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Tuesday, 11 Oct 2022

Written Answers Nos. 751-770

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (751)

Alan Farrell

Question:

751. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health the average wait time for a patient referred for oncology care in the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50228/22]

View answer

Written answers

As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (752)

Alan Farrell

Question:

752. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health the number of patients that are currently waiting for ERCP throughout the HSE system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50229/22]

View answer

Written answers

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Health Services

Questions (753)

Alan Farrell

Question:

753. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health the length of time a patient has to wait for a procedure before being included in the NTPF scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50230/22]

View answer

Written answers

The National Treatment Purchase Fund works with public hospitals to offer and provide funding for treatment to clinically suitable long waiting patients on an inpatient or day case waiting list.

The clinical suitability of a patient to avail of NTPF funded surgery or procedures is determined by the public hospital where the patient is on an Inpatient or Daycase waiting list.

The key criteria of the NTPF is the prioritisation of the longest waiting patients first. While the NTPF identifies patients eligible for NTPF treatment, it is solely on the basis of their time spent on the Inpatient/Daycase Waiting List.

The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) has advised my Department that while the NTPF this year will seek to arrange over 150 different types of procedures in public and private hospitals, covering the full range of complexity on the waiting lists, there will be a particular focus on 15 procedures which, prior to NTPF engagement, accounted for more than 50% of the inpatient/day case waiting list. For the following high volume procedures the NTPF will offer treatment for all clinically suitable patients waiting more than 6 months:

- Cataracts

Cystoscopies

Hip replacements

Knee replacements

Skin lesions (General Surgery and Plastic Surgery)

Varicose Veins

Angiograms

Tonsillectomies

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Septoplasties

Dental

Hysteroscopy

Laparoscopy (Gynaecology)

Total abdominal Hysterectomy

Inguinal Hernia Repair.

Health Services

Questions (754)

Alan Farrell

Question:

754. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a list of appointment and procedure types included in the NTPF scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50231/22]

View answer

Written answers

In relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy, the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) has advised my Department that the NTPF funds treatments for long waiting patients on hospital waiting lists (Inpatient and day cases, G.I. Scopes, Outpatients) and diagnostics.

The NTPF has provided the attached list which outlines the main procedures and appointments which are outsourced.

Please see below list of main outsourcing procedures.

Ablation for SVT/Flutter/WPW; Comprehensive EPS with atrial ablation, single focus; includes electrophysiologic evaluation including insertion and repositioning of multiple electrode catheters with induction or attempted induction of an arrhythmia with right atrial pacing and recording, right ventriculuar pacing and recording (when necessary) with intracardiac catheter ablation of arrhythmogenic focus, with treatment of supraventricular tachycardia by ablation of fast or slow atrioventricular pathway, accessory atrioventricular connection, cavotricuspid isthmus or other single atrial focus or source of atrial reentry.

Angiogram/Coronary Angiography

Cardiac electrophysiological study

Cardioversion

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) by Transcatheter Placement of a Drug Eluting Stent more than one vessel

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) by Transcatheter Placement of a Drug Eluting Stent single vessel

Bilateral Pinnaplasty/ Pinna, partial excision with flap reconstruction/Otoplasty

Ethmoidectomy

Frontal sinusectomy (also known as FESS)

Laryngoscopy

Laryngoscopy, direct, operative with biopsy

Mastoidectomy

Myringotomy, with or without grommets, bilateral

Nasal/sinus endoscopy, diagnostic, unilateral or bilateral

Nasal/Sinus endoscopy, surgical with frontal sinus exploration, with or without removal of tissue from frontal sinus, including ethmoidectomy and/or nasal sinus endoscopy

Nasal/Sinus endoscopy, surgical, with antrostomy, bilateral

Nasal/Sinus endoscopy, surgical, with antrostomy, unilateral

Nasal/sinus endoscopy, surgical, with control of nasal haemorrhage

Nasal/Sinus endoscopy, surgical; with biopsy, polypectomy or removal of diseased mucosa, lesions or debridement (I.P.)

