Written Answers to Questions - Northern Ireland Assembly

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Friday 20 July 2012 Written Answers Abuse in Hospital or Care Home Settings Mr McCarthy asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what measures he is taking to ensure that people with a learning disability do not suffer abuse in hospital or care home settings. (AQW 13570/11-15) Mr Poots: My Department, in conjunction with other agencies, continues to develop measures aimed at safeguarding all vulnerable adults, including older people and people with a learning disability, in hospitals and care homes. Such measures include: ■ Implementing the changes to disclosure and barring arrangements for preventing unsuitable individuals from working with vulnerable groups; ■ Development of a service framework for the health and wellbeing of older people; and ■ Development of a safeguarding vulnerable adults training programme targeted at the voluntary, community and independent sectors. In addition, the Health and Social Care Board, together with the Northern Ireland Adult Safeguarding Partnership (NIASP): ■ Launched a training DVD which addresses the phenomenon of abuse of vulnerable adults in care settings; ■ Are reviewing current regional adult protection operating policies and procedural guidance by the NIASP; ■ Are planning a conference aimed at the acute sector, including hospitals, which will focus on adult safeguarding and will take place later this year. The Future of Adult Care Mr McDevitt asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline the reasons for the delay in publishing the discussion paper on The Future of Adult Care and Support in Northern Ireland; and for his assessment of the impact of this delay. (AQW 13571/11-15) Mr Poots: It is widely accepted that issues such as an ageing population, increased public expectations and a difficult financial climate are putting adult social care provision in Northern Ireland under increasing pressure. If we are to meet the challenges that these issues present, change is needed, and that is why I have committed to a three stage process of reform to identify the future direction of adult social care. Reform of this scale poses a significant challenge, and while I recognise there has been some delay in publishing the first stage in the reform process, it is important that we take the time to ensure that the discussion document covers all the key issues, and is capable of promoting meaningful discussion and debate. It is my intention to publish the discussion document before the end of August, which will be followed by an extensive consultation phase aimed at reaching as many people as possible. Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy Treatment Equipment Mr McDevitt asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, pursuant to 13163/11- 15, to detail the type of cancers that were treated by Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy Treatment. (AQW 13572/11-15) Mr Poots: The Health and Social Care Board have informed me that information on the types of cancer that were treated with Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy Treatment is not collected centrally, and can only be obtained at disproportionate cost. WA 558
Friday 20 July 2012 Written Answers Cost of Using Sterile Water Compared to Using Point-of-Use Filters Mr Allister asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, in light of the pseudomonas investigation, what conclusion has the Department reached on the cost of using sterile water compared to using Point-of-Use filters. (AQW 13588/11-15) Mr Poots: RQIA’s interim and final reports of the Independent Review of Incidents of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection in Neonatal Units in Northern Ireland recommended that sterile water should be used when washing all babies in neonatal care (Levels 1, 2 and 3) and that this should be kept under review in relation to babies in Level 3 neonatal units (Special Care Baby Units) as new evidence emerges. The Department has not costed the use of sterile water. Passported Benefits Mr McCallister asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the passported benefits for which his Department has responsibility, including (i) the total of each benefit paid; and (ii) the number ofrecipients, in each of the last five years. (AQW 13607/11-15) Mr Poots: My Department is responsible for the following passported benefits: free Health Service dental treatment; free Health Service sight tests; vouchers towards the cost of glasses or contact lenses, the payment of necessary travel costs to hospital for Health Service treatment; and the Healthy Start Voucher scheme. Further information on these passported benefits is set out in the tables below: Benefit Total paid 2007/08 £m WA 559 Total paid 2008/09 £m Total paid 2009/10 £m Total paid 2010/11 £m Total paid 2011/12 £m Free Health Service Dental Treatment 15.8 16.8 18.6 22.0 22.5 Free Health Service Sight Tests and vouchers towards the cost of glasses or contact lenses 6.9 7.4 8.1 7.7 7.3 Payment of necessary travel costs to hospital for health service treatment 1 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Healthy Start Voucher scheme 2.4 2.8 3.0 3.0 3.3 1 Information on the costs for the payment of necessary travel costs to hospital for health service treatment is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. Benefit Total recipients 2007/08 Total recipients 2008/09 Total recipients 2009/10 Total recipients 2010/11 Total recipients 2011/12 Free Health Service Dental Treatment 177,099 185,276 200,474 224,104 231,928 Free Health Service Sight Tests and vouchers towards the cost of glasses or contact lenses 1 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
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RWA 4
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Written Answers to Questions - Northern Ireland Assembly

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