Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Ceist:1955. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the timeframe for direct referral for oncology patients to the oncology ward to be implemented in Cork University Hospital. [34400/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraCancer Services Provision
Ceisteanna (1955)
Freagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
Question No. 1956 answered with Question No. 1949.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (1957)
Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Ceist:1957. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the waiting list for cataract surgery in County Cork by three, six, nine, 12, 18 and 24 months. [34402/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Reducing waiting time for patients for hospital operations and procedures is a key priority for Government. In this regard, the Government is committed to improving waiting times for hospital appointments and procedures.
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 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, including cataracts. 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.
At the end of July 2017, the number of people waiting for a cataract procedure was 10,024. Under the Inpatient Day Case Access Plan 2018, cataracts were one of the specialties targeted by the NTPF and by end December 2018, the number of patients waiting had fallen to 6,440, a reduction of 36%. The number of patients waiting for a cataract procedure at the end of June 2019 had further reduced to 5,739 with 454 patients waiting over 9 months. This represents a reduction of 3,917 or 90% when compared to July 2017, when there were 4,371 patients waiting over 9 months for a cataract operation.
The NTPF advise that over recent months they have placed a particular focus on engaging with hospital groups and individual hospitals to identify waiting list proposals. The NTPF welcomes proposals from all acute hospitals for initiatives to improve access for patients on waiting lists.
The data requested by the deputy is contained in the following table. Please note that South Infirmary Hospital is the only Cork hospital with an Inpatient & Daycase cataracts waiting list.
IPDC Cataracts Waiting list for Cork Hospitals (South Infirmary Hospital Cork).
|
0-3 mths |
3-6 mths |
6-9 mths |
9-12 mths |
12 mths+ |
Total |
|
230 |
128 |
142 |
44 |
2 |
546 |
Hospital Appointments Administration
Ceisteanna (1958)
Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Ceist:1958. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the number of elective surgeries and procedures cancelled by specialty at Cork University Hospital for each month in 2017, 2018 and to date in 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34403/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.
State Claims Agency
Ceisteanna (1959)
Micheál Martin
Ceist:1959. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health if the State Claims Agency covers a clinic (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34413/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The State Claims Agency (SCA) has a statutory remit to manage personal injury claims, including claims in respect of clinical negligence, on behalf of Delegated State Authorities (DSA’s) including the Health Service Executive.
I understand from the State Claims Agency that the clinic is covered under the indemnification provided to the National Maternity Hospital.
Abortion Legislation
Ceisteanna (1960)
Micheál Martin
Ceist:1960. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health if he has had communication from a body (details supplied) regarding the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 since it was commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34414/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 was signed into law by the President on 20 December 2018 and commenced on 1 January 2019.
Since that time, I can confirm that my Department has received communications from the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in relation to copies of the Interim Clinical Guidance documents developed by the body and the operation of the Act.
Question No. 1961 answered with Question No. 1398.
Freedom of Information Remit
Ceisteanna (1962)
Alan Kelly
Ceist:1962. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a copy of all correspondence between persons (details supplied). [34435/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Records such as this are not routinely retrieved and compiled to be provided outside of Freedom of Information requests. Requests for access to records may be submitted under Freedom of Information legislation, to be dealt with by my Department as normal.
Mental Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (1963)
James Browne
Ceist:1963. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the spend on agency staff for mental health services in each of the years 2014 to 2018 and to date in 2019; and the original estimate for expenditure for mental health agency staff in each year in tabular form. [34443/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Treatment Benefit Scheme Data
Ceisteanna (1964)
James Browne
Ceist:1964. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of persons that received mental health services under the treatment abroad scheme in each of the past five years. [34444/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Treatment Benefit Scheme Data
Ceisteanna (1965)
Stephen Donnelly
Ceist:1965. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the numbers of persons that received treatment under the treatment abroad scheme in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019; the category and speciality of procedures provided; the number provided in Northern Ireland; and the number provided in the UK. [34448/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy.
