O'Connell, John F.Wednesday, 13 May 1992 |
Dáil Éireann Debate
Page of 119
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Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - HIV Testing.
Was asked: whether he intends to introduce anonymous HIV testing in accident and emergency departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: whether he intends to introduce anonymous HIV testing in accident and emergency departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 53 and 92 together. AIDS was identified as a clinical entity in 1981. Diagnosed cases have been reported to the Department since 1982. Serological surveillance of the ...
Does the Deputy want me to read—
The Deputy is correct on both counts.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Beaumont Neurosurgery Unit.
Was asked: if he has considered appointing an inspectorate of international repute to examine the procedures for care of patients in Beaumont neurosurgery unit, Dublin, 9, so that the public could have full conf...
Was asked: if he has considered appointing an inspectorate of international repute to examine the procedures for care of patients in Beaumont neurosurgery unit, Dublin 9, so that the public could have full confi...
I propose to take Questions Nos. 54 and 78 together. As Deputy Bruton was piqued at the fact that I read so slowly for his edification, if he wishes I will speed read this reply. As I have already ind...
I agree with the Deputy. It was my intention to do as he suggested, but it was pre-empted by the decision of the hospital to suspend the consultant surgeon. I was obliged under the terms of the commo...
I believe there are enough inquiries going on at present.
The Deputy can be assured that as soon as these inquiries are completed — I expect them to be concluded by early autumn at the latest — I will set up a proper inquiry into the standard of care in that...
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Equipment in Cancer Hospitals.
Was asked: if he will outline the age and condition of the equipment for radiation treatment in the major cancer hospitals; the reason for the frequent break-downs; and his plans to overcome these problems.
Was asked: if he will outline the age and condition of the equipment for radiation treatment in the major cancer hospitals; the reason for the frequent break-downs; and his plans to overcome these problems.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 55 and 107 together. Detailed information on the age and condition of specific items of equipment for radiation treatment is not routinely collected by my Department. ...
The Deputy is correct in that such a system should be in operation. In the budget for every hospital there should be provision for depreciation of hospital equipment because it is not acceptable that ...
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Patients' Appointments.
Was asked: if he will give details of the system he has put in place to oversee (a) the waiting time of public patients for their first appointment with a consultant, (b) the provision of an individual timed app...
Was asked: if he will give details of the system he has put in place to oversee (a) the waiting time of public patients for their first appointment with a consultant, (b) the provision of an individual timed app...
I propose to take Questions Nos. 56 and 88 together. As the Deputies may be aware, the Third Report of the Dublin Hospital Initiative Group published last September contained a series of detailed reco...
I agree with the Deputy. I am unhappy about the long delay in patients obtaining appointments at outpatient departments. Such delays are unacceptable and I have to see how we can solve this problem. A...
First, it is my intention to bring in a new authority to replace the Eastern Health Board. This authority will effectively be in charge of management and bringing about the co-ordination of all the he...
That is a very good suggestion by the Deputy but, unfortunately, we have not reached the stage where patients can pick and choose between hospitals.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Patients' Charter.
Was asked: when it is planned to publish the patients charter which was promised in the Programme for Economic and Social Progress; if he will outline the rights, if any, which will be established by the charter...
Was asked: the reason for the delay in publishing a patients' charter; and if he will outline the legal force he plans to give this charter.
Was asked: whether he has satisfied himself with the present system for dealing with patient complaints regarding care they have received, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: when the patients' charter promised in the Programme for Economic and Social Progress will be published, and if he will outline the means envisaged to permit patients enforce their rights under the ch...
Was asked: if he will introduce a system whereby health authorities would make patients aware of their rights to make complaints to the Ombudsman in respect of any aspect of the service they receive excluding on...
Was asked: if he will introduce a system whereby health authorities would make patients aware of their rights to make complaints to the Ombudsman in respect of any aspect of the service they receive excluding on...
Was asked: if he will outline (1) the progress which has been made with regard to the preparation of a patients' charter which was promised in the Programme for Economic and Social Progress, (2) the organisation...
I propose to take Questions Nos. 57, 73, 91, 100, 111, 145 and 218 together.
I agree with the Deputy, and we in our own way can apply pressure on the hospitals concerned. I am a very agreeable person.
I do not think it would be possible to put the charter rights on a statutory basis, but we can apply considerable pressure on hospitals by virtue of the fact that the State is funding 99 per cent of ...
