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Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019

Written Answers Nos. 372-391

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Ceisteanna (372)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

372. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the status of the Linn Dara campus in Cherry Orchard, Dublin 10; the number of residential beds operational; the services offered by the day hospital; the staffing levels; the number of staff vacancies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47312/19]

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.

HSE Staff Recruitment

Ceisteanna (373)

Kevin O'Keeffe

Ceist:

373. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if a request in relation to the employment of a person (details supplied) will be given due consideration. [47313/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly on this matter.

Health Services Data

Ceisteanna (374)

Maurice Quinlivan

Ceist:

374. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons with type 1 and 2 diabetes by CHO area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47314/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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

Hospital Staff Data

Ceisteanna (375, 377)

Maurice Quinlivan

Ceist:

375. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the number of diabetes dietitians employed in University Hospital Limerick; the number of patients waiting to see a diabetes dietitian in the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47315/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Maurice Quinlivan

Ceist:

377. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the number of endocrinologists employed in University Hospital Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47317/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 375 and 377 together.

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

Medical Aids and Appliances Applications Data

Ceisteanna (376)

Maurice Quinlivan

Ceist:

376. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for an insulin pump at University Hospital Limerick; the length of time waited in months in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47316/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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

Question No. 377 answered with Question No. 375.

Hospital Waiting Lists Data

Ceisteanna (378)

Maurice Quinlivan

Ceist:

378. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting to see an endocrinologist in University Hospital Limerick; the length of time they are waiting in months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47318/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Reducing waiting time for patients for hospital operations and procedures is a key priority for Government. Budget 2020 announced that the Government has further increased investment in tackling waiting lists, with funding to the National Treatment Purchase fund (NTPF) increasing from €75 million in 2019 to €100 million in 2019. The year-on-year increases to the NTPF since Budget 2017 reflect this Government’s priority to improve waiting times for patients to access hospital treatment.

My Department is working with the HSE and the NTPF to develop the Scheduled Care Access Plan 2020. In this regard, the HSE National Service Plan 2020 will set out a planned activity level for the year ahead, while the NTPF will work with the hospital system to provide additionality to reduce inpatient/day case, with a particular focus on improving access to hospital outpatient services.

In 2020, the NTPF will further expand its list of targeted inpatient and daycase procedures to support further significant reductions in wait times as well as increasing funding towards supporting full packages of care for patients on the outpatient waiting lists, to include the surgery or treatment where required.

In relation to the particular query raised by the deputy, the table attached shows the waiting list figures by time band for a first Outpatient appointment with an Endocrinologist at University Hospital Limerick at the end of October.

Waiting List

Hospital Waiting Lists Data

Ceisteanna (379)

Maurice Quinlivan

Ceist:

379. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the number of diabetes patients waiting for a carbohydrate counting course at University Hospital Limerick; the length of time waiting in months in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47319/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.

Disabilities Assessments

Ceisteanna (380)

Maurice Quinlivan

Ceist:

380. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment for an assessment at a school (details supplied). [47321/19]

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.

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Ceisteanna (381)

Patrick O'Donovan

Ceist:

381. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health when University Hospital Limerick will allow the Mid-Western Hospital Development Trust to proceed to planning to add a third treatment unit to the existing radiation treatment facility operated by the Mater Private at the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47322/19]

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.

Question No. 382 answered with Question No. 353.

Mental Health Services Provision

Ceisteanna (383)

James Browne

Ceist:

383. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health when a centre (details supplied) will become operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47330/19]

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.

Hospital Appointments Administration

Ceisteanna (384)

Alan Kelly

Ceist:

384. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the reason for the loss of 109 referrals to the national gender service; the steps taken to ensure this system failure is not repeated; the way in which he plans to address the delays for those that were waiting and should have had their first initial visit by now; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47334/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Last week Ireland East Hospital Group notified officials of my Department of an incident whereby over 100 patients of the National Gender Service at St. Columcille’s Hospital, Loughlinstown who should have been given an appointment for their initial visit, had not as yet received an appointment date.

This is a serious incident which has resulted in regrettable delays for patients waiting for their initial appointment to the Service. However, I have been advised that the National Gender Service at St. Columcille’s Hospital has conducted a full review of their service and put a plan of corrective action in place. All of the patients concerned have been contacted to advise them of the incident and to assure them that they have been reinstated correctly onto the waiting list.

The Service has also arranged for each person affected to be assigned a case manager over the coming weeks.

