Written Answers Nos. 223-240
223. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of persons awaiting placement under the fair deal scheme at the end of September 2019 or latest date available; the average waiting time; the number of persons awaiting placement under the scheme by each LHO area in tabular form; and the length of time waiting. [40423/19]
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.
224. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of beds and wards in all public and voluntary acute hospitals that were closed on 30 September 2019 or the latest date on which data for validated bed closures at hospital and ward level are available, in tabular form. [40424/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Open Beds Report, published by my Department monthly, provides a summary of the average numbers of open inpatient beds and day beds/places in the acute hospital system based on data provided by the HSE. It can be found on the Department's website: https://health.gov.ie/publications/
According to provisional data received from the HSE Acute Business Information Unit, there were on average 11,008 inpatient beds and 2,268 day case beds/places available nationally in July 2019.
Information relating to closed beds is collated at a particular date in time. The number of beds closed can fluctuate greatly from day to day for a variety of reasons, including on-going refurbishment, maintenance work, and infection control measures.
With regard to the Deputy's specific question, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly with the requested information.
225. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of delayed discharges for each public and voluntary hospital at the end of September 2019; and the total number to date in each, in tabular form. [40425/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraDelayed transfers of care (previously referred to as delayed discharges) occur when patients have been deemed clinically fit for discharge from an acute bed but their discharge is delayed because they are waiting for some form of ongoing support or care following their discharge. There are many reasons for this, such as a patient undertaking the application process for NHSS, awaiting assessment for a home support package, homelessness, ward of court application, and the availability of resources.
When possible, the HSE will use transitional care to accommodate the patient during the period between discharge and the finalisation of new care arrangements, but there can often be a delay, especially in cases where the patient and family are coming to terms with the new circumstances.
This year, services are being stretched more than ever, with demand consistently outstripping supply, and we have seen an increase the number of delayed transfers of care. While the HSE maximises the use of resources, prioritising those requiring discharge from acute hospitals, there is a growing demand for egress support. In response, and in the context of planning and preparing for the challenges of the winter period, the Department and the HSE have been considering a comprehensive approach to the current the high-level of DTOCs. However, recognising the urgency of the situation, approval was provided to the HSE to begin actions immediately to the value of €5m in 2019. As part of these measures the HSE released a significant number of funding approvals within NHSS in September, and provided additional home care and transitional care beds.
With regard to the Deputy's specific question, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly with the requested information.
226. 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; the percentage of clinical status 1 DELTA incidents responded to by a patient-carrying vehicle in seven minutes and 59 seconds or less for each ambulance station in each month in the year to the end of September 2019 or latest date available, in tabular form. [40426/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
227. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of patients 75 years of age or over that experienced an emergency department wait time of more than 24 hours during September 2019; the total number to date in 2019; and the hospitals in which the wait occurred. [40427/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 eight months of 2019, the number of patients over the age of 75 attending hospital EDs increased by 2.7% 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 and any breach of this target in respect of patients in this age cohort is unacceptable.
With regard to the Deputy's specific question, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly with the requested information.
228. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of home support hours being provided by LHO area to the end of September 2019; and the number of persons on the waiting list for home support hours by LHO area by time periods (details supplied), in tabular form. [40428/19]
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.
229. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of ambulance attendances at each emergency department nationwide in September 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, more than 120 and more than 180 minutes, respectively, for same, in tabular form. [40429/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
230. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of spinal fusion patients waiting for time periods (details supplied); and the same information for other spinal patients for both Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin, and Temple Street Children’s University Hospital at the end of September 2019 or the latest date available, in tabular form. [40430/19]
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.
231. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of persons by LHO area waiting for a podiatry appointment in primary care at the end of September 2019 or the latest date available; and the number waiting for time periods (details supplied). [40431/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
232. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of persons by LHO area waiting for an ophthalmology appointment in primary care at the end of September 2019 or the latest date available; and the number waiting for time periods (details supplied). [40432/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
233. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of persons by LHO area waiting for an audiology appointment in primary care; and the number waiting for time periods (details supplied). [40433/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
234. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of persons by LHO area waiting for a dietetics appointment in primary care; and the number waiting for time periods (details supplied). [40434/19]
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.
235. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of persons by LHO area waiting for an oral health appointment in primary care at the end of September 2019 or the latest date available; and the numbers waiting for time periods (details supplied). [40435/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
239. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the progress been made regarding the development of a new statutory scheme for home care since his most recent statements on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40448/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sláintecare Implementation Strategy commits to the introduction of the statutory scheme in 2021. As part of this, work is on-going to determine the optimal approach to the development of the statutory scheme within the broader context of the Sláintecare reforms and in 2019 work is focusing on the design of the scheme, the options for regulation, and a review of existing services.
As part of this in recent months, the Department of Health has commissioned a review of the management, operation and funding of existing home-support service-provision. This will significantly enhance the evidence-base for the development of the statutory scheme and ensure that it builds on emerging good practice within Ireland.
I expect to be in a position to provide further details around the general terms of the proposed scheme in January 2020.
240. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health when the next stages of consultation will commence in the development of homecare regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40449/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn preparation for the development of the home care statutory scheme, the Department commissioned the Health Research Board to carry out a review of the home-care systems in four European countries. In addition, the Department conducted a public consultation on home-care services in 2017, on which a report was published in 2018. These reports are available on the Department’s website and will help to ensure that the new scheme is informed both by international experience and by the views of stakeholders, including service-users.
The Sláintecare Implementation Strategy commits to the introduction of the statutory scheme in 2021. As part of this, work is on-going to determine the optimal approach to the development of the statutory scheme within the broader context of the Sláintecare reforms and in 2019 work is focusing on the design of the scheme, the options for regulation, and a review of existing services. Engagement with stake-holders is essential to the progress of this work and is ongoing throughout this process.
I expect to be in a position to provide further details around the general terms of the proposed scheme in January 2020.
