Alan Kelly
Ceist:333. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health when the remit of HIQA will be extended to disability day services. [61522/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDisability Services
Ceisteanna (333, 334)
Alan Kelly
Ceist:334. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health when an independent body will be appointed to regulate and investigate disability day services (details supplied). [61523/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 333 and 334 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Question No. 334 answered with Question No. 333.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (335)
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn
Ceist:335. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health the measures that have been taken to fill a position for a senior occupational therapist in Buncrana, County Donegal; when the position is expected to be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61540/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy's question relates to a service issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Legislative Programme
Ceisteanna (336)
Jim O'Callaghan
Ceist:336. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the safeguards that are in place for minors and for persons incapable of making legal decisions in the proposed the human tissue (transplantation, post-mortem, anatomical examination and public display) Bill; and the provisions the bill will contain in relation to the age of consent. [61554/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Minister secured Government approval for publication of the Human Tissue Bill on 29 November 2022, and the Bill is expected to be published on the Oireachtas website shortly.
The Bill is a composite piece of legislation that includes provisions around organ donation and transplantation, post-mortem practice and procedures in hospital settings, anatomical examination, and public display of bodies after death. Crucially, it embeds in legislation the idea that consent is the defining principle across all these sensitive areas.
Among other things, the Bill provides, for the first time, a national legislative framework for organ donation and transplant services in Ireland. Under the legislation, anyone under the age of 18 is considered a child.
The Bill has been drafted to include additional protections and safeguards for both children and adults who lack capacity in line with international best practice and existing HSE protocols on consent for these groups.
Following publication, the Bill will begin the legislative process through the Houses of the Oireachtas, and there will be opportunities for Deputies to engage with the provisions of the legislation.
Ambulance Service
Ceisteanna (337)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:337. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied). [61568/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
From the week commencing 12 December, the existing ambulance bypass protocols, in place for Our Lady’s Hospital Navan, are being updated to address urgent patient safety matters to include patients who are critically or seriously unwell, or likely to deteriorate. The current ambulance bypass protocol includes paediatric patients, obstetrics patients, major trauma patients, heart attack patients, and stroke care patients.
The HSE Winter Plan for 2022-23, published on 11 October, will support acute and community services this winter to respond to anticipated high levels of emergency attendances and admissions across the acute sector, long waiting times in EDs, and high occupancy rates across acute hospital settings.
Ambulance Service
Ceisteanna (338)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:338. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the research that his Department has undertaken on the number of ambulances needed just to make up the shortfall of ambulances as they wait at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital accident and emergency department, Drogheda. [61569/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Ambulance Service
Ceisteanna (339)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:339. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if his Department accepts the view of senior clinicians and consultants in Drogheda Hospital that the ambulance bypass of Navan accident and emergency department and the proposed closure of Navan accident and emergency department could lead to the death of patients; and if he has carried out any investigation into the veracity of these claims. [61570/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, the HSE has proposed a process of planned service changes at Our Lady's Hospital Navan and has advised that these changes are necessary to support safe service delivery on a sustained basis and are driven first and foremost by patient safety considerations.
No decision regarding the HSE’s proposal for the transition of the Emergency Department at Navan has been agreed by me, or by government.
While recognising the very real clinical concerns identified, the Government is clear that several important issues, including additional capacity in other hospitals impacted and the continued ability of people in the Navan area to access emergency and urgent care, would need to be fully addressed before any proposed transition by the HSE.
For this reason, I have asked the HSE to undertake a review of capacity. The review has been received and is currently under consideration and engagement in relation to this matter is ongoing.
From the week commencing 12 December, the existing ambulance bypass protocols, in place for Our Lady’s Hospital Navan, are being updated to address urgent patient safety matters to include patients who are critically or seriously unwell, or likely to deteriorate. The current ambulance bypass protocol includes paediatric patients, obstetrics patients, major trauma patients, heart attack patients, and stroke care patients.
I have encouraged the HSE to engage further with the Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital management team with a view to ensuring sufficient capacity is in place across the region to meet demand.