Septoplasty

Tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy

Tympanoplasty

Anal Canal EUA

Bilateral inguinal hernia repair

Excision of lesion or lesions of skin - general surgery

Haemorrhoidectomy

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Removal of toenail

Repair of incisional hernia, unilateral

Repair of umbilical hernia, unilateral

Wedge resection of ingrown toenail

Hysteroscopy +/- dilation and cutterage

Laparoscopic salpingo-oophorectomy, complete or partial, unilateral or bilateral

Laparoscopy

Repair of pelvic floor prolapse to include cystocele and/or rectocele repair

Total Abdominal Hysterectomy

Total Vaginal Hysterectomy

Surgical Removal of 2 or more Teeth

Surgical Removal of a Tooth or Tooth Fragment

Blepharostomy

Cataracts

Correction or Repair of ectropion

Correction or Repair of entropion

Dacryocystorhinostomy [DCR]

Excision of ophthalmology lesions one or both eyelids - chalazions, papillomas, dermoids or other cysts or lesions

Excision of pterygium

Excision of pterygium and conjunctival graft

Strabismus procedure involving 1 or 2 muscles

Administration of agent into joint or other synovial cavity, not elsewhere classified

Administration of agent into soft tissue, not elsewhere classified

Anterior spinal fusion, 1 level

Anterior spinal fusion, 2 or more levels

Arthroscopic reconstruction of cruciate ligament of knee with repair of meniscus

Arthroscopy of hip

Arthroscopy of knee

Arthroscopy of shoulder

Cervical discectomy, 1 level

Cervical discectomy, 2 or more levels

Correction of hallux valgus by osteotomy of first metatarsal, unilateral

Correction of hammer toe

Decompression of lumbar spinal canal >= 2 levels

Decompression of lumbar spinal canal 1 level

Discectomy for recurrent disc lesion, 1 level

Discectomy, 2 or more levels

Epidural infusion of other or combined therapeutic substance(s)

Palmar fasciectomy for Dupuytren's contracture

Palmar fasciectomy for Dupuytren's contracture involving 2 digits (rays)

Posterior spinal fusion, 3 or more levels

Posterolateral spinal fusion, 1 or 2 levels

Reconstruction of cruciate ligament of knee with repair of meniscus

Release of carpal tunnel - Orthopaedics

Removal of pin/screw/wire/plate

Removal of pin/screw/wire/plate

Total arthroplasty of hip, unilateral

Total arthroplasty of knee, unilateral

Bilateral Pinnaplasty/ Pinna, partial excision with flap reconstruction/Otoplasty

Excision of lesion or lesions of skin - plastic surgery

Palmar fasciectomy for Dupuytren's contracture involving >= 3 digits (rays)

Palmar fasciectomy for Dupuytren's contracture involving 1 digit (ray)

Palmar fasciectomy for Dupuytren's contracture involving 2 digits (rays)

Release of carpal tunnel - Plastic surgery

Colonoscopy

Endoscopy / Gastroscopy (OGD)

Left Colonoscopy

Proctoscopy/Sigmoidoscopy

Circumcision

Cystoscopy

Excision of hydrocele

TURP

Ureteroscopy or urethroscopy

Ureteroscopy or urethroscopy

Urine flow study

Interruption of sapheno-femoral junction varicose veins (laser)

Interruption of multiple tributaries of varicose veins

Interruption of sapheno-femoral junction varicose veins (surgical)

Interruption of multiple tributaries of varicose veins

For Outpatients there is a particular focus on the following high volume specialties:

Gynaecology

Orthopaedics

Urology

ENT

Cardiology

Ophthalmology and

Vascular Surgery

Pain

Plastic Surgery

Orthopaedic Surgery - Spinal

Health Services

Questions (755)

Alan Farrell

Question:

755. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health the number of patients that have had their procedures carried out through the NTPF scheme in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50232/22]

View answer

Written answers

In relation to the query raised, the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) has advised my Department that the number of patient care episodes carried out for Inpatient and day cases, G.I. Scopes, Outpatients and diagnostics funded by the NTPF in 2021 was 133,661.

