Results 4,221-4,240 of 26,350 for speaker:David Cullinane

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (13 Jul 2022)

David Cullinane: 464. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38185/22]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Integrated Eye Care: Discussion (13 Jul 2022)

David Cullinane: I thank our guests for the comprehensive opening statements and information they have given us. This is a very good session. I commend Senator Conway on pushing us to hold this session and invite our guests to appear as witnesses. What struck me about the statements is that they point out challenges but are full of solutions. The latter is important for us because it makes our job easier....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Integrated Eye Care: Discussion (13 Jul 2022)

David Cullinane: Is NCBI a section 39 organisation?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Integrated Eye Care: Discussion (13 Jul 2022)

David Cullinane: I have noticed on the NCBI website recently that there seems to be a high staff turnover in the context some positions, such as, for example, community resource workers. One of the issues that comes up all the time with section 39 workers - we see it in children disability network teams - is that there are HSE employees and section 39 workers doing exactly the same work and part of the same...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Integrated Eye Care: Discussion (13 Jul 2022)

David Cullinane: How important are the ECLOs?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Integrated Eye Care: Discussion (13 Jul 2022)

David Cullinane: I got my figure from a reply to a parliamentary question yesterday. I will send Professor Keegan that response to see if we are getting the full information. Whatever about the actual figure, what is problematic for me is the length of time that people are waiting. Of those 21,798 people, 10,543 have been waiting for more than 12 months. Typically, what would be the common complications...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Integrated Eye Care: Discussion (13 Jul 2022)

David Cullinane: My time is limited. I will ask one more question and give the remainder of my time to Professor Keegan to answer it. It is very important in the context of healthcare reform, Sláintecare and the establishment of regional health areas. We are getting a briefing today from the Department on the establishment of regional health areas. Professor Keegan's presentation was very interesting...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Integrated Eye Care: Discussion (13 Jul 2022)

David Cullinane: This is important for us when we look at the health service in general and wider integration, which we will discuss in more detail with the HSE later. The witnesses referred to integrating IT systems. This is very important for sharing patient data. What have been the challenges with the systems speaking to each other, given that six distinct organisations with their own systems are...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Integrated Eye Care: Discussion (13 Jul 2022)

David Cullinane: Best wishes to all the staff at NCBI in the work they do. I have met Mr. Mullaniff a few times, and I know great work is being done. The waiting list figures that Professor Keegan provided in his written submission are actually different to the figures I have. I am not sure if I got the full information from the HSE, but I cannot see how the figures could be so dramatically out as much...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Health Services Staff (12 Jul 2022)

David Cullinane: I am taking this question on behalf of an Teachta Ó Laoghaire. It relates to the resourcing of the CDNTs but, more specifically, the staff positions and the high numbers of vacant positions, and seeking an update on plans that have been or will be put in place to try and fill all of those vacant posts.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Health Services Staff (12 Jul 2022)

David Cullinane: I accept that the number of vacant posts changes and fluctuates because people who are on maternity leave come back and because the HSE is constantly recruiting. However, I would be interested to hear what the accurate figure is. At a recent meeting of the Joint Committee on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, we had a good discussion on all of these issues. We talked...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Health Services Staff (12 Jul 2022)

David Cullinane: I thank the Minister of State. I would say to the Minister for Health as well that we need to increase training places in this area. Obviously, we need more of a pipeline of staff coming through. I welcome that this is an area that was added to the critical skills lists as well in recent times, which means that international recruitment is now an option. The reply I received recently...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Emergency Departments (12 Jul 2022)

David Cullinane: 83. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to tackle the crisis in emergency departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37352/22]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Emergency Departments (12 Jul 2022)

David Cullinane: This question relates to the Minister's plans to tackle the crisis in emergency departments. As he knows, waiting times in emergency departments are unacceptably high. I accept that Covid-19 is in part responsible for that but there are also issues in respect of the lack of capacity in some hospitals. Part of the problem is patients are not getting sufficiently good care in the community...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Emergency Departments (12 Jul 2022)

David Cullinane: We need a comprehensive review of healthcare services in the mid-west. I would, in fact, argue that one of the first regional health areas should be established in that area. We need to properly align community care, primary care and acute care. We must also consider capacity in Nenagh Hospital, Ennis Hospital and St. John's Hospital. I know the hospital group has advocated for an...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Emergency Departments (12 Jul 2022)

David Cullinane: All of that is necessary. However, I would like to see what is in the short-term plan about which the Minister is talking. I have visited a number of hospitals, as the Minister knows. I have attended 15 in total in the past year. I know the Minister has attended some as well. Some hospitals have taken a zero-tolerance approach to patients on hospital trolleys. In fact, in my own...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Emergency Departments (12 Jul 2022)

David Cullinane: They have good Deputies there, for a start.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Health Services Staff (12 Jul 2022)

David Cullinane: I am fair-minded when I come at this because I understand we must ensure we get it right and the payment is made appropriately but I think the Minister would also accept this was a concept first mooted 18 months ago. The Government started the year announcing the payment yet six months later, here we are with many workers still not having received it. I am referring to section 39 workers,...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Health Services Staff (12 Jul 2022)

David Cullinane: The Minister will be aware that when he attended a conference organised by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, INMO, he made a clear commitment there would be no cliff edge and that the payment would not simply end without an alternative in place. That is precisely what happened. I was in contact with the INMO today to find out whether there were any changes to the special leave...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Health Services Staff (12 Jul 2022)

David Cullinane: Not if they have long Covid.