Friday 25 January 2002
Written Answers to Questions (Continued)

Mr Gibson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she will make a statement on the standards of hospital cleanliness in Western Health and Social Services Board.

(AQW 1077/01)

The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (Ms de Brún): All trusts have a duty to ensure that high standards are being met and maintained. Regular inspections on the standards of hospital cleanliness are carried out by trusts in the western board area.

Tá dualgas ar gach Iontaobhas a chinntiú go bhfuil na caighdeáin is airde á mbaint amach agus á gcothabháil. Déanann na hIontaobhais iniúchtaí rialta ar chaighdeáin ghlaineacht ospidéal i limistéar Bhord an Iarthair.

Dr Birnie asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she will make a statement in respect of statistics reported in 'The Economist' on 27 October 2001, page 43, that is, (a) spending per person on health and personal social services in 1999 to 2000: England £1,041, Scotland £1,271, Wales £1,180 and Northern Ireland £1,193; and (b) percentage of population on hospital waiting lists for 12 months or more: England 4.2, Scotland 1.3, Wales 13.8 and Northern Ireland 21.8.

(AQW 1214/01)

Ms de Brún: We do not have access to the data upon which the statistics quoted in 'The Economist' are based and I am, therefore, not in a position to comment in detail on them.

The difficulties regarding comparison of health and personal social services expenditure here and in England, Scotland and Wales remain as set out in the answer I gave to the Member in written question 571/01.

In terms of waiting lists there are significant differences in the way that information is collected in the countries quoted. Nonetheless, it is clear that hospital waiting lists here are a major concern, reflecting growing pressures in the health and social services. The underlying problem is one of service capacity, which will require a sustained increase in funding over a number of years to resolve.

Níl rochtain againn ar na sonraí ar a bhfuil na staitisticí san Economist bunaithe agus nílim mar sin ábalta labhairt go mion fúthu.

Tá na deacrachtaí maidir le comparáid idir caiteachas seirbhísí sóisialacha sláinte agus pearsanta anseo, i Sasana, in Albain agus sa Bhreatain Bheag fós mar a leagadh amach sa fhreagra a thug mé don Chomhalta i gCeist Scríofa 571/01.

Maidir le liosta feithimh tá difríochtaí suntasacha sa tslí a mbailítear eolas sna tíortha atá luaite. Mar sin féin is léir gur ábhar buartha liostaí feithimh ospidéal, a léiriú an brú atá ag méadú sna seirbhísí sláinte agus sóisialacha. Is í an fhadhb bhunúsach ná acmhainn seirbhíse a éileoidh méadú inmharthana i maoiniú thar roinnt blianta chun teacht ar réiteach.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the progress of reducing timescales for patients being (a) diagnosed; and (b) treated after diagnosis.

(AQW 1215/01)

Ms de Brún: Boards and trusts are implementing a range of measures to improve efficiency in relation to diagnosis, admission to hospital, treatment and discharge. These include the validation of waiting lists, the development of GP referral protocols, the provision of additional hospital inpatient procedures and the piloting of community provision as alternatives to hospital admission. For example:

• in the area of heart disease, immediate action is being taken to improve staffing levels and capacity at the Royal Group of Hospitals, thus facilitating increased numbers of procedures in this key specialty. Extra cardiac surgery procedures are also being commissioned from units elsewhere for a number of patients who are able and willing to travel. Additional angiography facilities have been opened recently at Altnagelvin Hospital, which will increase overall capacity for this diagnostic testing and help reduce waiting times;
• in cancer services, a two-week outpatient appointments target was introduced last year for people with suspected breast cancer. In radiotherapy, I have recently approved the acquisition of two additional linear accelerators at Belvoir Park Hospital, which should improve waiting time significantly.

