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Friday 15 February 2002 Health, Social Services and Public Safety Royal Victoria Hospital General Fund Rev Robert Coulter asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm (a) the current position and purpose of the Royal Victoria Hospital Endowment Fund; and (b) that the fund will finance research fellowships. (AQW 1243/01) The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (Ms de Brún): [supplementary answer]: It has come to my attention that, due to a typographical error, the response to AQW 1243/01 was incorrect. The correct balance of the Royal Victoria Hospital General Fund is £193,204 and not £1,932,047 as previously stated. I am sorry for any confusion this may have caused. Reviews/Consultations Mr Weir asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (a) the number of public consultations and reviews she has initiated; and (b) how many of these are currently running. (AQW 1489/01) Ms de Brún: Since I took office, I have initiated 10 public consultations and six major reviews. A review of Drug and Alcohol Co-ordination Teams has also been taken forward by the Drug and Alcohol Ministerial Strategic Steering Group which I chair. Of these, some five are ongoing. Ó ghlac mé leis an phost, thionscnaigh mé 10 comhairliú poiblí agus 6 athbhreithniú mór. Tá athbhreithniú ar Fhoirne Comhordaithe Drúgaí agus Alcóil tugtha chun tosaigh ag an Ghrúpa Stiúrtha Straitéisigh Aireachta Drúgaí agus Alcóil a bhfuil mé féin mar chathaoirleach air. Acu siúd, tá cúigear éigin ag dul ar aghaidh faoi láthair. Reviews/Consultations: Cost Mr Weir asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the cost of the public consultations and reviews she has initiated since taking office. (AQW 1490/01) Ms de Brún: The information is as follows:
* Costs not readily available. ¹ Taken forward by the Drug and Alcohol Ministerial Strategic Steering Group Mar a leanas atá an t-eolas:
* Níl costais ar fáil go toilteanach. 1 Glactha chun tosaigh ag an Ghrúpa Stiúrtha Straitéise Aireachta Drúgaí agus Alcóil Food Standards Agency: Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, pursuant to AQW 1103/01, to detail if procedures used by her Department in tests on scallop fisheries for amnesic and diarrhetic shellfish poisoning are the same as the tests used by authorities in the rest of the UK and Europe; and to make a statement. (AQW 1689/01) Ms de Brún: Food safety and public health protection in this area is a matter for the Food Standards Agency (FSA). The agency has responsibility for food policy and ensuring its effective implementation. In relation to shellfish, the agency has in place a sampling and testing programme. Testing is carried out by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Veterinary Science Division. The Shellfish Hygiene Directive, however, does not specify the methods to be used for the tests. The question raises two distinct issues. First, in relation to amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP), the test used here is a standardised chemical test which is the same as that used in Great Britain and the South of Ireland. The situation across the rest of Europe is unclear but it is unlikely that there are any great differences to the testing methods used here and in Great Britain given that the test is a standardised chemical one. The position in relation to diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP) is quite different in that there are slight variations in the tests used both in Great Britain and here and throughout Europe. The reason for this is that the EC Directive is non-prescriptive and uses the term, "the customary bioassay". It is therefore up to individual Member States to determine which bioassay they use. The FSA regards this approach as unacceptable and has been instrumental in raising the issue with the EC and securing, in the interests of harmonising European testing, a Draft Commission Decision (Sanco/2227/2001) establishing the methods of analysis and the maximum limits for certain marine biotoxins