Friday 10 November 2000
Written Answers to Questions (Continued)

HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES
AND PUBLIC SAFETY

Learning Disability Services (SHSSB Area)

Mr McGrady asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she will be allocating additional resources to health trusts to implement the changes recommended in the strategic review carried out by the Southern Health and Social Services Board of the services for people with learning disability, which identified specific groups requiring priority, a number of areas where there are service gaps and proposed areas for qualitative improvements.

(AQW 408/00)

The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (Ms de Brún): It will be a matter for the Southern Health and Social Services Board to determine the allocation of the funds available to it against the priorities which it identifies for health and social care services in general, and learning disability services in particular, in its area.

De chinneadh Bhord Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta an Deiscirt é dáileadh cistí de réir na dtosaíochtaí a aimsíonn sé do sheirbhísí chúram sláinte agus sóisialta go gineáralta, agus seirbhísí míchumais foghlama go háirithe, ina cheantar féin.

Consultants

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she will detail the number of consultants in each trust for cardiology, optometry, haematology and radiology.

(AQW 414/00)

Ms de Brún: Information on the numbers of consultants in the specialties of cardiology, haematology and radiology for each local trust is given in the table below. Optometry is a non-medical healthcare profession and, therefore, the grading of "consultant" does not apply. However, the question has been interpreted as referring to consultant ophthalmologists, and information on this basis has been included in the table.

⁽¹⁾ A number of consultants provide services on more than one site and therefore there may be an element of double counting in the above table.

⁽²⁾ Information for Ophthalmology refers to the position as at February 2000 (the latest date for which information is available).

⁽³⁾ There are 11 General Medicine consultants in local Trusts who have a special interest in Cardiology and who devote approximately ½ their time to Cardiology. These are not included in the above figures.

Sa tábla thíos tá eolas ar líon na ndochtúirí comhairleacha i speisialtachtaí na cairdeolaíochta, na haemeolaíochta agus na raideolaíochta i ngach iontaobhas áitiúil. Gairm neamhliachta í an optomaidreacht, mar sin de níl an rangú "comhairleach" infheidhme. Cibé, ba é an míniú a baineadh as an cheist gur thagair sí do oftailmeolaithe comhairleacha, agus tugtar an t-eolas sa tábla ar an bhonn sin.

⁽¹⁾ Soláthraíonn roinnt dochtúirí comhairleacha seirbhísí ar níos mó ná aon suíomh amháin agus tá seans mar sin go ndearnadh cuntas faoi dhó i gcuid de na samplaí sa tábla thuas.

⁽²⁾ Baineann an t-eolas thuas i leith na hoptailmeolaíochta le Mí Feabhra (nuair a bhí an t-eolas is deireanaí ar fáil)

⁽³⁾ Tá 11 dochtúir comhairleach sa mhíochaine ghineáralta in iontaobhais áitiúla a bhfuil suim ar leith acu sa chairdeolaíocht agus a thugann thart faoi leath dá gcuid ama don chairdeolaíocht. Níl siad seo sna figiúirí thuas.

Surgery (Republic of Ireland Residents)

Mrs Carson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she will detail (a) the number of Republic of Ireland residents who underwent surgery in Northern Ireland hospitals in the last three years, and (b) the hospitals where these operations were performed.

(AQW 417/00)

Ms de Brún: This information is given in the table below:

Finished Consultant Episodes (FCEs) in the surgical specialties at local Hospitals for residents of the south of Ireland,1997/8 to 1999/00

Tá an t-eolas seo sa tábla thíos:

Tréimhsí Críochnaithe Dochtúirí Comhairleacha (TCDC) i speisialtachtaí máinliachta in Otharlanna áitiúla do chónaitheoirí dheisceart na hÉireann,1997/8 go 1999/00

Physiotherapy (Cancer Patients)

Mr McGrady asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she will ensure that specialised physiotherapy services will be made available in rural hospitals for those who suffer from cancer; and if she will make a statement.

(AQW 432/00)

Ms de Brún: As a result of the 1996 Campbell Report — ‘Cancer Services: Investing for the Future’ — which recommended that cancer care should be delivered by multidisciplinary, multiprofessional teams, the provision of cancer services has been reorganised, with cancer units established in each board area, linked to the cancer centre in Belfast. In line with this reorganisation, specialised physiotherapy services are provided in the cancer units at Craigavon Area, Ulster, Belfast City and Belvoir Park Hospitals. The other cancer units, at Altnagelvin and Antrim Area hospitals, are in the process of recruiting the staff required to provide a service in those units. In addition to these specialised services, cancer patients may avail of mainstream physiotherapy services, which are provided at a number of other hospitals.

