Thursday, 11 Jul 2019

Written Answers Nos. 592-618

Nursing Staff Data

Ceisteanna (592)

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

592. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of nurses and midwives with authority to prescribe medicines. [30986/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this information is maintained by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) I have referred the Deputy's question to the NMBI for attention and direct reply.

Nursing Staff Data

Ceisteanna (593)

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

593. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of nurses and midwives with authority to prescribe ionising radiation x-ray. [30987/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Given that this is an operational matter, it is appropriate that it should be dealt with by the HSE. I have referred the Deputy's question to the HSE for attention and direct reply.

Nursing Education

Ceisteanna (594)

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

594. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision of six national foundation education programmes for nurses in critical care, surgical pre-assessment, acute medicine unscheduled care, frailty, emergency care and anaesthetic recovery room nursing [30988/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Given that this is an operational matter, it is appropriate that it should be dealt with by the HSE. I have referred the Deputy's question to the HSE for attention and direct reply.

Nursing Education

Ceisteanna (595)

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

595. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the status of the development of a national framework and establishment of an online resource to support and guide professional development planning for all nurses and midwives. [30989/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Given that this is an operational matter, it is appropriate that it should be dealt with by the HSE. I have referred the Deputy's question to the HSE for attention and direct reply.

Nursing Education

Ceisteanna (596)

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

596. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the status of the expansion of education provision by centres of nursing and midwifery. [30990/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Given that this is an operational matter, it is appropriate that it should be dealt with by the HSE. I have referred the Deputy's question to the HSE for attention and direct reply.

Nursing Education

Ceisteanna (597)

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

597. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the status of the establishment of a nursing postgraduate entry programme. [30991/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The establishment of this course is a matter for the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI). I have asked the NMBI to provide you with an update in relation to this.

Community Intervention Teams

Ceisteanna (598)

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

598. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of community intervention teams in each community healthcare organisation as of 30 June 2019 or latest date available; the number of staff whole-time equivalent in each on that date; and the corresponding data for the same dates in 2017 and 2018, in tabular form. [30992/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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

Community Intervention Teams

Ceisteanna (599)

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

599. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of referrals for treatment to each community intervention team in the first and second quarter of 2019, in tabular form. [30993/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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

Palliative Care Services Provision

Ceisteanna (600)

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

600. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of patients who received specialist palliative care treatment in their normal place of residence in each month to date in 2019. [30994/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The provision of specialist palliative care in a person's normal place of residence is an important part of palliative care. The 2001 Report of the National Advisory Committee on Palliative Care states that in order to achieve the best quality palliative care for patients and families, a comprehensive specialist palliative care service should be available in all care settings and should support the patient wherever they may be: at home, in hospital, in residential care, day centres, outpatient units or in hospices.

In addition to the 214 specialist palliative care beds provided in 10 hospices, all HSE areas have Community Specialist Palliative Home Care Teams. Specialist palliative care is also provided in 38 acute hospitals, through approximately 150 palliative care support beds in over 60 locations, and through designated home care packages.

With regard to the specific question on the number of patients receiving specialist palliative care in their normal place of residence in each month to date in 2019, as this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Hospitals Data

Ceisteanna (601)

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

601. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of operations and procedures cancelled and postponed in each public hospital to date in 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30995/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Maintaining scheduled care access for all patients is a key priority for hospitals. I fully acknowledge the distress and inconvenience for patients and their families when elective procedures are cancelled, particularly for clinically urgent procedures.

While every effort is made to avoid cancellation or postponement of planned procedures, the HSE advise that planned procedures and operations can be postponed or cancelled for a variety of reasons including capacity issues due to increased scheduled and unscheduled care demand, medical reasons, and patient choice.

In relation to the specific question raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to reply to the Deputy directly.