Tá Boird agus Iontaobhais ag feidhmiú roinnt bearta chun éifeachtacht maidir le fáthmeas, iontráil chuig ospidéil, cóireáil agus scaoileadh amach a fheabhsú. Áirítear orthu sin bailíochtú ar liostaí feithimh, forbairt prótacail chur ar aghaidh ó dhochtúirí teaghlach, soláthar nósanna imeachta ospidéil d’othair in-ospidéil agus piolótú ar sholáthar pobail mar mhalairt ar iontráil chuig ospidéil. Mar shampla:

• i réimse ghalar croí tá beart láithreach a ghlacadh chun leibhéil foirne a fheabhsú agus chun acmhainn a fheabhsú sa Ghrúpa Ríoga Ospidéal, agus ar an mbealach sin ag cur leis an líon feidhmiúchán sa sainréimse sin. Tá breis feidhmiúchán máinliachta croí coimisiúnaithe ó aonaid in áiteanna eile do roinnt othar atá ábalta agus toilteanach taisteal. Osclaíodh breis saoráidí angioghrafacha le gairid ag Ospideál Altnagelvin a chuirfidh le acmhainn foriomlán do thástáil fáthmheasa agus a chuideoidh le liostaí feithimh a laghdú.
• i seirbhísí ailse, tugadh sprioc dhá sheachtain coinní d’eis-othair isteach anuraidh do dhaoine a meastar ailse cíche a bheith orthu. Maidir le raiditeiripe cheadaigh mé le gairid sealbhú dhá luasaitheoir líneacha breise ag Ospidéal Pháirc Belvoir, rud a chuideoidh ba chóir go mór le am feithimh a laghdú.

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what measures are in place to address the increase in demand for services over the winter months at (a) Whiteabby Hospital; (b) Antrim Hospital; and (c) the Mater Infirmorum Hospital.

(AQW 1233/01)

Ms de Brún: The Northern and Eastern Health and Social Services Boards, which cover the hospitals in question, have detailed plans in place for this winter. These include:

(a) Whiteabbey Hospital – expansion of intermediate care beds to ten and agreement for extra medical patients to be treated at the Mater Infirmorum Hospital to take pressure off facilities at Whiteabbey; provision of additional staff at Whiteabbey Hospital; extra community care support provided by Homefirst HSS Trust.

(b) Antrim Area Hospital – additional ten-bedded Accident and Emergency observation unit, including nursing and support staff. Flexible use of surgical and medical beds according to demand; appointment of bed management staff; two high dependency beds opened in December 2001; extra community care support provided by Homefirst HSS Trust.

(c) Mater Infirmorum – plans are in place for the provision of an additional twenty medical beds; extra community care support provided by neighbouring community Trusts.

In addition, the Emergency Admissions Co-ordination Centre, which covers all hospitals in the Eastern and Northern Board areas, manages emergency admissions for the hospitals in question.

Tá mionphleananna socraithe ag Boird Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialacha an Tuaiscirt agus an Oirthir a chlúdaíonn na hospidéil atá i gceist. Áirítear orthu sin :

(a) Ospidéal Whiteabbey – leathnú ar leapacha cúraim meáin go deich gcinn agus comhaontú go gcuirfear cóireáil ar bhreis othar liachta ag Ospidéal Infirmorum an Matar chun an brú a bhaint de na saoráidí ag Whiteabbey, soláthar foirne breise ag Ospidéal Whiteabbey; tacaíocht cúraim pobail bhreise arna sholáthar ag Iontaobhas Homefront HSS.

(b) Ospidéal Limistéar Aontroma- aonad faireacháin deich leaba breise Timpiste agus Éigeandála, lena n-áirítear foireann altranais agus tacaíochta. Úsáid sholúbtha leapacha máinliachta agus liachta de réir éilimh; ceapadh fhoireann bainistíochta leaapacha, dhá leaba ardchleithiúnais oscailte i Nollaig 2001; tacaíocht cúraim pobail breise arna sholáthar ag Iontaobhas Homefirst HSS.

(c) Infirmorum Mater – tá pleananna socraithe chun fiche leaba breise liachta a chur ar fáil: tacaíocht cúraim pobail breise arna sholáthar ag Iontaobhas Homefirst HSS.

Chomh maith leis sin déanann an tIonad Comhordaithe Iontrálacha Éigeandála a chlúdaíonn ospidéil i limistéir Bhoird an Tuaiscirt agus an Oirthir bainistíocht ar iontrálacha éigeandála do na hospidéil atá i gceist.

Mr Berry asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the total cost of producing headed notepaper in the Irish language since her appointment.

(AQW 1266/01)

Ms de Brún: Headed notepaper and stationery for the Department incorporates both English and Irish and there is no significant additional cost to the use of Irish. Since December 1999, the total cost of stationery for the Department in the two languages amounts to £12,804, of which my stationery costs less than £500.