De bharr thuarascáil Campbell — ‘Cancer Services: Investing for the Future’ — sa bhliain 1996 a mhol gur cheart go gcuirfeadh foirne ildisciplíneacha, ilghairmiúla cúram ailse ar fáil, tá atheagrú déanta ar sholáthar seirbhísí ailse. Tá aonaid ailse bunaithe i ngach ceantar boird agus iad ceangailte den ionad ailse i mBéal Feirste. Mar chuid den atheagrú seo tá sainseirbhísí fisiteiripe á soláthar sna hionaid ailse in Ospidéal Craigavon, in Ospidéal Uladh, in Ospidéal Cathrach Bhéal Feirste agus in Ospidéal Pháirc Belvoir. Ta na haonaid ailse eile in Ospidéal Alt na nGealbhan agus in Ospidéal Cheantar Aontroma i mbun earcú na foirne is gá le seirbhís a chur fáil sna haonaid sin. Chomh maith leis na sainseirbhísí seo, féadfaidh othair úsáid a bhaint as na príomhsheirbhísí fisiteiripe atá á soláthar i roinnt ospidéal eile.

Mr McGrady asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she will detail which hospitals provide specialised physiotherapy services for individuals who suffer from cancer.

(AQW 433/00)

Ms de Brún: Specialised physiotherapy services for individuals suffering from cancer are currently provided at the following hospitals:

• Belfast City Hospital
• Belvoir Park Hospital
• Craigavon Area Hospital
• Ulster Hospital, Dundonald

Both Altnagelvin and Antrim Area Hospitals are in the process of recruiting the staff required to provide specialised physiotherapy services for cancer patients.

Tá sainseirbhísí fisiteiripe á soláthar faoi láthair sna hospidéil seo a leanas do dhaoine aonair a bhfuil ailse orthu:

• Ospidéal Cathrach Bhéal Feirste
• Ospidéal Pháirc Belvoir
• Ospidéal Cheantar Craigavon
• Ospidéal Uladh, Dún Dónaill

Tá Ospidéal Alt na nGealbhan agus Ospidéal Cheantar Aontroma i mbun earcú na foirne is gá le sainseirbhísí fisiteiripe a chur fáil d’othair a bhfuil ailse orthu.

Department: Special Advisers

Mr Ford asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she will provide a list of those appointed as special advisers within her Department, detailing in each case (a) the date appointment was offered, (b) the date employment commenced, (c) the gender of the appointee, (d) whether or not the appointee is disabled, (e) whether or not the appointment was as a result of open competition, and (f) whether the appointee held membership of any political party on the date appointment was offered.

(AQW 462/00)

Ms de Brún: I can confirm that I have appointed one special adviser.

a. The appointment was originally offered on 11 February 2000 and re-offered on 31 May 2000.

b. Employment commenced on 3 December 1999 and recommenced on 18 May 2000.

c. My special adviser is male.

d. It is Civil Service policy to afford a high degree of confidentiality to individual monitoring information, including that on disability.

e. Special advisers are appointed under the Civil Service Commissioners (Northern Ireland) Order 1999, article 3(2) of which disapplies the principle of selection or merit on the basis of fair and open competition where an appointment to a situation in the Civil Service is made for the purpose of providing advice to Ministers during a period terminating on or before the end of an Administration.

f. All civil servants, including special advisers, are entitled to hold membership of a political party, although political activity is restricted according to their role. Information on membership of a political party is not held for special advisers or any other civil servants.

