Written Answers Nos. 243-252
243. Deputy Stephen 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 in each ambulance station in each month to the end of June 2019 or the latest date available; and the percentage of clinical status 1 DELTA incidents responded to by a patient carrying vehicle in 7 minutes and 59 seconds or less, in tabular form. [28875/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
244. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of patients aged 75 years of age or over that experienced an emergency department wait time of more than 24 hours during June 2019; and the hospitals in which the wait occurred. [28876/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to 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 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. For the first five months of 2019, the number of patients attending hospital EDs increased by 4.9%, and the number of ED admissions increased by 3.3% compared to the same period last year. This reflects increasing demand for unscheduled care, especially by patients in the 75 years and over age group.
However, the National Service Plan 2019 includes an expected activity target that 99% of patients aged 75 and over attending at an Emergency Department are discharged or admitted within 24 hours. 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.
245. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of home support hours being provided in each LHO area to the end of June 2019; the number of persons on the waiting list for home support hours in each LHO area; and the number waiting zero to three, three to six, six to 12 and more than 12 months plus, respectively, in tabular form. [28877/19]
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.
246. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of ambulance attendances at each emergency department nationally in June 2019; 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; the number that waited longer than 40, 60, 90, 120 and more than 180 minutes for same, respectively, in tabular form. [28878/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
247. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of spinal fusion patients currently waiting less than four months for treatment in Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin and Temple Street Children’s University Hospital at the end of June 2019 or the latest date available; the number waiting four to eight and more than eight months for same; and if he will provide the same information for other spinal patients. [28879/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI sincerely regret that children can experience a long waiting time for treatment for scoliosis, and I am conscious of the burden that this places on them and their families.
The long-term strategy to develop sustainable scoliosis services from 2018 and into 2019 is a priority for my Department and for the HSE. Children's Health Ireland (CHI) advise that the impact of investment and the implementation of the Scoliosis 10 Point Action Plan is now starting to deliver results with a consistent reduction in waiting times being recorded.
CHI also advise that the total number of surgeries performed in 2018 was 418 compared with 371 in 2017. This represents an increase in activity of 12% against 2017 and an increase in activity of 87% compared to 2016 when 224 procedures were carried out.
More broadly, all patient referrals to the orthopaedic spinal service at CHI are reviewed and clinically prioritised by a consultant. These patients are seen in order of clinical priority. Most patients are seen within 12 months.
An additional 800 outpatient orthopaedic appointments were given to patients in CHI at Crumlin in 2018 compared to 2017 which contributed to a 31% reduction in the overall orthopaedic outpatient waiting list.
My Department is working closely with CHI with the aim of supporting the further development of a sustainable scoliosis service and ensuring that the on-going demand for services is met.
In relation to the Deputy’s request for a specific breakdown of the number of patients waiting for spinal fusion and spinal other procedures, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
248. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in each LHO area waiting for a podiatry appointment in primary care at the end of June 2019 or the latest date available; and the number waiting zero to 12, 12 to 26, 26 to 52 and more than 52 weeks, respectively. [28880/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
249. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in each LHO area waiting for an ophthalmology appointment in primary care at the end of June 2019 or the latest date available; and the number waiting zero to 12, 12 to 26, 26 to 52 and more than 52 weeks, respectively. [28881/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
250. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in each LHO area waiting for an audiology appointment in primary care at the end of June 2019 or the latest date available; and the number waiting zero to 12, 12 to 26, 26 to 52 and more than 52 weeks, respectively. [28882/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
251. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in each LHO area waiting for a dietetics appointment in primary care at the end of June 2019 or the latest date available; and the number waiting zero to 12, 12 to 26, 26 to 52 and more than 52 weeks, respectively. [28883/19]
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.
252. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in each LHO area waiting for an oral health appointment in primary care at the end of June 2019 or the latest date available; and the number waiting zero to 12, 12 to 26, 26 to 52 and more than 52 weeks, respectively. [28884/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
