Written Answers Nos. 289-309
289. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health his plans to downgrade the accident and emergency services at Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33205/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar is part of the Ireland East Hospital Group. Each Hospital Group is developing a strategic plan to describe how it will provide more efficient and effective patient services and reorganise its services to provide optimal care to the populations it serves. Every hospital in the Ireland East Group has a vital role to play within the Group. There are no plans to downgrade the accident and emergency services at the Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar.
290. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health his plans to downgrade the accident and emergency services at University Hospital Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33206/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are no plans to downgrade the Emergency Department at University Hospital Galway (UHG). To the contrary, plans for a new and significantly expanded ED at UHG are at design phase.
Given recognised capacity challenges with regard to the existing ED at University Hospital Galway, the Programme for a Partnership Government provides as follows: “A new ED for UHG is currently being designed with a view to funding for construction being provided as part of the 2017 Capital Plan Review ”.
Significant progress has been made in terms of planning for the new ED. Funding had been indented in the 2017 Capital Plan to progress to the design phase of the development of a new ED for UHG.
The HSE advises that the Contract Notice for the first stage design team procurement for the UHG ED project was submitted to the eTenders website for publishing on 2nd May, 2017. It is expected that tender documents will be completed and issued by the end of July, 2017.
The Saolta Group has committed to working to expedite this project as effectively as possible, as a new ED will provide valuable opportunities to significantly improve safety, dignity and privacy for patients attending UHG Emergency Department. In the intervening period, prior to completion of the new ED, significant effort is being dedicated to initiatives to improve patient flow in at Galway University Hospital in order to effectively manage the provision of emergency care on a 24/7 basis.
UHG is a pilot site for the National GE Finnamore Patient Flow project. This project is underway on site and encompasses both unscheduled care and scheduled care patient flow. Under this initiative, the Hospital is progressing a number of key process improvement initiatives, which include optimising ED escalation procedures, patient flow processes and bi-directional flow to/from other Saolta Hospitals as well as capacity modelling for inpatients and outpatients. The Saolta Group advises that participation in this project has resulted in significant improvements.
291. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health his plans to downgrade the accident and emergency services at Mayo University Hospital, Castlebar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33207/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am not aware of any plans to downgrade any Emergency Department facilities in Mayo University Hospital (MUH).
The Mayo ED has been performing well this year. Patient experience times for MUH are significantly better than the national average; 73.5% of patients have been admitted or discharged within 6 hours, 91.7% within 9 hours, and 99.9% within 24 hours this year to date, whereas the national averages for the same time period have been 66%, 80.7% and 96.5% respectively.
The Department of Health and the HSE are currently engaged in a process to commence winter planning for next year and to work towards an improvement trajectory in ED performance, including at the Mayo ED.
292. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health his plans to downgrade the accident and emergency services at Sligo University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33208/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am not aware of any plans to downgrade any Emergency Department facilities in Sligo University Hospital (SUH).
The Sligo ED has been performing well this year. Patient experience times for SUH are similar to the national average for 6 hour PET and better than the national average for 9 and 24 hour PET.
65.4% of patients have been admitted or discharged within 6 hours, 84.8% within 9 hours, and 99.6% within 24 hours this year to date, whereas the national averages for the same time period have been 66%, 80.7% and 96.5% respectively.
Plans for the expansion of some facilities at SUH are on-going; a Phase 1 redevelopment to include a Ward Block, Theatre Department and new ED is funded to design phase, as is a Central Sterile Services Department upgrade. A new interventional Radiology suite is in design phase and funded to completion (currently scheduled for 2020).
293. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health his plans in to downgrade the maternity services at Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33209/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy can be assured that I have no plans to downgrade the maternity services at Portiuncula Hospital.
The National Maternity Strategy recognises that smaller maternity services cannot, and should not, operate in isolation as stand-alone entities. Those units cannot sustain the breadth and depth of clinical services that the populations they serve require without formal links to larger units. Accordingly, Maternity Networks are being established across Hospital Groups and being overseen by the National Women & Infants Health Programme. Through the development of the networks, and the sharing of expertise within the networks, the operational resilience of smaller units will be strengthened and such units can be supported to provide safe high quality maternity services.
294. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health his plans to downgrade the maternity services at Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33210/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy can be assured that I have no plans to downgrade the maternity services at Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar.
The National Maternity Strategy recognises that smaller maternity services cannot, and should not, operate in isolation as stand-alone entities. Those units cannot sustain the breadth and depth of clinical services that the populations they serve require without formal links to larger units. Accordingly, Maternity Networks are being established across Hospital Groups and this is being overseen by the National Women & Infants Health Programme. Through the development of the networks, and the sharing of expertise within the networks, the operational resilience of smaller units will be strengthened and such units can be supported to provide safe high quality maternity services.
295. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health his plans to downgrade the maternity services at University Hospital Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33211/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy can be assured that I have no plans to downgrade the maternity services at University Hospital Galway.
The National Maternity Strategy recognises that smaller maternity services cannot, and should not, operate in isolation as stand-alone entities. Those units cannot sustain the breadth and depth of clinical services that the populations they serve require without formal links to larger units. Accordingly, Maternity Networks are being established across Hospital Groups and being overseen by the National Women & Infants Health Programme. Through the development of the networks, and the sharing of expertise within the networks, the operational resilience of smaller units will be strengthened and such units can be supported to provide safe high quality maternity services.
296. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health his plans to downgrade the maternity services at Mayo University Hospital, Castlebar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33212/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy can be assured that I have no plans to downgrade the maternity services at Mayo University Hospital.
The National Maternity Strategy recognises that smaller maternity services cannot, and should not, operate in isolation as stand-alone entities. Those units cannot sustain the breadth and depth of clinical services that the populations they serve require without formal links to larger units. Accordingly, Maternity Networks are being established across Hospital Groups and being overseen by the National Women & Infants Health Programme. Through the development of the networks, and the sharing of expertise within the networks, the operational resilience of smaller units will be strengthened and such units can be supported to provide safe high quality maternity services.
297. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health his plans to downgrade the maternity services at Sligo University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33213/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy can be assured that I have no plans to downgrade the maternity services at Sligo University Hospital.
The National Maternity Strategy recognises that smaller maternity services cannot, and should not, operate in isolation as stand-alone entities. Those units cannot sustain the breadth and depth of clinical services that the populations they serve require without formal links to larger units. Accordingly, Maternity Networks are being established across Hospital Groups and being overseen by the National Women & Infants Health Programme. Through the development of the networks, and the sharing of expertise within the networks, the operational resilience of smaller units will be strengthened and such units can be supported to provide safe high quality maternity services.
298. Deputy Hildegarde Naughton asked the Minister for Health the number of primary care centres in south County Mayo; his plans to open further primary care centres in south County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33215/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the HSE has responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres and other Primary Care facilities, the Executive has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.
299. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an appointment for a person (details supplied) at University Hospital, Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33235/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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 scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she should take the matter up with the consultant and the hospital involved. In relation to the specific case raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
300. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card application submitted by a person (details supplied) whose sole income is derived from a social welfare payment. [33241/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information was issued to Oireachtas members.
301. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the community supports for persons caring for persons with dementia here; his plans to expand the support levels for those persons caring for persons with dementia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33246/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
302. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1106 of 20 June 2017, the name of the body or Department responsible for the purchase and supply of medical equipment for use by general practitioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33247/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
303. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a date for surgery for a person (details supplied). [33255/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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 scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she should take the matter up with the consultant and the hospital involved. In relation to the specific case raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
304. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the increased risk of violence and suicide among young persons under 25 years of age using SSRI anti-depressants; the studies that he has requested to be carried out into this drug; if he has given consideration to attaching a black box warning to this class of drugs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33259/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSelective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a group of anti-depressant medications available through prescription only and are authorised for use in Ireland and across the EU for the treatment of depressive disorders and some anxiety related conditions. Some of these medications are also authorised for use in children and adolescents aged 8 to 18 years for the treatment of moderate to severe major depressive episodes if the depression is unresponsive to psychological therapy. Depression may be associated with an increased risk of suicidal thoughts, self-harm and suicide. This risk may persist, particularly in the early stages of treatment when a patient starts to take an anti-depressant until significant remission of their depression occurs. Across the EU, the product information documents (the Summary of Product Characteristics (‘SmPC’) and the Package Leaflet (‘PL)) are the main documents for communication of information and advice regarding a medicine. The format and content of these documents is laid down in legislation and regulatory guidance documents. The SmPC and PL are reviewed and approved as an intrinsic part of the licensing of a medicine. They are continuously updated for all medicines, to reflect the current state of knowledge of the medicine and the risks associated with its use. As such, it is considered important for healthcare professionals and patients/carers to regularly read/review these documents to support safe and appropriate use. It is important to note too, that the information included in the US ‘black box’ is entirely consistent with that provided in the approved product information (SmPC and PL) for SSRIs in the EU.
