REGIONAL HEALTH FORUM - DUBLIN NORTH EAST FÓRAM RÉIGIÚNACH SLÁINTE - BAILE ÁTHA CLIATH AGUS AN TOIRTHUAISCEART

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1 REGIONAL HEALTH FORUM - DUBLIN NORTH EAST FÓRAM RÉIGIÚNACH SLÁINTE - BAILE ÁTHA CLIATH AGUS AN TOIRTHUAISCEART MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, 23 RD MAY, 2011 AT 2:00PM IN THE FORUM MEETING ROOM, HSE, DUBLIN ROAD, KELLS Members Present Cllr. Christy Burke Cllr. Nick Killian Cllr. Mags Murray Cllr. William Carey Cllr. Eithne Loftus Cllr. Michael O Dowd Cllr. Pat Crimmins Cllr. Colm Markey Cllr. Mary O Shea Cllr. Kieran Dennison Cllr. David Maxwell Cllr. Patrick O Reilly Cllr. Anthony Donohoe Cllr. Brian McKenna Cllr. Bill Tormey Cllr. Robbie Gallagher Cllr. Gerry Murray Not in Attendance Cllr. Tommy Byrne Cllr. Paddy McDonald Cllr. Tom O Leary Cllr. Emer Costello Cllr. Gerry McGuire John Redmond Cllr. Ann Dillon-Gallagher Cllr. May McKeon Apologies Cllr. Oliver Fox Cllr. Séamas McGrattan Cllr. Larry O Toole Cllr. Joe Reilly Officials Present Ms. Rosaleen Harlin, Lead Manager Regional Health Office - Mr. Stephen Mulvany, Regional Director of Operations, Integrated Services Directorate Dr. Declan Bedford, Specialist in Public Health Medicine Mr. Seamus O Shea, General Manager Meath Local Health Office Mr. Martin Collum, Acting Area Manager HSE Cavan Monaghan Ms. Ann Martin, Press Officer, Area Communications Office Ms. Katherine Murphy, Regional Health Office Ms. Lorraine Timmons, Regional Health Office Minutes of Regional Health Forum 1 23 rd May, 2011

2 Cllr. Bill Tormey, Chairperson, opened the meeting by welcoming all the members to the 30 th meeting of the Regional Health Forum. 1. Adoption of minutes of meeting held on Monday, 23 rd May, 2011 The minutes of the meeting held on Monday, 28 th March, 2011 were adopted by the Forum on the proposal of Cllr. Christy Burke and seconded by Cllr. Robbie Gallagher. On the proposal of Cllr. Robbie Gallagher and seconded by Cllr. David Maxwell it was agreed to suspend Standing Orders to discuss the following issues:- Home Needs Assessments for Health Amendment Act (HAA) cardholders Cllr. Nick Killian informed the meeting of a letter sent to the HSE from the Positive Action Hepatitis C/Anti-D Support Group outlining concerns by its members to the proposed changes in the criteria for assessment of health and social care needs for HAA cardholders. It was agreed that the Regional Health Office would circulate a copy of the letter to members and would arrange a response on the issue. Nursing Homes Support Scheme A Fair Deal Cllr. Christy Burke requested a statement from management on Fair Deal budget pressures. Cllr. Burke warned of the effects of a shortfall in funding for the scheme including delayed discharges and ED blockages. He requested information on the financial assessment for the scheme given the drop in home valuations due to the current economic downturn. Members requested further information including the amount of funding from the 100m used in for other purposes, home care packages, impact on nursing homes in and figures for each county in Dublin North East. Mr. Stephen Mulvany responded to the members informing them that the Fair Deal scheme is, and always has been, a budget capped scheme. He informed members that the Minister for Health had indicated an investigation would be undertaken into the matter. Mr. Mulvany outlined that the HSE tend to care for the more complex and dependent patients in long term residential care and that monies spent in this area includes funding for ancillary costs. It was agreed that a full report on this issue would be brought to the July meeting of the Forum. 2. Presentation on Admissions to Acute Hospitals as a result of Road Traffic Accidents Dr. Declan Bedford, Specialist in Public Health Medicine -, made a presentation to members on Admissions to Acute Hospitals as a result of Road Traffic Accidents (copy appended to the official minute). Members thanked Dr. Bedford for his presentation and a discussion took place where members raised the following issues:- Concerns in relation to under reporting of accidents - request that letter issue to Road Safety Authority (RSA) in relation to collation of statistics; Request that presentation be made public; Reason why more accidents occur during the Summer months; Statistics in relation to cyclists and head injuries evidence that protective headgear is warranted; Value of statistics by county; Causes of accidents; Concerns in relation to on-going evidence of high number of young males being involved in accidents. Minutes of Regional Health Forum 2 23 rd May, 2011