Departmental Reviews

Questions (756)

Michael Creed

Question:

756. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health if he will commit to an interdepartmental working group involving the Department of Education, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and his Department to examine the issue of funding for the training of psychologists, particularly educational and child psychologists; his views on the inequity of funding for the training of educational child psychologists, relative to clinical psychologists and counselling psychologists and the funding available in respect of training of the latter, as opposed to trainee educational and child psychologists; his views on staff shortages in the area of CAMHS; the way in which this inequity of funding is contributing to this recruitment challenge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50235/22]

View answer

Written answers

The total allocation for mental health services in 2023 is over €1.2 billion, which is another record budget for mental health services. This significant investment will enable implementation of many of the short and medium-term measures in our national mental health policy, Sharing the Vision. It will enhance the provision of mental health supports across a broad continuum from mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention, to acute and specialist mental health service delivery. The funding will enable us to continue to deliver our vital services to as many people as possible, as we move into 2023.

In relation to the HSE Mental Health care programme, €750,000 has been provided in Budget 2023 to support counselling psychology training places. This funding demonstrates the Government’s commitment to strengthen access to psychology training. Further detailed discussions will now take place between the Department and HSE to progress both this and wider commitments of the 2023 Budget in the context of preparing the HSE Service Plan 2023. In addition, the Department of Health has been advised by the Department of Education that the Minister for Education and her Department very much value the work of all educational psychologists across the education system. I understand they are working proactively and intensively to find a positive resolution for the issue of fees for trainee educational psychologists.

The Department of Health will continue to work collaboratively with the Department of Education and other Government Departments as required on the issue of workforce planning for health and social care professionals, including on future planning in terms of psychology education, training, and placement. This approach will support the implementation of Sharing the Vision.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (757)

Matt Carthy

Question:

757. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an outpatient appointment at the orthopaedic clinic in Cavan and Monaghan Hospital given the discomfort that they are currently experiencing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50255/22]

View answer

Written answers

Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Departmental Data

Questions (758)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

758. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the current average wait time for a chest x-ray in Nenagh General Hospital, from the point of referral until the x-ray is carried out; the reason that the time that a patient is expected to wait following referral has apparently increased from two to eight weeks; the way in which he plans to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50259/22]

View answer

Written answers

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Health Services

Questions (759)

Paul Murphy

Question:

759. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will consider offering adult medical card holders the option to be assessed and treated by community audiologists who already provide care to working age adults under the Department of Social Protection's treatment benefit scheme given that 34,000 children were waiting more than one year to access community health services, including ophthalmology and audiology, which could free up 12,500 treatment pathways per annum for children and adults with other forms of hearing loss who require the more specialised services of a HSE clinic or hospital audiology service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50263/22]

View answer

Written answers

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Departmental Reviews

Questions (760)

Josepha Madigan

Question:

760. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Minister for Health if his Department will establish an independent review to examine issues of recruitment and retention of radiation therapists in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50265/22]

View answer

Written answers

An independent review of the Radiation Therapist profession has been agreed under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission. Discussions are ongoing between the parties to finalise a Terms of Reference and appoint an independent chair.

As this is an ongoing Industrial Relations process it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.

Departmental Functions

Questions (761)

Christopher O'Sullivan

Question:

761. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the reason that educational and child psychology doctoral students, were not included in the €700,000 investment in psychology training announced as part of Budget 2023, considering that the majority of graduates go on to work in HSE settings including CAMHS, CDNTs and primary care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50268/22]

View answer

Written answers

The total allocation for mental health services in 2023 is over €1.2 billion, which is another record budget for mental health services. This significant investment will enable implementation of many of the short and medium-term measures in our national mental health policy, Sharing the Vision. It will enhance the provision of mental health supports across a broad continuum from mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention, to acute and specialist mental health service delivery. The funding will enable us to continue to deliver our vital services to as many people as possible, as we move into 2023.

