontic work for a person (details supplied) will be scheduled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24024/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
133. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for a person (details supplied) will be scheduled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24026/18]
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.
134. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if the new assessment of needs system the HSE has proposed was approved by him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24047/18]
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.
135. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will request the HSE and the National Ambulance Service to station an ambulance on a 24/7 basis at a health centre (details supplied) to ensure fast access to an ambulance in times of emergency during the construction work on the N2 between Corracrin and Emyvale (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24050/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
136. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health the status of proposed changes to the fair deal scheme in relation to farmers and small businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24057/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraA review of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS) was published in July 2015. Arising out of the review, a recommendation was made to examine the treatment of business and farm assets for the purposes of the financial assessment element of the scheme. The Programme for a Partnership Government also committed to reviewing the NHSS to remove any discrimination against small businesses and family farms.
At present, the capital value of an individual's principal private residence is only included in the financial assessment for the first three years of their time in care. This is known as the three year cap. This cap does not apply to productive assets such as farms and businesses except in cases of sudden illness or disability where specific conditions are met.
It is proposed to amend the scheme to treat farm and business assets in the same manner as the principal private residence where a family successor commits to working the farm or business, i.e. to cap contributions at three years.
The Department of Health has been examining the potential for changes to the treatment of business and farm assets under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme. Any changes to the scheme, if approved by Government, will require amendment of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009.
A Memorandum for Government setting out the details of the proposed policy change and seeking Government approval to draft the General Scheme of a bill to amend the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009 has been circulated to other Government Departments for observations.
137. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will commence orthodontic treatment at St. James's Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24087/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
138. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 273, 274 and 275 of 8 May 2018, the details of the rota in tabular form (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24088/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
139. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 418 of 15 May 2018, if the funding necessary to fill the vacant post of a psychologist at a centre (details supplied) in County Mayo will be allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24089/18]
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.
140. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the number of women that have been affected by the CervicalCheck scandal in counties Mayo and Galway by location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24090/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn regard to the 209 women and families, given these overall numbers it is considered that to provide the breakdown sought by the Deputy would present a risk to maintaining the privacy of the women and families involved and their right to confidentiality.
Since 2008, some 3 million smear tests have been carried out by CervicalCheck for women throughout Ireland. Over 1,200 invasive cancers have been detected by CervicalCheck. In addition, 30,000 low grade abnormalities (CIN 1) have been detected and more than 50,000 women with high grade abnormalities (CIN 2 & 3) have been diagnosed and treated, considerably reducing their risk of developing cervical cancer.
141. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health if a HSE section 39 application by a centre (details supplied) has been received within the required deadline; when confirmation of same will be communicated to the centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24098/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE confirms that a Section 39 Funding Application has been received from the East Galway and Midlands Cancer Support Centre.
The HSE advises that the application submitted by the East Galway and Midlands Cancer Support Centre is under consideration and that they will make direct contact with the centre before the end of June.
142. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health if funding arrangements for HSE section 39 applications have been finalised for 2018; if so, the date on which the funding arrangements were completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24099/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis matter has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
143. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health if the case of a person (details supplied) has been refused; and if it will be examined and the necessary equipment provided in order that they can return home. [24103/18]
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.
144. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when home help will be provided for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24105/18]
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.
145. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect to receive an appointment with a rheumatologist at University Hospital Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24125/18]
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.
146. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a medical card will be awarded in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24155/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
147. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be offered a kidney transplant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24161/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy's question relates to service delivery matters and accordingly I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him.
148. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if outstanding information will be provided to a family (details supplied) [24196/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraA Serious Incident Management Team was established in April and reported on 25 May that 207 of the 209 women, or families, had been contacted. It has also reported that, sadly, 18 of these women are known to have died. I am advised that contact has been made with these families.
The HSE has informed the Department that while some cases pose individual challenges, every effort is being made to ensure that women and their next-of-kin seeking their medical records are responded to and provided with their data in a timely manner. My Department will liaise with CervicalCheck in relation to the particular case raised to ensure that the family's concerns are responded to.
149. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if CervicalCheck or the HSE have now contacted all of the 209 women or their families who were included in the CervicalCheck audit; the supports and services which will be available to these persons; and when they will be notified in this regard [24197/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE has advised that as of 25 May, 207 of the 209 women, or their next of kin, have been contacted. Efforts are ongoing to contact the remaining two but the HSE has advised that some patients have not been contactable for a number of reasons e.g. they are abroad or their contact details have changed.
The Government agreed a comprehensive package of health and social care measures to support the 209 women who have been diagnosed with cervical cancer and whose audit result differed from their original smear test, and their families. These measures include:
- the provision of a discretionary medical card for each woman affected, or their next-of-kin in cases where the woman has, sadly, died;
- meeting of out-of-pocket medical costs incurred;
- the provision of primary care supports, including counselling, to the women affected;
- the provision of counselling services, including bereavement counselling where appropriate, to the immediate family members of these women; and
- the provision of other health and social care supports, including travel costs and child minding, where appropriate.
The HSE has appointed a central national co-ordinator to lead this service response and local liaison contacts have been appointed to link with the women and their families.
As of 28 May, 188 contacts had been made with those affected, and 75 meetings had been held to discuss people’s needs. A further 44 meetings had been scheduled. It is important to note that in those instances where it has not been possible to make direct contact, it is often the case that a message (or messages) have been left for the individual concerned. In these circumstances, it is important that we allow women and families to contact the HSE in their own time and on their own terms.
