Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
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1377. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to undertake an audit of respite services to identify gaps in existing service levels and to assess current and future need for these services; his plans to provide increased access to planned respite breaks for dependents of full time carers, development of flexible in home respite services for carers and dependents with no access to residential respite services; his further plans to provide additional emergency respite beds when carers are unable to carry out their duties on a short time basis, for example when a carer takes ill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37623/13]

Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
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1380. To ask the Minister for Health his views on providing a training plan or courses for family carers similar to those provided to health care professionals in the practicalities of care such as patient moving and handling, the use of aids and appliances, nutrition and personal care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37626/13]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1377 and 1380 together.

The National Carers' Strategy, which was published in July 2012, is a cross-departmental strategy that sets the strategic direction for future policies, services and supports provided by Government Departments and agencies for carers.

It is an objective of this Strategy to provide relevant and accessible carer training opportunities for carers.

It is also an objective to enable carers to have access to respite breaks. A supporting action under this specific objective is to identify gaps in existing services and establish performance indicators for the provision of respite services, the timeline for which is 2013/2014.

The operational delivery of these objectives falls within the remit of the HSE and the more specific issues raised by the Deputy have accordingly been referred to the Executive for direct reply to him.

Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
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1378. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the feasibility of developing a National Discharge Summary and Care Plan for all persons leaving hospital care to share with their respective carers. [37624/13]

Nicky McFadden (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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1456. To ask the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive will consider developing nationally a patient discharge summary for all persons leaving hospital care in order that information can be shared with their family carer when the patient is in need of on-going care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37911/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1378 and 1456 together.

Integrated Discharge Planning is about effective and multi-disciplinary planning for the discharge of patients, which starts from the moment a patient is admitted to hospital, through to their discharge home or transfer to a community care facility.

In 2008 the HSE developed an Integrated Discharge Planning Code of Practice as a guide to the standards of practice required in the management of integrated discharge planning. In 2011 the HSE Quality & Patient Safety Directorate established a National Integrated Care Advisory Group (NICAG) to review the existing Integrated Discharge Planning Code of Practice. Following initial consultation last year with staff in hospitals and the community services the NICAG is revising the National Integrated Care Guidance document which will replace the existing code of practice.

This Guidance Document aims to provide practical advice for service providers regarding effective discharge and transfer from hospital to the community. It outlines the nine key steps in effective discharge and transfer of care which will facilitate faster, safer discharges for patients. These steps include identifying whether the person has simple or complex needs, setting an expected date of discharge/transfer within 24/48 hours of admission and reviewing the treatment plan with the person on a daily basis.

In relation to discharge summary information, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has developed a National Standard for Patient Discharge Summary Information as an important step towards improving the whole care pathway and enabling the delivery of safe, person-centred care. When a patient is discharged from hospital to primary care it is essential that complete, relevant and valid information regarding the patient's stay in hospital is sent to the primary care healthcare professional in a timely manner, allowing the primary care professional to continue care and management following discharge. The National Standard for Patient Discharge Summary Information sets out the relevant and important information that should be contained in a patient's summary discharge information. HIQA has submitted the National Standard to me seeking my approval in accordance with Section 8 (1) (k) of the Health Act 2007. My Department is currently examining this submission.