Hospitals Data

Ceisteanna (602)

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

602. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of operations and procedures cancelled and postponed in each voluntary hospital to date in 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30996/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Maintaining scheduled care access for all patients is a key priority for hospitals. I fully acknowledge the distress and inconvenience for patients and their families when elective procedures are cancelled, particularly for clinically urgent procedures.

While every effort is made to avoid cancellation or postponement of planned procedures, the HSE advise that planned procedures and operations can be postponed or cancelled for a variety of reasons including capacity issues due to increased scheduled and unscheduled care demand, medical reasons, and patient choice.

In relation to the specific question raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to reply to the Deputy directly.

Hospitals Data

Ceisteanna (603)

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

603. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of procedures the HSE has procured from private and independent hospitals to date in 2019; the amount spent by the HSE on the procedures in private and independent hospitals to date in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30997/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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

National Treatment Purchase Fund Data

Ceisteanna (604)

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

604. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of procedures procured by the National Treatment Purchase Fund in each year since its restoration in 2017; and the type and specialties of procedures in tabular form. [30998/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Improving waiting times for hospital procedures is a key commitment in the Programme for Government and in 2017 €20 million was allocated to the NTPF to provide treatment for patients. Budget 2018 announced a total 2018 allocation of €55m which more than doubled it’s 2017 total allocation. 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/National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) Scheduled Care Access Plan 2019 was published in March 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 places a strong focus on ten high-volume Inpatient/Day Case procedures. 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 high-volume procedures.

In addition, the NTPF will arrange 8,000 procedures across an expanded range of over 65 other procedures in 2019.

In relation to the particular question raised by the Deputy, the attached tables provide details of the number of procedures procured by the NTPF since 2017.

The NTPF has provided the following additional information:

With regard to Inpatient / Day case (IP / DC), the following procedures are provided in Private Hospitals, funded through the NTPF:

Adenoidectomy

Angiogram

Arthoscopy of Ankle DC

Arthoscopy of Ankle IP

Arthoscopy of Shoulder DC

Arthoscopy of Shoulder IP

Arthroscopy of knee DC

Arthroscopy of shoulder, diagnostic with or without synovial biopsy

Arthroscopy of shoulder, surgical, with removal of loose body or foreign body, synovectomy debridement

Bilateral hernia repair

Cardioversion

Carpal Tunnel

Cataracts

Cervical Discectomy IP

Circumcision DC Adults

Circumcision IP Adults

Circumcision DC Paeds

Circumcision IP Paeds

Colonoscopy

Correction of Protruding ears (Bilateral)

Cystoscopy Day case

Endoscopy / Gastroscopy

Excision Lesion General

Excision Lesion Plastics

Excision of hydrocele, bilateral

Excision of hydrocele, unilateral

Grommets

Hip Replacement

Hysteroscopy with dilatation and curettage (diagnostic or therapeutic)

Interruption of sapheno-femoral junction varicose veins

Knee Replacement

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy daycase and inpatient

Laparoscopy with/without D&C and with/without biopsy

Lumbar Discectomy IP

Myringoplasty

Myringotomy bilateral and Grommets Paeds DC

Myringotomy bilateral paeds DC

Nasal / Sinus Endoscopy DC

Nasal / Sinus Endoscopy IP

Protoscopy / Sigmoidoscopy DC

Repair of incisional hernia

Repair of umbilical hernia

Resection Ingrown Toenail DC

Rhinoplasty DC

Removal of Pin Screw Wire DC

Removal of Pin Screw Wire IP

Removal of Plate Rod Nail DC

Removal of Plate Rod Nail IP

Septoplasty DC

Septoplasty IP

Septorhinoplasty - ENT

Septorhinoplasty - Plastics

Strabismus procedure involving 1 or 2 muscles, one eye

Surgical removal of unspecified number of teeth requiring removal of bone - to be performed by a maxillofacial surgeon

Tonsils Adult

Tonsils Paeds

Transurethral resection of prostate [TURP]

Tympanoplasty IP Adult

Tympanoplasty DC Adult

Tympanoplasty IP Paeds

Tympanoplasty DC Paeds

Ureteroscop

Urethroscopy, diagnostic, with or without biopsy

Varicose Veins

The above is not an exhaustive list but covers most of the current procedures. There are also a broader range of procedures that are provided through public hospitals.

