Written Answers Nos. 34-53
34. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the capital projects associated with Mayo University Hospital, the ED and 75-bed ward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48458/23]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6th October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
35. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if his Department has investigated the dangers of nitrous oxide on young people; if there are plans to bring forward legislation to regulate the sale of nitrous oxide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48989/23]
View answerThe HSE continues to monitor the use of nitrous oxide and to tailor appropriate and targeted messages. Targeted ads are shared every few weeks on the topic of nitrous oxide with audiences over the age of 18, as well as messages which aim to create awareness of long-term use, which can cause vitamin B12 deficiency in some individuals, and signs of concern which people can look out for.
The European drugs agency (EMCDDA) recently conducted an EU wide review of nitrous oxide and highlighted a number of key issues regarding the prevention of use including the role of youth workers, the targeted distribution of messaging, and the role of parents. In line with EMCDDA recommendations, the HSE continues to provide a targeted approach to address the use of nitrous oxide, working together with Drug and Alcohol Task Forces around the country.
Parents are offered information on nitrous oxide in various formats by the HSE. An important goal is to ensure that parents are well-informed about nitrous oxide, and specific information is available on drugs.ie and through a bespoke parent factsheet. To complement this new content, a series of webinars on substance use and prevention and education for parents was provided during in 2023.
The HSE has developed a harm reduction factsheet on use of nitrous oxide including the risks, effects and harm reduction advice. The factsheet has been disseminated to Drug and Alcohol Task Forces, student unions, and at festivals and third level institutions.
Drugs.ie and social media channels provide nitrous oxide content that is informative, helpful and shareable. The HSE social media team respond directly to people’s questions about substances including nitrous oxide through direct messages on all channels. HSE social media posts drive traffic to its dedicated nitrous oxide web content on drugs.ie.
Strengthening the prevention of drug and alcohol use among children and young people is a strategic priority under the national drugs strategy. I have allocated €1.5 million for a three-year drug and alcohol prevention and education programme, which aims to strengthen the prevention of drug and alcohol use, and related harm among children and young people.
Nitrous oxide falls under the definition of a psychoactive substance and a solvent. Section 3 of the Criminal Justice (Psychoactive Substances Act) 2010 states that a person who sells a psychoactive substance knowing or being reckless as to whether that substance is being acquired or supplied for human consumption shall be guilty of an offence.
Section 74 of the Child Care Act 1991 states that it shall be an offence for a person to sell, offer or make available a substance to a person under the age of eighteen years or to a person acting on behalf of that person if he knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the substance is, or its fumes are, likely to be inhaled by the person under the age of eighteen years for the purpose of causing intoxication.
Responsibility for these Acts lays with the Department of Justice and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, respectively.
36. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the level of additional core expenditure for new developments, excluding funding for carryover and otherwise maintaining existing levels of service, which has been allocated to Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, for 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48894/23]
View answerConnolly Hospital Blanchardstown is a major teaching academic hospital within the RCSI hospital group and is a statutory hospital under the governance of HSE.
As Minister for Health I am committed to the ongoing development of Connolly Hospital. The budget for the hospital has increased from €118m in 2019 to €134m in 2022, an increase of 13%. There has also been significant capital investment in services in Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown in recent years. Developments in 2021 included upgrades to the Intensive Care Unit and Emergency Department in 2021, and the opening of a new infusion suite for haematology and rheumatology patients with 6 isolation and treatment rooms. This included a negative pressure isolation room for the ICU and an isolation room for the ED. In 2022, 15 new consultation rooms were added to provide for rheumatology and endocrine out patients appointments.
Following the announcement of the budget allocation for my Department, I will shortly be issuing a Letter of Determination to the HSE outlining my priorities and funding levels for 2024. This will be the basis on which the HSE will draw up its National Service Plan for 2024. It is not until the conclusion of this process that a detailed breakdown of non-core expenditure will be available.
37. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the steps he and his Department are taking to address the large volumes of people being treated on trolleys at University Hospital Limerick, where the 2023 numbers have exceeded those of 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49007/23]
View answerI met with the HSE, hospital group management, and elected Oireachtas members from the Mid-west early this year to discuss the ED situation and future developments in University Hospital Limerick.
