Peter Burke
Ceist:164. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health his views on a nursing recruitment issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50677/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraNursing Staff Recruitment
Ceisteanna (164)
Freagraí scríofa
With regard to the details supplied by the Deputy, he will be aware that while there is no national recruitment embargo or moratorium, there is a priority requirement for all HSE services to maintain, or get to, an affordable staffing level that is sustainable in 2019 and 2020, while also prioritising the delivery of safe services.
With regard to the specifics of the question raised, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (165)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:165. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50680/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí 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.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (166)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:166. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50681/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí 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.
Emergency Aeromedical Service
Ceisteanna (167)
Denis Naughten
Ceist:167. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the annual payment made from his Department to the Air Corps for the operation of the aeromedical service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50686/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Vote of the Department of Defence provides for the costs incurred by the Air Corps in the provision of 480 flying hours per annum for Emergency Aeromedical Services. Any flying hours in excess of 480 hours are charged separately by the Department of Defence to the HSE .
Positive Ageing Strategy
Ceisteanna (168)
Peter Burke
Ceist:168. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will consider issuing guidelines for a system (details supplied) in the short-term in line with the assisted living blueprint and policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50696/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
A key principle underpinning Government policy is to support older people to live independently in their own homes and communities. The changing demographics and the implications for future health care costs underpin the importance of developing a wider choice of appropriate housing options for older people. The objective is to encourage and facilitate timely planning by older people for their future housing needs, and to rebalance the care model away from residential care to supporting people to remain in their own communities for as long as possible. As the research shows, this reflects the preferences of older people themselves.
The aim is to ensure that older people will have more choice by developing a range of housing options that are suited to their needs, so they can choose the right option for them. These options may include supported community developments akin to retirement villages, housing with supports projects or other initiatives.
Together with Damien English TD, Minister for Housing and Urban Renewal, I launched a Joint Policy Statement “Housing Options for our Ageing Population”earlier this year. The purpose of this Statement is to provide a policy framework to support our ageing population in a way that will increase the accommodation options available to them and give them meaningful choice in how and where they choose to live.
There are 40 Action points in the Plan and the document is available at https://health.gov.ie/blog/publications/housing-options-for-our-ageing-population-policy-statement.
An Inter-Departmental and Inter-Agency Implementation Group, with an independent Chair has been established to progress the programme of actions. The Implementation Group will report biannually to both myself and Minister English; the first report will be delivered this month. The establishment of the Implementation Group and the implementation of the policy statement are key actions in the 2019 Sláintecare Action Plan. Many of the health related action points are influenced by and integrated with broader Sláintecare actions.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (169)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:169. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50697/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí 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.
Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
Ceisteanna (170)
Eamon Scanlon
Ceist:170. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health when funding will be in place for the 48-bed modular unit at Sligo University Hospital recently announced with the publication of the HSE capital investment plan; when the unit will be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50698/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
It is important to recognise that all capital development proposals must progress through a number of approval stages, in line with the Public Spending Code, including detailed appraisal, planning, design and procurement before a firm timeline or funding requirement can be established.
The HSE actively manages the capital programme in order to ensure it has flexibility to progress as many projects as possible within the available funding.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (171)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:171. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50704/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí 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.
Health Services Provision
Ceisteanna (172)
Robert Troy
Ceist:172. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if the public health nurse service at the health centre, Ballymore, Mullingar, County Westmeath will be reinstated (details supplied). [50711/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí 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 Provision
Ceisteanna (173)
Robert Troy
Ceist:173. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if a public health nurse will be scheduled to call on house visits to a person (details supplied). [50712/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí 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 Provision
Ceisteanna (174)
Robert Troy
Ceist:174. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will reinstate funding to recommence the monthly chiropody clinic at Ballymore, County Westmeath. [50713/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (175)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:175. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50715/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí 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.
Medicinal Products Reimbursement
Ceisteanna (176)
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:176. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if a request for a national supplement reimbursement under GMS for a person (details supplied) will be reviewed on discretionary grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50718/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the particular issue raised relates to an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
Drug and Alcohol Task Forces
Ceisteanna (177)
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:177. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the status of the development and implementation of the code of governance for local and regional drugs and alcohol task forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50750/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Department has set up a working group to revise the Drug and Alcohol Task Forces Handbook in line with Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery. The working group is expected to complete its work in early 2020. One of the outputs of the group will be a new code of governance for Task Forces in line with best practice in the community, voluntary and charitable sectors. My Department will support the implementation of this code of governance. This is an important step in strengthening the performance of task forces.
Measuring the overall effectiveness of the response to the drug problem is an important objective of drug policy. Resources should be directed towards interventions and strategies which are most likely to lead to a reduction in problem substance use and an improvement in public health, safety and well-being.
The level of progress achieved in delivering on the national drugs strategy Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery will be determined using performance indicators. To this end, the Department of Health has committed to operationalising a performance measurement system by 2020. The system is primarily concerned with the overall effects of implementing the drugs strategy at a population level, including the effects on the health, well-being and quality of life of people living in areas served by the Task Forces.
Voluntary Sector
Ceisteanna (178)
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:178. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the status of the implementation of the recommendations of the report of the independent review group established to examine the role of voluntary organisations in publicly funded health and social services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50751/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Report of the Independent Review Group established to examine the role of voluntary organisations in publicly funded health and social services provides a timely reminder of the contribution that voluntary organisations have made and continue to make in the delivery of health and social care services across the country.
The Report makes a range of recommendations covering areas such as the governance of voluntary organisations; dialogue, engagement and contractual processes between the State and the voluntary sector; ethos, asset ownership and public capital investment, and broader issues related to health system development. These recommendations fall to be considered by a number of organisations including the Department of Health, the HSE, other state agencies and voluntary organisations themselves. It's also worth noting that many of the Report’s recommendations dovetail with the Sláintecare programme and are being considered in that context.
The key finding in the Report is the need to strengthen the relationship between the State and the sector and the Group identified the Department of Health as having a lead role in this regard. When I published the Report in February this year I announced my intention to establish a new Dialogue Forum as recommended in the Report as a key mechanism for strengthening this relationship.
The Dialogue Forum with Voluntary Organisations has now been established and I was delighted to address the first meeting of the new Forum which took place on Monday 2 December.
The aim of the Forum is to build a stronger working relationship between the State and the voluntary healthcare sector for the benefit of patients and service users. The Forum will also facilitate regular dialogue with the voluntary sector on Sláintecare and other policy initiatives and will consider issues around governance more generally.
The Forum is independently chaired by Peter Cassells. Members of the Forum include the Department, the HSE, HIQA, the Mental Health Commission and the main representative bodies of voluntary providers of health and social care: The Wheel; Mental Health Reform; Disability Federation of Ireland; Not for Profit Association; National Federation of Voluntary Service Providers; Voluntary Healthcare Forum; Voluntary Hospices Group and National Community Care Network.
Disability Services Funding
Ceisteanna (179)
James Browne
Ceist:179. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the funding of an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50752/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí 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.
Hospital Staff Data
Ceisteanna (180)
Jan O'Sullivan
Ceist:180. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the number of clinical agency staff, non-clinical agency staff and other agency staff by doctors, nurses, allied health professionals and so on in each acute hospital under the remit of the HSE in each of the years 2010 to 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50754/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (181)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:181. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50758/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí 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.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (182)
Fiona O'Loughlin
Ceist:182. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the status of the wait for treatment in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50771/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí 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.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (183)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:183. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50780/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí 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.