James Browne
Ceist:287. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health if a location (details supplied) shares its respite service with neighbouring areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17293/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraRespite Care Services Provision
Ceisteanna (287)
Freagraí scríofa
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.
The Programme for Partnership Government states that the Government wishes to provide more accessible respite care to facilitate full support for people with a disability.
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 Consultant Recruitment
Ceisteanna (288)
Stephen Donnelly
Ceist:288. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health if there is a HSE plan for a respiratory consultant in Tralee University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17296/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
Autism Support Services
Ceisteanna (289)
Stephen Donnelly
Ceist:289. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the reason a residential centre for autism (details supplied) in County Kerry has not been opened five years after it was finished. [17297/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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 a service issue, 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 (290)
Maurice Quinlivan
Ceist:290. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the length of time a person (details supplied) will have to wait for a consultation for a hip replacement in Croom Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17298/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí 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.
Health Reports
Ceisteanna (291)
James Browne
Ceist:291. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health his plans to resource and develop a child health and well-being service as recommended in the Sláintecare report; if this is specifically provided for in the Sláintecare implementation strategy or the Sláintecare action plan 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17301/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In September 2018, the Sláintecare Programme Implementation Office commenced refining the three-year Sláintecare Implementation Strategy into a single-year Action Plan for 2019. This process has involved reviewing the 106 sub-actions of the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy - which was published in August 2018 - and identifying where further actions were required. A readiness assessment of all the sub-actions was then initiated, which examined the degree to which there were plans and assigned responsibilities, behind the subactions, both new and existing. Finally, the Programme Implementation Office looked at how best to structure teams for successful and effective delivery.
A Citizen Care Masterplan Framework for the implementation of the Sláintecare actions was developed in order to establish a programmatic approach to delivery. The Sláintecare Action Plan for 2019 was published on 13 March 2019. It is a detailed and comprehensive plan for the first year of health and social care reform which firmly establishes a programmatic approach to the delivery of the Sláintecare Strategy. It is a fundamental milestone in the delivery of the Sláintecare vision for reformed health and social care services in Ireland. As part of the Action Plan, four main Workstreams were devised to drive healthcare reform:
- Workstream 1: Service Redesign & Supporting Infrastructure
- Workstream 2: Safe Care, Co-ordinated Governance & Value for Money
- Workstream 3: Teams of the Future
- Workstream 4: Sharing Progress.
- Workstream 1 seeks to provide the right care, in the right place, at the right time, where the patient/service user is paramount. As part of this objective, there is a strong emphasis on prevention, including a complete programme on health and wellbeing. This includes sustaining the ongoing cross-Government implementation of Healthy Ireland, with a focus on supporting and empowering people to look after their own health and wellbeing, and tackling health inequalities.
- There is an ongoing focus on the health and wellbeing of children and young people across a number of policy areas under Healthy Ireland, such as obesity prevention and physical activity, in addition to cross-government collaboration on the implementation of the Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures child policy framework and the First Five whole of government strategy for babies, young children and their families.
- The HSE National Service Plan for 2019 commits to progressing the Early Years Intervention Programme, including the National Healthy Childhood and Nurture Infant Health and Wellbeing Programmes. These programmes will be progressed in line with commitments in the First Five strategy and include measures to ensure the timing and content of the childhood screening and surveillance programme are consistent with the evidence base and standardised across the country. Work is also continuing to support parents with high quality, evidence-based information and services on various aspects of parenting to support child development, positive mental health and family relationships, including through the new mychild.ie website.
Health Reports
Ceisteanna (292)
James Browne
Ceist:292. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health if he has evaluated the costings provided in the Sláintecare report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17302/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As committed to in the Action plan for 2019, Sláintecare is developing proposals for multi-annual capital and current funding, including a transition fund, to support health care reform. As part of this process, Sláintecare is evaluating the costings provided in the report from the Future Committee on Health.
Health and Social Care Professionals Registration Boards
Ceisteanna (293)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:293. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if the way in which radiographers must register will be examined (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17304/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is an operational matter, I have asked CORU (the Health and Social Care Professional Council) to respond to the Deputy directly.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (294)
Mick Wallace
Ceist:294. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the wait times for a MRI scan in Wexford General Hospital; and the number of MRI scans carried out on average in the hospital per week. [17318/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The HSE advise that a pilot project was commenced in 2016 by the HSE Acute Hospitals Division to progress the collection of national radiology waiting list data. The project has been supported by the Radiology Clinical Care Programme and has involved key stakeholders across the system including the National NIMIS Team, Hospital Groups, and the support of the National Treatment Purchase Fund for data collection and data management expertise.
