Thursday, 5 Mar 2020

Mental Health Services Staff

Ceisteanna (663)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

663. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the reason the position of national director of mental health is unfilled. [3174/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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

Hospitals Data

Ceisteanna (664)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

664. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of persons treated for stroke in Mullingar, Cavan, Drogheda and Blanchardstown hospitals in each of the past five years; the number of these patients that had thrombolysis treatment in each hospital, respectively, in each of the years; the number of FAST positive patients treated in each hospital in each year; the budget for Navan hospital for each of the past ten years; the budget for the emergency department in Navan hospital in each of the past ten years; his plans to ensure training for junior doctors at Navan hospital is reinstated; and if the emergency department in Navan hospital will remain fully functional for 2020. [3175/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (665)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

665. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health when an appointment will issue to persons (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3177/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As the Deputy's question relates to a service issue it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Home Help Service

Ceisteanna (666)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

666. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if a home help application by a person (details supplied) will be expedited; the reason for the delay regarding the package; the status of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3179/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

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.

Free Travel Scheme

Ceisteanna (667)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

667. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will contact the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport to ensure the free travel pass can be accepted on LocalLink bus services in exceptional cases such as the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3180/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Deputy will be aware that the Free Travel Scheme is operated on behalf of the Department for Employment Affairs and Social Protection.

The Deputy will also be aware that the Department of Transport, tourism and sport has a responsibility to provide Public Transport, that is Transport open to the entire community, and transport exclusively for HSE Service users does not fall into this remit.

There are improvements in access to a range of transport supports available to persons with disabilities in the State, for example the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers scheme, operated by the Revenue Commissioners; the Free Travel Scheme operated by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection; and CLÁR funding, approved by the Minister for Rural and Community Development, to voluntary organisations providing transport for people with significant mobility issues.

Under the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017 - 2021, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has responsibility for the continued development of accessibility and availability of accessible public transport.

The Department of Health and the HSE provide specialist disability services, including Day Services and Rehabilitative Training, to people with disabilities who require such services. Transport is not considered a core Health service and as such Day Service funding does not include transport.

In the case provided, of a service user in Cavan, the HSE have informed the department that the Community Healthcare Organisation (CHO 1) works with Local Link to provide a co-ordinated and efficient transport service, for all service users going to day services operated or funded by the HSE. The HSE pays 90% of the costs of this day service transport, with the remainder funded through passenger fares. The HSE has no remit to provide transport but recognises that service users living in rural areas would not be able to access services without transport supports.

It is important to note that at present fares (€4) are collected on "closed" routes (i.e. not open to the general public but for HSE service users only). Service users who are using a public "open" Local Link bus route to get to their day service, can use their free bus pass.

The €4 charge collected on these 'closed' routes contributes to overall improvements in service delivery including increased number of routes, shorter journey times and improvement in quality of vehicles used.

The HSE service provided is:

- Safe and of the highest quality providing door to door transport for people attending HSE funded services, including assigned designated Garda vetted drivers per service so that relationships and trust are developed between passenger and driver

- fully accessible

- best value for money

- co-ordinated and managed in a professional manner by people who have expertise in transport provision

- reviewed continuously to ensure shorter passenger journey times.

This partnership with transport providers commenced in Sligo and Leitrim in 2012. At this time, day services commenced collecting transport fares within the centre. However, some centres did not collect fares and to ensure equity all passengers are now being requested to pay fares.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (668)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

668. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied); if an appointment will be arranged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3198/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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 (669)

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

669. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if urgent assistance will be provided to a person (details supplied) in relation to the needs outlined in correspondence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3202/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

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.

Maternity Services

Ceisteanna (670)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

670. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the person or body that oversees contractual adherence to the public to private care ratios in maternity hospitals; the protocols in place to ensure the oversight is consistent across hospitals and hospital groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3204/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Following engagement concerning consultant compliance with private practice limits during 2017 and the early months of 2018, the Department wrote to the HSE on 19th April confirming arrangements agreed to ensure the development by the HSE of a comprehensive governance framework, to operate at both national and local levels.

Minister for Health

The Deputy may wish to note that a new Women's Health Taskforce was established in the Department of Health in September 2019 to improve women's health outcomes and women's experiences of healthcare. 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, delivering a two-year rolling Women's Health Action Programme.

Priority action areas are decided by the Taskforce in consultation with stakeholders, including the public. At its meeting in December, the Taskforce agreed to focus on three initial areas over the coming months: which includes improving gynaecological health for women and girls. As part of the focus on improving gynaecological health for women and girls, actions in relation to endometriosis will be developed.

However, as the query raised by the Deputy relates to a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply to you directly

Health Services Provision

Ceisteanna (676)

James Browne

Ceist:

676. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the need for additional specialist rehabilitation units, psychiatric intensive care units and mental health crisis houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3222/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

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.

Health Services Provision

Ceisteanna (677)

James Browne

Ceist:

677. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health if the urgent need of a person (details supplied) to secure a specialist rehabilitation unit place will be given consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3223/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The State Claims Agency (SCA) has a statutory remit to manage personal injury claims, including claims in respect of clinical negligence, on behalf of Delegated State Authorities (DSA’s) including the Health Service Executive. The management of the H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine cases is delegated to the State Claims Agency and I have no role in determining how these cases are conducted.

An Expert Group was established in June 2018, under Mr Justice Charles Meenan, to examine the law in relation to personal injuries arising in the healthcare context and to explore alternative mechanisms by which claims could be managed more effectively, particularly from the perspective of the person on whose behalf a claim has been made. The final Report from this Expert Group has been received and both the Department of Health and the Department of Justice and Equality are considering it. The recommendations of this Report will be taken into account in relation to the development of any vaccine compensation scheme.

In addition, the Health Research Board recently completed a review of the evidence on vaccine injury redress programmes in other jurisdictions and this report will also be considered in conjunction with the Expert Group’s recommendation.

Since 2012, the Department of Health, the HSE, and the Department of Education and Skills, and the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection have worked together to provide a wide range of services and supports for those affected.

The HSE’s Advocacy Unit acts as liaison with service and support providers and other Government Departments to facilitate access to required services. It has also engaged with representatives of SOUND (Sufferers of Unique Narcolepsy Disorder). Four regional narcolepsy co-ordinators have been appointed as single points of contact to assist patients and their families by providing advice, information and access to local services.

The ex-gratia health supports include:

- clinical care pathways to ensure access to diagnosis and treatment;

- multi-disciplinary assessments led by clinical experts;

- counselling services for both the individuals and their families;

- discretionary medical cards for those who have been diagnosed;

- physiotherapy and occupational therapy assessments.

The information requested by the Deputy concerning legal costs of fighting court cases in relation to the administration of the Pandemrix Vaccine is not readily available. Accordingly, I have asked the State Claims Agency to collate the information and it will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

Question No. 681 answered with Question No. 495.

Nursing Staff

Ceisteanna (682)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

682. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the reason nurses who continue to work in the health services after 65 years of age revert to their starting salary and lose all increments for subsequent years worked; his views on whether this acts as a disincentive to experienced persons continuing to work in the health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3242/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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