Written Answers Nos. 144-153
144. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if the professional indemnity insurance providers of the quantity surveyors and design engineers associated with the national children’s hospital will be contributing toward recouping some of the escalating costs of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3582/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am already on record as stating that the increased cost is a matter of great concern and I have made it clear that Phase B of the construction project must be delivered within budget and timescale. The National Paediatric Hospital Development Board will be required to provide on-going assurance to the HSE, Department of Health and Government that Phase B of the project is being delivered within budget and timescale.
An independent review of the escalation in cost in determining the adjusted contract sum, the contributory factors and associated responsibilities so that any potential weaknesses are identified and comprehensively and speedily resolved in the interests of the successful completion of the project and the effective management of public funds commenced this week. The review is expected to take place over an 8-week period with the report to be completed in March. The Department, the HSE and the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board are fully committed to collaborating with these reviews and to implementing any recommendations arising.
145. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health the reason the medical card section requested self-employment details from persons (details supplied); if the matter will be investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3432/19]
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.
146. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of bed days lost through delayed discharges in 2018 for each public voluntary hospital in tabular form. [3433/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnsuring that patients who are clinically fit to leave hospital but require supports such as a home care package, transitional care, or a nursing home bed without delay is a priority this winter.
A major strength of the Winter Plan is the integrated nature of the plan and the involvement and ownership of management and staff in local hospitals and community health organisations in both the development and roll-out of the plan in the months ahead. A key component of the Winter Plan is the provision of an additional 550 home care packages over the winter period to help patients return home from hospital with the supports they need.
In relation to the Deputy's specific question, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly with the data requested.
147. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of beds and wards in all public and voluntary acute hospitals that were closed on 17 January 2019 or the latest date for which data for validated bed closures at hospital and ward level are available in tabular form. [3434/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAccording to provisional data received from the HSE Acute Business Information Unit, there were on average 10,893 inpatient beds and 2,218 day case beds available nationally between January and December 2018.
Information relating to closed beds is collated at a particular date in time. The number of beds closed can fluctuate greatly from day to day for a variety of reasons, including on-going refurbishment, maintenance work, and infection control measures.
In relation to the particular data requested, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
148. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the percentage of clinical status 1 ECHO incidents responded to by a first responder in seven minutes and 59 seconds or less; and the percentage of clinical status 1 DELTA incidents responded to by a patient carrying vehicle in seven minutes and 59 seconds or less for each ambulance station by month in the year to the end of December 2018 or the latest date available in tabular form. [3435/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
149. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of patients aged 75 years of age or over that experienced an emergency department wait time more than 24 hours in 2018; and the hospitals in which the wait occurred. [3436/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to acknowledge the distress overcrowded Emergency Departments (EDs) cause to patients, their families and frontline staff working in very challenging working conditions in hospitals throughout the country.
The hospital system is currently operating at close to full capacity. The number of patients attending Emergency Departments continues to increase year on year, with approximately 1.3 million attendances in 2018, up 3.5% on 2017. This reflects increasing demand for unscheduled care, especially by patients in the 75 years and over age group. Patients in this age group are the highest users of most health and social care services, have more complex needs and longer stays in our acute hospitals.
However, the National Service Plan 2018 includes an expected activity target that 100% of patients aged 75 and over are discharged or admitted within 24 hours of registration. Therefore, any breach of this target in respect of patients in this age cohort is unacceptable.
With regard to the specific question the Deputy has asked, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly.
150. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of home support hours being provided in each LHO area. [3437/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra151. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the waiting list for home support hours in each LHO area; and the number waiting for time periods (details supplied) in tabular form. [3438/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 150 and 151 together.
As these are service matters I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
152. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of ambulance attendances at each emergency departments nationwide in December 2018; the number of such ambulances that waited longer than 20 minutes to hand over patients, get their trolleys back and return to responding to calls; and the number that waited longer than 40, 60, 90, 120 and more than 180 minutes for same, respectively in tabular form. [3439/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
153. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of spinal fusion patients currently waiting less than four months for treatment; the number waiting four to eight months; the number waiting more than eight months; and if similar information will be provided for other spinal patients for Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin and Temple Street Children’s University Hospital, respectively in tabular form. [3440/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe long-term strategy to develop sustainable scoliosis services from 2018 and into 2019 has been prioritised by my Department and the HSE.
In 2018 CHG delivered 418 scoliosis procedures. This represents an increase in activity of 12% against 2017 (371 procedures) and an increase in activity of 87% compared to 2016 when 224 procedures were carried out.
In terms of the numbers waiting for procedures, there was a reduction of 27% in the numbers waiting for a scoliosis procedure as of the end of December 2018 when 176 patients were waiting compared to the same period in 2017, when 224 patients were awaiting treatment.
In relation to the number of patients waiting by specific time-band as requested by the Deputy, as this is a service matter I have asked the HSE to respond the Deputy directly.