The data requested by the Deputy is collected quarterly and will be provided by my Department to the Deputy shortly, when the data for Quarter 1 2019 becomes available.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (295)
Timmy Dooley
Ceist:295. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will have a procedure carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17337/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí 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.
Hospital Waiting Lists Data
Ceisteanna (296)
Mick Wallace
Ceist:296. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the average waiting times for shoulder arthroscopy operations in each of the years 2015 to 2018 and to date in 2019, by county in tabular form. [17347/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Reducing waiting time for patients for hospital operations and procedures is a key priority for Government. Budget 2019 announced that the Government has further increased investment in tackling waiting lists, with funding to the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) increasing from €55 million in 2018 to €75 million in 2019.
The joint Department of Health/HSE/NTPF Scheduled Care Access Plan 2019 was published recently and sets out measures to improve care for patients waiting for scheduled care in 2019 by reducing waiting times for inpatient/day case treatment and outpatient appointments. The plan will place a strong focus on a number of high-volume procedures, including orthopaedics. When combined with HSE activity, it is projected that the NTPF will be in a position to offer treatment to all clinically suitable patients waiting more than 6 months for one of these procedures.
The data requested by the Deputy has been provided to my Department by the NTPF and is contained in the document attached. The NTPF advise that the document sets out the average number of days waiting for shoulder arthroscopy at the end of December for each of the years 2015-2018, and for the end of March 2109. It should be noted that the table sets out the waiting time at each specific point in time.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (297)
Jackie Cahill
Ceist:297. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17349/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí 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.
Orthodontic Services Provision
Ceisteanna (298)
Timmy Dooley
Ceist:298. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will receive orthodontic treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17352/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
Ceisteanna (299)
Charlie McConalogue
Ceist:299. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health when funding will be provided for a centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17355/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
Health Services Provision
Ceisteanna (300)
Denis Naughten
Ceist:300. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to ensure that public sexual health services are available to persons who live outside cities, County Roscommon and east County Galway in particular; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17357/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the issue raised refers to service matters, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for their direct reply to the Deputy.
Vaccination Programme
Ceisteanna (301)
Seamus Healy
Ceist:301. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the shortage of the BCG vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17365/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In 2013, a joint recommendation from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) and the National TB Advisory Committee proposed moving from a universal neonatal BCG vaccination programme to a selective BCG vaccination programme targeting high risk groups only.
Following this, the Department of Health requested the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) to undertake a Health Technology Assessment. HIQA reported in 2015 and noted that selective vaccination was more effective and less costly than universal vaccination.
Due to a lack of vaccine from the sole EU supplier, the BCG vaccine has not been available in Ireland since April 2015. The HSE National Immunisation Office and the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) have sought an alternative supply of BCG vaccine that meets safety, quality and effectiveness standards that could be used in Ireland. To date no appropriate alternative manufacturer has been found.
Given that both reports predate the discontinuation of vaccine supply, the HSE have recently been requested (January 2019) to undertake an updated review of the epidemiology of TB in Ireland, considering the public health impact of having no BCG vaccination since April 2015. This review will be used to inform an updated recommendation to the Department regarding the future provision of BCG vaccination in Ireland.
Health Services Provision
Ceisteanna (302)
Marcella Corcoran Kennedy
Ceist:302. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the provision of public sexual health services in County Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17370/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the question refers to services, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Primary Care Centres Provision
Ceisteanna (303)
Gerry Adams
Ceist:303. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 170 of 23 January 2019 and the omission of Dundalk primary care centre from the reply, which appears to conflict with information contained in Parliamentary Question No. 1817 of 24 July 2018, the status of the delivery of the Dundalk primary care centre; when the centre will be operational; the services that will be located within the centre; if space will be allocated to community mental health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17372/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I appreciate the concerns raised by the Deputy on the proposed Dundalk Primary Care Centre. As the HSE has responsibility for the provision of Primary Care Centres, and has provided the previous information on the proposed centre, I have asked the Executive to reply directly to the Deputy.
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Provision
Ceisteanna (304)
Gerry Adams
Ceist:304. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that CAMHS is not operating in Dundalk and that persons from north County Louth have to travel to Drogheda to avail of CAMHS services; his plans to deliver CAMHS in north County Louth; if provision of the service will be located at the Dundalk primary care centre; if so, when it will be operational; and his plans for an alternative location in Dundalk in the interim period. [17373/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Minister as soon as possible.
Patient Data
Ceisteanna (305)
Catherine Martin
Ceist:305. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Health the number of persons presenting at hospitals in Dublin as a result of accidents along Luas tracks; if such data do not exist, if consideration will be given to the creation of a database of such accidents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17375/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.