Written Answers Nos. 386-405
386. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the travel and accommodation expenses incurred to date in 2018 regarding the provision of CAMHS appointments by staff employed in another CHO in each CHO area, in tabular form. [47844/18]
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.
387. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the reason section 39 funding was denied to a facility (details supplied); the reason it was only informed of this in October 2018 when decisions were to be made available in March; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47849/18]
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.
388. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of a graveyard on a site (details supplied); the provisions being made for the graveyard; if it will be part of the sale in process; if these grounds will be preserved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47862/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the health care property estate, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you in relation to this matter.
389. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for a person (details supplied) will be scheduled. [47868/18]
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.
390. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the average waiting times for a spinal consultation; and his views on the fact that a number of patients awaiting such an appointment are now waiting far in excess of the expected 68 weeks. [47869/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the matter raised, I have asked the HSE to provide the data requested, and respond directly to the Deputy.
391. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health if a home support package will be allocated to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47870/18]
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.
392. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health when the 2019 HSE service plan will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47872/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs provided for under legislation, Health Act 2004 as amended, my Department must write to the Health Service Executive to notify it of its allocation for 2019 not later than 21 days after the publication by the Government of the Estimates for Public Services. The legislation further provides that, on receipt of the letter of determination, the executive has 21 days to prepare and submit its service plan for 2019 for my approval. The Health Act allows me to extend the period provided to the HSE to prepare, adopt and submit its Service Plan, NSP, if required. The letter of determination issued from my Department on 17 October, 2018 and the HSE are currently in the process of preparing the 2019 National Service Plan. A request to extend the submission date for submission of the NSP to my Department to 30 November has been received from the HSE which I have approved.
Following the submission of the draft National Service Plan, the legislation provides 21 days for me to examine the proposed plan and where necessary to seek amendment to, or approve, the plan. The National Service Plan must be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas within 21 days of its approval. Once the Service Plan is laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas the HSE will ensure it is published at the earliest possible time.
393. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health his views on whether the non-harm measures, that is, the removal of seagulls’ nests and eggs introduced in the Balbriggan area to reduce the increasing number of seagulls, are in the interest of public health in this area in view of available information (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47887/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Protection Surveillance Centre, HPSC, is Ireland’s specialist agency for the surveillance of communicable diseases. It works in partnership with health service providers and similar organisations in Ireland and around the world, to provide the best possible information for the control and prevention of infectious diseases. The role of the HPSC includes providing timely information and independent advice, carrying out disease surveillance, epidemiological investigation and related research and training.
In 2017, the HPSC undertook an investigation to determine if gulls posed a potential infectious risk and to attempt to quantify this in the most valid manner. The main focus of the investigation was an examination of the potential for transmission from gulls to man, of infectious disease. An extensive review of relevant international literature on the evidence for transmission of infectious disease from gulls to man indicated that, although disease carriage is relatively common amongst such birds, there is very little evidence of disease transmission to humans and that wild birds play a limited role in human infectious disease.
In Public Health, health threats are prioritised using a number of parameters, namely severity of disease, potential for transmission, number of cases of illness. Available evidence, while indicating that gulls and other wild birds do carry potentially harmful pathogenic bacteria, does not indicate that they transmit these microbes to any significant extent, or in any meaningful amount, to humans despite these birds having been documented as carrying and excreting these bacteria, in close proximity to humans, for many decades.
394. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the number of persons whose elective orthopaedic procedures have been deferred consequent on the ongoing closure of one orthopaedic theatre at Merlin Park University Hospital Galway by length of time waiting and age in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47894/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra395. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the alternative arrangements in place to treat patients at Merlin Park University Hospital Galway (details supplied); the alternative hospitals to which they have been sent in order for the procedures to be carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47895/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 394 and 395 together.
Merlin Park University Hospital advises that following the deferral of elective orthopaedic procedures in 2017, the hospital facilitated the transfer of elective sessions to University Hospital Galway, UHG, on a limited basis and with the support of Merlin Park staffing and 8 orthopaedic elective beds. In addition, some minor procedures were undertaken in Hospital 1 Merlin Park. In March 2018, remedial work facilitated the opening of one theatre at Merlin park and this facility provides access to approximately 10 theatre sessions per week and 44 cases per week. Prior to the closure, the Hospital advises that there were 14 staffed sessions per week and approximately 66 cases per week.
