Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019

Written Answers Nos. 312-336

General Practitioner Services

Ceisteanna (312)

Tom Neville

Ceist:

312. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the drug savings scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47086/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

In 1993, an Indicative Drugs Target Savings scheme (IDTS) was agreed between the Department of Health and the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO). The Scheme generated considerable savings in drug costs amounting to €177 million, particularly in the earlier years. However, savings had reduced considerably by 2005.

The object of the IDTS was to encourage rational drug prescribing practices on the part of GPs and to enhance the information and services available to patients. In return, GPs would be allowed to access funds for approved practice developments (investment in practice premises, equipment, computerisation etc), research and education, and additional primary care expertise at practice level. The remaining portion of the savings went to the Health Board for broad developments in general practice.

It was subsequently agreed under the IDTS that GPs with a proven track record of savings could be allowed to draw down a sum equivalent to their anticipated saving over a five/ten year period and to repay this advance by way of their savings. Various types of agreements, many of them in the form of mortgages, were signed between GPs and various Health Boards who received advances. The advances were paid out between 2002 and 2004 and were for periods of between 5 and 10 years.

In 2005, following an independent evaluation of the Scheme, the HSE suspended the IDTS as it was no longer achieving its objective.

In the aftermath of the suspension of the IDTS, approximately 30 GP practices had been refusing to make their annual repayments. The HSE entered into a mediation process with the IMO who represented most of the GPs in question. The mediation process resulted in an agreement being reached between the HSE and IMO in March 2014. Most of the GP practices with an outstanding balance opted for the terms of the mediation agreement, of which three practices opted to repay in one lump sum.

Thirteen GP practices are continuing to repay their outstanding loans in accordance with the terms of the mediation agreed mechanism. The HSE is continuing to liaise with its legal advisors in relation to a number of GP practices who hold an advance loan and have yet to reach a settlement agreement. This process is on-going and the HSE is committed to reaching a legally enforceable agreement with these remaining GP’s in line with the terms agreed during the mediation process.

Hospitals Funding

Ceisteanna (313)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

313. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the investment in a community hospital (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47095/19]

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.

Audiology Services Provision

Ceisteanna (314)

Brian Stanley

Ceist:

314. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health his plans to fill the vacant audiologist positions in counties Laois and Offaly; the progress being made on the matter; and the expected date for the posts to be filled. [47109/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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

Home Help Service Provision

Ceisteanna (315)

Kevin O'Keeffe

Ceist:

315. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will be assessed for home help hours. [47110/19]

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 Home Services

Ceisteanna (316)

Eugene Murphy

Ceist:

316. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health if vacancies in the Ballinasloe and Portumna public health nursing services, County Galway will be filled in view of the impending emergency closure of the services due to the failure of the HSE to fill two-thirds of the posts; the reason for the delays in filling the vacant posts; the future plans for the service; the plans for patients that need to avail of the services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47118/19]

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.

Services for People with Disabilities

Ceisteanna (317)

Eugene Murphy

Ceist:

317. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a home support assessment of needs meeting in view of confirmation of their eligibility in April 2018. [47119/19]

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.

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.

Health Services Provision

Ceisteanna (318)

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

318. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age waiting for a diagnostic scan less than four, four to 12 and more than 12 months by hospital group in tabular form. [47133/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The HSE advise that a pilot project commenced in 2016 by the HSE Acute Hospitals Division to progress the collection of national radiology waiting list data. The project has been supported by the Radiology Clinical Care Programme and has involved key stakeholders across the system including the National NIMIS Team, Hospital Groups, and the support of the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) for data collection and data management expertise.

The NTPF has advised that they do not currently record the personal data of any of the patients on the Diagnostics waiting list as the purpose of this aggregate data is to provide a National Level overview of the number of patients waiting for modalities of CT, MR and US. This report is not intended to be used for the active management of hospital diagnostics waiting list, local reports and mechanisms should continue to be used for the management of diagnostics waiting lists at hospital level.

For this reason, the NTPF are not able to identify whether patients on the Diagnostics waiting list are over or under 18 years of age.

Psychological Services Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (319)

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

319. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age waiting for a psychology appointment in primary care less than four, four to 12 and more than 12 months by LHO area in tabular form. [47134/19]

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.