In addition the NTPF has tendered for the following procedures:

Excision of chalazions, papillomas, dermoids or other cysts or lesions, one or both eyelids, involving skin, lid margin, tarsus and or palpebral conjuctiva

Excision of pterygium

Excision of pterygium and conjunctival graft

Reconstruction of eyelid

Syringing and / or probing of lacrimal passages, unilateral or bilateral

Hallux valgus, bilateral

Hallux valgus, unilateral

Reconstruction of eyelid

Excision of epididymal cyst, bilateral

Excision of epididymal cyst, unilateral

Orchidectomy, bilateral

Orchidectomy, unilateral

Orchidopexy for undescended testis, bilateral, with or without inguinal hernia repair

Orchidopexy for undescended testis, unilateral, with or without inguinal hernia repair

Repair of Variocele

Vasectomy, bilateral

Cardiac electrophysiological study with radiofrequency ablation

Anorectal examination

Excision of anal skin tag

Haemorrhoidectomy, external, multiple

Cauterisation of ectropion

Cauterisation of entropion

Dacryocystorhinostomy [DCR]

Repair of epigastric hernia

Fundoplasty, laparoscopic approach

Orchidopexy for undescended testis, bilateral, with or without inguinal hernia repair

Orchidopexy for undescended testis, unilateral, with or without inguinal hernia repair

The NTPF will take a targeted approach in 2019 and further procedures will be tendered for, depending on inter alia what procedures there are long waiters for and their suitability for outsourcing next year. In addition the NTPF will continue many of the procedures listed above next year and also continue to fund insourcing of long waiting patients within the Public hospitals.

NTPF Funded Treatments 2017 to 2019

Procedures	Actual Treated 2017	Actual Treated 2018	Actual Treated YTD May 2019
Cataracts	2,983	6,707	2,787
Joints	231	1,432	533
Veins	236	1,124	232
Angiograms	390	1,142	377
Tonsillectomies	535	1,142	393
Cystoscopies	550	2,418	688
Lesions	157	724	439
Other IPDC	835	3,224	1,676
G.I. Scopes	700	3,221	1,164
Totals	6,617	21,134	8,289

Patient Data

Ceisteanna (605)

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

605. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of public patients removed from outpatient lists in to date in 2019 as a result of a validation exercise and not as a result of having an appointment with a consultant for each public and voluntary hospital in tabular form. [30999/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Validation is the process whereby hospital administration contacts patients on waiting lists at pre-planned intervals during the year to ensure that patients are ready, willing, suitable and available to attend a hospital appointment or wish to be removed from the list. The validation of waiting lists can help provide clean, accurate, up to date waiting list data which reflects the true demand for hospital services.

For a number of years validation was conducted at individual hospital level in Ireland but this function was centralised by the Minister through the establishment of a National Centralised Validation Unit (NCVU) in the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) in September 2018.

Following engagement with public hospitals, the NCVU commenced issuing waiting list validation correspondence on the 2nd November 2018. The core aim of the Validation Unit is to write to all patients waiting more than 6 months for hospital operations and procedures and all patients waiting more than 9 months for an outpatient procedure. The Unit’s target is to validate 220,000 patients nationally on Inpatient, Day Case and Outpatient waiting lists.

The NTPF has advised that as of the 30th June 2019, a total of 62 hospitals nationally had been validated by the NCVU, 28 for Inpatient, Day Case waiting lists, and 34 for Outpatient waiting lists. The outstanding hospitals have engaged with the NTPF and have been allocated a time slot for validation in the next 3-6 months.

In relation to the particular question raised by the Deputy, the NTPF advises that based on the Outpatient Validation exercise from 1st of January until the 5th of July, a total of 17,601 patients have been removed from the national Outpatient waiting list. The following table provides a breakdown of the validation figures by hospital.