Significant additional investment has been provided to UHL in recent years.
• Since December 2019, UHL’s workforce has grown by 1,040 WTE’s;
• The Hospital’s 2022 budget increased by 19% when compared to 2019;
• 150 additional beds have been opened in the UL Hospitals Group since 2020, and 98 of these beds have been in UHL;
• Work on the new €90 million project, consisting of a 96-bed inpatient block and Renal Dialysis units commenced in October 2022;
• The new €2m purpose-built Injury Unit at Ennis Hospital opened in April 2022;
• The Government is also committed to the delivery of a second 96-bed inpatient block at UHL.
The Emergency Department at UHL remains busy with attendances in September of this year up by 15% compared to September 2019. The hospital is working to the UL Hospital Group’s Escalation Framework in a continued effort to create surge capacity and maximise inpatient beds across hospital sites and balance the high demand for emergency care with the safe delivery of time-critical and other elective activity. The hospital acknowledges all the patients who are experiencing long waits for an inpatient bed at this very busy time.
38. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the current waiting times for orthodontic appointments in the Cork public system (details supplied); what measures are in place to reduce these; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48993/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6th October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
39. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that an organisation (details supplied) has criticised the allocation of just €13 million to €14 million for the development of new measures in mental health in 2024, that it has been said “the lack of new funding announced on 12 October 2023 will threaten the viability of mental health services in 2024, and that the organisation says that €85 million is required next year for the development of new measures to address unmet need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49020/23]
View answerI am aware of the press release issued by Mental Health Reform on October 12th.
The total allocation for mental health services in 2024 is approximately €1.3 billion, which is the fourth year in a row in which the mental health budget has been increased. This increase in funding for mental health services represents a significant investment which will enable continued policy implementation and service improvement in line with our national mental health policy, Sharing the Vision. This year’s budget allocation builds on the investment this Government has made over the last number of years to deliver the policy priorities of Sharing the Vision through 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, and enabling us to continue to deliver our vital services to as many people as possible, as we move into 2024.
As part of the funding allocated to mental health services, new development funding has been secured to advance initiatives on youth mental health, and around priority groups identified within our national suicide prevention strategy Connecting for Life. This new development funding will be focused on increased CAMHS staffing, a new Youth Mental Health app, a referral pilot for paediatric community services including CAMHS (piloting an approach to service referrals known as ‘No Wrong Door’), the expansion of Suicide Bereavement Liaison Services, and expanding the Traveller Counselling Service to achieve national coverage for the first time.
As occurs each year following the Budget, discussions will now take place with the HSE on details relating to specific service initiatives in the context of preparing the HSE Service Plan 2024, including that for Mental Health.
40. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health for an update on the review underway into matters in Letterkenny University Hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48770/23]
View answerI am aware of the issue relating to the reporting of a number of X Rays, Ultrasound Scans and CT Scans at Letterkenny University Hospital by a Locum Consultant Radiologist during a short period of time in September of this year.
My Department has been advised by Letterkenny University Hospital and the Saolta University Health Care Group that they have commenced a full review of the work undertaken by the doctor during the period in question. The review will be conducted by suitably qualified clinicians using the relevant HSE guidance and will include an examination of all of the radiological images reported on by the Locum Consultant Radiologist. In the event that any issues of patient safety are identified, appropriate remedial actions will be instigated, and full open disclosure will be arranged with patients and/or their families where necessary.
41. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that an organisation (details supplied) recently stated that at three-quarters of the way through 2023, instead of the targeted reduction of around 51,700 people set in the Government’s 2023 Waiting List Action Plan, the latest NTPF figures confirm that 13,250 additional people have been added to the three main waiting lists – a shortfall of almost 65,000 against the Government’s own targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49022/23]
View answerReducing the numbers on waiting lists and shortening waiting times is a critical priority for the Government and progress has been made, with a 22% reduction in patients on waiting lists who are exceeding the Sláintecare waiting time targets since the Covid peaks. The total number of patients treated and removed from waiting lists during the first nine months of 2023 was approximately c.48k (or 4% higher) than the target set. However, additions to waiting lists are far higher than expected. They are considerably higher than the same period in 2022 and c21% higher than the same period in 2019 (which was pre-pandemic). The HSE attributes this trend to both demographic (e.g., population growth, immigration, aging population, etc.) and non-demographic challenges (e.g., increased awareness of services, new service developments, and pent-up demand post COVID pandemic). The current multi-annual approach to sustainably reduce and reform hospital waiting lists and waiting times was adopted in September 2021. This will continue next year with the launch of next year’s Waiting List Action Plan (€407 million), as the Department of Health, working closely with the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF), targets significant in-year additional activity to reduce waiting lists and move us closer to achieving the Sláintecare maximum wait times.
42. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the injury clinic unit for Carlow town and county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48987/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy directly.
43. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the status of negotiations between Fórsa and the HSE over industrial action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49011/23]
View answerFirstly, I would like to acknowledge the dedication and hard work of all Management and Administration staff across the health service.
As the Deputy is aware, on 13 October 2023, the HSE CEO announced a recruitment pause on all Grades that have grown beyond their recruitment targets for 2023.
The recruitment pause includes:
• Management and Administration posts
• Patient and client care (attendants/healthcare assistants/home help)
• Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors
• General Support
The recruitment pause is part of a suite of control measures, including an instruction to reduce expenditure on agency staff and management consultants across the HSE and Section 38 organisations.
A number of engagements have taken place between health management and Fórsa at the Workplace Relations Commission over the past number of months in relation to this recruitment pause and its impact on Management/Admin staff. As the Deputy is aware, Fórsa's Management/Admin staff have been involved in a work-to-rule over this matter since 6 October. As this is an industrial relations matter, it would be inappropriate to comment any further at this time.
44. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the throughput of patients being treated in key categories and the trends in patient numbers compared to the corresponding period in 2022 and to the equivalent period in 2019, before Covid struck. [48359/23]
View answerSince March 2023 the Health Service Executive has published rolling 12 month activity reports including comparisons with January to December 2019, which is the last full year before the COVID-19 pandemic started in 2020 and the cyberattack on the HSE in 2021.
The latest hospital activity figures published by the HSE shows that the health service is treating significantly more patients than previously. The most recent 12 months activity report for the period August 2022 to July 2023 published on the HSE website in November shows:
• Total New and Return Outpatient Activity of 3,563,580, which is an increase of 208,661 (6%)
• Total Day Case Activity of 1,170,483 which is an increase of 62,265 (6%)
• Total Inpatient Activity of 638,216 which is an increase of 1,486 (<1%)
• Total Emergency Care activity of 1,688,402 which is an increase of 181,966 (12%)
For comparisons to the 2022 figures I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy.
As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6th October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, there may be a delay in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
45. Deputy Cathal Berry asked the Minister for Health to consider extending the pandemic special recognition payment to nurses and staff of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48997/23]
View answerFirstly, I want to express my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during the Covid 19 Pandemic.
Last year the Government announced a once-off, ex-gratia COVID-19 pandemic recognition payment for certain frontline public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic.
Eligibility criteria for the payment were set following significant consideration and consultation. I can confirm that in order to receive the recognition payment, staff must have:
• Been in COVID vaccination cohorts 1 or 2, and
• Worked ordinarily onsite in a COVID-19 exposed healthcare environment, and
• Worked for at least 4 weeks in the 1/3/2020 – 30/6/2021 period, and
• Worked in a HSE/Section 38 organisation, or one of the following:
1. Private Sector Nursing Homes and Hospices (e.g. Private, Voluntary,Section 39 etc.);
2. Section 39 long-term residential care facilities for people with disabilities, working on-site;
3. Agency roles working in the HSE;
4. Health Care Support Assistants (also known as home help / home care / home support) contracted to the HSE;
5. Members of the Defence Forces redeployed to work in frontline Covid-19 exposed environments in the HSE;
6. Paramedic staff employed by Dublin Fire Brigade to deliver services on behalf of the HSE.
Only those staff who met all of the above eligibility criteria were covered for this payment. I appreciate that many other workers, volunteers, and other citizens including those working in the Irish Blood Transfusion Service provided important services during this most difficult time.
