Tuesday, 26 Mar 2019

Written Answers Nos. 612-631

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Staff

Ceisteanna (612)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

612. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health the status of posts (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12735/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Staff

Ceisteanna (613)

Jackie Cahill

Ceist:

613. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health if the clinical psychologist service at CAMHS for south County Tipperary located on the grounds of South Tipperary General Hospital, STGH, is to be withdrawn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12741/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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

HSE Expenditure

Ceisteanna (614)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

614. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health when the HSE capital plan will be finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12748/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

My Department and the Health Service Executive are currently engaged in a process to finalise the HSE Capital Plan for 2019.

In developing its Capital Plan for 2019 and future years, the HSE must consider a range of issues, including the expenditure that is contractually committed, the HSE’s annual requirement in relation to meeting risks associated with clinical equipment, ambulances and healthcare infrastructure and the total capital exchequer funding required for the new children’s hospital.

The HSE Capital Plan will determine the projects that can progress in 2019 and beyond having regard to the available capital funding, the number of large national capital projects currently underway, the cashflow requirements attaching to each project and the relevant priority.

Projects that are currently in construction and are contractually committed will not be affected.

Once the HSE has finalised its Capital Plan for 2019, it will then be submitted to me for consideration.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (615)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

615. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12759/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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.

Services for People with Disabilities

Ceisteanna (616)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

616. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if full-time residential care will be provided to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12780/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives.

This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.

As the Deputy's question relates to an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

Speech and Language Therapy Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (617)

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

617. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of children and adults, respectively, waiting for initial speech and language and occupational therapy assessments in counties Cavan and Monaghan; if additional resources are being provided in 2019 to reduce the waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12785/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives.

This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.

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

Medical Conditions

Ceisteanna (618, 833, 935)

Jack Chambers

Ceist:

618. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health if supports and treatment options for persons suffering with a condition (details supplied) will be increased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12786/19]

Ruth Coppinger

Ceist:

833. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health if he will provide for extra resources for the treatment of lymphoedema in order to meet the needs of patients (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13632/19]

Margaret Murphy O'Mahony

Ceist:

935. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision of the new model of care for lymphoedema patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14136/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 618, 833 and 935 together.

A Lymphoedema/Lipoedema Working Group was established by the HSE with the aim of developing a national integrated model of care for the prevention, assessment, and treatment of lymphoedema/lipoedema in accordance with evidence-based practice.

I am advised that the Working Group has completed its report, outlining a Model of Care for Lymphoedema and Lipoedema. The report is expected to be considered by HSE Leadership soon. Following this, the recommendations arising from the report will be considered by my Department.

Funding allocations for the implementation of the Model of Care will be considered in line with the HSE’s National Service Plan 2019.

Industrial Disputes

Ceisteanna (619, 620, 621)

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

619. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if there is an ongoing dispute between a union (details supplied) and the HSE in the north west since December 2017 specifically involving ambulance staff in Letterkenny; if so, the length of time this dispute has remained unresolved; the action or actions taken by the union and staff since the dispute started; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12788/19]

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

620. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the contingencies agreed with a union (details supplied) and the HSE to ensure that no patients are adversely affected by a dispute; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12789/19]

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

621. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if a union (details supplied) or its members involved in the ambulance staff dispute in County Donegal over the lifetime of the Letterkenny dispute have been issued with the threat of injunction by the HSE; if he has been provided with the list of actions being taken by the union; if an offer of settlement has been made to the union to resolve the dispute; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12790/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 619 to 621, inclusive, together.

I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on these matters.

National Treatment Purchase Fund Eligibility

Ceisteanna (622)

Peter Burke

Ceist:

622. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will be considered for the National Treatment Purchase Fund. [12793/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Reducing waiting time for patients for hospital operations and procedures is a key priority for the Government.

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 terms of treatment offers, the NTPF authorises public hospitals to offer outsourced treatment to clinically suitable long-waiting patients who are on an inpatient/day case waiting list for surgery, having been referred on to such a list following clinical assessment by a consultant/specialist at an outpatient clinic. NTPF authorisations are made in respect of the longest-waiting patients first.

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

Home Care Packages Provision

Ceisteanna (623)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

623. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if a home care package will be reviewed in view of the deterioration in circumstances in the case of a person (details supplied); if the special bed can be assigned in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12801/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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

Autism Incidence

Ceisteanna (624)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

624. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the number of children diagnosed with ASD in Dublin 12. [12817/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives.

This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.

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

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (625)

Frank O'Rourke

Ceist:

625. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect to receive an appointment at the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12822/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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.

Hospital Services

Ceisteanna (626)

Jim O'Callaghan

Ceist:

626. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the staff vacancies in each of the six sexual assault treatment units; the length of time each position has been vacant in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12827/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to the Deputy directly.

Home Help Service Provision

Ceisteanna (627)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

627. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has to wait so long to receive home help; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12836/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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

Hospital Acquired Infections

Ceisteanna (628)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

628. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the follow-up steps taken by HIQA to ensure that the serious and potentially deadly failures in the management of CPE at Cork University Hospital found in its inspection of 7 November 2018 have been comprehensively addressed and remedied. [12854/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) is the independent authority established to drive high-quality and safe care for people using health and social care services in Ireland. HIQA operates under the Health Act 2007, which sets out the functions which the Authority is to carry out.

The Act provides HIQA with the power to set standards for the healthcare services delivered by the HSE, and then to undertake monitoring programmes to assess compliance with these standards. In this regard, HIQA published the National Standards for Safer Better Healthcare in 2012; they represent the overarching standard which public health services are expected to meet. Flowing from these themes, HIQA have also developed standards for particular services, e.g. National Standards for the prevention and control of healthcare-associated infections in acute healthcare services. HIQA has in turn conducted a thematic inspection programme against these standards since 2012. In addition, HIQA has also undertaken thematic inspection programmes in relation to nutrition and hydration in acute hospitals, and in relation to medication safety.

HIQA typically undertakes both announced and unannounced inspection of healthcare facilities in order to ascertain the degree of adherence to expected standards. A report of the inspection visit will subsequently be published on HIQA’s website. In cases where remedial action is required, depending on the severity of the risk identified, HIQA may draw the matter to the attention of hospital management during the inspection and request an immediate response, or in less severe cases, will raise the issue in writing. In either case, an appropriate management response would be expected.

HIQA wrote to hospital management following its 7th of November 2018 inspection of Cork University Hospital. HIQA received a response which outlined key actions implemented and planned by the hospital to mitigate the risks identified. In line with Section 8 of the Health Act 2007, HIQA will continue to monitor Cork University Hospital against the National Standards for the prevention and control of healthcare-associated inspection in acute health services, to include compliance with CPE guidance produced by the CPE Expert Group.

In relation to the key actions implemented and planned by the hospital to mitigate the risks identified, as this is an operational issue, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.

Hospital Acquired Infections

Ceisteanna (629)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

629. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the results of audits on compliance with the CPE outbreak control checklist, version 1.0, since March 2018 for hospitals (details supplied). [12856/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, we have referred it to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.

National Treatment Purchase Fund Data

Ceisteanna (630)

Jack Chambers

Ceist:

630. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the number and types of surgical procedures and treatments carried out in 2018 by each public and private hospital under the NTPF scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12858/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The information requested by the Deputy is currently being collated by officials in my Department and will be provided to the Deputy directly as soon as it becomes available.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (631)

Peter Burke

Ceist:

631. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied). [12862/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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.