3 Dr. Bedford responded to the questions and comments from the members as follows:- It is recommended that data from the Gardai and the Hospital Inpatient Enquiry System (HIPE) be linked if possible. However, data protection issues may arise in this regard. At present, the HSE is working with the RSA on this issue. It was agreed that a letter, on behalf of the members, would issue to the RSA requesting that statistics be collated jointly between the Authority and the HIPE in future; It was agreed that the presentation would issue to the media; It is believed that more accidents occur during the Summer months due to drivers having a more relaxed and carefree attitude. It is acknowledged that drivers are more careful in the Winter months due to poorer road conditions; It is generally accepted that cyclists wearing protective headgear are safer. Information on statistics in relation to cyclists and head injuries to be made available to members; County statistics on accidents are available from the RSA; Information on the causes of accidents is not recorded under the HIPE database; Research on young drivers has shown that the only deterrent is the fear of getting caught. 3. Motions This Forum requests a full report on the decision to enter into a partnership agreement with the Talbot Group for the provision of a centre in Duleek. In particular:- On what basis was the decision entered into? Was a tendering process held? What officials made the decision? Why was the suitability of the building not assessed? What contingency plan is in place considering the building has been refused planning permission? Cllr. Michael O Dowd Cllr. O Dowd thanked Mr. Seamus O Shea for the comprehensive response to the Motion. He stated that the Service Evaluation process did not, however, involve the key stakeholders - the families of service users. Cllr. O Dowd outlined concerns in relation to the suitability of the premises as heavy goods vehicles are often present in the area due to the premises being situated in an industrial park. He further stated that the three tenders outlined had not been questioned on regulatory issues. Cllr. O Dowd hoped that lessons had been learned by the HSE on this matter and that the same situation would not arise elsewhere in future. Mr. Seamus O Shea briefed the meeting further stating that prior to 2010 there was no provision of an Intellectual Disability Day Service in East Meath. At the time, over 40 families in the area were in need of a service and clients were being transported to Navan at significant cost and long travel times. He stated that the Talbot Duleek facility is similar to other services in that it is situated in a business park. Mr. O Shea assured members that consultation with families had taken place following the tender process. Mr. O Shea further stated that the HSE has initiated a review of twenty providers, both voluntary and non-voluntary, in County Meath, who provide services on a contract basis, to verify compliance with planning, health and safety and other relevant national standards. At the moment, all except eight providers have responded and two providers are working with the local authority in relation to planning matters. Mr. O Shea said that the issues at the Talbot Duleek facility are being addressed and that compliance with regulatory requirements will be addressed with all providers through the review which is on-going at present. Cllr. O Dowd welcomed the on-going audit of services in the area and thanked Mr. O Shea for his report. Minutes of Regional Health Forum 3 23 rd May, 2011