Thig liom a dhearbhú gur cheap mé comhairleoir speisialta amháin.

a. Tairgeadh an ceapachán ar dtús ar an 11 Feabhra 2000 agus atairgeadh é ar an 31 Bealtaine 2000.

b. Cuireadh tús leis an fhostaíocht ar an 3 Nollaig 1999 agus atosaíodh í ar an 18 Bealtaine 2000.

c. Is fear é mo chomhairleoir speisialta.

d. Is é polasaí na Státseirbhíse ardleibhéal rúndachta a chur i bhfeidhm maidir le heolas faireacháin, agus eolas ar mhíchumas san áireamh, i dtaobh daoine aonair.

e. Ceaptar comhairleoirí speisialta faoin Civil Service Commissioners (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 agus le hAirteagal 3(2) den Ordú sin cuirtear ar ceal an prionsabal roghnaithe nó tuillteanais ar bhonn comórtais chothroim oscailte i gcás ceapacháin chuig post sa Státseirbhís atá á dhéanamh le comhairle a thabhairt d’Airí le linn tréimhse a chríochnóidh ag deireadh saolré Rialtais nó roimhe sin.

f. Tá gach státseirbhíseach, agus comhairleoirí speisialta san áireamh, i dteideal a bheith ina mbaill de pháirtí polaitíochta cé go mbíonn a ngníomhaíocht pholaitíochta á teorannú de réir an róil a bhíonn acu. Ní choinnítear aon eolas faoi bhallraíocht i bpáirtithe polaitíochta i gcás comhairleoirí speisialta nó státseirbhíseach ar bith eile.

Eggs: Consumption

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she is (a) aware of the recent research presented to the Royal Society of Medicine forum on food and health into the benefits and qualities of eggs, and (b) considering measures to encourage the public to make eggs an integral part of their diet.

(AQW 466/00)

Ms de Brún: I am aware that the Royal Society of Medicine held a forum to review the evidence on dietary cholesterol as a cardiac risk factor. The seminar concluded that intakes of dietary cholesterol of up to 500 mg per day (equivalent to that in about two egg yolks) had very little impact on blood cholesterol.

My Department does not issue specific advice on the number of eggs people should consume, and the Food Standards Agency does not class individual food as healthy or unhealthy. A varied, balanced diet, which includes plenty of fruit and vegetables and is high in complex carbohydrates and low in fat is recommended.

Tá a fhios agam gur thionóil an Royal Society of Medicine fóram le hathbhreithniú a dhéanamh ar an fhianaise ar ghuaiseanna cairdiacha an cholaistéaróil chothaithigh. Bhí an seimineár den bharúil gur beag a chuaigh glacadh isteach de cholaistéaról cothaitheach de suas le 500 mg sa lá (is ionann sin agus 2 bhuíocán uibhe) i bhfeidhm ar cholaistéaról na fola.

Ní eisíonn mo Roinn comhairle ar leith faoin mhéid uibheacha a ba chóir do dhaoine a ithe agus ní aicmíonn an Food Standards Agency bia áirithe folláin nó mífholláin. Moltar aiste chothrom éagsúil bia, ina bhfuil tréan torthaí agus glasraí agus atá ard i gcarbaihíodráití coimpléascacha agus íseal i ngeir.

Ambulance Service

Mr McGrady asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail when she will make her response to the review of the Ambulance Service in Northern Ireland; and if she will make a statement.

(AQW 472/00)

Ms de Brún: The report of the strategic review of the Ambulance Service, received by my Department in February of this year, was circulated widely for comment. Although all the responses have now been received and collated, quite a bit of detailed work still needs to be done before I am in a position to reach final decisions on the way forward. A number of project groups are therefore being established to look more closely at how the report’s recommendations could be implemented and the costs of doing so. I intend to make a public statement on progress shortly.

Fuair mo Roinn tuarascáil an athbhreithnithe straitéisigh ar an tSeirbhís Otharcharranna i mí Feabhra i mbliana agus scaipeadh go forleathan í le tuairimí a fháil. Cé go bhfuil na freagraí uile faighte anois agus curtha in eagar, tá neart oibre mionsonraithe le déanamh go fóill sula mbeidh mé i riocht na cinntí deireanacha a dhéanamh maidir leis an bhealach chun tosaigh. Ar an ábhar sin tá roinnt grúpaí tionscadail á mbunú le scrúdú níos géire a dhéanamh ar an dóigh ar féidir na moltaí sa tuarascáil a fheidhmiú agus ar na costais a bheadh i gceist. Tá rún agam ráiteas poiblí a dhéanamh faoin dul chun cinn ar ball.

Disposal of Drugs

Ms Armitage asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if, in relation to drugs and medicines past their sell-by date, she will detail (a) how they are disposed of, (b) the value of drugs disposed of for this reason, and (c) how these costs are monitored.

(AQW 476/00)

Ms de Brún: Medicines are classified as "special waste" under the Special Waste (NI) Regulations 1998 and are disposed of in accordance with those regulations.

