Written Answers Nos. 1341-1359
1341. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health the reason an application on behalf of a child (details supplied) for a paediatric bed has been declined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32460/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
1342. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if adequate funding will be provided for care homes in County Kilkenny that to date have been under-funded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32464/18]
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.
1343. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that employees at a centre (details supplied) in County Kilkenny who reach retirement age and want to continue working are being offered a salary based on the first point of the salary scale; his view on whether this is appropriate; if this is the practice in all section 38 and section 39 organisations; his views on whether such a practice has the potential to have a bias towards pay levels in the sector relative to experience and qualifications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32465/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond to you directly on this matter.
1344. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the hospitals that treat stroke patients who do not have access to CT angiography; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32474/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
1345. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health when the stakeholder forum on the built environment will be convened; the stakeholders and range of same that will be invited to attend and make a presentation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32476/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraActions in both the Obesity Policy and Action Plan, and the National Physical Activity Plan, commit to developing guidelines and support materials for those working in developing the built environment for urban development and planning, in relation to reducing the obesogenic environment and to promote the importance of physical activity.
These actions are being progressed under the two policy areas under the auspices of the cross-sectoral groups established to oversee implementation.
A key early action agreed to progress this area of work, and to also further enhance stakeholder engagement and collaboration, is the holding of a stakeholder forum on the built environment in 2018.
Planning for the Forum, which is intended to take place in November, is at an advanced stage, and a number of individuals have been approached with regard to giving presentations. A wide range of stakeholders will be invited to the Forum, comprising key representatives from health, sport, planning, environment, local government and others.
It is expected that full details of the Forum will be agreed and available in September.
1346. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the clinics and services offered from the premises of a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32494/18]
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.
1347. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the number of requests for medical files that have been submitted; the number by persons and legal teams; the number that have been issued in this regard; the number still being processed; the number that have been denied; the reason for them being denied access; and the waiting time for a file. [32508/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI 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. A significant team has been put in place in CervicalCheck to deal with requests for records and the HSE has confirmed that the majority of requests have been delivered inside the required timeframes to date with a small number of exceptions. The HSE has advised that as of 13 July:
- 126 legal requests have been received, of which 71 have been processed;
- 189 FOI or data access requests have been made and 168 of these have been responded to.
The HSE has advised that a protocol for providing women with access to their physical smears is now in place, aimed at preserving the integrity of the smears for women who may wish to take legal action. Information in relation to the protocol is now being issued to women with their records, to facilitate them in receiving smears should they wish to do so. The HSE advises that solicitors are now using this protocol to access smears when required.
1348. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health his plans to implement one point of contact for the women and families affected by CervicalCheck; the number of medical cards that have been provided to the women affected and their dependants; the number of families who have been offered counselling; and the number who have been offered support in addition to the services available from the public health system. [32509/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn the 11th of May, I announced the establishment of a primary and social care support package for women and families affected by the CervicalCheck issues. 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 childminding, where appropriate.
A team of specially designated Liaison Officers has been appointed to work with individuals and put in place the required supports. I am advised by the HSE that, as of 13 July, Liaison Officers have held 210 face-to-face meetings with women and families to discuss their needs. This includes 158 initial meetings and 42 follow-up meetings.
As of 11 July, the HSE had issued 557 new medical cards to women and family members or next-of-kin where the woman has, sadly, died. This includes the amendments that have been made to the terms of existing medical cards or G.P visit cards in 87 cases to recategorise these as medical cards under the terms of the CervicalCheck support package.
Some 58 individuals have so far availed of counselling through either the Primary Care Counselling Service or private counselling for which they will be reimbursed. None of the affected women or family members are currently waiting for counselling services, although some have expressed an interest in utilising counselling services at a later date and will be accommodated accordingly.
A range of other health supports are being provided including in response to requests for physiotherapy, occupational therapy, dental, ophthalmic and nursing services among others, while arrangements are also in place to reimburse women and families for costs such as travel and childcare. This is very much a client-driven process and requests for supports will differ from individual to individual.
It is important to note that every individual’s circumstances will be unique to them and thus the HSE has taken care to respect the wishes of the women and their families regarding the timing of contacts and subsequent meetings. Where meetings have not yet been held, this reflects the wishes of the individuals concerned either to meet at a future date that suits them or, in some instances not to take up the offer of support.
1349. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that in most countries that have personalised budget services for persons with disabilities there is no lower age limit; his plans to include persons under 18 years of age in the pilot scheme or demonstration project here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32512/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, I recently published the report of the Task Force on Personalised Budgets. I have considered the findings of the report and I am satisfied that the preferred option is to test the use of personalised budgets for adults with disabilities, in the first instance, as recommended by the Task Force.
1350. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 414 of 27 March 2018, the number of sites without seven-over-seven mental health supports; the locations of same; the number of staff recruited to provide seven-over-seven mental health supports since 11 January 2018; the timeline for the provision of seven-over-seven mental health supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32513/18]
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.
1351. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) who is seeking extra home help hours at weekends is likely to receive them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32514/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs these are service matters I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1352. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will receive an appointment for a medical assessment at University Hospital Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32515/18]
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.
1353. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); the timeframe for pre-assessment; the person's position on the waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32516/18]
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.
1354. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the expenditure incurred by his Department in respect of legal fees in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32528/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's expenditure on legal fees for the past three years is as follows:
|
Date |
Amount |
|
2015 |
€22,708 |
|
2016 |
€138,261 |
|
2017 |
€380,248 |
1355. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of nurses on the HSE panels seeking work in mental health or CAMH services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32546/18]
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.
1356. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of consultant psychiatrist posts that are vacant; the type of each vacancy and location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32547/18]
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.
1357. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the grants available for voluntary groups that wish to purchase and install automated external defibrillators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32548/18]
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.
1358. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of CAMHS psychiatrist posts that have been approved; the number of posts vacant; the location of each; the number filled by agency staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32549/18]
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.
1359. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the percentage of CAMHS whole-time equivalent posts filled in contrast to the number set out in A Vision for Change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32550/18]
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.