Tá idir Ghaeilge agus Bhéarla ar pháipéar litreacha agus ar pháipéarachas na Roinne le ceannteideal agus níl costas suntasach breise ann le húsáid na Gaeilge. Ó bhí an Nollaig 1999 ann, ba é £12,804 costas iomlán an pháipéarachais sa dá theanga ar an Roinn, as sin níos lú ná £500 a bhí ar chostas an pháipéarachais s’agamsa.

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what steps will be taken to address the physical and psychological effects suffered by residents in the White City area of Belfast as a result of attacks on their homes; and to make a statement.

(AQW 1268/01)

Ms de Brún: The North and West Belfast Health and Social Services Trust have also taken a number of specific measures to deal with the current situation in North Belfast, including the White City district. These measures include: the establishment of forums to assist with the co- ordination of statutory, voluntary and community organisations; the provision of a confidential freephone helpline to support distressed individuals; and a crisis response team, which has met with community organisations to identify needs and develop appropriate responses, including group counselling. Additional resources of £104,000 have been provided to underpin these services.

Tá roinnt bearta sonracha glactha freisin ag an Iontaobhas Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialacha Thuaisceart agus Iarthar Bhéal Feirste le déileáil leis an staid faoi láthair i dTuaisceart Bhéal Feirste lena n-áirítear ceantar White City. Áirítear ar na bearta: bunú fóram chun cuidiú le comhordú eagraíochtaí statúideacha, deonacha agus pobail; soláthar líne fóin cabhrach rúnda chun cuidiú le daoine aonair faoi bhrú; agus an fhoireann freagartha géarchéime a chas le heagraíochtaí pobail chun riachtanais a aithint agus freagairtí cuí a fhorbairt, lena n-áirítear comhchomhairliúchán grúpaí. Tá acmhainní breise de 104, 000 curtha ar fáil chun bonn a chur faoi na seirbhísí sin.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to list, in each of the last five years, (a) the number of patients treated at hospitals as a result of paramilitary attacks, broken down into type of injuries; and (b) the number and type of operations carried out on patients whose injuries have been received as a result of paramilitary attacks; and (c) the cost of treating such patients.

(AQW 1273/01)

Ms de Brún: The information requested is not available.

Níl fáil ar an eolas a iarradh.

Mr M Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what steps she intends to take to improve her strategy for tackling hospital acquired infection.

(AQW 1278/01)

Ms de Brún: An action programme for the management and control of infection in hospitals has been put in place on foot of my Department’s circular, HSS 9/2000, which was issued in April 2000. This plan includes enhanced surveillance of hospital-acquired infections, including hospital-acquired bacteraemias. My Department has funded the new Healthcare-Associated Infection Surveillance Centre (HISC), and provided additional funding to the Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre (CDSC).

At the end of this month my Department’s antimicrobial resistance action plan will be launched. It will contain clear action required by trusts, and others, to prevent hospital acquired infection. All trusts have participated in a recent survey of their infection control procedures and the results are currently being analysed. In addition, my Department is looking at ways to improve hospital cleanliness.

Tá clár gnímh do bhainistiú agus rialú ionfhabhtú in ospidéil bunaithe ar scor chiorclán HSS 9/2000 mo Roinne a heisíodh Aibreán 2000. Áirítear sa phlean sin faireachán feabhsaithe ar ionfhabhtuithe ospidéalsheabhaithe, lena n-áirítear baictéaraemia ospidéalshealbhaithe. Tá maoiniú déanta ag mo Roinn ar an Ionad Faireacháin Ionfhabhtaithe a Bhaineann le Cúram Sláinte (HISC) agus chuir maoiniú breise ar fáil d’Ionad Faireacháin Galar Intholgtha. (CDSC)

Ag deireadh na míosa seo déanfar Antimicrobial Resistance Action Plan mo Roinne a láinseáil. Beidh ann gníomh glan a éileofar ar na hIontaobhais agus ar dhreamanna eile chun ionfhabhtú ospidéalshealbhaithe a chosc. Ghlac gach Iontaobhas páirt sa suirbhé le gairid ar nósanna imeachta rialaithe ionfhabhtaithe agus tá anailís a déanamh faoi láthair ar na torthaí. Chomh maith leis sin tá mo Roinn ag féachaint ar shlite chun glaineacht ospidéal a fheabhsú.