Name of Hospital & Group:	No. of patients removed due to validation from 1st January to 5th July 2019:
	IEHG
Mater Misericordiae Hospital	92
St Vincent's Hospital	866
Midland Regional Hospital Mullingar	452
St Luke's General Hospital Kilkenny	109
Wexford General Hospital	41
Our Lady's Hospital Navan	592
St Columcille's Hospital	594
St Michael's Hospital	104
Cappagh Orthopaedic Hospital	158
Royal Victoria Eye & Ear Hospital	683
Total:	3691
	RCSI
Beaumont Hospital	0
Connolly Hospital	0
Our Lady's of Lourdes Drogheda	0
Louth County Hospital	0
Cavan & Monaghan Hospitals	0
The Rotunda Maternity Hospital	743
Total:	743
	DMHG
St James Hospital	2520
Tallaght Hospital (AMNCH)	535
Midland Regional Tullamore Hospital	2209
Naas General Hospital	295
Midland Regional Portlaoise Hospital	39
Total:	5598
	ULHG
University Hospital Limerick	1011
Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Ennis	55
Nenagh Hospital	12
Croom Hospital	468
St John's Hospital	49
Total:	1595
	SSWG
Cork University Hospital	2116
University Hospital Waterford	176
University Hospital Kerry	1068
Mercy University Hospital	526
South Tipperary General Hospital	0
South Infirmary Victoria Hospital	275
Bantry General Hospital	0
Mallow General Hospital	97
Total:	4258
	Saolta Hospital Group
University Hospital Galway	0
Sligo University Hospital	0
Letterkenny University Hospital/	660
Mayo University Hospital	576
Portiuncula Hospital	305
Roscommon University Hospital	175
Total:	1716
	Children's Hospital Group
Crumlin Children's Hospital	0
Temple Street Children's Hospital	0
Tallaght Children's Hospital	0
Total:	0
Grand Total:	17601

Hospitals Data

Ceisteanna (606)

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

606. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of outpatient appointments the HSE has procured from private and independent hospitals to date in 2019; the amount spent by the HSE on the appointments in private and independent hospitals to date in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31000/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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 Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (607)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

607. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied). [31004/19]

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.

National Children's Hospital Expenditure

Ceisteanna (608)

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

608. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the payments made to date under the main contract in connection with the construction of the national children’s hospital; the estimated amount expected to be paid in 2019 and for each subsequent year until the anticipated completion of the project in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31005/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The breakdown of capital expenditure on the new children's hospital project from 2013 to 2018 is as follows:

2013	€1.70m
2014	€6.93m
2015	€20.77m
2016	€30.64m
2017	€67.75m
2018	€107.85m

In terms of the financing of the children’s hospital project for 2019, €250m is currently profiled for the new Children's Hospital project in 2019.

The Summer Economic Statement, published recently, provides an expenditure reserve of up to €200m in 2020 to accommodate funding requirements for the new Children's Hospital and the National Broadband Plan. My Department will engage with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the HSE in planning funding for the new Children's Hospital project beyond 2019.

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Ceisteanna (609)

Martin Heydon

Ceist:

609. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health the status of the development of a new mental health unit at Naas General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31008/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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.

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Ceisteanna (610)

Martin Heydon

Ceist:

610. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health the status of plans and timelines for the provision of a new endoscopy unit, day ward and associated works at Naas General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31009/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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.

Organ Donation

Ceisteanna (611, 665)

Martin Heydon

Ceist:

611. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health the status of plans to introduce an opt-in system of organ donation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31010/19]

Robert Troy

Ceist:

665. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the status of plans to implement a national opt-out organ donation policy; his views on whether this needs to be implemented as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31169/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 611 and 665 together.