In relation to the HSE Mental Health care programme, €750,000 has been provided in Budget 2023 to support counselling psychology training places. This funding demonstrates the Government’s commitment to strengthen access to psychology training. Further detailed discussions will now take place between the Department and HSE to progress both this and wider commitments of the 2023 Budget in the context of preparing the HSE Service Plan 2023. In addition, the Department of Health has been advised by the Department of Education that the Minister for Education and her Department very much value the work of all educational psychologists across the education system. I understand they are working proactively and intensively to find a positive resolution for the issue of fees for trainee educational psychologists.

The Department of Health will continue to work collaboratively with the Department of Education and other Government Departments as required on the issue of workforce planning for health and social care professionals, including on future planning in terms of psychology education, training, and placement. This approach will support the implementation of Sharing the Vision.

In terms of the issues raised by the Deputy, it should be noted that there is no specific professional grade of ‘child psychologist’ within the HSE. Only three types of psychologists are recognised by the HSE, namely Clinical Psychologist, Counselling Psychologist and Educational Psychologist.

Hospital Staff

Questions (762)

Cathal Crowe

Question:

762. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if he will put adequate staffing and contingency plans in place to ensure that there is no recurrence of the closure of the Ennis injury unit (details supplied).; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50269/22]

View answer

Written answers

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Ambulance Service

Questions (763)

Verona Murphy

Question:

763. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time National Ambulance Service staff based in County Wexford in each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50275/22]

View answer

Written answers

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.

Hospital Staff

Questions (764)

Verona Murphy

Question:

764. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time theatre nurses working in Wexford General Hospital in each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; if the current staff number will be further increased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50276/22]

View answer

Written answers

As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.

Home Care Packages

Questions (765)

Verona Murphy

Question:

765. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of persons approved for homecare supports in County Wexford who are currently waiting on delivery of support hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50279/22]

View answer

Written answers

As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Psychological Assessments

Questions (766)

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

Question:

766. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on waiting times for assessments of children with autism in Dún Laoghaire; the number of children waiting for such an assessment; the number of assessments conducted and completed in each of the years 2020 and 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50033/22]

View answer

Written answers

As the Deputy's question relates to a service issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Thalidomide Victims Compensation

Questions (767)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

767. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of recommendations for future planning and pathways of care for thalidomide survivor’s health care needs; the engagements that he has had with an organisation (details supplied) since he last met it in February 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50315/22]

View answer

Written answers

I met with members of the Irish Thalidomide Association in February last and assured them of the Government’s commitment to provide them with the necessary health supports to meet their related needs. Following that meeting, the designated senior manager in the Health Service Executive who liaises with Irish thalidomide survivors and assists them to access supports towards their ongoing health and personal social service needs, commenced a process to develop recommendations for future planning and pathways of care for survivor’s health care needs now and into the future. The recommendations will also inform the work already underway in the Department to provide these health and personal social supports on a statutory footing as committed to by the Government.

Following a Government decision in 1975, Irish survivors of thalidomide have been in receipt of monthly payments for life from the Irish State. The range of supports provided by the Irish State to each Irish survivor also include a medical card on an administrative basis regardless of means, which includes access to a full range of primary care, hospital and personal social services, provision of appliances, artificial limbs, equipment and housing adaptations.

The German Contergan Foundation has confirmed that since 2013 it is accepting applications from individuals for compensation for thalidomide related injury. It is open to any Irish person to apply to the Foundation for assessment of their disability as being attributable to thalidomide. Any Irish person who establishes that their injury is attributable to thalidomide will be offered appropriate supports by the Irish Government, commensurate with those currently provided to Irish thalidomide survivors.

