Written Answers Nos. 161-186
161. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the position of technician in the cardiovascular unit at University Hospital Waterford is vacant; his plans to appoint a person into the role; if the position has been advertised; the expected timeframe for it to be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17898/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational issue, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
162. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health when section 39 workers in Nenagh day care centre will have their pay restored in view of the fact it has been reinstated for their counterparts in the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17909/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that in February 2018, an agreement was reached at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) between my Department, the HSE and health sector Trade Unions in relation to a process aimed at resolving the pay restoration issue for staff employed by section 39 bodies in 50 pilot organisations. The 50 organisations included were agreed at the WRC by all parties.
I asked the HSE to engage with the Section 39 organisations to establish the facts around what cuts were applied and how and when they were implemented. The HSE completed the first phase of their work in relation to the agencies identified as part of the WRC process. This exercise has shown that of the agencies who returned data, a majority did apply pay reductions of some form. It also showed that some agencies made some form of pay restoration between 2016 and 2018.
Following constructive engagement with the assistance of the Workplace Relations Commission, an agreement was reached on 2 October between the parties. Pay restoration will commence with an annual pay increase of up to €1,000 in April 2019 for those employed by the 50 organisations involved in the pilot. Any outstanding balance will be paid in two equal amounts in 2020 and 2021.
The HSE are undertaking a further validation exercise of those 50 pilot organisations and their funding requirements to enable the pay restoration. Further information was requested from these organisations. It is recognised that some of the organisations which did not form part of this pilot phase are likely to have pay restoration issues also. A process of engagement to address this will commence in 2019.
163. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health the measures being put in place to rectify issues with sewerage at Deer Lodge mental health unit, Killarney, County Kerry, which is causing distress for both staff and patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17910/19]
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.
164. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae 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. [17911/19]
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.
165. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if ambulance shortages will be addressed for staff rostering in County Monaghan which has emerged due to the removal of a vehicle (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17912/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
166. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if a new ambulance allocated recently to County Monaghan to help manage new rostering has been moved to cover Castleblaney which has no ambulance; if so, the reason the ambulance was not taken from another county in which there are surplus ambulances to requirements to fill the gap; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17913/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
167. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of new ambulance personnel recruited in counties Cavan and Monaghan in the past year (details supplied); if these staff were already classified as unrostered staff prior to this announcement; the reason no new additional staff were rostered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17915/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
168. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of new intern paramedics counties Cavan and Monaghan received following their graduation from college; the reason intern paramedics from the north east are not being trained up in positions in the counties upon graduation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17916/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
169. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the timescale for the results of repeat cervical smears; the number of women waiting for same; the length of time they are waiting; and the reason for delays by county in tabular form. [17921/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn May 2018, I asked CervicalCheck to make the necessary arrangements to provide that any woman who had a CervicalCheck smear test, and whose GP considered that she should have a further test as part of her reassurance, to access such a further test without charge. In the months since then, there was a significant increase in the volume of women presenting for smear tests. This included 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 welcome but has undoubtedly put pressure on lab capacity and turnaround times.
The HSE has been undertaking a global search for laboratory capacity to help alleviate the backlog and has recently advised that it has identified additional capacity internationally. It is currently working to agree commercial arrangements, and complete quality assurance processes, in order to enable it to incorporate this capacity into the CervicalCheck programme. However, it is important to be clear that the backlog will take some time to resolve.
In relation to the specific data requested, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
170. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health his plans to reduce the waiting list for children who need to avail of orthodontic treatment in County Cork in view of the fact there is a waiting period of three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17931/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
171. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of a unit (details supplied); the details of the review of same; when the review will be concluded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17936/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMonaghan Hospital and Cavan General Hospital operate as a single entity, with an integrated managerial and clinical governance system, care pathways and support functions. The Emergency Department is located at Cavan General Hospital, while the facilities at Monaghan Hospital are focused on elective care and the streaming of appropriate patients to the Minor Injuries Unit located on site.
The Smaller Hospitals Framework defined the role of smaller hospitals and outlined the need for smaller hospitals and larger hospitals to operate within Hospital Groups. The Framework identified the activities that can be performed in smaller Model 2 hospitals, like Monaghan Hospital, in a safe and sustainable manner. In developing our smaller hospitals, the first and over-riding concern is the safety of patients.
Significant progress has been made in the establishment and development of Hospital Groups over the last few years. Our hospitals are now working together and supporting each other in Groups. This new way of working provides a stronger role for smaller hospitals, like Monaghan Hospital, in delivering a higher volume of less complex care in many cases closer to patients’ homes. It also ensures that patients who require true emergency or complex planned care are managed safely in a larger hospital environment.
With regards to the Minor Injuries Unit, as outlined in the Programme for a Partnership Government, the Department of Health is committed to undertaking a review of Medical Assessment Units, Minor Injuries Units and similar units with a view to extending their opening hours. Minor Injuries Clinics and similar units provide valuable services to local communities and alleviate the pressures on Emergency Departments. The Minor Injury Unit in Monaghan Hospital is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm and can treat both adults and children over 5 years with non-life-threatening or limb-threatening injuries.
172. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of attendances at a unit (details supplied) in each of the years 2010 to 2018 and to date in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17937/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
173. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of work planned for a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17938/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra174. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the need for investment in regional hospitals and in particular a unit (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17939/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 173 and 174 together.
I acknowledge the distress overcrowded Emergency Departments cause to patients, their families, and frontline staff working in very challenging working conditions in hospitals throughout the country. 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, hospitals are increasingly operating at or above capacity.
This is a very busy period for our health services, with many sites reporting significant numbers of patient attendances. In the first 2 months of 2019, the number of patients attending our hospital Emergency Departments increased by 7% and the number of Emergency Department admissions increased by 5% compared to the same period last year.