We do not need special resources to ensure that confidentiality about patients' records is maintained. With regard to the complaints procedure, the non-medical section of the hospital could be involve...
With regard to MRI machines, funds have been made available to Beaumont Hospital and such a machine will be installed there towards the end of the year at a cost of £1.3 million. This will be made ava...
I think we can enforce the charter and we will be able to monitor. What is the Deputy's point about a central authority?
The Ombudsman is available. In the booklet which I will have published it will be stated that patients have access to the Ombudsman and to the Medical Registration Council if they wish to complain abo...
Regarding the right to a second opinion, this is normally done without reference to the patient; he or she is not given a choice. I am not sure whether we could guarantee that right. We could specify...
The persons consulted should provide that information and as full and accurate an extract from the records as is possible to give the patient, having regard to the best medical interests of the patien...
Yes, I would love to see that being done by statute but I am told it would create enormous problems. I have looked at the question of appointing a medical Ombudsman and I think this will have to be do...
Yes, I will.
I suggest that my very close friend, Deputy Mitchell——
——takes a trip around the hospitals because every hospital has some very modern coffee rooms and restaurants. It would be a good idea if the Deputy visited the hospitals to see the luxury——
In St. James' Hospital they have a lovely restaurant, if I may say so. The Meath, the Adelaide, Beaumont and St. Vincents hospitals have very nice facilities. Every hospital I have visited in the city...
I accept that problems can arise for the Protestant minority and for that reason the Adelaide Hospital must continue. I made this point very clear on radio yesterday in my assurances to the board and ...
The charter of rights will be on display in the out patients department in every hospital and I hope every patient who is admitted will be given the booklet.
My name will be printed on the front of the booklet——
I will ensure that every patient is given a copy of the booklet as soon as they are admitted to the hospital.
I am sorry a Cheann Comhairle that I am delaying you unnecessarily. Health is an emotive subject and, as you can see, it arouses great interest.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Orthodontic Treatment.
Was asked: if he accepts that action must be taken to reduce the waiting lists for orthodontic treatment; and if he will outline the measures, if any, that will be taken to alleviate the present situation.
Was asked: if he will outline his plans to address the continuing crisis in orthodontic care for children.
Was asked: if he has satisfied himself with the level of orthodontic treatment available in each health board; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 58, 121 and 155 together. There has been a significant improvement in the number of children undergoing orthodontic treatment as a result of the special moneys provide...
Six years ago, the Deputy's party were in power and they made those promises. I place great priority on the dental services which, I accept, are not adequate. What I propose doing is to bring before t...
Yes, I will examine that point and I will discuss it with the Deputy. I accept we have got to do something positive about it, and I am prepared to listen to any proposals or suggestions by Deputies. I...
The allocation to health boards in 1992 includes a repeat of the special provision for the continuing improvement of orthodontic services. I know this is a big problem but I think we can tackle it. I...
We have already decided to attract them into the public dental service by allowing them certain private practice. A number of orthodontic consultants have been appointed and the advertisement is in fo...
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Mental Handicap Services.
Was asked: if he will outline the amount of extra money for mental handicap services in 1992 which is being distributed on a service-by-service basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: if he will outline his most recent estimate of the numbers of persons with an intellectual disability who are waiting for residential care; if he will give details of the likely waiting time for a per...
Was asked: if he will outline his most recent estimate of the numbers of persons with an intellectual disability who are waiting for residential care; if he will give details of the likely waiting time for a per...
Was asked: if he will give details of the additional 1992 budget with regard to persons with a mental handicap, indicating in particular (a) the additional residential places for adult mentally handicapped, (b) ...
Was asked: the way in which the extra £6 million announced for services for persons with a mental handicap will be divided between capital and current spending.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 59, 109, 228, 229 and 233 together. I want to assure Deputies that the improvement of services to people with mental handicap is one of my main priorities. I am determ...
I have followed the problems of the mentally handicapped since the time I went, unannounced, to see St. Ita's Hospital many years ago. What I saw there left a very lasting impression on me. There were...
There are many degrees of mental handicap. With proper surveillance and early detection of cases the mildly mentally handicapped can, with the proper education, live a normal life. We must, therefore,...
There are three priorities, to provide proper educational resources for the mildly mentally handicapped, to get the moderately mentally handicapped into workshops and to provide a proper environment i...
We work closely with agencies. They come to us and cost the service and we pay them. In the case of an autistic person it costs £21,000 a year. The agencies did not complain that what they were gettin...