such as those of the DSP complex (Okadaic acid and Dinophysistoxins), Yessotoxins, Pectenotoxins and Azaspiracids. Officials from the FSA attended at Brussels to secure this position and it is pleasing to note that the new proposal accords with the test used here. Is ceist don Ghníomhaireacht Chaighdeáin Bhia (GCB) iad sábháilteacht bhia agus cosaint sláinte an phobail sa réimse seo. Tá an Ghníomhaireacht freagrach as polasaí bia agus as cinntiú a chur i bhfeidhm éifeachtaigh. Maidir le bia sliogán, tá clár blais agus tástála i bhfeidhm ag an Ghníomhaireacht. Déanann Rannóg Tréidliachta na Roinne Talmhaíochta agus Forbartha Tuaithe an tástáil. Ní thugann an Treoir ar Shláinteachas Bia Sliogán mionchuntas ar na modhanna atá le húsáid do na tástálacha. Tarraingíonn an cheist dhá cheist ar leith anuas. Ar dtús, maidir le nimhiú amneasach ó bhia sliogán (NABS), is ionann an tástáil chaighdeánach cheimiceach úsáidte anseo agus an tástáil úsáidte sa Bhreatain Mhór agus i nDeisceart na hÉireann. Tá an riocht ar fud na coda eile den Eoraip doiléir ach ní dócha go bhfuil difríochtaí móra ann idir na modhanna tástála úsáidte anseo agus sa Bhreatain Mhór mar gur tástáil chaighdeánach cheimiceach í an tástáil. Scéal eile atá ann maidir le nimhiú buinneach bia sliogan (NBBS) áfach mar go bhfuil difríochtaí beaga ann sna tástálacha úsáidte sa Bhreatain Mhór agus anseo araon agus ar fud na hEorpa. Is í Treoir an CE is cúis leo seo mar go bhfuil sí neamhrúrach agus go n-úsáideann sí an téarma "an ghnáth-bhithmheasúnacht". Mar sin de, tá sé faoi na Ballstáit indibhidiúla cinneadh a dhéanamh ar an bhithmheasúnacht a úsáideann siad. Measann an GSB gur doghlactha an cur chuige seo agus ba é ba chúis le tógáil na ceiste leis an CE agus, ar mhaithe le comhordú tástála Eorpaí, le Dréacht- Chinneadh an Coimisiúin a chinntiú (Sanco/2227/2001) ag daingniú na modhanna anailíse agus na n-uaschailcí do bhith- thocsainí mara ar leith cosúil leo siúd den choimpléasc NBBS (aigéad Ocádáiceach agus Dinophysistocsainí), Yessotocsainí, Pectenotocsainí and Azaspiraigéid. Bhí oifigigh ón GSB sa Bhuiséil leis an riocht seo a chinntiú agus tá sé sásúil le tabhairt faoi deara go bhfuil an moladh nua de réir na tástála úsáidte anseo. Equality Scheme: Complaints Mr Ford asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, pursuant to AQO 1275/00, to provide an update in relation to (a) any complaints received by her Department under its Equality scheme; (b) the nature of each complaint; and (c) any action taken to resolve each complaint. (AQW 1739/01) Ms de Brún: My Department has received five complaints since its Equality Scheme was approved by the Equality Commission. Four of these concern the provision of sub-fertility services, including the provision of the recently established interim service. One complaint was in relation to access to a social education centre. In three of these complaints, my Department carried out an initial internal investigation and responded to the complainant within one month, as required by the Equality Scheme. This process is under way on the remaining two, which have only recently been received. Fuair an Roinn s’agam 5 gearán ó cheadaigh an Coimisiún um Comhionannas an Scéim Chomhionnanais dá cuid. Bhain ceathrar acu siúd le soláthar seirbhísí fo-thorthúlachta agus ina measc siúd bhí soláthar na seirbhíse idirlinne a bunaíodh le gairid. Bhain gearán amháin le rochtain ar ionad oideachais shóisialta. Le trí cinn de na gearáin seo, rinne an Roinn s’agam imscrúdú tosaigh inmheánach agus thug sí freagairtí do na daoine a rinne na gearáin, de réir na Scéime Comhionnanais. Tá an próiseas idir lámha leis an bheirt eile nach bhfuarthas ach le gairid. Home-Start Mr Hilditch asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, pursuant to AQW 966/01, what grant aid is available to support Home-Start. (AQW 1746/01) Ms de Brún: My Department provides grant aid on an annual basis to Home-Start’s Regional Office to support its central administrative expenditure. In 2000-01, this amounted to £40,406 and in 2001-02, £41,416 is