Replies to Follow up Issues from Meeting with Joint Committee on Health and Children

Replies to follow up issues from meeting with Joint Committee on Health and Children on 24th November 2011

Question

Deputy Seamus Healy: When will the shanker report be published?

Answer

The HSE has specific guidelines when initiating review and publishing reports. As part of this process, we are obliged to contact people who are either named or referred to in a report, or who may be identifiable from such a report. We also frequently take legal advice prior to the finalisation and publication of such reports.

Whilst this process lengthens the period of time before which publication of a report takes place, it is however a necessary part of ensuring natural justice and fair procedures for all involved.

The HSE is now finalising the process in respect of the Shanker Report and it is intended that the report will be available on the HSE website (www.hse.ie) on Wednesday 14th December 2011.

Question

Dep O Caolain; The members of the group undertaking the assessment of the medical assessment unit in Monaghan Hospital?

Answer

HSE Cavan & Monaghan are conducting a feasibility study regarding the Medical Assessment Unit in Monaghan Hospital.

The membership of the Feasibility Study Group are :  Dr Louise Doherty, Department of Public Health, ( Chairperson)

 Dr James Hayes, Clinical Director, Cavan & Monaghan Hospital Group

 Ms Eileen Whelan, Director of Nursing, Louth/Meath Hospital Group

 Ms Ruth Murdiff, Service User Representative, Cavan & Monaghan Hospital  Mr Robert Dancey, Service User Representative, Cavan & Monaghan Hospital

 Mr Gerry Clerkin, Risk Advisor, Cavan & Monaghan Hospital Group (Group Facilitator)

 Mr Cathal Hand, Manager, Cavan & Monaghan PCS

 Dr Ilona Duffy, GP Representative from Cavan/Monaghan

Question

Deputy Robert Dowds: The first question I submitted relates to consultant numbers in different hospitals. Unfortunately there is an error in the question, in that St James's Hospital has been omitted and I am interested in those figures as well. Since submitting this question, another point has emerged through conversations with GPs. In the Clondalkin- Lucan area people tend to go to both hospitals, but there seems to be an attempt to direct people from Clondalkin towards Tallaght, even if the best specialist is not available in that hospital. What is the situation?

Answer

St. James Hospital activity levels and Consultant numbers

Hospital Activity from January to August 2011 Consultant numbers

Inpatients 16,351 Consultant WTE 133.06 Day Cases 62,084 ED Presentations 30,456

Hospital catchment areas

The HSE has moved to a model of integrated care which aims to provide people with the type and quality of care they need, when they need it, in the most appropriate setting and from the most appropriate health professional or team of health professionals.

Services are being steadily integrated across the primary, community and acute care settings and are constantly being reviewed and reorganised so that the continued focus is on the complete needs of the population they serve. Services are also being greatly enhanced by the implementation of the National Clinical Care Programmes which have a focus on delivering standardised quality care. A number of geographically based integrated service areas, have also been established, through which services in these areas are managed and coordinated.

It is within this integrated model of care in the Dublin Mid-Leinster Region that St. James’s Hospital and the Adelaide and Meath Hospital, Incorporating the National Children's Hospital, (AMNCH) deliver services to patients requiring care in an Acute setting.

It can be confirmed that there is agreement between AMNCH and St. James’s Hospital in relation to the referral pathways for patients across the across the population they serve and there is an ongoing communications process with GPs, including those from the Lucan and Clondalkin areas, to keep them informed of any developments in this regard.

Traditionally, GPs from the Clondalkin and Lucan areas have referred clients to AMNCH and this is continuing. Both St James’s Hospital and AMNCH continue to work together to address any issues that may arise in relation to GP referrals.

Question

Closure of Long Stay Units

Deputy McConalogue : The HSE has sent a report on community hospitals to the Minister for Health, suggesting that 12 such hospitals have been considered for closure, with the loss of 840 beds. In County Donegal, community hospitals in Carndonagh, Buncrana, Ramelton and Lifford are mentioned. I ask the Minister to deal with that matter”

Deputy Fitzpatrick: Update re position of St Joseph’s Ardee and Cottage Hospital?

Deputy Naughton: Can we have clarification reply re St. Patrick’s Carrick-on-Shannon and Roscommon long stay units.

Dep Catherine Byrne: Bru Chaoimhin, Crooksling and Inchicore Answer

A number of Deputies have raised questions in relation to reported closures of particular long stay units for older persons, including queries from Deputies McConalogue, Fitzpatrick, Naughten and Byrne. As indicated by the Minister in his reply on 24th November, the community nursing unit sector across the country is currently being reviewed by the Department of Health and the HSE, with a view to rationalising some nursing units. This work is necessary because of three main challenges, financial, the Moratorium on recruitment which is having an impact on staffing levels in some units and the requirement to ensure these units meet national standards as set out by HIQA.

This review is being conducted in tandem with the HSE’s service planning process for 2012. The level and type of services committed to in the Service Plan for 2012 will reflect the challenges referred to above, while at the same time recognizing both the legislative obligations on the HSE and the needs of clients for these services.

No decisions in relation to closures will be taken prior to consultation.