I should inform the Deputy that there are 11,846 people in receipt of day or residential services. Furthermore, we have increased the number of residential places considerably. There are 4,548 residen...
If we did not have these voluntary organisations the situation would be chaotic. I do not think the statutory services could provide anything like the level of services they provide. They also serve a...
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Meningitis Cases.
Was asked: if he has investigated recent cases of meningitis in children in this country; if he has satisfied himself as to whether these are in any way related to bovine TB; and if he will make a statement on t...
Reported cases of meningitis in this country can be broken broadly into two main categories. These categories are (a) acute viral meningitis and (b) bacterial meningitis. Acute viral meningitis is no...
I am.
Bovine tuberculosis is related to meningitis but not to bacterial meningitis and specifically haemophilus influenzae meningitis. It can be and was associated with tuberculous meningitis which is total...
I am not an epidemiologist but rather a medical doctor.
There is no correlation between bovine tuberculosis and haemophilus influenzae meningitis which is caused by a different bacteria. Bovine tuberculosis is caused by tubercle bacillus, which has no conn...
I should tell the Deputy that there is nothing sacred or authoritative in medicine and it can change tomorrow.
I am sure the Deputy would not like me to arrive in the House with egg on my face.
I am assured by the experts in the field of health that there is no correlation between haemophilus influenzae meningitis or bacterial meningitis and tuberculus meningitis. I could not make a categori...
I will make all the evidence available to the Deputy so that he may reassure his constituents.
Written Answers. - Special Teacher Training.
Was asked: the reason the special programme to train teachers to assist in the introduction of child abuse prevention programmes to primary schools has been confined to counties Dublin, Wicklow and Kildare, and ...
Was asked: the reason the special programme to train teachers to assist in the introduction of child abuse prevention programmes to primary schools has been confined to Counties Dublin, Wicklow and Kildare, and ...
Was asked: the reason the special programme to train teachers to assist in the introduction of child abuse prevention programmes to primary schools has been confined to Counties Dublin, Wicklow and Kildare, and ...
Was asked: the reason the special programme to train teachers to assist in the introduction of child abuse prevention programmes to primary schools has been confined to counties Dublin, Wicklow and Kildare, and ...
Was asked: the reason the special programme to train teachers to assist in the introduction of child abuse prevention programmes to primary schools has been confined to Counties Dublin, Wicklow and Kildare, and ...
Was asked: the reason the special programme to train teachers to assist in the introduction of child abuse prevention programmes to primary schools has been confined to counties Dublin, Wicklow and Kildare, and ...
Was asked: the reason the special programme to train teachers to assist in the introduction of child abuse prevention programmes to primary schools has been confined to counties Dublin, Wicklow and Kildare, and ...
Was asked: the reason the special programme to train teachers to assist in the introduction of child abuse prevention programmes to primary schools has been confined to Counties Dublin, Wicklow and Kildare, and ...
I propose to take Question Nos. 61, 82, 87, 89, 94, 106, 114 and 148 together. I presume the Deputies are referring to the child abuse prevention programme known as the “Stay Safe” programme which was...
Written Answers. - Abortion Statistics.
Was asked: whether he has compiled information on the actual number of Irish women obtaining abortions overseas; and the way in which these figures compare to the published figures for Irish women seeking aborti...
Was asked: whether he has compiled information on the actual number of Irish women obtaining abortions overseas; and the way in which these figures compare to the published figures for Irish women seeking aborti...
I propose to take Questions Nos. 62 and 135 together. Information on the number of Irish women obtaining abortions overseas is not collected in Ireland.
Written Answers. - Hospice Care.
Was asked: if he accepts the need for greater support and funding for the hospice movement nationally; and if he will outline his policy towards the provision of adequate hospice care in all the health board are...
I am aware of the valuable contribution and effort made by voluntary groups under the aegis of the hospice movement, in the provision of hospice care and home care for the terminally ill. In many inst...
Written Answers. - Speech Therapist Services.
Was asked: if he will outline the present position with regard to community care speech therapists services at primary school level; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: if his attention has been drawn to the shortage of available speech therapists and the huge need and demand for the service; and if he will outline the way in which he intends to address this matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 66 and 195 together. I am concerned at the adequacy of the level of speech therapy provision in certain areas of the country. The Programme for Economic and Social Pro...
Written Answers. - Medical Treatment of HIV Infected Prisoners.
Was asked: if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some doctors have refused to operate on prisoners who will not take tests for HIV infection; if he has raised the matter with the Medical Council; the ...