Controlled drugs are a specific class of medicine which are, in addition, subject to disposal controls under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 1985. The protocols for destruction of these medicines are agreed between pharmacists and my Department’s Pharmaceutical Inspectorate.

The value of the drugs disposed of for this reason is not readily available and could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost.

The costs of out-of-date drugs and medicines are not monitored by my Department.

Aicmítear cógais mar "dramhaíl speisialta" faoi na Special Waste (NI) Regulations 1998 agus diúscraítear de réir na rialacha seo iad.

Baineann Drugaí Rialaithe le haicme ar leith cógas atá, lena chois sin, faoi réir rialacha diúscartha sna Misuse of Drugs Regulations 1985. Déantar aontú idir poitigéirí agus cigireacht chógaisíochta mo Roinne faoi na prótacail maidir le díothú na gcógas seo.

Ar an ábhar sin ní féidir teacht go réidh ar luach na ndrugaí a dhiúscraítear agus ní fhéadfaí teacht air gan chostas díréireach.

Ní dhéanann mo Roinnse faireachán ar chostais drugaí agus cógais atá as dáta.

Ulster Hospital: Orthopaedic Services

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she will confirm that no new appointments are being offered to patients in the orthopaedic department of the Ulster Hospital.

(AQW 478/00)

Ms de Brún: New appointments are still being offered to patients at orthopaedic clinics at the Ulster Hospital. There are nine clinics held per week with a mix of new and review patients.

Tá coinní nua á dtairiscint go fóill d’othair i gclinicí ortaipéideacha in Ospidéal Uladh. Reáchtáiltear naoi gclinic sa tseachtain agus bíonn meascán d’othair nua agus d’othair faoi athbhreithniú ann.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail how often orthopaedic clinics are held at the Ulster Hospital and to detail the number of patients awaiting appointments.

(AQW 479/00)

Ms de Brún: The Ulster Hospital currently holds nine orthopaedic outpatient clinics per week.

As at 30 September 2000 (the latest date for which information is available), there were 2,321 patients awaiting their first orthopaedic outpatient appointment at the Ulster Hospital.

Faoi láthair reáchtálann Ospidéal Uladh naoi gclinic ortaipéideach sa tseachtain d’othair sheachtracha.

Amhail ar an 30 Meán Fómhair 2000 (an dáta is déanaí a bhfuil eolas ann ina leith), bhí 2,321 othar ag feitheamh lena gcéad choinne ortaipéideach a fháil mar othair sheachtracha in Ospidéal Uladh.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she will detail the number of orthopaedic consultants at the Ulster Hospital.

(AQW 480/00)

Ms de Brún: There are five orthopaedic consultants who currently provide services at the Ulster Hospital.

Faoi lathair tá cúig ortaipéidithe comhairleacha ann a chuireann seirbhísí ar fáil in Ospidéal Uladh.

Dermatology Services (EHSSB Area)

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she will (a) detail her assessment of dermatology services in the Eastern Health and Social Services Board area and the decision to locate such services at the Belfast City Hospital, (b) confirm her acceptance of the recommendation that such services should be centralised, and (c) confirm that its future will only be determined on the basis of scientific argument.

(AQW 527/00)

Ms de Brún: Dermatology services are currently provided at both the Belfast City and Royal Victoria Hospitals. There has been general agreement for some time among dermatologists that there should be a unified service based on one site. The future location of the service was one of the issues considered in the Eastern Health and Social Services Board’s consultation paper on acute services published in May this year. Board officers are now considering the responses to the consultation exercise, including a number of representations from clinicians about the dermatology service. A package of recommendations is expected to be put before the Eastern Board’s meeting in December.

Faoi láthair, cuirtear seirbhísí deirmeolaíochta ar fáil in Otharlann Chathair Bhéal Feirste agus in Otharlann Ríoga Victoria araon. Tá na deirmeolaithe den bharúil le tamall anuas gur cheart do sheirbhís chomhaontaithe a bheith ann agus í bunaithe ar aon suíomh amháin. Bhí suíomh na seirbhíse sa todhchaí ar cheann de na saincheisteanna ar breathnaíodh orthu i bpáipéar comhairliúcháin Bhord an Oirthir ar sheirbhísí géarchúraim a foilsíodh i Mí Bhealtaine na bliana seo. Tá oifigigh boird ag breathnú ar na freagraí ar an pháipéar comhairliúcháin, lena n-áirítear ráitis ó chliniceoirí faoin tseirbhís deirmeolaíochta. Meastar go gcuirfear pacáiste moltaí os comhair chruinniú Bhord an Oirthir i Mí na Nollag.

