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Tuesday, 22 Jan 2019

Written Answers Nos. 329-348

Hospital Overcrowding

Ceisteanna (329)

Lisa Chambers

Ceist:

329. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the number of persons recorded on trolleys at Mayo University Hospital for each month of 2016, 2017 and 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2415/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I acknowledge the distress overcrowded EDs cause to patients, their families, and frontline staff working in very challenging working conditions in hospitals throughout the country. Hospitals are increasingly operating at or above capacity, with year-round demand pressures that are further challenged over the winter months.

We are in a very busy period for our health services, with many sites reporting significant numbers of patient attendances. Hospitals are also reporting a significant increase in the numbers of patients presenting with respiratory and flu-like illness.

Key actions are underway as part of the Winter Plan to support hospitals during this period of peak demand. These include the opening of additional beds, the use of private hospital capacity, frailty intervention teams in EDs, additional homecare packages and transitional care beds, and additional diagnostics in hospitals and for GPs.

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

Hospitals Data

Ceisteanna (330)

Lisa Chambers

Ceist:

330. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in attendance at Mayo University Hospital emergency department in each of the years 2014 to 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2416/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I acknowledge the distress overcrowded EDs cause to patients, their families, and frontline staff working in very challenging working conditions in hospitals throughout the country. Hospitals are increasingly operating at or above capacity, with year-round demand pressures that are further challenged over the winter months.

We are in a very busy period for our health services, with many sites reporting significant numbers of patient attendances. Hospitals are also reporting a significant increase in the numbers of patients presenting with respiratory and flu-like illness.

Key actions are underway as part of the Winter Plan to support hospitals during this period of peak demand. These include the opening of additional beds, the use of private hospital capacity, frailty intervention teams in EDs, additional homecare packages and transitional care beds, and additional diagnostics in hospitals and for GPs. 

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 Facilities

Ceisteanna (331, 338)

Lisa Chambers

Ceist:

331. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the status of the promised modular unit at Mayo University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2417/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Lisa Chambers

Ceist:

338. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health his plans for Mayo University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2424/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 331 and 338 together.

As Minister for Health, I recognise that hospitals are increasingly operating at or above capacity, with year-round demand pressures that are further challenged over the winter months. It is against this background that the Health Service Capacity Review 2018 recommended an increase in acute hospitals beds of over 2,600 by 2031 to support the projected increase in demand for services in the years ahead.

Increasing capacity is a priority for the Government in line with the recommendations of the Health Service Capacity Review. In this context, an additional 240 beds have been opened over the past 12 months and the HSE's National Service Plan provides for a comprehensive capacity programme for 2019. The main elements of the programme are:

- the opening of 78 new beds by the end of the first quarter of 2019;

- the opening of an additional 75 acute beds and 70 community beds during 2019, as part of the Winter Plan;

- preparation of 202 beds this year, to be operational in the first quarter of 2020, including beds in Mayo University Hospital.

The HSE is currently also developing its Capital Plan for 2019. The requirements of Mayo University Hospital and other health capital projects at various stages of development are being considered as part of this process.

Hospital Appointments Administration

Ceisteanna (332)

Lisa Chambers

Ceist:

332. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the number of elective surgery cancellations at Mayo University Hospital and Galway University Hospital, respectively in 2018; the reason for the cancellations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2418/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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 Waiting Lists Data

Ceisteanna (333)

Lisa Chambers

Ceist:

333. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the wait time for outpatient appointments at Mayo University Hospital and Galway University Hospital, respectively, as of January 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2419/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Improving access to hospital treatment is a key priority for government.

Budget 2019 announced a funding increase from €55 million to €75 million to the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to provide treatment for patients.  

My Department is working closely with the NTPF and the HSE to finalise a Scheduled Care Access Plan for inpatients/day case and outpatients for 2019. In this regard, the NTPF and the HSE will continue to work closely with Hospital Groups, inviting proposals to improve access for patients waiting for either Inpatient/Daycase or Outpatient procedures.