Audiology Services Data

Ceisteanna (320)

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

320. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age waiting for an audiology appointment in primary care less than four, four to 12 and more than 12 months by LHO area in tabular form. [47135/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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

Health Services Provision

Ceisteanna (321)

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

321. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age waiting for an ophthalmology appointment in primary care less than four, four to 12 and more than 12 months by LHO area in tabular form. [47136/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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

Dietician Service Provision

Ceisteanna (322)

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

322. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age waiting for a dietetic appointment in primary care less than four, four to 12 and more than 12 months by LHO area in tabular form. [47137/19]

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.

Health Services Provision

Ceisteanna (323)

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

323. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age waiting for a podiatry appointment in primary care less than four, four to 12 and more than 12 months by LHO area in tabular form. [47138/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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

Speech and Language Therapy Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (324)

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

324. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age waiting for a first assessment for speech and language therapy less than four, four to 12 and more than 12 months by LHO area in tabular form. [47139/19]

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.

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.

Speech and Language Therapy Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (325, 326)

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

325. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age waiting for initial speech and language therapy less than four, four to 12 and more than 12 months by LHO area in tabular form. [47140/19]

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

326. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age waiting for further speech and language therapy less than four, four to 12 and more than 12 months by LHO area in tabular form. [47141/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 325 and 326 together.

As these questions relate to service matters, I have arranged for them to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.

Occupational Therapy Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (327)

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

327. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age waiting for a first assessment for occupational therapy less than four, four to 12 and more than 12 months by LHO area in tabular form. [47142/19]

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.

Hospital Waiting Lists Data

Ceisteanna (328, 329, 330, 331, 332, 333, 334, 335, 336)

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

328. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age waiting on the inpatient day case active waiting list less than six, six to 12 and more than 12 months by hospital group in tabular form. [47143/19]

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

329. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age waiting on the inpatient day case GI endoscopy waiting list less than six, six to 12 and more than 12 months by hospital group in tabular form. [47144/19]

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

330. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age waiting on the inpatient or day case list less than six, six to 12 and more than 12 months by hospital group in tabular form. [47145/19]

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

331. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age waiting on the GI endoscopy list less than six, six to 12 and more than 12 months by hospital group in tabular form. [47146/19]

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

332. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age waiting on the inpatient or day case suspensions list less than 6, 6 to12 and more than 12 months by hospital group in tabular form [47147/19]

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

333. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age waiting on the planned procedures list less than six, six to 12 and more than 12 months by hospital group in tabular form [47148/19]

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

334. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age waiting on the GI endoscopy planned procedures list less than six, six to 12 and more than 12 months by hospital group in tabular form. [47149/19]

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

335. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age waiting on the planned procedures suspensions list less than six, six to 12 and more than 12 months by hospital group in tabular form. [47150/19]

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

336. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age waiting on the outpatient waiting list less than six, six to 12 and more than 12 months by hospital group in tabular form. [47151/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 328 to 336, inclusive, together.

The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) currently collects and collates information in respect of the Inpatient, Day Case, Planned Procedure and Outpatient Waiting Lists.

Patients waiting for an appointment date for their treatment are categorised as 'Active' and patients suspended because they are temporarily unfit or unable to attend due to clinical or personal/social reasons are categorised as 'Suspension'. The Suspension category is also used where patients are being processed through various NTPF funded Insourcing or Outsourcing Initiatives.

The Planned Procedure list comprises those patients who have had treatment and require additional treatment at a future date (e.g. a patient who has had a scope may require surveillance monitoring scopes in the future). Patients on the Planned Procedure list are assigned indicative dates for treatment. These indicative dates are determined by the clinician and treatment before these dates would not be appropriate.

The Outpatient Waiting List includes patients with a scheduled appointment date for their consultation, and those awaiting an appointment date.

In relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, the NTPF has provided the information requested in the tables attached. The NTPF has further advised that within the Public Health System, Children are generally classified as those under the age of 16, while the figures in the following table also include patients between 16 and 18 years of age, to reflect patients who were under 18 on the 31st October 2019 according to the Date of Birth received from the relevant hospital.

Sum of Count	Column Labels
Row Labels	0 to 6 mths	6 to 12 mths	12 + mths	Grand Total
Children's Health Ireland	2,426	1,008	931	4,365
Dublin Midlands Hospital Group	145	11	10	166
Ireland East Hospital Group	190	53	40	283
RCSI  Hospitals Group	274	59	10	343
Saolta University Health Care Group	560	195	219	974
South/South West Hospital Group	444	125	53	622
University of Limerick Hospital Group	218	69	41	328
Grand Total	4,257	1,520	1,304	7,081
IP waiters
IPDC only (excludes PP)
Active category only excludes GI