Written Answers Nos. 341-360
341. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will request the HSE to address the inadequate speech and language, occupational therapy, psychology and physiotherapy being provided at a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27599/18]
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.
342. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health if the reason dental care is not provided to pupils at a school (details supplied) will be investigated; if funding for the service will be restored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27601/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
343. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for surgery for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27605/18]
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, since 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.
345. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a wheelchair and orthotic shoes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27607/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
346. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 138 of 25 April 2018, the reason for the delay in the commencement of a day placement for a person (details supplied). [27610/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
347. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the status of an application for orthotics and lumbar support by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27613/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
348. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for knee replacement surgery for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27614/18]
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, since 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.
349. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the status of an ophthalmology appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27615/18]
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, since 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.
350. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the work and cost of a unit (details supplied) in County Kildare. [27621/18]
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.
351. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the work and cost of a unit (details supplied) in County Kildare. [27622/18]
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.
352. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health if a situation with regard to a person (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27624/18]
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.
353. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the status of a procedure for a person (details supplied). [27625/18]
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, since 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.
354. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the length of time persons are waiting for a methadone programme in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27626/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
355. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the length of time persons are waiting for a methadone programme in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27627/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
356. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health his plans to cut funding for addiction services in counties Kildare and Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27628/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Health coordinates the strategic response to drug and alcohol problems, as set out Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery - a health led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland 2017-2025. An objective of the strategy is to attain better health and social outcomes for people who experience harm from substance misuse and to meet their recovery and rehabilitation needs.
Ensuring timely access to health and social care services and extending the range of treatment options available is integral to achieving better outcomes. To this end, the strategy commits to expanding the availability and geographical spread of relevant quality drug and alcohol services and improving the range of services available, based on identified need.
As the matter raised by the Deputy in relation to funding for addiction services in counties Kildare and Wicklow is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
357. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the duration on a waiting list for a child to see a urologist at the Children's University Hospital, Temple Street; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27629/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFigures for the end of May show that there are 720 patients on the Temple Street Children's University Hospital (TSCUH) urology Outpatient waiting list, of which 68% (491 patients) are waiting less than 9 months. For the same period there are 123 patients waiting for an Inpatient Day case urology procedure at TSCUH, with almost 75% waiting less than 8 months.
Improving waiting times for hospital procedures is a key commitment in the Programme for Government and €50 million was allocated to the NTPF in 2018 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. This plan marks a very important milestone in delivering on this commitment.
Each year 3.3 million patients attend Hospital Outpatient clinics for appointments, with demand for services growing year-on-year. A key component of the management of waiting lists by hospitals is the categorisation of patients by clinical priority to ensure that all patients receive care in timely and clinically appropriate matter. A number of steps are being taken to ensure the lists are accurate and these efforts are to intensify in the coming months.
In order to address the issue of growing outpatient waiting list numbers, my Department, the HSE and the NTPF, are in the process of finalising an Outpatient Action Plan for 2018. This plan will support the HSE's compliance with its National Service Plan targets, reduce the growth in the number of patients waiting for Outpatient Services, improve the accuracy of the waiting list and trial a number of NTPF funded interventions, including weekend and out of hours clinics.
358. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the number of operations and procedures that were cancelled or postponed in each public hospital to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27630/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraReducing waiting times for hospital procedures is a key priority of this Government. On April 12th 2018 the Minister launched the Inpatient/Day Case Action Plan 2018. This plan was compiled by the Department of Health, the Health Service Executive, and the National Treatment Purchase Fund.
As part of the plan the HSE will deliver 1.14 million hospital operations or procedures and the NTPF will deliver 20,000 Inpatient Day Case treatments. Under the plan there will be a significant reduction in the overall number of people waiting for a procedure. The target is that the waiting list numbers will fall to 70,000 by the end of the year, from a peak of 86,100 in July 2017.
In relation to your particular query, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
359. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding dental care under the medical card system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27633/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra384. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health when the pre-economic crisis budget for the dental treatment services scheme will be reinstated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27828/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 359 and 384 together.
The national approach to future oral health service provision will be informed by the National Oral Health Policy. The aim of the policy is to develop a model of care that will enable preventative approaches to be prioritised, improve access and support interventions appropriate to current and future oral health needs. The policy is currently being finalised and I expect it will be published later this year.
It is my intention to progress the development of appropriate contractual proposals on the part of my Department and the HSE once the Oral Health Policy has been published. This will be a necessary precursor to a process of engagement with contractors on the future delivery of oral health services.
The Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017 has put the setting and varying of payments for contractors on a non-emergency statutory basis, to enable the continued determination of payments to contractors based on a range of considerations, including affordability and value for money
It is my intention to consult with contractor representatives on a new multi-annual approach to fees, including a phased exit pathway from FEMPI, in return for service improvement and contractual reform and in line with Government priorities for the health service.
360. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27634/18]
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 since 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.