Medicinal Products

Questions (768)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

768. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 2069 of 8 September 2022, if he will undertake to review the guidelines for the sale of codeine products to protect public health given the widespread abuse of the sale of codeine product guidelines depicted on a television programme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50316/22]

View answer

Written answers

My Department is committed to working with relevant stakeholders in fully considering any policy changes that may be required regarding the guidelines and regulations for the sale of codeine containing medicinal products.

Any potential changes must be supported by sufficient evidence. The evolving evidence is being actively monitored by my Department and its agencies who will consider taking any necessary further steps to support the safe and effective use of these medicines.

Departmental Properties

Questions (769)

Holly Cairns

Question:

769. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the number of dedicated spaces for breastfeeding and expressing breast milk in workplaces within his Department and the workplaces of public bodies and agencies under his remit, including a list of said buildings which do and do not have these facilities [50343/22]

View answer

Written answers

Encouraging mothers to breastfeed is a priority, both for the Department of Health and for the HSE. National health policy, including the Healthy Ireland Framework, Healthy Ireland Strategic Action Plan, the National Maternity Strategy, the Obesity Policy and Action Plan, and the National Cancer Strategy, emphasises the importance of supporting mothers who breastfeed, as well as taking action to increase breastfeeding rates in Ireland.

The HSE Breastfeeding in a Healthy Ireland Action Plan is the framework for progressing supports for breastfeeding in Ireland. The Department of Health works closely with the HSE National Breast-Feeding Co-ordinator, who has responsibility for the implementation of the HSE Breastfeeding Action Plan 2016-2021.

Implementation of Breastfeeding in a Healthy Ireland – HSE Action Plan includes initiatives in the following areas:

- improve governance and health service structures;

- develop new breastfeeding training programmes;

- develop evidence-based policies and practices;

- communicate the importance of breastfeeding through social marketing, support and advocacy and;

- monitor and evaluate breastfeeding services.

The National Breastfeeding Implementation Group is partnering with key divisions to provide the supports that mothers require at all stages of the breastfeeding continuum.

In terms of supports for public service staff wishing to breastfeed following their return to work after maternity leave, a new Breastfeeding Policy for Staff working in the Public Health Service came into effect in February 2021.

The policy supports staff to continue to breastfeed on return to work following maternity leave. This policy is being implemented on a cost neutral basis and will allow employees to take 1-hour paid breastfeeding breaks up until their child’s second birthday, in line with WHO/DOH Infant Feeding recommendations.

The Department of Health operates a breastfeeding supportive workplace policy in compliance with Section 9 of the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Act 2004. In line with this, the Department has one designated private room on its premises in Miesian Plaza, which provides appropriate comfortable seating, storage, refrigeration, washing and other facilities for those employees who are breastfeeding and/or expressing breast milk. Employees who wish to use the room for this purpose are provided with secure and private access to use the facility as and when required.

With respect to the HSE, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible. I am engaging with the other Non-Commercial State Agencies under the aegis of my Department on this matter and will revert to the Deputy by separate letter once their responses are collated.

Disability Services

Questions (770, 771, 772)

Gary Gannon

Question:

770. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health if any of the 12 newly established CDNTs for the Dublin north city and county service serve the areas of Drumcondra, Phibsboro, South Glasnevin, Smithfield and the Quays area of the north inner city. [50374/22]

View answer

Gary Gannon

Question:

771. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health if there are any plans to set up CDNTs for the Dublin north city and county areas, to provide services to children with complex additional needs and their families; and the timelines that are in place for same. [50375/22]

View answer

Gary Gannon

Question:

772. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health if children and their families in areas in Dublin north city and county are receiving any services at present; and if so, the service providers from which they receive same. [50377/22]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 770, 771 and 772 together.

As the Deputy's questions relate to service issues, they have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

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