being provided. In addition, under the interim funding arrangements announced by the Minister for Finance and Personnel in February 2001, Home-Start received a total of £137,373 to support its local and regional activity. I also understand that Home-Start has made application under Peace II to support its local and regional activity and that this is currently under consideration. Tugann an Roinn s’agamsa deontas-i-gcabhair go bliantúil d’Oifig Réigiúnach Home Start chun tacú lena caiteachas lárnach riaracháin. I 2000/01, ba é £40,406 san iomlán an deontas a tugadh agus sa bhliain 2001/02, tá £41,416 á sholáthar. Ina theannta sin, de réir na socruithe eatramhacha maoinithe fógartha ag an Aire Airgeadais agus Pearsanra i bhFeabhra 2002, fuair Home Start £137,373 san iomlán le tacú lena gníomhaíocht áitiúil agus réigiúnach. Tuigim fosta gur chuir Home Start iarratas isteach de réir PEACE 2 chun tacú lena gníomhaíocht áitiúil agus réigiúnach agus go bhfuil sé seo á mheas i láthair na huaire. Quinquennial Review of the Fire Authority Mr C Murphy asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what progress has been made on the Quinquennial Review of the Fire Authority. (AQW 1753/01) Ms de Brún: A local consultancy firm, DTZ Pieda, has been commissioned to carry out a Quinquennial Review of the Fire Authority. The Review will follow the guidelines set out for executive Non-Departmental Public Bodies and will take place in two stages. The first will establish if there is a continuing need for an Authority and, if so, what would be the most appropriate type of body. The report of Stage 1 of the Review is due with my Department in April 2002. If it is decided that the Fire Authority should continue in its present form, the second stage of the review will then look at how the Authority carries out its duties and make appropriate recommendations for improvement. Coimisiúnaíodh comhlacht áitiúil , DTZ Pieda, chun Athbhreithniú Cúig Bliana a dhéanamh ar an Údarás Dóiteáin. Leanfaidh an tAthbhreithniú na treoracha a leagadh amach i leith Comhlachtaí Poiblí Neamhroinne agus tarlóidh sé i ndá chéim. Gheobhaidh an chéad cheann amach má tá gá leanúnach ann le haghaidh Údarás Dóiteáin agus, más amhlaidh an cás, cén cineál comhlachta ab fóirsteanaí. Tá an tuairisc ar Chéim 1 den Athbhreithniú le bheith istigh ag an Roinn s’agam in Aibreán 2002. Má shocraítear gur chóir leanúint leis an Údarás Dóiteáin mar atá faoi láthair, amharcfaidh an dara céim den athbhreithniú ar an dóigh a gcuireann an tÚdarás a chuid dualgaisí i bhfeidhm agus déanfaidh sé moltaí cuí i leith feabhsúchán. Waiting Times Mr Weir asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the current average waiting time for patients requiring (a) hip replacement surgery; and (b) heart bypass surgery. (AQW 1754/01) Ms de Brún: In 2000-01, the average completed waiting time for hip replacement operations here was 206 days, and for heart bypass operations 195 days. I 2000/01 ba é 206 lá an meánam críochnaithe feithimh le haghaidh athchur cromáin, agus 195 lá le haghaidh obráidí seach-chónaire croí. Rehabilitation Workers Ms Lewsley asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of (a) people who have trained as Rehabilitation Workers (to work with those with sight problems) by availing of the bursary scheme in the last five years; (b) Rehabilitation Workers who have trained as Social Workers in the last five years; and (c) Rehabilitation Workers who have taken up Social Work posts; and to make a statement. (AQW 1785/01) Ms de Brún: In the last five years, two people trained as rehabilitation workers through a bursary scheme offered by the Department (1999-2000). While the Department does not normally hold information on the detail of trusts’ training schemes, it has been established that a further four people have also trained as rehabilitation workers during the last five years. It has further been established that, during the same period, three rehabilitation workers also trained as social workers and one rehabilitation worker has taken up a social work