Written Answers Nos. 509-524
509. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the provision of funding for additional paediatric rheumatology consultant posts in order to alleviate waiting lists for children suffering from juvenile arthritis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32294/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraImproving waiting times for hospital procedures and outpatient appointments is a key commitment in the Programme for Government.
In Budget 2018, CHG was allocated an additional €9million for paediatric orthopaedics, including scoliosis services, to further reduce waiting times for paediatric orthopaedic services and support the development of a sustainable paediatric orthopaedic service.
This funding is allocated across four hospitals, Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin, Temple Street Children’s University Hospital, Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospital and the Mater Misericordiae Hospital.
The Children's Hospital Group (CHG) advise that there are currently 2 Consultation Paediatric Rheumatologist posts at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin (OLCHC) that make up 1.7 WTE. There is also 1 General Paediatrician with a special interest in rheumatology with 19.5 hours at Temple Street Children’s University Hospital (TSCUH) and part of their remit is to develop a rheumatology service.
Funding was also secured in late 2017 for two new Advanced Nursing Practitioner (ANP) posts as part of the National Demonstrator Pilot for ANP’s led by the Department of Health.
510. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to address the concerns of representative bodies (details supplied) regarding the new standard operating procedure for assessments of need following a recent presentation before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32295/18]
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
511. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if proposed changes being planned for home care services in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal due to new rostering arrangements will be reconsidered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32297/18]
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.
512. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the reason he has not engaged with an organisation (details supplied) in view of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health recommendation on 16 June 2018 that such an engagement should take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32313/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis question relates to the transposition of the medical provisions of the Basic Safety Standards Directive (BSSD) by my Department and the designation of referrers and practitioners in the transposing regulations.
I am currently examining the matter, including recent correspondence from the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health.
513. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which a home care package remains available in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32352/18]
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.
514. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can access knee surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32353/18]
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.
515. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if a diagnosis has been arrived at in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32357/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly as soon as possible
516. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32360/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
517. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health his plans to upgrade Monaghan hospital and reintroduce its accident and emergency department; if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of the public due to the lack of the service and the delays in ambulance response times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32367/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
518. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if ambulances, emergency medical technicians, EMTs, and paramedics will be increased each year to improve response times with regard to the commitment in A Programme for a Partnership Government; the increase in each to date in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and the way in which response times have improved in the counties. [32368/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue, I have asked for the HSE to reply to you directly.
519. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the arrangements that have been made to provide a mediated settlement in view of the Taoiseach's commitment that women affected by the CervicalCheck issue would not be required to take legal cases; the number of women or families that have availed of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32372/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe State Claims Agency (SCA), in collaboration with the relevant laboratories in the individual cases, is committed to resolving cases in line with the principles outlined by the Government, expediting resolution of the cases in a sensitive manner, utilising mediation wherever possible and placing a high priority on treating the people who have made the claims, and their families, with dignity and compassion.
Subject to the express wishes of any particular claimant to choose otherwise, the SCA is committed to ensuring that the cases are resolved through mediation rather than through the Courts. In that regard, the SCA will offer mediation in all of the cases. To the beginning of July mediation had been offered in four cases where the cases were being case-managed by the High Court. In one of the cases where mediation was offered, the claimant declined mediation and a settlement of that case was arrived at by means of lawyer to lawyer negotiations.
521. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of women affected by the CervicalCheck issue that have requested the release of their files; the number that have had their files released to them; the reason for the delay in providing this information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32374/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE has confirmed that requests are being processed within the required timeframes, other than in a small number of cases where particular issues have arisen. The HSE has advised that, as of 6 July, 118 legal requests had been received for access to files, and that 61 had been responded to. In addition, 164 data access or Freedom of Information requests had been made and 61 responded to.
I expect that all patient information, including documents, files and audits related to patients, will be made available to patients or their representatives without delay, and that the provision of information will be streamlined to the fullest extent possible to avoid unnecessary bureaucracy.
522. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of whole-time equivalent occupational therapists employed in primary care occupational therapy in County Louth; and the locations in which they treat patients. [32375/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
523. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health the reason home care packages for the terminally ill are no longer funded separately and are being included in the funding for all home care packages; the number of hours allocated to each home care package in area 7; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32376/18]
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.
524. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the widespread dealing of cocaine in the Dublin city area; the treatment services available; the location of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32397/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe national drugs strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery, seeks to minimise the harms caused by the use and misuse of substances and to promote rehabilitation and recovery. The latest drug prevalence data indicate just 1.5 per cent of adults used cocaine in the previous year, with less than half of one percent of adults using the drug in the last month.
In 2016, there were in the region of 1,135 treatment cases where cocaine was the main problem drug reported. I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy on the availability and location of treatment services for people who suffer from cocaine addiction.
The national drugs strategy also seeks to reduce access to drugs for harmful use. Protecting the public from dangerous substances is a core objective of the drug control framework. Addressing the harmful aspects of drugs, such as drug-dealing, requires a collaborative effort across a range of agencies.
Cocaine is on the list of drugs that are controlled by law. A person found in possession of cocaine is guilty of an offence.
My colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality is responsible for monitoring the supply of cocaine. The latest published data are for 2016, when there were 364 seizures of cocaine by the Gardaí and Revenue Customs, involving 91 kilos of cocaine and a street value of over €6 million.
I am committed to implementing the national drugs strategy and to provide the necessary resources for prevention and rehabilitation.
