Results 1,181-1,200 of 1,371 for speaker:Máire Hoctor

Written Answers — Nursing Home Subventions: Nursing Home Subventions (5 Feb 2009)

Máire Hoctor: Under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme, A Fair Deal, individuals who require long-term residential care will contribute a maximum of 80% of their net assessable income whether for public or private nursing home care. In calculating an individual's net assessable income, it is proposed that account can be taken of specified items of expenditure. Depending on the amount of a person's...

Written Answers — Hospital Accommodation: Hospital Accommodation (5 Feb 2009)

Máire Hoctor: Government policy is to support older people to live in dignity and independence in their own homes and communities for as long as possible and, where this is not possible, to support access to quality long-term residential care. The overall emphasis is on promoting a high quality service, delivered to those who require it, in the most appropriate setting. A critical concern is to ensure...

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Feb 2009)

Máire Hoctor: It is taken into account.

Written Answers — : (10 Feb 2009)

Máire Hoctor: As the Deputy is aware Bethany House is a Welfare Home which opened in the 1970's. It is currently operating as a 30 bed unit, of which 28 beds are residential and 2 are respite. At present there are 25 long stay residents, with one long stay admission to the facility in the last six months. An independent review carried out highlighted the lack of facilities to provide appropriate care...

Written Answers — Nursing Home Subventions: Nursing Home Subventions (10 Feb 2009)

Máire Hoctor: There was no reduction in the level of funding available to the Health Service Executive for nursing home subvention between 2008 and 2009. However, the provision of support by HSE towards the cost of maintenance in a private nursing home is subject to resources. In this regard, the availability of enhanced subvention is limited by the amount of the resource allocated for this scheme and...

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (10 Feb 2009)

Máire Hoctor: The Deputy may be aware that the nursing home in question is a public Welfare Home, built in the 1960's with a lifespan of approx 20 years. Following consideration of a recent Environmental Health Report the HSE decided to close the Home, primarily for health and safety concerns and difficulty meeting fire safety requirements. The Department has received briefing on this decision. However,...

Written Answers — Nursing Home Subventions: Nursing Home Subventions (10 Feb 2009)

Máire Hoctor: The Nursing Home Subvention Scheme is governed by the Health (Nursing Homes ) (Amendment) Act 2007. The Act is not explicit on the particular issue raise by the Deputy. However, the HSE's National Guidelines for the Standardised Implementation of the Nursing Home Subvention Scheme state that the private nursing home should advise the HSE of any temporary absences or discharges of patients in...

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (10 Feb 2009)

Máire Hoctor: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (10 Feb 2009)

Máire Hoctor: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Written Answers — Hospital Accommodation: Hospital Accommodation (10 Feb 2009)

Máire Hoctor: During 2008, six additional beds opened in the hospital referred to by the Deputy under the Fast-Track Initiative. However, as the overall operation and capacity of the hospital is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Hospital Services: Motion (Resumed) (11 Feb 2009)

Máire Hoctor: Yes, it did.

Hospital Services: Motion (Resumed) (11 Feb 2009)

Máire Hoctor: Last night and this evening we have heard a range of views about the planned changes in the organisation of hospital services in the mid-west. The Minister, Deputy Harney, noted that the issues being discussed and the reasons advanced for maintaining the status quo have changed little over a period of 30 to 40 years. However, there has been a shift in the nature of the debate. We are all...

Hospital Services: Motion (Resumed) (11 Feb 2009)

Máire Hoctor: It is very important that we explain clearly to the population of the mid-west what the changes will involve and the reasons for them. However, it is equally important that they are not misled as to their nature and purpose. It is sometimes alleged that the Government and the HSE want to "downgrade" smaller hospitals in order to save money. This is not so. It is in nobody's interest,...

Hospital Services: Motion (Resumed) (11 Feb 2009)

Máire Hoctor: The Opposition has no record of capital investment compared to this Government.

Hospital Services: Motion (Resumed) (11 Feb 2009)

Máire Hoctor: We will continue to invest in Nenagh hospital in the future. While complex and specialist cases will be treated in the regional hospital in Limerick, Nenagh, Ennis and St. John's will see the continued development of day surgery and diagnostic services, such as CT scanning and endoscopy. At present, approximately 700 patients per year from Nenagh and 1,000 from Ennis are referred to Limerick...

Hospital Services: Motion (Resumed) (11 Feb 2009)

Máire Hoctor: Nenagh and Ennis will continue to provide medical care on an inpatient basis and to accept medical admissions from general practitioners out of hours. This service will also come within the scope of a regional structure and arrangements will be in place to facilitate the seamless transfer of patients between the local and regional hospital.

Hospital Services: Motion (Resumed) (11 Feb 2009)

Máire Hoctor: It will mean that patients will be able to quickly access specialist care. These arrangements will be kept under ongoing review to ensure that they are working as intended and that patients are enabled to access the care they need as quickly as possible. The shortcomings of the existing accident and emergency arrangements in Ennis and Nenagh and the small patient numbers involved have been...

Hospital Services: Motion (Resumed) (11 Feb 2009)

Máire Hoctor: Once stabilised, all seriously ill patients should be brought to the major regional hospital without stopping at local hospitals. That is already happening. There is no recognition from the Opposition of the investment in the new fleet of ambulances which has taken place in the last three years in the mid-west. There has been serious investment in the ambulance fleet.

Hospital Services: Motion (Resumed) (11 Feb 2009)

Máire Hoctor: One would think there was no investment whatsoever if one listened to the Opposition Members. The general practitioners have shown a certain concern about this issue. A leaflet was recently circulated in the name of the general practitioners but I have discovered that many of the general practitioners in north Tipperary were not consulted and did not authorise the leaflet.

Hospital Services: Motion (Resumed) (11 Feb 2009)

Máire Hoctor: However, I have always been available to and supportive of the general practitioners in north Tipperary. The additional resources which undoubtedly will be needed in the reconfiguration of the hospitals in question will also be needed to support the general practitioners in their work. I will support them in that regard and, indeed, in any other way possible.