Waiting list figures are published by the NTPF on their website www.ntpf.ie.

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the attached document and shows waiting list figures for December 2018 published by the NTPF.  There are 39,353 patients on the Galway University Hospital Outpatient waiting list.  Of these, just over 62% (24,570) are waiting 9 months or less.  There are 8,656 patients on the Mayo University Hospital outpatient waiting list.  Of these, 54% (4,669) are waiting 9 months or less.

Hospital name

Mayo General Hospital

Specialty

(All)

WL Status

(All)

Column Labels

0-3Months

3-6Months

6-9Months

9-12Months

12-15Months

15-18Months

2680

1022

967

671

489

419

table contd.

18-21Months

21-24Months

24-36Months

36-48Months

48+Months

Grand Total

348

364

1016

536

144

8656

Hospital name

Galway University Hospital

Specialty

(All)

WL Status

(All)

Column Labels

0-3Months

3-6Months

6-9Months

9-12Months

12-15Months

15-18Months

12968

6827

4775

3364

2872

2198

table contd.

18-21Months

21-24Months

24-36Months

36-48Months

48+Months

Grand Total

1902

1312

2611

453

71

39353

Hospital Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (334)

Lisa Chambers

Ceist:

334. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the number of persons under 18 years of age waiting for an inpatient or an outpatient appointment at Mayo University Hospital and Galway University Hospital, respectively, in each of the years 2014 to 2018 and to date in 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2420/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Improving access to hospital treatment is a key priority for government. Budget 2019 announced a funding increase from €55 million to €75 million to the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to provide treatment for patients.  

My Department is working closely with the NTPF and the HSE to finalise a Scheduled Care Access Plan for inpatients/day case and outpatients for 2019. In this regard, the NTPF and the HSE will continue to work closely with Hospital Groups, inviting proposals to improve access for patients waiting for either Inpatient/Daycase or Outpatient procedures.

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the tables.

Hospital name

Mayo General Hospital

Specialty

(All)

WL Status

(All)

Column Labels

0-3Months

3-6Months

6-9Months

9-12Months

12-15Months

15-18Months

2680

1022

967

671

489

419

table contd.

18-21Months

21-24Months

24-36Months

36-48Months

48+Months

Grand Total

348

364

1016

536

144

8656

Hospital name

Galway University Hospital

Specialty

(All)

WL Status

(All)

Column Labels

0-3Months

3-6Months

6-9Months

9-12Months

12-15Months

15-18Months

12968

6827

4775

3364

2872

2198

table contd.

18-21Months

21-24Months

24-36Months

36-48Months

48+Months

Grand Total

1902

1312

2611

453

71

39353

Psychological Services Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (335)

Lisa Chambers

Ceist:

335. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting for a child psychologist appointment in County Mayo; the wait time for this appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2421/19]

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.

Primary Care Services Provision

Ceisteanna (336)

Lisa Chambers

Ceist:

336. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the number of persons refused a primary care certificate in County Mayo in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2422/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Hospital Staff Data

Ceisteanna (337)

Lisa Chambers

Ceist:

337. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the number of job vacancies at Mayo University Hospital by department and job title; the length of time these positions have been vacant in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2423/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

Question No. 338 answered with Question No. 331.

Mental Health Services Provision

Ceisteanna (339)

James Browne

Ceist:

339. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health if the delivery of the national forensic mental health service will be delayed in view of the significant increase in costs of the national children’s hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2426/19]

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

Cancer Screening Programmes

Ceisteanna (340, 341, 344, 345, 346, 347)

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

340. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the details of the State’s financial liabilities arising out of compensation in relation to the CervicalCheck controversy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2427/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

341. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health if a compensation tribunal will be established immediately in order that women terminally ill with cervical cancer can have their claims processed as quickly as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2428/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

344. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) has commenced preparatory work on the establishment of the CervicalCheck tribunal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2431/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

345. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health when the legislation to establish the CervicalCheck tribunal will be published; when the tribunal will be operational in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2432/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

346. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health if working premises have been secured for the proposed CervicalCheck tribunal; the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2433/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

347. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the terms of reference for the independent statutory tribunal to deal with claims arising from the CervicalCheck controversy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2434/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 340, 341 and 344 to 347, inclusive, together.