Mr M Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what palliative care provisions are currently available for non-cancer suffering patients.

(AQW 1279/01)

Ms de Brún: There are no specific palliative care facilities for non-cancer suffering patients. However, specialist palliative care staff advise their colleagues in hospital and the community on individual patients as the need arises.

Níl aon saoráidí sonracha cúraim mhaolaithigh d’othair nach bhfuil ag fulaingt ó ailse. Comhairlíonn sainfhoireann cúraim maolaithigh áfach a gcuid comhghleacaithe sna hospidéil agus sa phobal faoi othair aonair de réir mar is gá.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (a) the number of staff available for duty at the Ulster Hospital over the Christmas and new year period; and (b) if any staff shortages occurred during this period.

(AQW 1292/01)

Ms de Brún: Information on the number of staff available for duty at the Ulster Hospital over the Christmas and new year period is not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. The Ulster Community and Hospitals Trust have stated that no abnormal staff shortages were reported over the Christmas and new year period.

Ní choinnítear go lárnach an t-eolas ar an líon foirne ar dualgas ag Ospidéal Uladh thar thréimhse na Nollag agus na nuabhliana agus ní fhéadfaí an t-eolas a fháil gan chostas míchuí. Tá sé ráite ag Iontaobhas Ospidéal agus Pobal Uladh nár tuairiscíodh aon chiorruithe neamhghnácha foirne thar thréimhse na Nollag agus na nuabhliana.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline (i) the average waiting time; (ii) the shortest waiting time; and (iii) the longest waiting time for treatment at the accident and emergency department at the Ulster Hospital over the Christmas and new year period.

(AQW 1293/01)

Ms de Brún: Between 25 December 2001 and 1 January 2002, the average time waiting to be seen at the accident and emergency department of the Ulster Hospital was two hours.

Details of the maximum and minimum waiting time by triage priority at the Ulster Hospital accident and emergency Department over the same period are given in the table below. Waiting time is defined as the difference between the time that the patient was registered on the computer system on arrival to the time of examination by a doctor.

Idir 25 Nollaig 2001 agus 1 Eanáir 2002 ba é an meánam feithimh le go bhfeicfidh othar ag an Roinn T& É in Ospidéal Uladh ná 2 uair a choig.

Tá mionsonraí faoi uasam feithimh agus íosam feithimh de réir tosaíocht triach ag Roinn T&É in Ospidéal Uladh thar an tréimhse chéanna tugtha sa tábla thíos. Sainítear am feithimh mar an difríocht idir an t-am a gcláraítear an t-othar ar an gcóras ríomhaire ar theacht dó nó di go dtí an t-am a scrúdaíonn dochtúir é nó í.

Mr Hilditch asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety whether an adoption panel’s determination is available in full to the applicants.

(AQW 1296/01)

Ms de Brún: An adoption panel can only make recommendations about adoption. It is for an adoption agency to make decisions, after taking the panel’s recommendations into account, and to communicate its decision, in writing, to the applicant as soon as possible.

Agencies are required to treat as confidential any information obtained in the course of their adoption work and any recommendations which may be made to them. The agency, therefore, should not provide a copy of the panel’s deliberations.

If the decision is that the applicant is not suitable to be an adoptive parent it would normally be appropriate, as a matter of good practice, for the formal written notification to be given in the course of a counselling interview at which the reasons for the agency’s decision would, wherever possible, be explained.

Ní féidir le painéal uchtaithe ach moltaí a dhéanamh faoi uchtú. Is faoi ghníomhaireacht ucthála é cinnidh a dhéanamh tar éis dóibh moltaí an phainéil a ghlacadh san áireamh agus an cinneadh a chur in iúl i scríbhinn don iarratasóir chomh luath agus is féidir.

Tá ceanglas ar ghníomhaireachtaí aon eolas a fháil siad le linn a gcuid oibre uchtála a choinneáil faoi rún agus aon mholtaí a dhéantar dóibh. Níor chóir don phainéal mar sin cóip de phlé an phainéil a chur ar fáil.