post. Historically there is a tradition for rehabilitation workers to wish to train as social workers as part of their own career progression. Accordingly, boards and trusts are aware of the need to plan for replacement and review this annually. Sna 5 bliain deireanach, d’oil 2 duine mar Oibrithe Athshlánaithe trí scéim sparántachta tairgthe ag an Roinn (1999/2000). Cé nach mbíonn eolas ag an Roinn ar shonraí scéimeanna oiliúna na nIontaobhas de ghnáth, deimhníodh gur oil 4 duine eile mar oibrithe athshlánaithe fosta i rith na 5 bliain deireanach. Deimhníodh fosta gur oil 3 oibrí athshlánaithe fosta mar oibrithe sóisialta agus gur thosaigh oibrí athshlánaithe amháin i bpost oibre sóisialta, i rith na tréimhse céanna. Go stairiúil, tá claonadh méine ag oibrithe athshlánaithe le bheith oilte mar oibrithe sóisialta mar chuid de dhul chun cinn a slí beatha féin. Mar sin de, tá a fhios ag Boird agus ag Iontaobhais ar an ghá le pleanáil a dhéanamh le hionadaithe a fhostú agus déanann siad athbhreithniú uirthi seo go bliantúil. MMR Vaccine Mr M Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline the estimated cost of the introduction of single vaccines for measles, mumps and rubella. (AQW 1789/01) Ms de Brún: The combined MMR vaccine is assessed to be the safest and best option to protect children against these potentially serious diseases. No estimate has therefore been made of the cost of introducing single vaccines here. Meastar an chomhvacsaín MMR mar an dóigh is sábháilte agus is fearr chun páistí a chosaint ar na galair thromchúiseacha ionchasacha seo. Mar sin de, ní dhearnadh meastachán ar chostas thabhairt isteach vacsaíní singile anseo. Flu Vaccines Mr M Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many flu vaccines have been administered in each of the last three years. (AQW 1790/01) Ms de Brún: Information is available on the number of flu vaccines administered to the "at risk" population and is detailed in the table below.
(1) To end November 2001 Tá an t-eolas ar fáil ar líon na vacsaíní fliú a tugadh don phobal ‘i mbaol’ agus tá sé léirithe sa tábla thíos.
(1) Go dtí deireadh na Samhna 2001 Anti-Smoking Campaign Ms Gildernew asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if her Department is monitoring the response to the Health Promotion Agency’s Anti- Smoking Campaign. (AQO 807/01) Ms de Brún: Yes. My officials will continue to work closely with the Health Promotion Agency to monitor, through pre- and post-campaign surveys, the impact of this latest phase of the campaign upon the target audience. The "artery" anti-smoking advertisement, currently running on television, has been adapted from a very successful campaign in Australia and received a positive reaction when pre-tested here with the target group – adult smokers, mainly from lower income groups. The post-campaign evaluation will provide valuable information, and in particular, on the impact of the campaign in persuading smokers to quit. Tá sí. Leanfaidh mo chuid oifigeach ar aghaidh obair a dhéanamh go dlúth leis an Ghníomhaireacht um Chur Chun Cinn Sláinte chun monatóireacht, trí réamhshuirbhéanna agus iarshuirbhéanna feachtais, a dhéanamh ar thionchar na céime is déanaí seo den fheachtas ar an dream daoine ar leith sin ar a bhfuil sí dírithe. Athchóiríodh an fógra frithchaitheamh tobac "artaire" atá á chraoladh i láthair na huaire ar an teilifís, ó fheachtas iontach rathúil san Astráil agus freagraíodh go dearfach dó nuair a díríodh ar an dream daoine ar leith é roimhe sin – go príomhá ar chaiteoirí fásta tobac ó aicmí ísealioncaim. Soláthróidh an measúnú iarfheachtais eolas tábhachtach, go háirithe ar thionchar an fheachtais le háitiú ar chaiteoirí tobac éirí as na toitíní. Disposal of Toxic Waste Mr Bradley asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline the methods used to dispose of toxic waste from hospitals. (AQO 769/01) Ms de Brún: Toxic waste produced in hospitals here is collected by licensed waste management contractors and disposed of either by high temperature incineration or recycling. A specialist licensed