Was asked: if, in view of the recent reports of medical authorities demanding tests of HIV status before treatment, and similar concerns in relation to access to insurance, he accepts that statutory provisions t...
I propose to take Question Nos. 67 and 188 together. The Sub-Committee on discrimination of the National AIDS Strategy Committee has completed an evaluation of the situation regarding possible discri...
Written Answers. - Disabled Person's Maintenance Allowance.
Was asked: if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many persons in receipt of disabled person's maintenance allowance experience difficulty in having the DPMA restored to them when payment of it is susp...
I am not aware of any difficulties with the procedures relating to the restoration of Disabled Persons Maintenance Allowances nor have I received any submission concerning the need to improve the proc...
Written Answers. - GP Out-of-Hours Cover.
Was asked: if he has satisfied himself with the present operation of weekend doctors' rotas; his views on whether this system allows for access to medical records by a doctor other than the patient's and whether...
I presume the Deputy is referring to the cover provided at week-ends by doctors who hold contracts under the General Medical Services scheme. The contract between health boards and general practitione...
Written Answers. - Departmental Entertainment Expenses.
Was asked: the amount of his Department's budget for entertainment expenses for each of the last five years together with the estimated figures for 1992; the trend indicated; and if he will make a statement on t...
The amount of my Department's budget for entertainment expenses for the last five years is:—
Written Answers. - Birth Registration.
Was asked: if he will outline the specific plans, if any, his Department have for providing birth certificates for children who are stillborn or who die in the first few days of life; and if he will publish a ti...
Was asked: if he will outline any specific plans he has for providing birth certificates for children who are stillborn or who are victims of neonatal death; and if he will provide a timetable for the implementa...
I propose to take Questions Nos. 81 and 198 together.
Written Answers. - Medical Services Entitlement.
Was asked: whether he accepts that a system of graduated entitlement to medical services would be a fairer system rather than as at present where a family is £1 over eligibility limit for a medical card no GMS s...
Was asked: whether he favours a system of graduated support for the cost of primary care for persons whose means exceed the medical card guidelines.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 85 and 105 together.
Written Answers. - Western Health Board Orthopaedic Services.
Was asked: if he will outline his proposals to appoint extra consultants to the Western Health Board area to deal with the three year waiting list for orthopaedic appointments; and if he will make a statement on...
The position is that my Department has not to date received any detailed formal proposals from the Western Health Board requesting approval to appoint additional orthopaedic consultants. Should such p...
Written Answers. - Plastic Surgical Services.
Was asked: whether he has accepted the recommendation of Comhairle na nOspidéal in respect of the establishment of a national centre for plastic surgical services; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The establishment of a national centre as recommended in the Comhairle na nOspidéal report on plastic surgery services has significant implications in terms of additional revenue and other resources a...
Written Answers. - National AIDS Strategy.
Was asked: if he intends to publish the findings of the report of the National Aids Strategy Committee.
I do not propose to publish the report of the National AIDS Strategy Committee in the formal sense. The reports have, however, been circulated, as appropriate, to relevant organisations, as follows:- ...
Written Answers. - Hip Operations.
Was asked: if he will give details of the number of people awaiting hip operations in South Tipperary; and if he will outline the steps he is taking to reduce the waiting time.
There are currently 68 patients awaiting hip replacement operations in South Tipperary. It will be of interest to the Deputy to know that, in 1990, my Department approved an additional £517,000 for th...
Written Answers. - Codes of Conduct for Health Boards.
Was asked: if, having regard to the press release of 11 March 1992 issued by the Minister for Finance relating to guidelines for semi-State bodies, and the fact that the Official Secrets Act applies to all citiz...
In October, 1991, the then Minister for Health wrote to the Chairman of each health board to draw their attention to the Government's concern to ensure that the highest standards of personal integrity...
Written Answers. - Southern Health Board Budget.
Was asked: if he has satisfied himself that the Southern Health Board is spending its budget in an equitable manner between counties Kerry and Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
My Department makes final allocation available to the Southern Health Board on an annual basis for the provision of services within its region. It is a matter for the Board to determine how resources ...
Written Answers. - Dublin Health Centres.
Was asked: whether a date has yet been set for the construction of the long-awaited health centres at Corduff and Hartstown, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
No date has been set for the construction of health centres at Corduff or Hartstown. I am informed by Eastern Health Board that all suitable sites becoming available in the Blanchardstown area are bei...