Más é an cinneadh a dhéantar nach mbíonn iarratasóir oiriúnach le bheith ina t(h)uismitheoir uchtála bheadh sé cuí de ghnáth mar dheachleachtas an fógra foirmiúil i scríbhinn a thabhairt le linn agallaimh comhchomhairle nuair a dhéanfaí cúiseanna le cinneadh na gníomhaireachta, nuair a d’fhéadfaí sin a chor ar bith a mhíniú.

Mr Hilditch asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the estimated timescale for a home study in regards to an adoption panel.

(AQW 1298/01)

Ms de Brún: Adoption agencies are required to obtain personal, family and social information about prospective adopters — known as a "home study" — as part of the assessment process. While unnecessary delays should be avoided, the length of the process largely depends on the applicants’ circumstances.

Tá ceanglas ar ghníomhaireachtaí uchtála eolas pearsanta, teaghlaigh agus sóisialta – ar a dtugtar ‘staidéar baile’ a fháil faoi uchtóirí ionchasacha mar chuid den phróiseas measúnaithe. Siúd is gur chóir moill gan ghá a sheachaint braitheann achar an phróisis ar imthosca an iarratasóra.

Mr M Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (a) the number of general practitioner vacancies currently in each health board area; and (b) this figure as a percentage of the total required for each health board area.

(AQW 1309/01)

Ms de Brún: The number of general practitioner vacancies in each health board area at 10 January 2002 are shown in the table below. There is, however, no required number of general practitioners for each health board and so there is no information available to answer the second part of the question.

The vacant posts will be filled in February 2002. Applications have also been made for one additional general practitioner post in each of the Southern and Western Health and Social Services Boards, however these have yet to be approved.

Tá líon na bhfolúntais dochtúirí teaghlach i ngach limistéar Bord Sláinte amhail ar an 10 Eanáir 2002 léirithe sa tábla thíos. Níl aon líon dochtúirí teaghlach riachtanach áfach do gach Bord Sláinte agus mar sin níl aon eolas ar fáil chun an dara cuid den cheist a fhreagairt.

Líonfar na poist fholamha i Feabhra 2002. Tá iarratais déanta freisin ar phost dochtúir teaghlaigh breise i ngach ceann de Bhoird Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta an Deiscirt agus an Iarthair, níl siad ceadaithe fós áfach.

Mr M Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline any reimbursement of travel costs that NHS patients receive when required to travel outside of their local health board area to take up an appointment.

(AQW 1310/01)

Ms de Brún: The Travelling Expenses and Remission of Charges Regulations (NI) 1989 provide for the payment of travelling expenses for people attending hospitals here for treatment under the health and social services. Entitlement to payment of hospital travelling expenses is based on qualifying social security benefits or on grounds of low income. Payment for patient travel to hospitals elsewhere is payable as part of the treatment costs and does not fall within the hospital travel cost scheme.

Soláthraíonn na Rialacháin Athghnóthú Muirear agus Costais Taistil (TÉ) 1989 d’íocaíocht costais taistil le daoine a bhíonn ag freastal ar ospidéil do chóireáil faoi na seirbhísí sláinte agus sóisialta. Tá teideal chun íocaíochta costais taistil ospidéal bunaithe ar shochair leasa shóisialaigh cháilitheacha agus ar fhorais ioncaim íseal. Tá íoc as taistil othar chuig ospidéil in áiteanna eile iníoctha mar chuid de na costais chóireála agus ní bhaineann leis an scéim costais taistil ospidéal.

Mr M Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what proportion of women smoke during pregnancy according to latest available figures.

(AQW 1311/01)

Ms de Brún: Initial results from the 2000 Infant Feeding Survey, show that 35% of mothers here smoked before they became pregnant, with 22% continuing to do so during pregnancy.

In March last year I established an inter-sectoral working group on tobacco to develop and oversee the implementation of a comprehensive action plan to tackle smoking. The plan, which identifies pregnant women who smoke as a key target group, will be issued for consultation in the spring.

Léiríonn na chéad torthaí ar Shuirbhé Beathaithe Naonán 2000 gur chaith 35% de na máithreacha tobac sula raibh siad torrach agus gur lean 22% á dhéanamh le linn a bheith ag iompar.