haulage contractor carries the waste, which is contained in a colour-coded rigid plastic bin which is sealed and labelled. Bailítear dramhaíl thocsaineach táirgthe in otharlanna anseo ag conraitheoirí ceadúnaithe láimhseáil dramhaíola agus faightear réidh di trí dhó ardteochta nó trí athchúrsáil. Iompraíonn sainchonraitheoir tarlaithe ceadúnaithe an dramhaíl in araid phlaisteach righin chód-daite atá séalaithe agus a gcuirtear lipéad uirthi. Mid-Ulster Hospital, Magherafelt Rev Dr William McCrea asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what action she has taken to secure the future provision of acute medical and maternity services at the Mid-Ulster Hospital, Magherafelt. (AQO 776/01) Ms de Brún: The United Hospitals Trust, with the support of Northern Health and Social Services Board, has invested significant additional resources in order to maintain services at the Mid-Ulster Hospital. The trust recently initiated discussion with the Northern Health and Social Services Board and my Department to identify what further action is required during 2002-03 in order to sustain services at the hospital. Tá acmhainní móra breise infheistithe ag Iontaobhas Ospidéal Aontaithe le tacaíocht ó Bhord Seirbhísí Sláinte agus Sóisialta an Tuaiscirt le seirbhísí a chothabháil ag Ospidéal Lár Uladh. Thosaigh an tIontaobhas plé le gairid leis an Bhord Seirbhísí Sláinte agus Sóisialta agus mo le Roinn le cibé gníomhaíocht eile a aithint is gá a le linn 2002-03 le seirbhísí a choinneáil san ospidéal. Local Health and Social Care Groups Mr Gallagher asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline her plans for the new Local Health and Social Care Groups. (AQO 803/01) Ms de Brún: On 16 October 2001 I announced my intention to introduce new Local Health and Social Care Groups. On November 2001, the first set of guidance was issued covering their establishment. This guidance has enabled the process of setting up Local Health and Social Care Groups to begin. The Health and Social Services Boards have consulted widely on the configuration of the Groups and are making proposals for consideration by my Department. I will shortly announce the total number of Local Health and Social Care Groups to be established. Further guidance will issue shortly which will allow Health and Social Services Boards to begin the appointment of a Group Management Board for each Group. Following their establishment, Groups will concentrate on developing their role and infrastructure in close co-operation with HSS Boards. The Local Health and Social Care Groups will provide a framework for partnership working between primary care professionals and between primary care and other parts of the HPSS. The Groups will have responsibility for needs assessment in their locality. They will work in close partnership with other organisations and local communities to meet their communities’ needs. They will be expected to explore ways of improving and expanding primary care services for their local communities and to contribute to the planning and commissioning of health and social services currently carried out by the boards. An 16 Deireadh Fómhair 2001 d’fhógair mé go raibh rún agam Grúpaí Sláinte agus Cúraim Shóisialta Áitiúla nua a chur ar bun. I Samhain 2001 eisíodh na chéad treoirlínte ag clúdach a mbunaithe. Cheadaigh an Treoir sin tús a chur le Grúpaí Sláinte agus Cúraim Shóisialta Áitiúla a chur ar bun. Rinne na Boird Seirbhísí Sláinte agus Sóisialta comhchomhairle leathan faoi chomhdhéanamh na nGrúpaí, agus tá siad ag ullmhú moltaí lena mbreithniú ag mo Roinn. Fógróidh mé líon na nGrúpaí Sláinte agus Cúraim Shóisialta Áitiúla atá le bunú ar ball. Eiseofar tuilleadh treoirlínte go gairid a cheadóidh do na Grúpaí Sláinte agus Cúraim Shóisialta Áitiúla Bord Bainistíochta Grúpa a cheapadh do gach Grúpa. I ndiaidh a mbunaithe, díreoidh na Grúpaí ar a ról agus a n-infrastruchtúr a fhorbairt i gcomhoibriú dlúth le Boird SSS. Soláthróidh na Grúpaí Sláinte agus Cúraim Shóisialta Áitiúla creat oibre do pháirtíocht idir gairmithe cúraim phríomhúil agus