Written Answers. - Drug Prescribing Legislation.
Was asked: if he will outline the reasons he has recently suggested that he would introduce legislation to deal with drug prescribing; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I have not made any suggestion concerning the introduction of legislation on prescribing. The question of devising agreed mechanisms to control drug costs emerged as one of the most important issues ...
Written Answers. - Ministerial Visit.
Was asked: if he will give details of the hospitals and health centres he visited during his recent visit to Waterford city and Dungarvan in County Waterford; and if he intends to take any new initiatives in the...
I visited the following three sites: 1. Ardkeen, where construction of the new Waterford Regional Hospital is now reaching an advanced stage. 2. Health Centres, Waterford (Newgate Street and The Mall)...
Written Answers. - Beaumont (Dublin) Hospital.
Was asked: the cost to date of all of the continuing investigations and court cases into the neurosurgery unit in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9 and the proportion of this which will ultimately fall on the taxpayer...
Was asked: the cost to date of all of the continuing investigations and court cases into the neurosurgery unit in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9 and the proportion of this which will ultimately fall on the taxpayer...
I propose to take Questions Nos. 110 and 149 together. The costs to date and the estimated final costs of the inquiry being held by the Medical Council's Fitness to Practise Committee are a matter for...
Written Answers. - Psychiatric Patients.
Was asked: if his attention has been drawn to a statement made at the annual conference of the Psychiatric Nurses Association, that discharged psychiatric patients were forced to sleep rough; and if he will make...
I am not aware of the statement reported by the Deputy to have been made at the Psychiatric Nurses Association annual conference with regard to discharged psychiatric patients being forced to sleep r...
Written Answers. - Special Hospital Services.
Was asked: if he will outline his intentions for the development of special hospital services through the various health boards with particular reference as to whether (a) long stay residential care and (b) the ...
The policy of my Department is to meet the needs of the dependent elderly people with mental handicap and the mentally ill through community-based services. It is accepted, however, that there will al...
Written Answers. - Health Board Land Sale.
Was asked: if he will clarify, in relation to all lands sold by the Southern Health Board, as outlined in the reply to Deputy Moynihan's parliamentary question on Wednesday, 18 December 1991, whether he had, at ...
The Valuation Office was consulted before approval was given to each of the sales of land by the Southern Health Board with the exception of the sale of 0.6 acre approx. at St. Catherine's Hospital, T...
Written Answers. - Killybegs (Donegal) Nursing Unit.
Was asked: the reason for the delay in finalising the purchase of the new site of the proposed nursing unit in Killybegs, County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I do not accept that there has been a delay in finalising the purchase of the new site for the proposed nursing unit in Killybegs. I conveyed approval to the North Western Health Board to proceed with...
Written Answers. - Provision of Hospital Beds.
Was asked: if he will outline his plans regarding the provision of hospital beds to cater for the estimated increase of 55,000 in the 65 years plus age group.
The report of the Working Party on Services for the Elderly “The Year Ahead— A Policy for the Elderly” recommended that— “Every general hospital serving a catchment area of 80,000 should have a specia...
Written Answers. - Health Services Funding.
Was asked: the percentage of GNP expended on health services in 1991; and the comparative figures for each of the previous five years.
Net total public expenditure on health services, expressed as a percentage of GNP for the years 1986-1991 is as set out in a tabular statement which will be circulated with the Official Report. The fi...
Written Answers. - Teenage Drug Abuse.
Was asked: if his Department have any plans to carry out research to establish the extent of drug abuse among teenagers; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
A considerable amount of research has been and continues to be conducted into drug misuse among teenagers. This consists of both ongoing collection of data and individual research projects. As regards...
Written Answers. - Orthodontal Treatment.
Was asked: if he will give details of the number of people awaiting orthodontal treatment in South Tipperary; the number being treated at present; the number awaiting assessment; and if he will outline the steps...
I understand from the South Eastern Health Board that there are 565 children undergoing specialist orthodontic treatment in south Tipperary and there are 184 on the waiting list for such treatment. 19...
Written Answers. - Mentally Handicapped Trainees.
Was asked: if his attention has been drawn to the severe difficulties likely to be faced by hundreds of mentally handicapped trainees whose training, which is funded by the European Social Fund, will end in June...
Was asked: if he will outline the steps if any he has taken to ensure that training for mentally handicapped children provided by St. Michael's House, Ballymun, Dublin 11, and currently funded by the European So...
I propose to take Questions Nos. 127 and 206 together.