Furthermore, the Service will also be arranging extra clinics in order to minimise any increase in waiting times.

Finally, I wish to assure the Deputy that officials of my Department will continue to keep this matter under review through the regular governance meetings which are held with the HSE.

Gender Recognition

Ceisteanna (385)

Alan Kelly

Ceist:

385. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the status of the steering committee to develop an integrated service for those with gender identity issues; the number of times it has met; the recommendations it has made; if it was informed of the loss of 109 referrals to the national gender service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47335/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In line with international trends, the demand for transgender services in Ireland has increased exponentially over the last number of years.

The development of trans-gender services in Ireland has happened on an ad hoc basis over the last number of years with adult services based in St. Columcille’s Hospital (SCH), Loughlinstown (part of Ireland East Hospital Group – IEHG) and children’s services are located in Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children (OLHSC) – part of Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) – in Crumlin. Endocrinology and psychological support services are delivered on both sites.

Given the number of agencies involved in the delivery of care to this group, it was decided to establish a steering committee to develop and enhance governance arrangements across these agencies. Dr. Siobhán Ní Bhriain, National Clinical Advisor and Group Lead for Mental Health in the HSE, chairs this committee. The overarching aim of the committee is to ensure a seamless and integrated service for those presenting with transgender issues, and ensuring the needs of the patient and their families are placed at the centre of service delivery.

The Steering Committee have met on two occasions to date – Thursday July 4th 2019 and Thursday October 16th 2019. The inaugural meeting focused on scoping out the remit of the Steering Committee, developing a Terms of Reference to reflect that responsibility, and developing two workstreams with the following remits:

1. Develop the draft job description for the Child and Adolescent Consultant Psychiatry post, to be located in CHO 7 but with a defined role in OLHSC.

2. Work on developing seamless interfaces between the agencies involved in care delivery.

The work of the Steering Committee remains a work in progress and, to date, a number of potential recommendations have been identified:

1. Move from the current system of psychological support for those under 18 years old to ensure services are provided and delivered by the Irish Health Services;

2. Develop operational and governance arrangements between Child and Adult Mental Health services (CAMHS/AMHS), to be formalised with Standard Operating Procedures and Terms of Reference;

3. Develop local expertise in gender assessment in CAMHS/AMHS nationally in order to support the Hub & Spoke Model outlined in the Model of Care.

The committee aims to have its final meeting in December 2019, after which it will issue a final report and recommendations.

In relation to your query about the loss of 109 referrals I have referred this to the HSE for direct reply.

HSE Staff

Ceisteanna (386)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

386. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health the status of an application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47336/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly on this matter.

Orthodontic Services Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (387)

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

387. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) that was placed on the orthodontic waiting list for treatment four years ago will receive treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47342/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Ceisteanna (388)

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

388. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 351 of 17 September 2019, the steps the HSE has taken to ensure that tender documents are being prepared to enable the new endoscopy unit and other services at Naas General Hospital, County Kildare to proceed to tender in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47344/19]

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..

Dental Services

Ceisteanna (389)

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

389. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health if he will review his decision not to include the refurbishment of the Celbridge health centre dental clinic, Celbridge, County Kildare in the HSE Capital Plan 2020-2023 in view of the serious implications it has for children that have to try and access services in Maynooth and Naas, County Kildare (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47346/19]

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.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (390)

Kevin O'Keeffe

Ceist:

390. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health the status of a surgical procedure for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47373/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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.

Palliative Care for Children

Ceisteanna (391)

Bobby Aylward

Ceist:

391. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding paediatric palliative care in the south-east region; if he has satisfied that the level of paediatric palliative care in the south-east region is adequate especially in comparison to other parts of the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47406/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Palliative Care for Children with Life-limiting Conditions in Ireland – a National Policy (2009) sets out a clear direction for the development of an integrated palliative care service for children and their families, across all care settings. Under this policy, the HSE has established a Children’s Palliative Care Programme which includes 11 clinical nurse coordinators for children with life-limiting conditions, two consultant paediatricians with a special interest in children’s palliative medicine based in Crumlin and Temple Street, and an education programme also based in Crumlin. The aim of the Clinical Nurse Coordinator (CNC) service is to co-ordinate seamless continuity of care between the acute paediatric unit, community services and the child’s home. The paediatricians provide support to parents and neonates in maternity hospitals and paediatric units.

In relation to the provision of paediatric palliative care in the south-east specifically, as this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

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