codanna eile den SSS. Beidh freagracht ar na Grúpaí maidir le measúnú a dhéanamh ar riachtanais ina gceantair. Oibreoidh siad go dlúth i bpáirtíocht le heagraíochtaí eile agus le pobail áitiúla le freastal ar riachtanais a gcuid pobal. Beifear ag súil go bhféachfaidh siad ar bhealaí le feabhas a chur ar sheirbhísí cúraim phríomhúil agus iad a leathnú do na pobail áitiúla agus go gcuideoidh siad le pleanáil agus coimisiúnú seirbhísí sláinte agus sóisialta a dhéanann na Boird faoi láthair. Departmental Circulars Rev Robert Coulter asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (a) the number of departmental circulars which have been distributed to health boards and trusts since 1999; and (b) the impact assessments which were carried out before, during and after such circulars were released. (AQO 797/01) Ms de Brún: Since the establishment of the Executive in December 1999 my Department has issued some 516 circulars covering a wide range of policy and operational matters. A list of the circulars issued has been placed in the Assembly Library. Details of the impact assessments could only be made available with disproportionate costs. Ó bunaíodh an Coiste Feidhmiúcháin i Nollaig 1999 tá thart ar 516 chiorclán eisithe ag mo Roinn; ciorcláin a chlúdaíonn réimse leathan ábhar polasaí agus oibríochta. Cuireadh liosta de na ciorcláin a eisíodh i Leabharlann an Tionóil. Ní chuirfí mionsonraí faoi mheasúnuithe tionchair ar fáil ach ar chostas díréireach. Residential Care: Mr McGrady asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what additional funding she will make available for the provision of residential care over the winter period; and to make a statement. (AQO 802/01) Ms de Brún: As with previous years I have required Health and Social Services Boards and Trusts to prepare comprehensive and costed plans for the winter on the basis of past experience. I have allocated £10·8 million in-year specifically for winter pressures and community services to respond to the pressures that can occur. This money has gone to strengthen the community infrastructure, facilitate earlier discharge from hospital, avoid unnecessary admissions and address waiting lists. The health and personal social services, in responding to these challenges, provide residential care on the basis of assessed need. In welcoming the extra money for the health and personal social services in the Executive’s revised Budget for 2002-03, I gave a commitment to fund 1,000 new community care packages next year. These will be targeted mostly towards older people and may provide residential care where this is needed. Mar a rinne mé sna blianta roimhe seo, d’iarr mé ar Bhoird Seirbhísí Sláinte agus Sóisialta agus ar Iontaobhais pleananna cuimsitheacha costáilte a ullmhú don gheimhreadh ar bhonn a dtaithí. Leithroinn mé £10·8 milliún go sonrach do sheirbhísí pobail agus do bhrúnna geimhridh le riar ar na brúnna a d’fhéadfadh teacht. Caitheadh an t-airgead ar infrastruchtúr pobail a neartú, scaoileadh amach luath as ospidéal a éascú, iontrálacha gan ghá a sheachaint agus na liostaí feithimh a laghdú. Soláthraíonn na seirbhísí sóisialta sláinte agus pearsanta, agus iad ag tabhairt aghaidhe ar na dúshláin sin, cúram cónaitheach ar bhonn riachtanais mheasúnaithe. Agus mé ag fáiltiú roimh an airgead breise do sheirbhísí sláinte sóisialta agus pearsanta i mbuiséad athbhreithnithe an Choiste Feidhmiúcháin do 2002/2003, thug mé tiomantas 1,000 pacáiste cúraim phobail a mhaoiniú an bhliain seo chugainn. Díreofar iad sin ar dhaoine scothaosta don chuid is mó, agus soláthróidh siad cúram cónaitheach san áit ar gá leis. Accident and Emergency Services: Mr McMenamin asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to give a breakdown of the costs to the Accident and Emergency Services due to drink-driving and other alcohol and drug-related accidents. (AQO 766/01) Ms de Brún: The information in the form requested is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. A recent study (Reducing Alcohol Related Harm in Northern Ireland, June 1999), of the social costs