In Vitro Fertilisation

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she will detail (a) the current position on in vitro fertilisation treatment in Northern Ireland, (b) how many patients receive such treatment in each board area, (c) why the Eastern Health and Social Services Board (EHSSB) has instructed its GPs not to prescribe any drugs for in vitro fertilisation, and to give an assurance that the EHSSB falls into line on this issue with all the other boards whose GPs continue to issue such prescriptions.

(AQW 528/00)

Ms de Brún:

(a) None of the health and social services boards currently commissions in vitro fertilisation (IVF) services, which are provided by the regional fertility centre at the Royal Group of Hospitals. Patients receiving IVF treatment pay for it on a private basis, although drugs are usually prescribed by GPs. The provision of all sub-fertility services, including IVF, is at present being considered by a group established by the Regional Medical Services Consortium, which commissions regional services on behalf of the four health and social services boards. The group is due to report early next year on how services for people experiencing fertility problems can be improved.

(b) The number of patients, by board of residence, who received IVF treatment at the regional fertility centre during1999-2000 is shown in the table below:

(c) The Eastern Health and Social Services Board has not instructed its GPs to discontinue prescribing drugs for IVF. The position is that some GPs in the Eastern Board’s area have indicated that, as the patients receiving IVF treatment are under the care of a hospital consultant, it is inappropriate for their drugs to be prescribed by GPs. Prescribing is one of the issues that will be addressed in the regional consortium’s report.

(a) Ní choimisiúnaíonn bord ar bith de na boird sláinte agus seirbhísí sóisialta seirbhísí thoirchiú in vitro (TIV), a sholraítear ag an ionad réigiúnach torthúlachta sa Ghrúpa Ríoga Otharlann. Is ar bhonn príobháideach a dhíolann othair atá ag fáil chóireáil TIV, cé go n-ordaítear drugaí de ghnáth ag liachleachtóirí. Tá soláthar gach seirbhís fothorthúlachta, lena n-áirítear toirchiú in vitro, á mheas san am i láthair ag grúpa a bunaíodh ag an Regional Medical Services Consortium, a choimisiúnaíonn seirbhísí ar son na gceithre bhord sláinte agus seirbhísí sóisialta. Tá an grúpa le tuairisciú go luath sa bhliain seo chugainn ar conas is féidir seirbhísí dóibh sin a bhfuil fadhbanna torthúlachta acu a fheabhsú.

(b) Léiríonn an tábla thíos an líon othar, de réir chónaí i mbord, a fuair cóireáil TIV san ionad torthúlachta réigiúnach i 1999/2000:

(c) Níor ordaigh Bord Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta an Oirthir dá liachleachtóirí stad de dhrugaí a ordú don toirchiú in vitro. Dúirt roinnt liachleachtóirí i gceantar Bhord an Oirthir ós rud é go bhfuil na hothair atá ag fáil chóireáil TIV faoi chúram lia comhairleach otharlainne ní ceart do liachleachtóirí a gcuid drugaí a ordú. Tá an t-ordú drugaí ar cheann de na saincheisteanna a bhreathnófar i dtuairisc an chuibhreannais réigiúnaigh.

Ophthalmic Services

Mr Beggs asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she will detail the number of persons in Northern Ireland (a) currently awaiting cataract operations, and (b) currently awaiting diagnosis by ophthalmic consultants.

(AQW 535/00)

Ms de Brún: Information on people waiting for inpatient treatment is collected on the basis of specialty rather than the type of operation that they are waiting for.

At 30 June 2000 — the latest date for which information is available — there were 5,253 people waiting for inpatient treatment in the ophthalmology specialty here.

Information on patients currently awaiting diagnosis by ophthalmic consultants is not collected centrally.

Déantar eolas ar dhaoine atá ag feitheamh le haghaidh cóireáil mar othair sheachtracha a bhailiú ar bhonn speisialtóireachtaí seachas ar bhonn an chineáil obráide lena bhfuil siad ag feitheamh.

Ar an 30 Meitheamh 2000 (an dáta is déanaí a bhfuil eolas ar fáil ina leith), bhí 5,253 duine ag feitheamh le cóireáil oftailmeolaíochta a fháil mar othair chónaitheacha anseo.

