112. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health her plans to reduce children's orthopaedic waiting lists; when the independent clinical review of spinal services at Temple Street is likely to be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24428/25]
Sentiment score: 0.01
What are the Minister's plans to reduce children's orthopaedic waiting lists? When is the independent clinical review of spinal surgeries at Temple Street likely to be published? I have a number of other questions that I will get to when I respond to the Minister.
Sentiment score: 0.03
As far back as 2017 the same families were told that this was a top priority. The Minister might recall that Simon Harris at the time gave a clear and unequivocal commitment to reduce waiting lists and that no child would wait longer than four months. That point was restated by the next Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly. He said that by the end of the year just gone no more than 20 children would be waiting longer than four months. The figures, of course, tell a different story with 3,400 children on waiting lists for their first orthopaedic outpatient consultation, 230 children on spinal surgery waiting lists and 137 active waiters. There are now 48 children who are waiting six-plus months for their surgeries. As this has increased from 37, rather than going down the number of people waiting has gone up. I asked the Minister also about the clinical review in Temple Street, which is being carried out by Mr. Nayagam. I have asked about this review time after time. When are we going to see it? There is no draft or interim report and no update. I know these things take time but it is really important to restore confidence in Children's Health Ireland, CHI, so that we get some sense as to when these reports will be concluded, and that we can see what is in them.
Sentiment score: 0.12
The Deputies are simply saying that eight years ago, promises were made and here we are with these issues still not resolved and waiting lists nowhere near where they should be. I want those waiting lists to come down. I want children to get the services they need. I was not the one that made the promise. I certainly was not in the room when commitments were given on what capacity would be needed to meet those promises. I can only hold the Government to account based on where we are at the moment. The Minister raised the issue of hip dysplasia in that report as well, or a review she is waiting on. The Minister will know that I received a response to a parliamentary question this Friday gone, which was covered in the media today. It says that the letters that issued in recent weeks in relation to families and patients who had hip dysplasia procedures since 2010 were to provide reassurance and information about the audit and to ensure all potential cases were included. I do not know what that means and it has not been properly explained. We have been chasing CHI to give us this information time and again but we still do not know. Nobody has answered the question as to how many letters were given to parents. Surely to God CHI has that information, can give it to the Minister and then the Minister could tell parents and families. I do not know why that information is being concealed from us. In my view there is no good reason as to why that should be the case.
Sentiment score: 0.21
114. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health when she will introduce comprehensive adult safeguarding legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24429/25]
Sentiment score: 0.16
This question is on the need to introduce and implement adult safeguarding legislation. I have been raising this issue for a long number of years. I know there is a commitment in the programme for Government to review policy in this area, but we need a strong legislative framework. I want to see an independent safeguarding authority in place, a legal right of entry for social care teams and mandatory reporting. I will outline why I want to see all of those things in my supplementary question, but I am interested to hear the Minister's response on whether she is able to give a timetable or a commitment for when we might see legislation in this area.
Sentiment score: 0.53
We are reflecting on the Grace case. We had very lengthy debates in this House over a number of days last week, as the Minister knows. Grace was an adult for 12 years of her time in that home. As we know, she suffered very serious neglect and abuse in that home for a long number of years. As the Minister mentioned, it is not just about the Grace case; we also had the Brandon and Emily cases. We have had far too many cases and reports which have made the same recommendations that we need a much stronger and more robust legal framework with regard to the protection of adults in disability centres, nursing homes and care homes. In fact, whenever the Government gets around to its statutory home care scheme - I do not know when that will ever see the light of day - social care teams will say that there will be a need for safeguarding legislation in that area as well. Policy is all well and fine. I am not in any way dismissing the importance of what is being done by the Minister. Legal frameworks, legal rights of entry and mandatory reporting are very important because in their absence, we have more failures and issues, and we then have tea and sympathy afterwards and reports where we say are sorry and we will look into it and apologise. It is our job to get the legislation right and to ensure we have the most robust legal protections for adults in all care settings. All I am asking for is legislation that will enable that to happen.
Sentiment score: 0.37
I agree that the Law Reform Commission report was very important and allows for the foundations for legislation to be put in place as quickly as possible. I raised this with the incoming chair of the health committee, Deputy Rice, as an issue on which the committee should focus. I am sure we would be prepared to work with the Minister in having the Law Reform Commission appear before the committee and talk through its proposals. Ultimately, however, I am sure that if it were before the committee, it would say it has made recommendations. I know the Farrelly commission report made recommendations on safeguarding, an independent authority and right of access - all of the same issues that would have to be in any legislation. Everyone is saying the same thing but there is still no commitment to legislation. If the Minister were to commit to that in principle - I am not saying it needs to be done this week, next week or next month - I am sure the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health would be more than happy to work with her to progress it as soon as possible. I am genuinely only interested in getting this legislation through to make sure people are properly protected and safeguarded.
Sentiment score: 0.45
I agree
Sentiment score: 0.36
Hear, hear.
Sentiment score: 0.00