of alcohol misuse here during the 1997-98 financial year estimated the direct costs of alcohol-related harm (this includes occupied hospital beds and alcohol-related crime) to be £34 million. In the same study, indirect costs such as those from premature death and road traffic accidents was estimated at £743 million. Níl an t-eolas san fhoirm iarrtha ar fáil go réidh agus ní fhéadfaí é a fháil ach ar chostas dhíréireach. Mheas staidéar déanach (Ag Laghdú an Dochair Bainteach le hAlcól i dTuaisceart na hÉireann, Meitheamh 1999), ar chostais shóisialta mhí-úsáid alcóil anseo i rith na bliana airgeadais 1997/98 gurbh iad £34 milliún san iomlán costais dhíreacha an dochair bainteach le halcól (cuireann sé seo leapacha otharlainne in úsáid agus coireanna bainteach le halcól san áireamh). Sa staidéar céanna, measadh costais indíreacha cosúil leo siúd ó bhásanna anabaí agus ó thimpistí bóthair ar £743 milliún san iomlán. Treatment Outside the UK Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if those patients, currently on waiting lists, will be eligible for treatment outside the UK. (AQO 773/01) Ms de Brún: I am happy, in principle, to draw on services available elsewhere in the interests of patients. The health and social services already make use of services in Dublin, Glasgow, London and other centres. In doing so, of course, care is needed in how that impacts on the overall financial resources available to services here, and there needs to be an appropriate balance, so that services which people need are accessible and readily available. There are also important service issues involved, particularly in terms of patient safety, quality assurance, and proper arrangements for aftercare and for complaints where things go wrong. Tá mé sásta i bprionsabal leas a bhaint as seirbhísí a bhíonn ar fáil in áiteanna eile ar mhaithe le hothair. Baineann seirbhísí sláinte agus sóisialta leas as seirbhísí i mBaile Átha Cliath, i nGlaschú, i Londain agus in ionaid eile cheana féin. Agus sin á dheánamh ar ndóigh, caithfear a bheith cúramach faoin tionchar a bhíonn aige sin tríd is tríd ar na hacmhainní airgeadais atá ar fáil anseo agus caithfear cóimheá cuí a bheith ann le go mbíonn teacht réidh ag daoine ar sheirbhísí má tá siad de dhíth orthu. Tá saincheisteanna seirbhíse tábhachtacha i gceist, go háirithe maidir le sábháilteacht othar, dearbhú cáilíochta, agus socruithe cearta d’iarchúram agus do ghearáin má théann cúrsaí in aimhréidh. Counselling Services: North Belfast Mr G Kelly asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to give her assessment on the requirement for counselling in North Belfast; and to make a statement. (AQO 804/01) Ms de Brún: Mental health services in North and West Belfast aim to provide a comprehensive and integrated range of services, which will enable people experiencing mental ill health to live as full a life as possible. Recent events in North Belfast have created a need for additional counselling and support and I have provided the trust with an additional £104,000 to cover these immediate needs. The medium and longer-term counselling needs will be assessed by the newly appointed Trauma Co-ordinator. Tá sé d’aidhm ag seirbhísí sláinte meabhrach i dTuaisceart agus in Iarthar Bhéal Feirste réimse comhtháite seirbhísí a sholáthar a chuirfidh ar chumas daoine atá ag fulaingt ó easláinte mheabhrach saol chomh hiomlán agus is féidir a bheith acu. Mar gheall ar imeachtaí i dTuaisceart Bhéal Feirste le gairid tá gá le tuilleadh comhairliúcháin agus tacaíochta; dá bhrí sin chuir mé £104, 000 breise ar fáil don Iontaobhas le freastal ar na riachtanais láithreacha sin. Déanfaidh an Comhordaitheoir Tráma nuacheaptha measúnú ar na riachtanais chomhairliúcháin sa mheántéarma agus san fhadtéarma. Acute Hospitals Services Review Mr Beggs asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline (a) the date she commenced the Acute Hospitals Services Review, and when her proposals will be brought to the Assembly. (AQO 800/01) Ms de Brún: I announced the establishment of an independent review group