Written Answers. - Nursing Training.
Was asked: the reason Irish nurses trained in England, who are returning to nursing, having been out of the profession for a while, have to do a back to nursing course, whereas Irish trained nurses are not requi...
EC directives provide that general nurse training throughout the EC must be of a certain minimum standard and that the qualification of Registered General Nurse awarded by An Bord Altranais in this co...
Written Answers. - Maastricht Treaty.
Was asked: the proposals, if any, he has to take advantage of the provisions in the Maastricht Treaty in the public health area.
The new Article in the Treaty relating to public health provides a legal basis for action at Community level to develop and implement co-ordinated programmes at the international level. In agreeing to...
Written Answers. - Fund-Holding General Practitioners.
Was asked: if he will give details of reported proposals by his Department to introduce fund-holding general practitioners.
All aspects of the organisation of the General Medical Services Scheme will be considered in the course of the current review discussions with the Irish Medical Organisation and the Irish College of G...
Written Answers. - Disabled Person's Maintenance Allowance.
Was asked: if he has any plans to revise the rules relating to disabled person's maintenance allowance paid to persons with a mental handicap, with a view to ensuring that if they succeed in getting a job which ...
Persons in receipt of Disabled Person's Maintenance Allowance do not automatically lose their entitlement to the allowance on taking up employment which pays more than £30 per week. The regulations pr...
Written Answers. - Foynes (Limerick) Hospital.
Was asked: if he will confirm whether the hospital at Foynes, County Limerick is going to close in the near future; the future plans the Mid-Western Health Board have for this institution when the Brothers of Ch...
Arrangements for the care of the people with mental handicap currently being cared for by the Brothers of Charity in St. Senan's Hospital, Foynes is a matter for agreement between the Brothers and the...
Written Answers. - Southern Health Board Report.
Was asked: if he has received a copy of the Southern Health Board report regarding the private business arrangement between a drugs clinic (details supplied) and individuals within the Cork Regional Hospital; an...
I have received a report on the matter from the Southern Health Board. I am concerned that in this case the facilities at Cork Regional Hospital appear not to have been used, in respect of non-Health ...
Written Answers. - Tralee General Hospital.
Was asked: if he will outline the main areas of difficulty confronting staff and patients at Tralee General Hospital, as detailed to him by the staff when he visited the hospital on 2 May 1992; and the steps he ...
I had a most informative and useful meeting with staff and Southern Health Board management at Tralee General Hospital on 2 May 1992. A wide-ranging discussion took place with particular reference to ...
Written Answers. - Asthma Financial Costs.
Was asked: if, having regard to the special financial costs imposed on asthma sufferers, he will consider allowing medical cards to children under 16 years who suffer from this illness; and if he will make a sta...
Persons with conditions such as asthma who in the opinion of the Chief Executive Officer of the appropriate health board are unable to meet their medical expenses, without undue hardship, may be gran...
Written Answers. - Croom (Limerick) Orthopaedic Hospital.
Was asked: if the support nursing staff at Croom Orthopaedic Hospital has been provided; the number of nursing staff being provided; the impact this will have on current waiting lists; and if he will make a stat...
Discussions have been held between my Department and the Mid-Western Health Board regarding the development of orthopaedic services at St. Nessan's Orthopaedic Hospital, Croom. This forms part of a p...
Written Answers. - Domicilliary Care Allowance.
Was asked: if he will make a statement on the delays being experienced by many parents in relation to the payment of domiciliary care allowance to qualified applicants in the Southern Health Board region.
The Southern Health Board has indicated that the average length of time taken to process applications for Domiciliary Care Allowance is approximately two months. I understand from the Board that dela...
Written Answers. - Consultant Paediatricians.
Was asked: the number of consultant paediatricians employed in each health board area; and the relative population of each area.
I am arranging to have the information requested by the Deputy circulated with the Official Report.
Written Answers. - Hospital Waiting Lists.
Was asked: if he will outline the progress in the past 12 months on the reduction of waiting lists for, (a) major heart surgery, (b) dental/orthodontic treatment for under 16's and (c) cataract and other eye ope...
First of all I should explain that the admission of a patient to hospital for surgery is a clinical decision for the consultant in charge of the case. Waiting lists are kept under review and priority ...
Written Answers. - Beaumont Hospital (Dublin) Nurse's Home.
Was asked: if he will outline the progress which has been made to build a purpose built nurses' home on the Beaumont Hospital campus, Dublin 9; if, in view of the fact that Beaumont Hospital is a teaching hospit...