The Government approved the publication of the General Scheme of a Human Tissue (Transplantation, Post-Mortem, Anatomical Examination and Public Display) Bill on the 01 May 2019. The General Scheme includes provisions for a soft opt-out system of organ donation.

Under the proposed soft opt-out system, consent will be deemed unless the person has, while alive, registered their wish not to become an organ donor after death. The next-of-kin of a person who has registered their wish not to become an organ donor after death will not be approached in relation to organ donation. Where a person has not registered to opt-out of organ donation, the next-of-kin will be consulted prior to removing any organ. If the next-of-kin objects to the organ donation, the donation will not proceed.

My Department is working with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel on the drafting of the Bill. The General Scheme has been referred to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health for pre-legislative scrutiny, and it is anticipated that this process will commence in September.

Medical Card Data

Ceisteanna (612)

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

612. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the status of the projection on the number of medical cards to be provided in 2019; and the likely full year costs or savings in 2019 of a variation from projection. [31013/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Disability Services Data

Ceisteanna (613)

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

613. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the percentage occupancy rate in public residential care units for the most recent calendar month available and for the previous eleven months in tabular form. [31014/19]

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.

The Deputy's office have confirmed the question relates to residential care units for disability services and services for older people. 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.

HSE Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (614)

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

614. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of community healthcare organisations which have established waiting lists for home care on a standardised basis. [31015/19]

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.

Nursing Education

Ceisteanna (615, 616, 617, 618)

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

615. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the percentage of serious reportable events being notified within 24 hours to a designated officer. [31016/19]

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

616. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the percentage of mandatory investigations commenced within 48 hours of the event occurring. [31017/19]

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

617. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the percentage of mandatory investigations completed within four months of notification of events occurring. [31018/19]

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

618. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the percentage of reportable events to date in 2019 reported within 30 days of occurrence to the designated officer. [31019/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 615 to 618, inclusive, together.

As these are service matters and the data is collated by the HSE, the questions have been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to Deputy Stephen Donnelly. This reply was taken as a composite with 31016/19, 31017/19, 31018/19 and 31019/19.

The Department of Health takes the management of patient safety very seriously. In November 2015, the Government approved a major programme of patient safety reforms which included the establishment of a National Patient Safety Office (NPSO) in the Department of Health. The NPSO was established in December 2016 to oversee a programme of patient safety measures. The programme of patient safety centres on initiatives such as the establishment of a national patient advocacy service, the introduction of a patient safety surveillance system, the measurement of patient experience and extending the clinical effectiveness agenda.

In line with international best practice, the Department has been driving a progressive legislative framework to build an open and just culture for patient safety which balances the need for an open and honest reporting culture that facilitates a learning environment, and quality healthcare with accountability for both individuals and organisations. Disclosure and reporting are opportunities to learn, to improve, to address errors that have happened and to apply the lessons to make the service safer for the next patient and the patient after that. The programme of legislation being progressed includes the Patient Safety Bill, which will provide for the mandatory reporting of serious reportable events, and a Patient Safety Licensing Bill, which will introduce a regulatory regime for all hospitals as well as certain designated high-risk activities.

In addition, on 25 October 2017, I launched the National Standards on the Conduct of Reviews of Patient Safety Incidents. These standards, developed jointly by HIQA and the Mental Health Commission, set out a new approach to the way health providers respond to, review and investigate incidents in order to determine as quickly as possible what may have transpired, and why, to ensure that they can immediately implement any improvements necessary to prevent a re-occurrence.

Finally, in 2018 the Health Service Executive (HSE) launched it new Incident Management Framework and in June 2019 launched their interim revision of the Open Disclosure policy: “Communicating with Patients Following Patient Safety Incidents” replacing the HSE Open Disclosure Policy 2013. The Department will shortly establish a new Independent Patient Safety Council. I have recently appointed the Chair of the Council. The first task of the Council will be to undertake a detailed review of the existing policies on Open Disclosure across the whole healthcare landscape. The Independent Patient Safety Council will include strong patient and public representation and international patient safety expertise.