I Márta na bliana anuraidh bhunaigh mé Grúpa Oibre idirearnálacha ar Thobac chun plean gnímh cuimsitheach a fhorbairt agus maoirsiú a dhéanamh ar a fheidhmiú chun tabhairt faoi chaitheamh tobac. Déanfar an plean, a aithníonn mná torracha a chaitheann tobac mar spriocghrúpa lánrach, a eisiúint le haghaidh comhchomhairle san Earrach.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what steps she is taking to meet the National Service Framework for Mental Health set up for England and Wales.

(AQW 1318/01)

Ms de Brún: The National Service Framework for Mental Health for England and Wales is, as stated, a framework for England and Wales.

Is creat do Shasana agus don Bhreatain Bheag, mar a dúradh an Creat Seirbhíse Náisiúnta do Mheabhairshláinte, do Shasana agus don Bhreatain Bheag.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (a) if a policy review on mental health has been agreed for the Eastern Health and Social Services Board; and (b) when will it commence.

(AQW 1319/01)

Ms de Brún: A policy review on mental health for the Eastern Health and Social Services Board has been agreed. The review commenced in November 2001.

Tá athbhreithniú polasaí ar mheabhairshláinte do Bhord Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialacha an Oirthir comhaontaithe. Thosaigh an t-athbhreithniú i Samhain 2001.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the amount of the mental health budget, per health board area, which is spent on (a) people; (b) property; and (c) care.

(AQW 1320/01)

Ms de Brún: Information on the mental health budget is not held in the format requested. The table below [page WA27] shows mental health expenditure by board area and classified by hospital, community and personal social services expenditure for 1999-2000 (the latest figures available).

Ms de Brún: Níl eolas ar an mbuiséad meabhairshláinte coinnithe san fhormáid a hiarradh. Léiríonn an tábla thíos caiteachas meabhairshláinte de réir Limistéir Bhord agus atá aicmithe de réir chaiteachas Ospidéil, Pobail agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta Pearsanta (PSS) do 1999/2000 (na figiúrí is déanaí atá ar fáil).

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many people, per Board Area, are suffering from mental health problems.

(AQW 1321/01)

Ms de Brún: The information requested is not available.

Níl fáil ar an eolas a iarradh.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what steps is she taking to co-ordinate and promote a mental health strategy in each of the four health boards.

(AQW 1322/01)

Ms de Brún: Each health and social services board is responsible for assessing the needs of their local population and developing mental health strategies to meet those needs. My Department, as part of an imminent review of mental health legislation, will also be reviewing the overall mental health strategy.

Tá gach Bord Seirbhísí Sláinte agus Sóisialta freagrach as measúnú a dhéanamh ar a ndaonra áitiúil agus maidir le straitéisí meabhairshláinte a fhorbairt chun freastal ar na riachtanais sin. Beidh mo Roinnse fosta, mar chuid den athbhreithniú a thiocfaidh go luath ar reachtaíocht meabhairshláinte, ag athbhreithniú na straitéise meabhairshláinte tríd is tríd.

Mr M Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline her future targets for yearly reductions in the number of hospital acquired infections.

(AQW 1341/01)

Ms de Brún: Once baseline data is available from our surveillance systems, it will be possible to better quantify the problem and specify the approaches for addressing it, including setting targets where these are appropriate.

Chomh luath agus a bheidh bunachair bonnlíne ar fáil ónár gcuid córais faireacháin féadfar an fhadhb a chainníochtú níos fearr agus na cur chuigí le tabhairt faoi a shonrú lena n-áirítear spriocanna a leagan amach nuair is cuí sin.

Mr Hilditch asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail, by Health Board area, the average length of time for the result of an x-ray, taken at a local practice, to be communicated to the patient.

(AQW 1346/01)

Ms de Brún: The information requested is not available.

Níl fáil ar an eolas a iarradh.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline the targets set by the Eastern Health and Social Services Board within its mental health strategy.

(AQW 1347/01)

Ms de Brún: The Eastern Health and Social Services Board mental health strategy targets are to produce a draft strategic plan for public consultation by November 2002 and produce the final strategic plan by March 2003.

Tá spriocanna straitéise Mheabhairshláinte EHSSB chun dréachtphlean straitéiseach a sholáthar do chomhchomhairle phoiblí faoi Shamhain 2002 agus plean straitéiseach deiridh a sholáthar faoi Mhárta 2003.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of patients that attended the accident and emergency department at the Ulster Hospital over Christmas and the new year.