Ní bhailítear eolas go lárnach ar dhaoine atá ag feitheamh faoi láthair le fáthmheas ó oftailmeolaithe comhairleacha.

Cataract Surgery

Mr Beggs asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she will outline her assessment of whether an increase in the numbers of persons receiving cataract surgery would contribute to a reduction in patient dependency on the community care system.

(AQW 536/00)

Ms de Brún: It is not possible to assess the effect that an increase in the numbers of persons receiving cataract surgery would have on community care services.

Níl sé indéanta a mheas cad é mar a rachadh an méadú ar líon na ndaoine atá ag fáil máinliacht chatarachta i bhfeidhm ar sheirbhísí cúraim phobail.

Area Medical Advisory Committee

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she will detail (a) the members of the Area Medical Advisory Committee (AMAC), (b) when they were each appointed and on what basis, (c) which hospitals they are from, (d) how long each appointee is to serve, (e) how frequently the AMAC has met and to list the dates of those meetings, (f) what reports have been issued by AMAC, and (g) what subcommittees exist, their membership and if any reports have been issued.

(AQW 538/00)

Ms de Brún: The information requested is not held centrally and details in respect of all health and social services boards could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. Each Area Medical Advisory Committee — there are four of them — is set up by, and directly responsible to, the board in whose area it is based. Information in respect of two boards (the Eastern and Western) is as follows:

Eastern Area Medical Advisory Committee
(a) Membership

(b) Members are appointed to represent the various specialities within hospitals, GP interests, the medical faculty at Queen’s University Belfast, the Council for Postgraduate Education and the Eastern Board.

(c) See table at (a) above for hospital representation.

(d) Members representing the various specialities usually serve a two-year term with an option to serve for another two years. Other members — for example, those representing postgraduate education and university interests — might serve longer periods.

(e) The committee normally meets about 3 times each year. Meetings this year were held on:

16 February 2000

23 May 2000

5 September 2000

(f) No reports have been issued this year. The committee provides responses to the board on various planning and consultation exercises and offers professional medical advice to the board.

(g) The committee has 17 subcommittees, one for each speciality. These subcommittees produce working documents for consideration by the main committee to enable the main committee to provide advice to the Eastern Board.

Western Area Medical Advisory Committee
(a) Membership

(b) Members are appointed to represent the various specialities within hospitals, GP interests, junior hospital staff, community health and board interests.

(c) See table at (a) above for hospital representation.

(d) Membership is normally reviewed and renewed every three years but individual members may be renominated and serve more than one period.

(e) The committee normally meets about five times each year. Meetings this year were held on:

18 January 2000

21 March 2000

16 May 2000

19 September 2000

(f) No reports have been issued this year. The committee does not usually issue reports but provides professional medical advice to the board on a range of issues and services.

(g) There are nine subcommittees to provide advice to the main committee as and when required - one for each speciality. In addition, the main committee periodically sets up ad hoc subcommittees to consider specific issues.

Níl an t-eolas a iarradh á choinneáil go lárnach agus ní fhéadfaí mionsonraithe a fháil i leith gach boird sláinte agus seirbhísí sóisialta gan costas díréireach. Maidir le gach coiste comhairleach míochaine ceantair (a bhfuil ceithre cinn díobh ann), is é an bord a bhfuil siad suite ina cheantar, a bhunaíonn iad agus tá siad freagrach go díreach don bhord sin. Is mar a leanas atá an t-eolas i leith dhá bhord (Bord an Oirthir agus Bord an Iarthair):

Coiste Comhairleach Míochaine Cheantar an Oirthir - (a) Ballraíocht

(b) Ceaptar baill mar ionadaithe thar ceann na speisialtóireachtaí éagsúla sna hospidéil, leasanna liachleachtóirí, an dámh míochaine in Ollscoil na Banríona, an Chomhairle Oideachais Iarchéime agus Bord an Oirthir.

(c) Tá ionadaithe na n-ospidéal le féiceáil sa tábla ag (a).

(d) Go hiondúil caitheann na baill ar ionadaithe thar ceann speisialtóireachtaí iad téarma dhá bhliain ar an choiste agus bíonn rogha acu fanacht go ceann dhá bhliain eile. D’fhéadfadh baill eile tréimhse níos faide a chaitheamh, mar shampla, ionadaithe thar ceann leasanna an oideachais iarchéime agus na hollscoile.