Despite this significant increase in demand, our health services have managed better than in previous years and based on provisional data, the numbers of patients on trolleys were 15% lower between December and February this winter than the previous winter.
The establishment of Hospital Groups has enabled a better configuration of hospital services with benefits relating to safety, quality, access, cost and sustainable medical staffing. The structure ensures that Hospitals working together in a Group will be able to support each other, providing a stronger role for smaller hospitals in delivering less complex care, and ensuring that those who require emergency or complex planned care are managed safely in larger hospitals.
The Smaller Hospitals Framework focuses in particular on the future role of smaller hospitals and outlines the wide range of services that can be provided within these smaller hospitals. The Department of Health is committed to securing and further developing the role of our smaller hospitals, including Model 3 hospitals such as Cavan Hospital, with the expansion of services delivered in these hospitals, especially in services such as day surgery; ambulatory care; medical services and diagnostics.
Future investment in Cavan General Hospital will be considered within the overall acute hospital infrastructure programme, the prioritised needs of the hospital groups and within the overall capital envelope available to the health service.
Project Ireland 2040 provides €10.9 billion for Health capital developments across the country, including both national programmes and individual projects, across acute, primary and social care. Health capital projects and programmes currently underway will continue. As to be expected with such a plan, many proposals are at an early stage and will require to progress through appraisal, planning design and tender before a firm timeline or funding required can be established.
The planning and management of future health expenditure is considered as part of the annual estimates and budgetary process which seeks to balance available funding across all service areas to achieve the best possible outcomes for the greatest number of service users and prioritise areas of greatest need.
175. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of emergency department attendances at Cavan General Hospital in each of the years 2012 to 2018 and to date in 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17940/19]
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.
176. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if eligibility for a medical card will be reviewed in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17946/19]
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.
177. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health if all nursing and other services being provided at Mervue health centre, Galway, will be continued and staffing levels at the health centre be maintained at the current level going forward in order to continue to provide essential healthcare for persons in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17959/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
178. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an application for a refund under the cross-border directive by a person (details supplied) will be expedited. [17961/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
179. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an application for a refund under the cross-border directive by a person (details supplied) will be expedited. [17962/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
180. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the progress on the approval process for the drug nusinersen, that is, Spinraza; if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined; the type of care and medication that his Department and or the HSE will fund in this case; if he will meet the parents of the person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17963/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE has statutory responsibility for medicine pricing and reimbursement, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. The Act specifies the criteria for decisions on the reimbursement of medicines. As Minister for Health I have no role or powers in this regard.
I am advised by the HSE that, following detailed consideration of an application for the reimbursement of Nusinersen (Spinraza) and lengthy engagement with the company, the HSE recently decided that it was unable to reimburse Nusinersen (Spinraza). The HSE concluded that the evidence for clinical effectiveness was still quite limited and that the price proposed by the manufacturer was not a cost-effective use of resources.
The HSE wrote to the manufacturer involved and informed them of the proposal to refuse reimbursement at the current price offering. Under the requirements of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013 the company had 28 days to respond or make representations to the HSE’s proposed decision.
I am advised by the HSE that the manufacturer has submitted a revised submission, which will now be considered at the next HSE Drugs Group meeting, following which a recommendation will be made to the HSE Leadership Team for a final decision. As the statutory process is ongoing, it would be inappropriate for me to meet with family members at this time.
181. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health if days and nights spent in a public hospital count as respite days and or nights; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that persons are being refused respite due to time spent in a hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17965/19]
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.
182. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay for the reimbursement of a drug (details supplied). [17974/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE has statutory responsibility for medicine pricing and reimbursement, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. The Act specifies the criteria for decisions on the reimbursement of medicines. The Minister for Health has no role or powers in relation to such matters.
I am advised by the HSE that following detailed consideration of an application for the reimbursement of Osimertinib (Tagrisso) and engagement with the company, HSE Leadership decided that it was unable to reimburse Osimertinib (Tagrisso). The HSE concluded that it could not support reimbursement on the basis that reimbursement was not likely to represent a cost efficient use of resources.
The HSE wrote to the manufacturer involved and informed them of the proposal to refuse reimbursement at the current price offering. Under the requirements of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013 the company had 28 days to respond or make representations to the HSE’s proposed decision.
I am advised by the HSE that the manufacturer has submitted representations, which will be considered by the HSE Drugs Group in due course, following which a recommendation will be made to the HSE Leadership Team for a final decision.
183. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will address concerns that the site of the national children’s hospital at St. James’s will be unable to accommodate the co-location of the maternity hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17978/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs has been previously stated, it is the intention of this Government that there will be co-location of maternity services at the new children's hospital site at St James's. The National Maternity Strategy published in January 2016, reaffirms the commitment to delivery of tri-located maternity services on the St. James’s campus.
It is proposed to relocate the Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital to the St James's Hospital campus, thereby achieving tri-location of adult, paediatric and maternity services. A site for the proposed maternity hospital is identified in the St. James' Site Master Plan, and the new children's hospital design has incorporated the required operational links with both the maternity and adult hospitals. While the construction of the new maternity hospital will not commence until the new children's hospital is completed, the preparatory work for the new maternity hospital will begin in advance.
184. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the reason physiotherapists who were interviewed in 2016 and were placed on the national panel for physiotherapist staff grade in order of merit must now re-interview to be placed behind 2017 and 2018 panellists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17979/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra185. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the reason the 2016 national panel for physiotherapist staff grade is being disbanded while the supplementary panels of the original 2016 panel carried out in 2017 and 2018 will remain in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17980/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra186. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if he will engage with the physiotherapy profession and their representatives in relation to the national panel for physiotherapist staff grade and improvements which could be made to the way in which it operates. [17981/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 184 to 186, inclusive, together.
I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
