Tuesday, 24 Jul 2018

Written Answers Nos. 1320-1340

Medical Aids and Appliances Provision

Ceisteanna (1320)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

1320. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a wheelchair for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32421/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.

Treatment Abroad Scheme

Ceisteanna (1321, 1322)

Mary Butler

Ceist:

1321. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be granted a reimbursement payment for hospital treatment undertaken recently under the cross-border initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32423/18]

Mary Butler

Ceist:

1322. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health his plans to make provision to expedite the process for persons that apply for reimbursement through the treatment abroad scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32424/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1321 and 1322 together.

As these are service matters I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (1323)

Mary Butler

Ceist:

1323. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment at the ear, nose and throat, ENT, department at University Hospital Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32425/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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 inpatient, 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.

Hospital Services

Ceisteanna (1324)

Mary Butler

Ceist:

1324. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health if there are consultants who specialise in non-elasticity posterior tongue tie surgery for children under five years of age in a public setting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32426/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Services for People with Disabilities

Ceisteanna (1325)

Mary Butler

Ceist:

1325. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will be provided with full-time residential care to meet their needs; when they will be provided with full-time residential care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32427/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The 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 an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

Health Services Provision

Ceisteanna (1326)

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

1326. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32429/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.

Services for People with Disabilities

Ceisteanna (1327)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

1327. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32439/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The 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

Services for People with Disabilities

Ceisteanna (1328)

Pat Casey

Ceist:

1328. Deputy Pat Casey asked the Minister for Health the status of the implementation of the complex care plan in relation to a person (details supplied) using services; the way in which the family can be assured that the care services agreed for the person can be implemented in full in view of the serious issues raised in various reports, the ongoing monitoring and improvement of these services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32440/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The 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 a service issue, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (1329)

Pat Deering

Ceist:

1329. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health the length of time a person (details supplied) will have to wait to be seen by a consultant; and the length of time they must be on the waiting list before other options become available to them. [32441/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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 inpatient, 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.

Mental Health Services Data

Ceisteanna (1330)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

1330. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of persons under 18 years of age who were admitted to adult psychiatric services in County Limerick and the mid west in each of the past five years and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32443/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Mental Health Services

Ceisteanna (1331)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Ceist:

1331. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if a centre (details supplied) in County Roscommon will remain open and be enhanced to suit the HSE requirement and serve the area. [32449/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Rosalie Unit, part of Aras Naomh Chaolain, is located in Castlerea, Co. Roscommon. It is a continuing care facility for 12 Psychiatry of Later Life residents. The Unit has been closed to new admissions since September 2016. The issue of continuing to best meet the needs of the residents in an appropriate and safe environment and the future use of the Unit have been the subject of recent meetings by me with Oireachtas and local representatives and the HSE.

In order to ensure that the best interests of the residents are accommodated the HSE recently completed a Clinical Assessment of each resident, including engagement with families. Following completion of the Clinical Assessment process, the HSE asked the College of Psychiatrists to independently review the process and the outcome. This should be completed within a short time.

No decision has yet been taken by the HSE on the future of this Unit. The Chief Officer of Community Health Organisation 2 has confirmed in writing that it is the intention of the HSE that this continue as a healthcare facility. The nature of this, whether continued use in its present form or some other use, will be informed by an assessment of the needs of the area. In this context, I have asked the HSE to bring forward discussions on the long-term use of the Unit. I have invited all public representatives to a meeting on 29 August next to begin discussions on options for its future use. 

I will continue to keep this matter under close review and to liaise as appropriate with all the stakeholders involved.

Health Services Provision

Ceisteanna (1332)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Ceist:

1332. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if a centre (details supplied) in County Roscommon will remain open and be enhanced to suit the HSE requirement and serve the area. [32450/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Hospital Services

Ceisteanna (1333, 1335)

Mary Butler

Ceist:

1333. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health his plans to deploy a modular catheterisation laboratory at University Hospital Waterford; the timeframe envisaged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32451/18]

Mary Butler

Ceist:

1335. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health the expected costs associated with providing a modular catheterisation laboratory at University Hospital Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32453/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1333 and 1335 together.

I have requested the HSE to proceed with next steps on the provision of a modular cath lab at UHW. I understand that the timeframe for the development of modular builds, as outlined by the HSE, must include tendering, project design work, planning, construction and commissioning, such that the project will take until next year to deliver. I have asked the HSE to revert to my Department with proposed timescales and costings as soon as possible to allow for consideration in the context of the 2019 Estimates and capital planning processes. 

Hospital Services

Ceisteanna (1334)

Mary Butler

Ceist:

1334. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health the status of the National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services here; when the review will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32452/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The National Review of Specialised Cardiac Services is ongoing and it is expected that the work will be completed by the end of June 2019. The aim of the National Review of Specialised Cardiac Services is to achieve optimal patient outcomes at population level with particular emphasis on the safety, quality and sustainability of the services that patients receive by establishing the need for an optimal configuration of a national adult cardiac service. As set out in the National Development Plan 2018-2027, investment in cardiac catheterisation laboratories and other cardiac services infrastructure nationally will be informed by the outcome of the National Review.

Question No. 1335 answered with Question No. 1333.

Hospital Waiting Lists Data

Ceisteanna (1336)

Mary Butler

Ceist:

1336. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for interventional cardiology procedures from January to June 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32454/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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 Inpatient/Day Case Action Plan outlines the combined impact of Health Service Executive (HSE) and NTPF activity in 2018.

Under the Plan, the HSE will deliver 1.14 million hospital procedures. The NTPF will deliver additionality to the health system with the provision of 22,000 Inpatient Day Case treatments through both outsourcing and HSE insourcing.

 The information on interventional cardiology procedures requested by the Deputy, is contained in the following table.

Waiting list for interventional cardiology procedures from January to June 2018

Date	Amount
31/01/2018	587
28/02/2018	594
29/03/2018	604
26/04/2018	593
31/05/2018	596
28/06/2018	694
Total	3668

Hospital Staff Data

Ceisteanna (1337, 1338, 1339, 1340)

Mary Butler

Ceist:

1337. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health the number of whole-time equivalent consultant cardiologists approved for funding from the HSE for University Hospital Waterford, UHW, for 2018. [32455/18]

Mary Butler

Ceist:

1338. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health the number of whole-time equivalent consultant cardiologists employed or under contract at University Hospital Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32456/18]

Mary Butler

Ceist:

1339. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health the number of whole-time equivalent consultant orthopaedic surgeons approved for funding from the HSE for University Hospital Waterford, UHW, for 2018. [32457/18]

Mary Butler

Ceist:

1340. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health the number of whole-time equivalent consultant orthopaedic surgeons employed or under contract at University Hospital Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32458/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1337 to 1340, inclusive, together.

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.