Written answers

Thursday, 11 July 2013

Department of Health

Community Care Issues

Photo of Pat DeeringPat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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226. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown in allocation of primary care posts in community care services on a regional basis and within the regions over the past two years. [33969/13]

Photo of Alex WhiteAlex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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In 2012, the HSE completed a detailed analysis of the numbers and distribution of public health nurses, registered general nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and speech and language therapists. The analysis revealed considerable variation across the HSE’s 17 Integrated Service Areas in ratios of health care professionals to population, and to population numbers in areas of high deprivation. Based on this exercise, in 2013, Primary Care funding of €20 million, nationally, will be invested to support the recruitment of prioritised front-line primary care team posts and enhance the capacity of the primary care sector.

I issued approval to the HSE on the 27th March 2013 to commence recruitment to Primary Care Teams with immediate effect of the following additional 251 Primary Care posts:

- 70 Public Health Nurses;

- 37 Registered General Nurses;

- 51 Occupational Therapists;

- 46 Physiotherapists; and

- 47 Speech & Language Therapists.

The allocation and distribution of the above posts is based on bringing each Integrated Service Area, where staffing is below the national average, towards the national average.

According to the latest data available, as at 31st May 2013, there were 418 Primary Care Teams (PCTs) operating at varying stages of development (holding clinical team meetings on individual client cases and involving GPs and HSE staff). 1,567 General Practitioners (GPs) and 2,472 HSE staff are participating on these Teams. A further 1,275 staff have been assigned to Health and Social Care Networks. HSE staff working on Teams include Public Health Nurses, Registered General Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Speech and Language Therapists and Dieticians.

The table sets out the number of Teams in operation, the number of GPs attending or represented at Clinical Team Meetings (CTMs) and the total number of HSE staff involved.

HSE AreaNo of Teams in PlaceNo of GPs ParticipatingNo of HSE Staff on Teams in Place
DML120340726
DNE66124460
SOUTH126617556
WEST106486730
TOTAL4181,5672,472

The other information requested has been sought from the HSE and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

Photo of Pat DeeringPat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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227. To ask the Minister for Health the number of staff who have left the community care services, on a regional basis, over the past two years; the number that have been replaced; and the number of vacancies that are waiting to be filled in the following categories, public health nurse, speech therapists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, other. [33970/13]

Photo of James ReillyJames Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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As the issue raised is an matter for the HSE, I have referred the Deputy's question to the Executive for direct reply.

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