(e) Tagann an coiste le chéile timpeall trí huaire sa bhliain de ghnáth. Bhí na cruinnithe i mbliana ar na dátaí seo a leanas:

an 16 Feabhra 2000

an 23 Bealtaine 2000

an 5 Meán Fómhair 2000

(f) Níor eisíodh tuarascálacha ar bith i mbliana. Soláthraíonn an coiste freagraí don bhord nuair a thugtar faoi bhearta pleanála agus comhairliúcháin agus cuireann sé comhairle ghairmiúil mhíochaine ar fáil don bhord.

(g) Tá 17 bhfochoiste ag an choiste – ceann do gach speisialtóireacht. Ullmhaíonn na fochoistí seo doiciméid oibriúcháin lena mbreithniú ag an phríomhchoiste chun go mbeidh an príomhchoiste ábalta comhairle a sholáthar do Bhord an Oirthir.

Coiste Comhairleach Míochaine Cheantar an Iarthair - (a) Ballraíocht

(b) Ceaptar baill mar ionadaithe thar ceann na leasanna seo a leanas: speisialtóireachtaí éagsúla sna hospidéil, na liachleachtóirí, foireann shóisearach ospidéal, sláinte phobail agus na boird.

(c) Tá ionadaithe na n-ospidéal le féiceáil sa tábla ag (a).

(d) Déantar athbhreithniú agus athnuachan ar an bhallraíocht go hiondúil gach trí bliana ach féadtar baill a athainmniú agus thig leo níos mó ná tréimhse amháin a chaitheamh ar an choiste.

(e) Tagann an coiste le chéile timpeall cúig huaire sa bhliain de ghnáth. Bhí na cruinnithe i mbliana ar na dátaí seo a leanas:

an 18 Eanáir 2000

an 21 Márta 2000

an 16 Bealtaine 2000

an 19 Meán Fómhair 2000

(f) Níor eisíodh tuarascálacha ar bith i mbliana. Ní gnách leis an choiste tuarascálacha a eisiúint ach cuireann sé comhairle ghairmiúil mhíochaine ar fáil don bhord faoi réimse ábhar agus seirbhísí.

(g) Tá naoi bhfochoiste ann le comhairle a chur ar fáil don phríomhchoiste má bhíonn feidhm léi – ceann do gach speisialtóireacht. Lena chois sin bunaíonn an príomhchoiste fochoistí ad-hoc ó am go céile le ceisteanna ar leith a mheas.

Occupational Therapists (West Tyrone)

Mr McMenamin asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she will detail when there will be extra occupational therapists employed to reduce the backlog of patients in West Tyrone.

(AQW 541/00)

Ms de Brún: Health and social services boards and trusts are responsible for ensuring that there are sufficient occupational therapists to provide the level of service to meet the assessed needs of their population. However, my Department has highlighted occupational therapy waiting times as a pressure to be addressed by boards in proposals for spending the £53 million recurrent funding announced earlier this year. The four boards have indicated that additional resources will be allocated to occupational therapy services in the current year. My Department will monitor the situation.

Tá boird agus iontaobhais sláinte agus seirbhísí sóisialta freagrach as cinntiú go bhfuil go leor teiripithe saothair ann leis an leibhéal seirbhíse a sholáthar le freastal ar riachtanais mheasta a ndaonra. Thug an mo Roinn chun suntais áfach uaireanta feithimh teiripe saothair mar bhrú a rachaidh na boird i ngleic leis sna moltaí ar chaiteachas an £53 milliún de mhaoiniú atréimhseach, a fógraíodh ní ba luaithe sa bhliain. Thug na ceithre bhord le fios go gcuirfear acmhainní breise ar fáil do sheirbhísí teiripe saothair i mbliana. Déanfaidh mo Roinn monatóireacht ar na dála.

Ambulance Service: Strategic Review

Mr McGrady asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she will respond to the ambulance review group’s recommendations, which were published in February 2000; and if she will make a statement.

(AQW 547/00)

Ms de Brún: The report of the strategic review of the Ambulance Service, received by my Department in February of this year, was circulated widely for comment. Although all of the responses received have now been collated, quite a bit of detailed work still needs to be done before I am in a position to reach final decisions on the way forward. A number of project groups are therefore being established to look more closely at how the report’s recommendations could be implemented and the costs of doing so. I intend to make a public statement on progress shortly.