4 4. Questions What is the current situation with unpaid annual leave premiums to staff at Balcurris and Belvedere Cross Care, which has been outstanding since 2005? Cllr. Seamus McGrattan The response circulated was noted What is the expected date of transfer of the current, wholly inadequate, Community Welfare Office from its current location in Church Square, Monaghan to the new location that had been anticipated in 2010? Cllr. Brian McKenna The response circulated was noted In view of the recent delivery of a baby at the side of the road in Smithboro, Co. Monaghan, by the brother of the mother, under instruction over the phone by an Ambulance Crew member. What steps are the HSE taking to ensure that emergency facilities are provided in Monaghan General Hospital to cater for such emergencies and thereby ensure that the lives of mothers and unborn babies are not put at risk? Cllr. Brian McKenna Cllr Mc Kenna expressed his dissatisfaction at the response circulated. Mr. Mulvany said it is in the nature of obstetrics that we cannot guarantee in every case that women will reach their nearest maternity unit before they deliver. This will happen on occasion, to women who live very near their local maternity unit as well as women who live at some distance away. In the vast majority of cases, as in the recent Monaghan case, the outcome for mothers and babies in this situation is very good. He said safe maternity services require that maternity units are of sufficient critical mass to ensure adequate staffing and experience so that the service has the skills and competency levels to manage all problems that present. The current configuration of services in Cavan Monaghan ensures this. Members also raised the issue of patients on trolleys at Cavan General Hospital and requested information on services that could possibly be provided at Monaghan General Hospital to relieve Cavan Hospital. It was agreed that a report on Cavan Monaghan Hospitals would be given at the June Committee meeting to include current service provision at the hospitals, future planning for both hospitals and possible proposals for transfer of certain services from Cavan to Monaghan. The attendance at the Committee meeting of senior management from the hospitals would also be explored. 5. Report by Chairperson of Committee The report was noted by the members. 6. Health Service Executive Updates A report was circulated to the meeting which dealt with the following:- New Medical Assessment Unit in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda; Be Active After School Activity Programme; Presentation of Hygiene Awards and Certificates to staff at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital; Minutes of Regional Health Forum 4 23 rd May, 2011

5 Louth Community Response Team public information event in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital; HSE reminds parents that five GP visits are needed to protect children as figures show drop in uptake of some vaccines; World Hypertension Day Know Your Numbers, Target Your Blood Pressure! ; World Asthma Day - Change Your Life in Ten minutes; Clean Hands Save Lives HSE runs month long campaign to coincide with WHO World Hand Hygiene Day; People who take part in outdoor pursuits must protect against Lyme disease; Fair Deal. It was agreed that statistics in relation to incidence of Lyme Disease in Ireland would be circulated to members. The report was noted by the Forum. 7. Chairperson s Correspondence The Chairperson, Cllr. Bill Tormey, updated members on the following items:- Votes of Sympathy - Leo Kinsella on the death of this father, Seamus; - Family and Friends of the late former Labour T.D. for Louth and former North Eastern Health Board member, Mr. Michael Bell. It was agreed that letters of sympathy would be issued to the families concerned. HSE Briefing with Dundalk Town Council A meeting between HSE representatives and Dundalk Town Council took place on Tuesday, 19 th April, 2011 in the County Hall, Dundalk, Co. Louth. A presentation on Primary, Community and Continuing Care in Louth was given and Dr. Doiminic O Brannagain outlined the range of hospital services available in Dundalk. The presentations were well received. Chairperson s / Directors Meeting A meeting between the four Fora Chairperson s and the four Regional Health Office Leads took place on Wednesday, 20 th April, 2011 in Parkgate Street, Dublin. During the meeting, the issue of the future role of the Fora was discussed. It was agreed by the Chairpersons that each member of each of the Fora would be given an opportunity to submit any views or suggestions on the future role of the Forum including membership, powers, structure, etc. It was further agreed that items submitted would be reviewed and agreed by the Chairpersons with a view to presenting them back to each Forum prior to presenting to the Minister for Health and Children. 8. Date and time of next meeting The next meeting of the Regional Health Forum - will take place on Monday, 25 th July, 2011 at 2:00pm. Signed: Bill Tormey, Chairperson. Minutes of Regional Health Forum 5 23 rd May, 2011