I understand from the hospital that the building of a purpose-built nurses home is not the hospital's immediate priority for 1992. The proposals will be kept under review in the light of the many othe...
Written Answers. - Disposal of Placentae.
Was asked: if his attention has been drawn to the recent media reports whereby hospitals in the Southern Health Board are alleged to be selling afterbirths to a foreign pharmaceutical company; if he approves of ...
My Department has established from hospital and health board authorities the arrangements made for the disposal of placentae at each maternity unit in the country. Maternity units at the following hos...
Written Answers. - Tralee (Kerry) Geriatric Beds.
Was asked: if his attention has been drawn to the shortage of geriatric beds in the Tralee area; and the measures he intends to take to improve this situation.
The provision of an adequate number of geriatric beds in the Tralee area is a matter for the Southern Health Board. The Board do not accept that there is a shortage of such beds in the Tralee area and...
Written Answers. - Dublin Hospital Facilities.
Was asked: if his attention has been drawn to reports that patients are being turned away from St. James's Hospital due to a lack of facilities, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I am aware that there have been difficulties regarding the admission of elective patients to St. James's Hospital. These difficulties have arisen mainly from the large number of admissions to the hosp...
Written Answers. - Clonmel (Tipperary) Hospital.
Was asked: if he intends to provide additional nursing posts in St. Joseph's Hospital, Clonmel, County Tipperary, where as many as 20 nursing posts are urgently required in order to provide a proper and adequate...
Was asked: when the system of appointing permanent nursing staff at St. Joseph's Hospital, Clonmel, County Tipperary will be reviewed, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: if his attention has been drawn to the fact that extra nursing staff are needed for St. Joseph's Hospital in Clonmel, County Tipperary; if he intends to provide this staff, and if he will make a state...
I propose to take Questions Nos. 189, 191, and 214 together. The identification of staffing needs and the provision, organisation and management of services at St. Joseph's Hospital, Clonmel are a mat...
Written Answers. - Job Sharing.
Was asked: if he intends to make the necessary provision in order that the present job-sharing scheme can continue at St. Joseph's Hospital, Clonmel, County Tipperary, and if he will make a statement on the matt...
Was asked: if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the South-Eastern Health Board intend to cease having job-sharing as an option for nurses in their hospitals; if he will provide information regarding ...
I propose to take Questions Nos. 190 and 215 together. The terms of the Job Sharing Scheme which was introduced by my Department in 1985 for Health Service staff provide that it is a matter for the em...
Written Answers. - Medical Procedures.
Was asked: if he will make a statement on recent reported statements in the Irish Medical Times dated 17 April, that the Department of Health's chief medical officer has proposed that the Royal Colleges of Medic...
Was asked: the total amount paid by his Department as a proportion of doctor's defence fee premia for the years 1987 to 1991, and the projected costs for 1992.
Was asked: if his attention has been drawn to the growing cost of medical negligence, and if he favours a no fault system which would be fairer to patients and doctors alike.
Was asked: if he has any plans to address the issue of spiralling indemnity fee costs, particularly for non-consultant hospital doctors, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: if he will make a statement on recent reports that his Department are considering the introduction of a newly structured medical defence scheme for non-consultant hospital doctors from 1 July, under w...
I propose to take Questions Nos. 192, 193, 217, 237, and 243 together. I am aware of the growing cost of litigation arising from allegations of medical negligence. These costs are rising for a number ...
Written Answers. - Adoption of Romanian Children.
Was asked: if he will consider making contact with the Romanian authorities with a view to putting in place a framework and direct contact with Romania for Irish people who wish to adopt a Romanian child; and if...
The Adoption Board has a central role in the administration of the statutory procedures set out in the Adoption Act, 1991 which regulate the adoption of foreign children, including Romanian children, ...
Written Answers. - Home Helps.
Was asked: if his attention has been drawn to any difficulties in relation to recruiting men as home helps, and if he would give details of the hourly and weekly rates normally paid to home helps.
The salary scale for full-time home helps with effect from 1 January, 1992 is in the range of £169.71-£180.33 per week. With regard to persons providing home help on a part-time basis, the position is...
Written Answers. - Food Controls.
Was asked: if, in light of the recent incident in which a mouse was found in a loaf of bread (details supplied) he will outline any specific plans he has to reform the guidelines and conditions adhered to by bak...
