Written Answers Nos. 1429-1453
1431. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Health if he will approve funding for the upgrade of audiology services at Sligo University Hospital which are in urgent need of funding for new equipment and the upgrade of clinic rooms (details supplied). [14549/24]
View answerThe development of new or refurbished healthcare facilities are, under normal circumstances, approved by the Hospital Group initially before being approved by the relevant HSE Directorate prior to submission to the HSE National Capital and Property Steering Committee (NC&PSC). Once approved by NC&PSC the project is eligible for prioritisation and inclusion on the HSE capital plan, subject to the level of funding.
There are a number of infrastructure improvements included on the Capital Plan for Sligo University Hospital, including a 42 bed ward development and installation of a second CT scanner. Audiology service infrastructure is currently not included on the Capital Plan.
The development of new or refurbished healthcare facilities anywhere in the country cannot be seen in isolation or separate from the delivery of related health care services. In addition to the above process and in order to enhance capital investment, the Department of Health are currently developing a Strategic Health Investment Framework to ensure that investments are evidenced based, equitable, and ensure Sláintecare reforms are achieved, with the overall objective of having better health outcomes for the population of Ireland. SHIF is a high-level framework which sets out the Investment Criteria and an Intervention Hierarchy based on the principle of the Continuum of Care by which all capital investment proposals in the public health sector are to be assessed.
1432. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if any additional units within Cherry Orchard Hospital will be closing over the next 12 months, given that the willow, sycamore and lisbrí units are closing; the plans for the remaining open units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14563/24]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1433. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if he will outline, in respect of multidisciplinary meetings at St. James’s Hospital, how the oversight of the National Clinical Guidelines No. 19 August 2019 on oesophageal cancer is conducted; if any independent review is conducted; and if so, if this review is published. [14566/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1434. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health in respect of multidisciplinary meetings at St. James’s Hospital with those deemed unfit over 70 years to undergo treatment through radiotherapy or chemotherapy how is this assessed; how this is communicated to the patient; and if protocols are in place to regulate how patients are informed they are unfit for treatment due to age, from each of the conferences held at St. James’s Hospital. [14567/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1435. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health in respect of multidisciplinary meetings (MDMs) at S.t James’s Hospital how oversight is ensured for the application of the ethical treatment of the elderly in census decisions; if there is any independent review; and if there are any publications to demonstrate analyses of ethical treatment for the elderly by MDMs in decision making. [14568/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1436. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health in respect of multidisciplinary meetings at St. James’s Hospital, if it is normal procedure to inform patients their cancer cannot be treated and need palliative care by letter; and what specific protocols are in place to prevent this from occurring. [14569/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1437. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health in respect of multidisciplinary meetings (MDMs) at St. James’s Hospital and the gastrointestinal conference and a census decision on a patient, how dissenting opinions or views are acknowledged; and if patients are informed of these opinions. [14570/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1438. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health in respect of multidisciplinary meetings at St. James’s Hospital, how the oversight is conducted of the ethical guidelines of the Medical Council; and how is this reported. [14571/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1439. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if funding will be made available to provide for a dedicated consultant neurologist at Letterkenny University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14574/24]
View answerThe Government has allocated €22.5 billion to the health budget for 2024 with the Department of Health's additional allocation in budget 2024 being nearly €2 billion. This additional allocation includes an increase of €808 million in core current funding, €1,032 million in non-core current funding and an additional €120 million in capital funding. The number of consultants HSE will aim to recruit in 2024 is subject to confirmation in the Pay and Number Strategy when it is finalised later this year
The HSE has confirmed that a review of Neurology Services in the North West is currently underway by the Saolta Medical Managed Clinical Academic Network (MCAN). It is expected that this review will be completed towards the end of Q2 2024 and will inform the potential development of Neurology Services in the North West and Donegal. Any development of services will require a business case to access additional resources.
1440. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if there will be a recruitment process within the National Ambulance Service this year for paramedics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14577/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1441. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14587/24]
View answerAs this refers to a service matter, I have sent this PQ to the HSE for direct response. As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6th October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
1442. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if, in relation to CAMHS in south Kerry, the scheme is going to be expanded to ensure all children in Kerry who receive apologies for deficits in care, will be entitled to join the south Kerry compensation scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14591/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1443. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if the HSE will review the files of all patients that came under the care of the consultant in north Kerry under the CAMHS review (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14592/24]
View answer1445. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health how many files are expected to be reviewed in phase 2 of the north Kerry CAMHS lookback review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14594/24]
View answer1446. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if the decision is made to review all north Kerry files since the consultant began treating patients; if the review will be in the form of the extensive Maskey review; if not, if it will be carried out in blocks of 300 files; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14597/24]
View answer1447. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the reason the review of the north Kerry CAMHS taking so long; when it is expected to be concluded (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14598/24]
View answer1448. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) was asked to undertake the north Kerry CAMHS review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14599/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1443 and 1445 to 1448, inclusive, together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1444. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a review (details supplied) will be expanded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14593/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1449. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health how many payments of the initial €150 were made in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, by termination of pregnancy provider; how many payments of the final €300 were made in these years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14600/24]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have referred it to the HSE for direct reply.
1450. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number issues identified in the non-conforming report close out plan for the new national children’s hospital; the costs associated in full, with each issue identified; the status of same as of 26 March 2024; and if any issues have been disputed by the contractor (details supplied). [14602/24]
View answerThe National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB) has statutory responsibility for planning, designing, building, and equipping the new children's hospital. I have therefore referred your question to the NPHDB for direct reply.
1451. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health what discussion his Department has had with the HSE and Carlow County Council and the Minister for Justice regarding the provision of a building or a site for a women's refuge in Carlow; if the provision of a safe house has been secured in an interim measure; if his Department is aware of how many safe houses are available in Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14608/24]
View answer1452. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the current primary care waitlists for children under 18 years in CHO5, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14633/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1453. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update in relation to expediting the emergency department at Mayo University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14634/24]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