(AQW 1349/01)

Ms de Brún: Between 25 December 2001 and 1 January 2002, there were 1,358 attendances at the accident and emergency department of the Ulster Hospital.

Idir 25 Nollaig 2001 agu 1 Eanáir 2002, rinneadh 1,358 freastal ar Roinn T&É Ospidéal Uladh.

Mr M Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how she plans to reduce the number of bank and agency nurses currently being utilised within the Health Service.

(AQW 1351/01)

Ms de Brún: An assessment of the use of bank and agency nurses is included in my Department’s current workforce planning initiative.

The funding of additional student nurse places in 2000 and 2001 and ongoing provision of free training for qualified nurses wishing to return practice are amongst a range of initiatives designed to enhance the supply of qualified nursing staff and reduce the need to employ bank/agency nursing staff.

Tá measúnú ar úsáid altraí bainc agus gníomhaireachta áirithe i dtionscnamh pleanála reatha fórsa saothair.

Tá maoiniú breise d’áiteanna do mhic léinn altranais in 2000 agus 2001 agus soláthar leanúnach oiliúint in aisce d’altraí cáilithe ar mian leo filleadh ar an gcleachtas i measc raon na dtionscnamh atá leagtha amach chun cur le soláthar fhoireann altraí cáilithe agus an gá atá le foireann altranais bainc/gníomhaireachta a laghdú.

Mr Weir asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many people are in receipt of regular visits from Home Helps.

(AQW 1358/01)

Ms de Brún: At 31 March 2001 (the latest date for which information is available) there were 27,401 people receiving the Home Help service here.

Amhail ar an 31 Márta 2001 (an dáta is déanaí a bhfuil eolas ar fáil ina leith) bhí 27,401 duine ag fáil seirbhís Chúnamh Baile anseo.

Mr Weir asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what plans she has to increase budget resources for the home help service.

(AQW 1359/01)

Ms de Brún: The Department does not allocate money specifically for the provision of home help services. Decisions on the actual amounts of expenditure necessary are made by individual trusts in line with levels of need and the resources available to them.

The need for increased resources for community services are considered as part of the annual review of funding for the community care programme. I shall be examining the need for increased investment in the home help service together with all other emerging pressures on the community care programme in developing my expenditure proposals for 2003-04.

Ní leithroinneann an Roinn airgead go sonrach do sholáthar sheirbhísí Chúnamh Baile. Is iad na hIontaobhais aonair ag teacht le leibhéil riachtanas agus na n-acmhainní a bhíonn ar fáil dóibh a dhéanann cinntí maidir le suimeanna iarbhír caiteachais.

Breithnítear an gá atá le breis acmhainní do sheirbhísí pobail mar chuid d’athbhreithniú bliantúil maoinithe don chlár cúraim pobail. Beidh mé ag scrúdú an gá atá le breis infheistíochta sa tseirbhís Chúnamh Baile chomh maith leis na brúnna eile atá ag teacht chun cinn ar an gclár cúraim pobail agus mé ag forbairt mo chuid tograí caiteachais do 2003/04.

Mr Hilditch asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what progress has been made to ensure that overseas adoption policy is streamlined.

(AQW 1363/01)

Ms de Brún: My Department is working to regulate the procedures involved and to ratify the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in respect of intercountry adoption which aims to establish safeguards to protect the interests of the child and to put in place a system of co-operation between countries to prevent the abduction of, the sale of and the traffic in children.

Tá mo Roinn ag obair chun na nósanna imeachta bainteacha a rialú agus chun Coinbheansean Hague ar Chosaint Leanaí agus Comhoibriú maidir le hUchtú Idirthíortha a dhaingniú, a bhfuil mar aidhm leo cosaintí chun leasa an linbh a bhunú agus córas comhoibrithe idir tíortha a bhunú chun fuadach, díol agus mangaireacht leanaí a chosc.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what recommendations she has made to general practitioners regarding the amount of time that should be made available for consultation for each patient; and to make a statement.

(AQW 1370/01)

Ms de Brún: None. Each consultation is unique. In general the length of time a general practitioner spends in consultation with a patient is determined by his or her clinical judgement and the needs of the individual patient.