On 18 December 2018, the Government agreed to establish an independent statutory tribunal, chaired by Ms Justice Mary Irvine, to deal with claims arising from CervicalCheck. The Tribunal will be established based on the recommendations set out by Mr Justice Charles Meenan in his recent report on an alternative system for dealing with cases arising from CervicalCheck.

The establishment of the Tribunal is an urgent priority for the Government and my Department is currently preparing the necessary legislative proposals to expedite this.

Cancer Screening Programmes

Ceisteanna (342)

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

342. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health if women who find their cervical smear tests were misread and have now been diagnosed with cancer can avail of the care package being provided to the 221 women whose smears were audited by CervicalCheck; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2429/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In response to the particular circumstances arising from the non-disclosure of the results of clinical audit, the Government decided on 11 May 2018  to put in place a comprehensive package of support measures for women (and their families) who have been identified as having been diagnosed with cervical cancer since 2008, for whom cytology review recommendations following clinical audit differed from the original test, and for any other women so identified by the clinical review to be undertaken by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG).

The provision of supports to women and families is continuing, and the HSE reports that the number of supports being provided continues to increase on a weekly basis in response to requests.   Arrangements are in place to reimburse, on receipt of claims, a range of costs that the women and their families may incur, including travel costs, childcare costs and medical appointment costs among others. In addition, measures have been put in place to ensure that retrospective costs are reimbursed, while an automatic review system is in place to simplify and streamline the claims process to ensure prompt payment of all items covered by the Government decision.  To date, just over €1.18m has been reimbursed in respect of various health and social care costs, almost €910,000 of which relates to retrospective payments.  In addition, some 693 medical cards have been issued as part of the supports package, while women are also being supported in accessing certain drugs, the costs of which are also being met by the HSE.

Cancer Screening Programmes

Ceisteanna (343)

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

343. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the waiting time for cervical smear test results; the number of women waiting for a repeat smear test following his commitment to provide same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2430/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In May 2018, I asked CervicalCheck to make the necessary arrangements to provide that any woman who had had a CervicalCheck smear test, and whose GP considered that they should have a further test, to access such a further test without charge. This decision was made in good faith to address the considerable fears of the many anxious women in Ireland as a result of significant media coverage of the issues that emerged in late April.  

In the months since then, there has been a significant increase in the volume of women presenting for smear tests. This includes women who have availed of the out of cycle tests, but also a greater number of women presenting for scheduled screening.  

This increased level of engagement with the programme is very welcome. However, the increased demand has undoubtedly put immense pressure on lab capacity and the HSE has advised that, currently, results of smear tests may take up to 22 weeks from the time of the test. Although many results are returned in less time, some may take longer. 

The HSE has been working actively with the labs to manage this issue and to improve turnaround times for smear tests. The HSE reports that laboratories have agreed to undertake additional recruitment, provide for overtime and manage annual leave in an effort to minimise the backlog. In addition, the HSE is aiming to source additional screening capacity, which would improve the turnaround time of results. However, sourcing capacity and resources is a global challenge as countries start to move to primary HPV screening, which vastly reduces the requirement for cytology screening staff. 

The HSE is currently developing a capacity plan to take account of available capacity and expected demand, with the aim of bringing the programme into stabilisation this year.  This is a priority concern for my Department and the HSE. 

In relation to the number of women awaiting the results of a repeat smear test,  I have asked the HSE to provide this information directly to the Deputy.

Questions Nos. 344 to 347, inclusive, answered with Question No. 340.
Question No. 348 answered with Question No. 299.
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