Hospital Staff Data
Ceisteanna (1966)
Stephen Donnelly
Ceist:1966. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the agency spend on staff in each public and voluntary hospital to date in 2019, in tabular form. [34449/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
Community Care Provision
Ceisteanna (1967)
Stephen Donnelly
Ceist:1967. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the agency spend on staff in each community healthcare organisation to date in 2019, in tabular form. [34450/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
Prisoner Transfers
Ceisteanna (1968)
Pat Buckley
Ceist:1968. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the average, shortest and longest wait, respectively, facing a prisoner awaiting a transfer from the Irish Prison Service to the Central Mental Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34451/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Mental Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (1969)
Pat Buckley
Ceist:1969. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the estimated full year cost of completing the recruitment required for the full implementation of A Vision for Change. [34452/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Maternity Services Provision
Ceisteanna (1970)
Pat Buckley
Ceist:1970. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the annual spend in each of the years 2016 to 2018, and to date in 2019, on maternal mental health services at all stages of pregnancy; the locations in this regard; the reason for each category of spending; and the new developments planned or in the process of establishment. [34453/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Mental Health Services Expenditure
Ceisteanna (1971)
Pat Buckley
Ceist:1971. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the spending on new mental health developments in 2018 and to date in 2019. [34454/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Mental Health Services Expenditure
Ceisteanna (1972)
Pat Buckley
Ceist:1972. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the spending on new mental health developments planned for the remainder of 2019 and 2020, respectively. [34455/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Mental Health Services Expenditure
Ceisteanna (1973)
Pat Buckley
Ceist:1973. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the annual funding provided and subsequently drawn down and spent on maintenance and upkeep of approved mental health units in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019. [34456/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Mental Health Services Funding
Ceisteanna (1974)
Pat Buckley
Ceist:1974. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce an emergency fund for maintenance and repairs to tackle major issues in approved mental health centres identified in the recent Mental Health Commission inspection report. [34457/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Mental Health Services Expenditure
Ceisteanna (1975)
Pat Buckley
Ceist:1975. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the annual cost of cleaning provided at each approved mental health centre; the units cleaned in each case; and if staff costs were for agency contract or in-house in 2018 and to date in 2019, respectively. [34458/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Mental Health Services Expenditure
Ceisteanna (1976)
Pat Buckley
Ceist:1976. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the funding provided to pay for transport services for mental health service users to attend services and appointments by LHO and CHO. [34459/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Mental Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (1977)
Pat Buckley
Ceist:1977. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the percentage of relevant staff working in the mental health services that received and completed Children First training. [34460/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Mental Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (1978)
Pat Buckley
Ceist:1978. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the percentage of staff in place as they relate to recommended staffing levels laid down in A Vision for Change by service and profession. [34461/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Brexit Issues
Ceisteanna (1979)
Lisa Chambers
Ceist:1979. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the way in which Brexit may impact on the supply of medical devices; the medical devices that may be affected in a no-deal scenario; the steps taken to mitigate against same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34468/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As part of the whole-of-government response to Brexit, the Department of Health has established dedicated structures to manage the approach to preparing for the UK’s exit from the EU. The Department, the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) and the Health Service Executive (HSE), with the full support of stakeholders, are implementing a comprehensive and coordinated set of preparations to ensure continuity of health services and continued supply of medicine and medical devices in a ‘no deal’ Brexit.
The preparations include developing contingency plans to mitigate potential medical device supply problems arising from Brexit. Significant work has been undertaken by the Department of Health, the HPRA and HSE, together with industry, to minimise and address any risks to continuity of supply.
The HSE and the HPRA have facilitated ongoing engagements with manufacturers and suppliers of medical devices, to ensure that they are Brexit-ready, to discuss any potential issues that could affect the supply to Ireland and to identify solutions to maintain supply to the market.
The regulatory system for medical devices in the EU is reliant on pre-market conformity assessment of medical devices being conducted by certification organisations called notified bodies. Historically, a large number of medical devices available in the EU were assessed by notified bodies based in the UK. Post Brexit, all medical devices must be certified by notified bodies based in the EU 27.
There has been ongoing engagement with medical device suppliers and manufacturers to encourage swift action to move certifications from UK notified bodies to notified bodies based in the EU27 and many companies have taken corrective steps.
Manufacturers and suppliers of medical devices have been asked to further review their supply chain for products that travel from or through the UK, determine any products or services that are certified for compliance with EU standards by a UK body and communicate any potential vulnerabilities to the Department of Health, HPRA or HSE.
Work to monitor and manage risks to medical device supply is expected to continue in the months before and after Brexit. The Department of Health and the HPRA will also continue to engage with the European Commission to identify the most appropriate means to mitigate the risk to the supply of medical devices posed by a no-deal Brexit. However, it is important that industry takes immediate action to ensure their products will be compliant for placing on the EU market after 31 October.