On 17 February I announced the introduction of comprehensive new food controls under the 8 regional health boards. The new controls are in compliance with an E.C. Directive which aims to create unifor...
Written Answers. - Obstetrics Curriculum.
Was asked: if he will outline any plans he has for the inclusion in the obstetrical students curriculum of counselling courses to facilitate their aiding patients and/or patients' spouses whose children are stil...
I am not aware of any concern as to the adequacy of present arrangements for training obstetrical students in counselling parents whose children are sillborn or victims of death.
Written Answers. - Departmental Guidelines.
Was asked: if he will give details of the current guidelines his Department use in determining the fitness of people with mental handicaps to live in the mainstream of society.
Was asked: if he will give details of the current guidelines used in determining the locations of communities in which recently deinstitutionalised people with mental handicaps will live.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 201 and 202 together. Before a person with a mental handicap is offered a place in the community, a thorough assessment is carried out by a multi-disciplinary team to ...
Written Answers. - Dublin Rehabilitation Hospital.
Was asked: if he will give details of the numbers of patients from (1) the Southern Health Board area and (2) the Munster area in general, who have been patients at Our Lady's Rehabilitation Hospital, Dún Laogha...
The numbers of patients from the Southern Health Board and Munster areas who were discharged from Our Lady's Rehabilitation Hospital for the years 1987 to 1991 inclusive are set out in the table below...
Written Answers. - Heart Surgery.
Was asked: when a person (details supplied) in County Kildare can avail of major heart surgery, having been diagnosed as being in need of this by a doctor (details supplied).
As I am sure the Deputy will appreciate, the scheduling of surgery is a matter for the clinical judgment of the consultant concerned. I have made inquiries from the Mater Hospital who have informed me...
Written Answers. - National Lottery Funding.
Was asked: if he will outline the application procedure to be followed by groups or organisations seeking national lottery funding from his Department.
There is no formal application form for those seeking national lottery funding from my Department. National groups or organisations seeking lottery grants should write to the Department indicating the...
Written Answers. - Ennis (Clare) Hospital.
Was asked: if he is prepared to review the overall health services in County Clare with a view to providing 100 beds in Ennis General Hospital.
The responsibility for providing hospital services in County Clare is a matter for the Mid-Western Health Board in the first instance. A development plan for the acute hospital service in the Mid-West...
Written Answers. - Medical Card Services.
Was asked: if he will extend medical card cover to include fillings as well as tooth extractions.
Medical card holders and their dependents are eligible for all necessary dental treatment free of charge from health boards including fillings.
Written Answers. - National Lottery.
Was asked: if he will outline (a) the amounts awarded by his Department to various agencies from the proceeds of the national lottery for each of the past two years and (b) the amounts available to him for such ...
Was asked: if he will give details of (a) the sums available to him from the proceeds of the national lottery in the current year, (b) the amounts allocated by him to date this year, (c) the amounts still to be ...
I propose to take Questions Nos. 209 and 211 together. The amounts allocated to various bodies from the Health allocation of national lottery funds in 1990 and 1991 are shown on the following schedule...
Written Answers. - Naas (Kildare) Hospital.
Was asked: if he will outline his plans for the development of general medical and surgical services at Naas Hospital, County Kildare, with particular reference to (a) the catchment area to be served and (b) th...
The development plan for Naas Hospital provides for a 209 bed hospital, with a range of services including general medicine, general surgery, intensive care, coronary care and psychiatric and geriatri...
Written Answers. - Medical Techniques.
Was asked: if, having regard to the rapid changes in medical techniques, he will outline his views on the necessity for further education to facilitate surgeons and medical consultants to keep abreast of new tec...
I am aware of the importance and benefits that accrue from the continuing medical education of all consultants. This has been recognised under the terms of the revised contract for hospital consultant...
Written Answers. - Dublin Infant Mortality Rate.
Was asked: if he will outline the infant mortality rate in the Dublin area for 1991; and the comparative figures for (a) 1971, (b) 1976, (c) 1981 and (d) 1986.
The information requested by the Deputy is routinely published by the Central Statistics Office in its Vital Statistics reports. The last year for which an annual figure is available is 1990. Infant m...
Written Answers. - General Medical Services.
Was asked: if he will make a statement on his reported plans to head off the industrial action by the country's GPs; and whether there are plans to make concessions on both the mother and child scheme and the GM...
As the Deputy may be aware, a review of the General Medical Services contract has recently commenced. I have already announced my acceptance of the arbitration finding on G.M.S. doctors fees and also ...
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