Merlin Park University Hospital further advises that they have not referred patients to other hospitals during the closure as they were able to transfer patients to UHG for a limited period and are now using the one operational theatre. Further, when the leak occurred in September 2017 there were 95 patients with dates for surgery whose surgeries were subsequently deferred and then listed in accordance with the availability of elective theatre sessions in UHG. The impact of the closures has been that approximately one third fewer elective operating cases have taken place year on year, with 3,466 cases undertaken from September 2016-2017, and 2,377 cases undertaken from September 2017-2018.
Merlin Park University Hospital advise that they are working towards restoring the full elective orthopaedic service as quickly as possible. The Hospital has also gone to tender for a modular theatre facility which would provide 2 replacement theatres and facilitate 20 sessions per week.
396. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health the position of a person (details supplied) on the waiting list to see a clinical psychologist at the Cherry Orchard CAMHS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47896/18]
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.
397. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a substantial number of staff members and or patients at Galway University Hospital have contracted latent tuberculosis following the admission, treatment and care of a person with active tuberculosis earlier in 2018; his views on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47912/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra399. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the care packages in place for staff members that have contracted latent tuberculosis following the admission, treatment and care of a patient to Galway University Hospital with active tuberculosis earlier in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47914/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra400. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the protocol or other procedures followed in Galway University Hospital following the admission, treatment and care of a patient with active tuberculosis earlier in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47915/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra401. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the number of patients and or staff that contracted latent tuberculosis following the admission, treatment and care of a patient with active tuberculosis earlier in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47916/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 397 and 399 to 401, inclusive, together.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
398. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the policies and or protocols in relation to the admission, treatment and care of a patient with active tuberculosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47913/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraA report entitled ‘Guidelines on the Prevention and Control of Tuberculosis in Ireland 2010’ was produced by the National TB Advisory Committee in April 2010. The National TB Advisory Committee was made up of experts covering a broad range of disciplines. The report (published by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre on its website) deals with many aspects of prevention, diagnosis and control of TB in Ireland. The guidelines are intended to act as a source of expert advice on tuberculosis and were amended in 2014.
402. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment for surgery at St. James's Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47924/18]
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.
403. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a date for pain management treatment; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47926/18]
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.
404. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the measures he is taking to address concerns that diagnoses of foetal anti-convulsant syndrome are still being made due to inadequate levels of public awareness in relation to the use of valproate medicines; the number of children diagnosed with the syndrome for each of the past four years; and if he will give consideration to introducing a financial redress scheme for persons with the condition. [47930/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraA great deal of work has taken place in recent months to increase awareness of valproate medicines, following the European Medicines Agency's decision to introduce new measures to prevent exposure of babies to valproate medicines in the womb.
The Health Products Regulatory Authority has collaborated with national stakeholders, including patient representatives and healthcare professionals, to implement the EMA’s new risk minimisation measures in Ireland. These measures have included changes to the product information for patients and healthcare professionals; a visual warning on the packaging of valproate medicines; updated educational materials to reflect the new measures and provide age-appropriate advice; and a patient alert card to be attached to the packaging so that pharmacists can go through it with the patient when valproate is dispensed.
The pharmacy regulator, the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland, has directed pharmacists that they must inform women of child-bearing age of the potential risk of abnormal pregnancy outcomes when supplying medicines containing valproate. This includes providing counselling and including a Package Leaflet and patient alert card with each supply of these medicines.
Meanwhile, as part of its Valproate Response Project, the HSE has written to all prescribers and pharmacists in relation to the new EMA measures and guidelines; issued letters to almost 2,700 patients who were dispensed valproate within the last six months; and developed an online resource, supported by social media activity, to provide information to patients regarding valproate and the recommendations for its use.
With regard to financial redress, I am giving this further consideration, as recommended by the joint committee.
As the Deputy's question regarding the number of diagnoses relates to a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
405. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the number and the length of time persons are awaiting a DEXA scan in University Hospital Galway in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47957/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
