Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Tuesday, 5 Nov 2019

Written Answers Nos. 648-667

Health Services Access

Ceisteanna (648)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

648. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason HSE transport was withdrawn in December 2018 in a case (details supplied); the other options open to pensioners living far away but needing to get transport to respite services in a centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45135/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Medical Card Reviews

Ceisteanna (649)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

649. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in processing a medical card review application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45141/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.

Medical Card Applications

Ceisteanna (650)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

650. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal can expect to have a medical card application renewal processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45142/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.

Question No. 651 answered with Question No. 550.

Cancer Screening Programmes

Ceisteanna (652)

Bríd Smith

Ceist:

652. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the reason no breakdown was provided as to the degree of change noted in 305 of the slides under consideration in the laboratory audit of 221 cases; the further reason no breakdown was provided as to which laboratories the 305 slides came from and the degree of change that pertained to each laboratory concerned; the further reason the 38 slides that did not have changes in their original interpretation after the review; and the further reason they were not removed from the statistics provided in the laboratory breakdown in table 4. [45155/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The laboratory audit that the Deputy refers to was carried out by the HSE. Queries in relation to the information provided in the report of that audit are a matter for the HSE.

Accordingly, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.

Psychological Assessments

Ceisteanna (653)

Fiona O'Loughlin

Ceist:

653. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 378 of 15 October 2019, if the person will be assessed in another catchment area in order that the child will not have to wait for a child psychologist. [45159/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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.

Health Services

Ceisteanna (654)

Peter Burke

Ceist:

654. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if medical care for women going through the menopause in recent years has been reviewed, as in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45162/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

It is recommended that women who experience menopausal symptoms which they find difficult to deal with see their GP. GPs can offer treatments and suggest lifestyle changes if a woman has severe menopausal symptoms that have a significant impact on her everyday activities. Women who have a medical card are entitled to a range of services including general practitioner services, prescribed drugs and medicines, all in-patient public hospital services in public wards (including consultant services), all out-patient public hospital services (including consultant services).

A Women's Health Taskforce has been established by the Department of Health to improve women’s health outcomes and experiences of healthcare. It met for the first time on 26th September 2019 and is being led by the Secretary General of the Department of Health and the Director General of the European Institute for Women’s Health in partnership with the National Women’s Council of Ireland.

The Taskforce will tackle a wide range of issues impacting women’s health outcomes in Ireland and will work on these on a phased, prioritised basis. The first action will be a ‘radical listening’ exercise that will invite women in Ireland to share their experiences of and solutions for the health system. This will be a significant, substantial and large-scale consultation process. This data combined with the available evidence will form the basis for future policy and action to improve women’s health in Ireland.

As this question relates to an operational issue I have referred it to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Emergency Departments Waiting Times

Ceisteanna (655)

Martin Ferris

Ceist:

655. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health the way in which a situation was allowed to arise on 25 October 2019 at University Hospital Kerry, which at one stage had seven ambulances waiting to offload patients and were unable to do so due to overcapacity in the emergency department; the ambulance cover the rest of County Kerry had while these ambulances were waiting at the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45167/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service issue, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply.

Abortion Services Provision

Ceisteanna (656, 657, 659)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

656. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the course of action he has instigated to ensure that he fulfils his commitment to a follow-up meeting with the family at the heart of the National Maternity Hospital false diagnosis and abortion crisis before a review of their case is undertaken. [45184/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

657. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the steps he has taken to ensure that there will not be a repeat of the wrongful abortion that was carried out in the National Maternity Hospital in March 2019. [45185/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

659. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if all the medical notes in their entirety have been given to the family at the centre of the National Maternity Hospital false diagnosis abortion crisis. [45187/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 656, 657 and 659 together.

As the House will be aware, a termination took place at the National Maternity Hospital in March of this year on the grounds that a condition incompatible with life was present. The couple involved have requested a review of their case.

My overriding concern as Minister for Health is for the couple involved and ensuring that questions regarding this incident are appropriately answered. As such, I support an independent and external review into this case. I have been advised that the National Maternity Hospital has commissioned such a review. I am sure that the Deputy would agree it is important to await the outcome of that review process, which will allow for a better understanding of what has occurred. It will also allow for any learning that may emerge to be disseminated throughout the health system. I can assure the Deputy and the House that any recommendations made by the review panel will be actioned by my Department, as well as the HSE in order to ensure that a similar incident does not occur again. My Department has also sought assurances from the National Maternity Hospital with regard to the safety and operation of the termination service, and it in turn has confirmed its compliance with the relevant legislation.

I have also met with the family to hear directly of their experiences. I and my officials are in ongoing correspondence with their representative.

Finally, with regard to the issue the Deputy raises with regard to the medical notes in this case, I understand that an ICT issue has arisen with regard to their availability as a paper copy. However, I have been advised that a technical solution to allow access to them is being pursued by the Hospital and it is hoped that this aspect of the matter will be resolved shortly. In any event, both the Hospital and my Department have offered to provide the family with access to these files via alternative electronic means.

Abortion Legislation

Ceisteanna (658)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

658. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the expert geneticist input that was used in the formulation of the abortion legislation and guidelines. [45186/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department consulted with a number of stakeholders in developing the Health ( Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy ) Act 2018 including a range of medical professionals.

As the Deputy is aware, clinical guidance documents on termination of pregnancy have been developed and published by medical colleges to assist in the provision of services under the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018. While my Department provided financial support to ensure that clinical guidelines for medical professionals operating the termination of pregnancy service were put in place at the earliest opportunity, the guidelines were developed on an independent basis by the medical colleges

Question No. 659 answered with Question No. 656.

Maternity Services

Ceisteanna (660)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

660. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the status of the maternity patient safety statement for March 2019 of the National Maternity Hospital; the reason it was not published; and the implications for the hospital as a result of not publishing the statement for March 2019. [45205/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Maternity Patient Safety Statement for March 2019 for the National Maternity Hospital may be viewed on the website of the Health Service Executive, at the following link:

https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/3/maternity/mpss/2019/march-2019/march-2019-maternity-patient-safety-statements.html

HSE Funding

Ceisteanna (661)

Anne Rabbitte

Ceist:

661. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the level of funding provided to each county under the HSE capital programme expenditure in each of the years 2016 to 2018 to date in 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45212/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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.

Home Help Service Data

Ceisteanna (662)

Anne Rabbitte

Ceist:

662. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the number of home help hours provided in each county in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45213/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí 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 (663)

Anne Rabbitte

Ceist:

663. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the level of funding provided to each county for mental health services in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45214/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Disability Services Funding

Ceisteanna (664)

Anne Rabbitte

Ceist:

664. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the level of funding provided to each county for adult disability day services in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45215/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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.

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.

Disability Services Funding

Ceisteanna (665)

Anne Rabbitte

Ceist:

665. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the level of funding provided to each county for adult disability residential services in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45216/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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.

As the Deputy's question relates to a service issue, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

Cross-Border Health Initiatives

Ceisteanna (666)

Eamon Scanlon

Ceist:

666. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health the status of an application by a person (details supplied) for reimbursement under the cross-border directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45247/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.

Speech and Language Therapy Staff

Ceisteanna (667)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

667. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the reason a school (details supplied) has been without a speech therapist since July 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45253/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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.

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.

Barr
Roinn