Fuair mo Roinn tuarascáil an athbhreithnithe straitéisigh ar an tSeirbhís Otharcharranna i mí Feabhra i mbliana agus scaipeadh go forleathan í le tuairimí a fháil. Cé go bhfuil na freagraí uilig faighte agam anois agus curtha in eagar, tá neart oibre mionsonraithe le déanamh go fóill sula mbeidh mé i riocht na cinntí deireanacha a dhéanamh maidir leis an bhealach chun tosaigh. Ar an ábhar sin tá roinnt grúpaí tionscadail á mbunú le scrúdú níos géire a dhéanamh ar an dóigh ar féidir na moltaí sa tuarascáil a fheidhmiú agus ar na costais a bheadh i gceist. Tá rún agam ráiteas poiblí a dhéanamh faoin dul chun cinn ar ball.

Ambulance Service (Downpatrick Area)

Mr McGrady asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she will respond to the ambulance review group’s recommendations in respect of the Downpatrick area, which were published in November 1999; and if she will make a statement.

(AQW 548/00)

Ms de Brún: This report was commissioned by the Ambulance Service Trust to specifically examine the provision of ambulance services in the Downpatrick area. In 1999, the Eastern Health and Social Services Board made an additional investment that enabled the trust to provide an additional accident and emergency ambulance in the Downpatrick area for 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Ambulance Service is also currently finalising proposals with the board for the establishment of an ambulance station in Newcastle.

The November 1999 report will also need to be considered within the broader context of the strategic review of ambulance services here and its recommendations. I intend to make a public statement on progress on the strategic review report shortly.

Choimisiúnaigh Iontaobhas na Seirbhíse Otharcharranna an tuairisc seo le scrúdú faoi leith a dhéanamh ar sholáthar seirbhísí otharchairr i gceantar an Dúin. In 1999, rinne Bord Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta an Oirthir infheistíocht bhreise a chuir ar chumas an iontaobhais otharcharr breise timpiste agus éigeandála a chur ar fáil i gceantar an Dúin 24 uair sa lá, seacht lá sa tseachtain. Tá an tSeirbhís Otharcharranna ag cur an dlaoi mhullaigh ar mholtaí leis an bhord ar bhunú staisiún otharcharranna sa Chaisleán Nua.

Caithfear breathnú ar thuairisc mhí na Samhna 1999 i gcomhthéasc an athbhreithnithe straitéisigh ar sheirbhísí otharchairr agus a mholtaí. Tá rún agam ráiteas poiblí a dhéanamh ar dhul chun cinn thuairisc an athbhreithnithe straitéisigh ar ball.

Department: Consultancy Contracts

Mr Dallat asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if, for the period since devolution, she will detail (a) the number of contracts for consultancy services which did not have to go out to public tender that have been awarded by her Department, (b) to whom these contracts have been awarded, (c) the number of contracts awarded on the basis of such consultancy advice, and (d) to whom these contracts were awarded.

(AQW 549/00)

Ms de Brún: The information requested is as follows:

(a) Since devolution the Department has awarded 29 contracts for consultancy services that did not have to go out to public tender.

(b) Contracts were awarded to: Compaq, RA Haley, Nova, Public Private Consulting Ltd., LSE, Tundra, Nigel Rice, University of York, ERI Ltd, H Cuene – Grandidier, RJK Consulting, MSA Ferndale, EHSSB, QAS Systems, DFP, ISD Scotland, Donal Sheals, Economic & Social Research Institute, Centre For Public Services and Hay Management Consultants.

(c) No contracts were awarded on the advice of these consultants.

Tá an t-eolas a iarradh mar a leanas.

(a) Ó cineachadh cumhacht tá an Roinn i ndiaidh 29 gconradh a thabhairt i leith seirbhísí sainchomhairle, conarthaí nár lorgaíodh tairiscintí ina leith ón phobal.

(b) Tugadh conarthaí dóibh seo a leanas- Compaq, RA Haley, Nova, Public Private Consulting Ltd., LSE, Tundra, Nigel Rice, University of York, ERI Ltd., H. Cuene – Grandidier, RJK Consulting, MSA Ferndale, EHSSB, QAS Systems, DFP, ISD Scotland, Donal Sheals, Economic & Social Research Institute, Centre For Public Services agus Hay Management Consultants.

(c) Níor tugadh conarthaí ar bith de bharr comhairle ó na sainchomhairleoirí seo.

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