The SmPC is mainly intended for use by healthcare professionals and includes detailed information on the use, dosing recommendations, precautions for use and the known side-effects of the medicine concerned. The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is the competent authority for the regulation of medicines in Ireland. SmPCs for products currently authorised in Ireland are accessible from the HPRA website (www.hpra.ie). The PL reflects the more comprehensive information described in the SmPC, but is required to be presented in an abbreviated and easy-to-read format and is subject to user-testing to ensure its ease of readability. Healthcare professionals and patients are advised of the risk of suicide associated with SSRIs through the product information for the individual SSRI medicines which specifically highlight the need for monitoring of the patient following initiation of therapy: 'as improvement may not occur during the first few weeks or more of treatment, patients should be closely monitored until such improvement occurs'. The Package Leaflet accompanying these products advises that patients and their care-givers should be alerted about the need to monitor for any clinical worsening, suicidal behaviour or thoughts, or unusual changes in behaviour and to seek medical advice immediately if these symptoms appear. With respect to SSRIs used in children and adolescents aged 8 to 18 years with depression, the product information for SSRIs describes that treatment should be initiated and monitored under specialist supervision, with dose adjustments made carefully, on an individual basis, to maintain the patient at the most effective dose. For children who respond to treatment, the need for continued treatment after 6 months should be reviewed. If no clinical benefit is achieved within 9 weeks, treatment should be reconsidered. The HPRA, in conjunction with European counterparts, continues to review the safety of authorised medicines and takes appropriate regulatory action when necessary, including product information updates through the applicable authorisation framework for the medicines concerned. The HPRA emphasises the fact that all medicines have some risks and a small number of people may develop side effects (also known as adverse reactions). The decision to use a particular medicinal product for an individual patient rests with the healthcare professional treating the patient. The clinician balances the risks associated with a medicine in the context of the overall benefit of the medicine to the health of the patient and the condition being treated.
305. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of persons that have been assessed as requiring a place at a day care centre in County Kildare, by day care centre and by town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33260/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra306. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the provision that has been made for allocation of additional resources to the operation of day care centres in County Kildare; the way in which he plans to reduce the 52 plus week waiting list for a placement; the way in which he plans to improve service provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33261/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 305 and 306 together.
As these are service matters they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
307. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of assessments of need of care that have been identified that attendance at a day care centre would be beneficial to a person's wellbeing; the number of persons on waiting lists; the way in which these waiting lists are managed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33262/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
308. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he has carried out research into the provision of training and social outlets for those providing 24 hour care to family members; if research has been carried out on the social and personal needs of carers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33263/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra309. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if an assessment of the holistic needs of the population of adult carers in the home has been carried out; the way in which they might be supported to best care for loved ones in the home; the social support outlets and emotional supports available to such families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33264/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 308 and 309 together.
The National Carers' Strategy was published in 2012. The key objectives are to recognise and value the important role played by carers, to promote their inclusion in care decisions to encourage carers to look after their own health and wellbeing, and to ensure that carers have a life outside of, and after, caring. The Strategy lists action areas under each of these objectives, the implementation of which requires more specific actions to be identified and progressed by the various Departments and Agencies allocated responsibility for delivery.
The main third sector organisation representing carers, Family Carers Ireland, engages regularly with Government Departments on issues of concern to carers, and now publishes an annual Family Carers Scorecard, which rates the Government's progress on achieving each of the actions in the Carers' Strategy.
Government officials also meet carers' representative organisations at an annual Carers Forum hosted by the Department of Social Protection. This provides a useful arena for carers to raise issues of particular concern to them. In the Health area these have included the need for improved access to respite, the need for better hospital discharge planning and the need for better information for carers.
A considerable amount of research is undertaken, including by NGOs with a specific remit in relation to caring. This research includes the type and availability of supports for people providing care for others on an informal basis. The State supports such research directly and indirectly such as through the provision of funding support by various agencies and Departments
The Single Assessment Tool (SAT) which is a comprehensive IT based standardised assessment used to assess the health and social care needs of people (primarily those over the age of 65 years) who may be looking for support under the Nursing Home Support Scheme or home care services completed its national pilot in Q2 2017. It is now progressing towards national implementation across the HSE. As part of this project, a specific Carers Needs Assessment is also being developed with input from Family Carers Ireland.
The Department is working to improve the supports available to carers and is engaged in an extensive programme of health care reform. Examples include the extension of free GP care to the over 70s. It is also committed to improving the level of home supports for older people and to improving services for people with a disability and mental health issues and to the people who care for them. A range of training programmes for carers are provided directly by the HSE jointly with carers' representative groups or directly by carers' representative organisations. The National Carers Strategy Fourth Progress Report, available at http://health.gov.ie/future-health/older-people/national-carers-strategy/ provides a comprehensive overview of the Actions being delivered under the Strategy. We are committed to the continued implementation of the Strategy.
