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Thursday, 25 Oct 2018

Written Answers Nos. 257-269

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Data

Ceisteanna (257)

James Browne

Ceist:

257. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of additional staff appointed to the CAMHS service in each CHO to date in 2018; and the net increase in staff numbers resulting from such recruitment in each CHO to date in 2018, in tabular form. [44429/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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 Data

Ceisteanna (258)

James Browne

Ceist:

258. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in each CHO waiting for a psychology appointment in primary care; and the number waiting 0 to 12, 12 to 26, 26 to 52 and more than 52 weeks, respectively. [44430/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.

Home Care Packages Data

Ceisteanna (259, 260)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

259. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in receipt of homecare support packages in County Donegal; the number of home support hours delivered in each month in 2018 to date; the number of hours to be delivered in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44443/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

260. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the waiting list for homecare support packages in County Donegal; the number waiting to receive a package for one to three, three to six, six to nine, nine to 12, 12 to 15, 15 to 18 and longer than 18 months, respectively, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44444/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 259 and 260 together.

As these are service matters I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Patient Safety

Ceisteanna (261)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

261. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the steps he has taken to introduce legislation and policy on mandatory open disclosure, independent of the patient safety Bill and in respect of the cervical smear scandal; if he will provide a start and end date including full disclosure on the 1,800 smears yet to be audited; the breakdown of the new assessment packages being negotiated with laboratories carrying out smear slide analysis including mandatory site audits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44459/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

It is my intention to bring forward proposals in the coming weeks for Government approval to establish an Independent Patient Safety Council. The Council will have as its first task the completion of a detailed overhaul of existing policy on Open Disclosure reflecting the full range of Dr Scally’s recommendations in this regard.

The Department of Health is continuing to engage with the HSE in line with Dr Scally's recommendations; the HSE has also assured that staff are being made aware of the procedures required in relation to the undertaking of Open Disclosure. I'm advised that the HSE is also engaging with the post-graduate training bodies and other relevant bodies in relation to ensuring that its open disclosure policy is revised in line with the recommendations of the Scally Report.

The Independent Clinical Expert Panel Review which is being led by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) is examining the results of screening tests of all women who have developed cervical cancer who participated in the screening programme since it was established. This review will provide independent clinical assurance to women about the timing of their diagnosis, and any issues relating to their treatment and outcome. In light of the particular sensitivities surrounding this issue, it was decided that written, informed consent will be sought from women or the next-of-kin of women who have passed away before they are included in the review. The process of seeking consent from women for their inclusion in the review is ongoing. Almost 1,600 letters have now issued; approximately 813 consent forms are reported to have been returned up to end of last week, with 97% of women who have responded agreeing to take part in the review.

It is expected that a review of this complexity will take a number of months to complete. Upon completion, each woman involved will receive an individual report of the outcome of their review. I will be presented with an aggregate report, which I intend to publish.

In regard to the laboratories currently contracted by CervicalCheck, I understand that the Deputy's question relates to quality assurance. Dr Scally's Final Report, which was published in September, provided welcome reassurance about the laboratories currently contracted by Cervical Check. Dr Scally clearly stated that he is satisfied with the quality management processes in these labs. It is very important to say that Dr Scally confirmed that he found no reason why the existing contracts for laboratory services should not continue until the new HPV regime is introduced.  I am happy to say that Heads of Agreement have been signed with the contracted labs to extend their contracts pending the introduction of HPV testing as the primary screening test. This allows for the continuation of the service without interruption. This is subject to formal conclusion of the contract, so it would not be appropriate to give any further detail at this stage.

Hospital Services

Ceisteanna (262)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

262. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that medical treatment was delayed and a patient transfer to another hospital was required due to the lack of supply of a basic medical aid (details supplied); the supply provisions in place to restock this hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44461/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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

Hospitals Discharges

Ceisteanna (263)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

263. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will be discharged to the care of their family on completion of treatment which they have requested; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44476/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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

Hospital Admissions

Ceisteanna (264)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

264. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the reason the Royal Hospital Donnybrook has a different admissions policy for patients that are based in Dublin hospitals than that for persons located in provincial hospitals; his views on whether this is fair; if he will ensure that patients from all hospitals can equally access healthcare despite location; and if a person (details supplied) will receive treatment needed. [44480/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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

Health Services Provision

Ceisteanna (265)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

265. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health his views on the case of a person (details supplied); and if timely medical treatment will be provided. [44523/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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 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.

Departmental Budgets

Ceisteanna (266, 267, 268, 269)

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

266. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of the €473,000 capital allocation in administration, that is, Vote 38 of the budget 2019 expenditure report within his Department for 2019 by specific project; the projects that will be commenced in 2019; the projects that will be completed in 2019 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44553/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

267. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of the €14,527,000 capital allocation in grants in respect of building and equipping including information and communication technology, that is, Vote 38 of the budget 2019 expenditure report within his Department for 2019 by specific project; the projects that will be commenced in 2019; the projects that will be completed in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44554/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

268. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of the €564,461,000 capital allocation in building, equipping and furnishing of health facilities, that is, Vote 38 of the budget 2019 expenditure report within his Department for 2019 by specific project; the projects that will be commenced in 2019; the projects that will be completed in 2019 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44555/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

269. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of the €2,539,000 capital allocation in building, equipping and furnishing of health facilities part funded by the National Lottery, that is, Vote 38 of the budget 2019 expenditure report within his Department by specific project; the projects that will be commenced in 2019; the projects that will be completed in 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44556/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 266 to 269, inclusive, together.

The total capital funding for the public Health Services announced in Budget 2019 and published in the Estimates for Public Services 2019 is €667m, an increase of €174m (35%) over the capital funding provided in Budget 2018.

- €567m (€564.461m+€2.539m) is available to the Health Service Executive for building, equipping and furnishing of health facilities,

- €85m for Information Communication Technology

- €15m for my Department (€14.527m) and directly funded agencies (€0.473m) under the aegis of my Department.

A Capital Plan for 2019 will be developed by the Health Service Executive having regard to the available funding. On completion of the Capital Plan it will be submitted to my Department for consideration.

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