Níl aon mholadh. Is comhchomhairle ar leithligh gach comhchomhairle. Go ginearáta is é breithiúnas cliniciúil an dochtúir teaghlaigh agus riachtanais an othair aonair a chinneann an t-achar ama a chaitheann an dochtúir sin i gcomhchomhairle leis an othar.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what plans she has for expanding the role played by private health care providers; and to make a statement.

(AQW 1375/01)

Ms de Brún: I have no plans to expand the role played by private health care providers in the Health and Personal Social Services.

The private sector is already involved in the provision of nursing home facilities and the Health and Personal Social Services also makes some use of private hospital services here and elsewhere. I am conscious, however, of the impact this can have on the overall resources available to the Health and Personal Social Services and it remains my first priority to use those resources to build capacity within the Health and Personal Social Services to meet the demand.

Tá pleananna agam chun an ról atá ag soláthróiríi cúraim sláinte príobháideacha sa SSSP a leathnú.

Tá baint ag an earnáil phríobháideach cheana féin le saoráidí tithe altranais a sholáthar agus baineann an SSSP roinnt leasa as seirbhísí ospidéal príobháideach anseo agus in áiteanna eile. Tuigim áfach an tionchar a d’fhéadfadh a bheith aige sin ar na hacmhainní tríd is tríd atá ar fáil don SSSP agus is í an chéad tosaíocht atá agam na hacmhainní sin a úsáid leis an acmhainn laistigh den SSSP a neartú chun freastal ar an éileamh.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what assessment she has made of the progress and effectiveness of adult stem cell research in treating health disorders.

(AQW 1377/01)

Ms de Brún: Increasing advances in biological sciences, including the development of human stem cells, are creating promising prospects for the development of a number of treatments such as Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, heart disease, cancer and injuries for which there are no effective treatments and cures today. Patients with leukaemia have already benefited from infusion of cells as a treatment.

Tá ionchais a bhfuil geallúint fúthu á gcruthú ag dul chun cinn atá síorú ag méadú sna heolaíochtaí bitheolaíochta, lena n-áirítear forbairt ghaschealla daonna maidir le forbairt roinnt cóireálacha mar ghalar Pharkinson, diaibéiteas, galar croí, ailse agus gortuithe nach bhfuil aon chóireálacha éifeachtacha nó leigheas ann dóibh faoi láthair. Tá leas déanta cheana féin ag insileadh cealla mar chóireáil d’othair a bhfuil leukaemia orthu.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what progress has been made in the improvement of care for cancer patients.

(AQW 1378/01)

Ms de Brún: I refer the Member to my answer to AQW 1078/01.

Treoraím an Ball do mo fhreagra a thug mé ar AQW 1078/01.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what assessment she has made of recent research into the causes and treatment of dementia.

(AQW 1379/01)

Ms de Brún: Dementia takes many forms and has various underlying causes including genetic elements, hypertension and trauma. Research into dementia therefore involves many different professional groups and the results of research relating to the many aspects of dementia are published in a variety of professional journals, where they are read and utilised as appropriate by the relevant clinicians.

Proposals within my Department’s consultation document 'Best Practice Best Care' published last year, regarding clinical and social care governance address the issue of ensuring that clinicians keep abreast of the latest developments, engage in lifelong learning and use the most up-to-date effective treatments.

Tá cineálacha go leor dementia ann agus bíonn cúiseanna éagsúla leis, lena n-áirítear gnéithe géiniteacha, heipeartheannas, agus tráma. Baineann go leor grúpaí gairmiúla mar sin le taighde ar dementia agus foilsítear torthaí taighde a bhaineann le gnéithe iomadúla dementia i réimse irisí gairmiúla, áit a léitear iad agus a n-úsáideann cliniceoirí iomchuí mar is cuí iad.

Tugann moltaí i gcáipéis chomhchomhairle mo Roinne "Best Practice Best Care" a foilsíodh anuraidh maidir le rialú cúram cliniciúil agus sóisialta aghaidh ar an cheist faoina chinntiú go gcoinneoidh cliniceoirí cothrom le dáta leis na forbairtí is déanaí, go mbeidh siad ag gabháil d’fhoghlaim feadh saoil agus go mbainfídh siad leas as na cóireálacha éifeachtacha is cothroime le dáta.

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