to examine acute hospital services in August 2000. The report of the group was presented to me in June 2001 and issued for initial public consultation later that month. Following consideration of the outcome of the initial consultation and after discussion at the Executive, proposals on the way forward can be put out for full public consultation and consideration by the Assembly. It is hoped that final decisions can be taken in the course of 2002. D’fhógair mé go mbunófaí grúpa athbhreithnithe neamhspleách le scrúdú a dhéanamh ar sheirbhísí géarospidéal in Lúnasa 2000. Chuir an Grúpa a thuarascáil faoi mo bhráid i Meitheamh 2001, agus eisíodh í do chomhchomhairle níos deireannaí sa mhí sin. I ndiaidh breithniú a dhéanamh ar thoradh na chéad chomhchomhairle agus i ndiaidh plé ag an Choiste Feidhmiúcháin, is féidir moltaí faoin bhealach chun tosaigh a chur faoi chomhchomhairle phoiblí agus faoi bhreithniú an Tionóil. Táthar ag súil gur féidir na cinntí deireannacha a ghlacadh le linn 2002. Nursing Care in Publicly Funded Homes Mr Poots asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how much places for nursing care cost in publicly funded homes. (AQO 796/01) Ms de Brún: The Health and Personal Social Services do not provide nursing home care in publicly funded care homes. Statutory provision is mainly confined to residential care for elderly and elderly mentally infirm. Where such residents require some nursing care this is provided on a domiciliary basis by the local community nursing service. Ní sholáthraíonn na Seirbhísí Sóisialta Sláinte agus Pearsanta cúram theach altranais i dtithe cúraim atá maoinithe go poiblí. Baineann an soláthar reachtúil den chuid is mó le cúram cónaitheach do dhaoine scothaosta agus d’easláin mheabhracha scothaosta. I gcás ina mbíonn roinnt chúram altranais de dhíth ar a leithéid de chónaitheoirí, soláthraíonn an tseirbhís altranais phobail áitiúil é ar bhonn chúram baile. Area Hospitals Mr McElduff asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the catchment population required to sustain an area hospital with level 2 status. (AQO 768/01) Ms de Brún: The report of the Acute Hospitals Review Group proposed the concept of Levels 1 to 4 for the range and type of services to be provided by different hospitals but did not stipulate the size of the associated catchment populations. Mhol tuairisc an Ghrúpa Athbhreithnithe ar Ghéarospidéil an coincheap de Leibhéil 1 go 4 don réimse agus don chineál seirbhísí a sholáthródh ospidéil éagsúla, ach níor leag sí amach méid na ndaonraí ceantair bainteacha. Community Care Mr J Kelly asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what progress has been made in laying the foundation for the community care packages announced recently; and to make a statement. (AQO 805/01) Ms de Brún: Following the pressures on health and social services during the outbreak of the flu-like illness in the winter of 1999-2000, two of my first actions as Minister were to ask the Chief Medical Officer to review intensive care provision and the Chief Inspector of Social Services to review community care. As a result of detailed information gathered during those reviews, extra intensive care and high-dependency beds were made available in the acute sector — a total of 33 since I came into office. A total of 230 extra community care packages were provided this year, with 1,000 more to follow in the next financial year. Mar gheall ar na brúnna ar sheirbhísí sláinte agus sóisialta le linn na ráige fliú-amhail i ngreimhreadh 1999-2000, ba iad an chéad dá ghníomh a rinne mé mar Aire iarraidh ar an Phríomh-Oifigeach Liachta an soláthar dianchúraim a athbhreithniú agus ar Phríomhchigire Na Seirbhísí Sóisialta cúram pobail a athbhreithniú. Mar thoradh ar mhioneolas a fuarthas le linn na n-athbhreithnithe sin, cuireadh ar fáil leapacha breise dianchúraim agus ardspleáchais sa ghéarearnáil – iomlán de 33 ó tháinig mise in oifig. Soláthraíodh 230 pacáiste cúraim phobail breise i mbliana agus beidh 1,000 breise ag teacht sa chéad bhliain eile airgeadais seo chugainn. |