The Government appreciates that those organisations and staff who are not encompassed for this particular payment may feel disappointed. It was a hard task to set out the eligibility criteria for this payment but the Government based its decision on certain aspects of all the different roles within the Healthcare sector and certain risks which eligible frontline workers faced. Undoubtedly immense efforts have been made by all healthcare staff since the onset of the pandemic which has not gone unrecognised.
In recognition of the efforts of all workers, volunteers, and the general public during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in remembrance of people who lost their lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government announced a public holiday which took place on 18 March 2022. From February this year, a new permanent public holiday has been established to mark St Brigid’s Day.
46. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health to report on the take-up of vaccinations under the Autumn vaccination programme to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49044/23]
View answerCovid 19 Vaccination
During week 5 of the programme (30th October – 5th November) a little over 51,000 COVID-19 Autumn Winter booster doses were administered. Since the commencement of the programme over 475,000 COVID-19 Autumn/Winter booster doses have been administered to date.
Influenza Vaccination
The HPSC publishes seasonal influenza vaccination uptake here: Vaccination - Health Protection Surveillance Centre (hpsc.ie)
Influenza Vaccine Uptake in Ireland in 2023-2024 season, 18th Sept - 5th Nov 2023 (week 38- 44)
|
Age group |
% Uptake flu Season |
|
Children - 2 – 12 years |
8.2 |
|
Adult - 50 – 64 years |
16.1 |
|
Older Adult - 65 years and over |
54.9 |
47. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the level of additional core expenditure for new developments, excluding funding for carryover and otherwise maintaining existing levels of service, which has been allocated to Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan, for 2024; what these new developments will entail; if they will include additional bed capacity; what the expected timeline is for delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48936/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
48. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a list of hospitals he has visited over the past 12 months. [48771/23]
View answerDetails of hospital visits by Minister Donnelly are set out below.
|
Hospital Name |
Date of Visit |
|
Cork University Hospital |
28/10/2022 |
|
South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital |
28/10/2022 |
|
Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda |
04/11/2022 |
|
Letterkenny Hospital |
11/11/2022 |
|
Dungarvan Community Hospital |
18/11/2022 |
|
Waterford University Hospital |
18/11/2022 |
|
Midlands Regional Hospital Portlaoise |
02/12/2022 |
|
Midlands Regional Hospital Tullamore |
02/12/2022 |
|
Midlands Regional Hospital Mullingar |
02/12/2022 |
|
National Rehabilitation Hospital |
16/12/2022 |
|
St Vincent's Hospital |
03/01/2023 |
|
Beaumont Hospital |
03/01/2023 |
|
St Luke's General Hospital Kilkenny |
05/01/2023 |
|
Mater Smithfield |
06/01/2023 |
|
Coombe Hospital |
27/01/2023 |
|
Care Doc Carlow (St. Dympna's Hospital) |
27/01/2023 |
|
Mater Hospital |
03/02/2023 |
|
Wexford Hospital |
02/03/2023 |
|
Tallaght Hospital |
06/03/2023 |
|
St. Columba's Hospital |
06/04/2023 |
|
St Columbanus Community Hospital |
05/05/2023 |
|
Baltinglass Community Hospital |
19/05/2023 |
|
Galway University Hospital |
26/05/2023 |
|
Bantry General Hospital |
16/06/2023 |
|
Clonakilty Community Hospital |
16/06/2023 |
|
Ennis General Hospital |
30/06/2023 |
|
Croom Orthopaedic Hospital |
30/06/2023 |
|
St. John's Hospital |
30/06/2023 |
|
University Hospital Galway |
20/10/2023 |
|
Mater Hospital |
20/04/2023 |
49. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health his views on further extending local injuries unit- and medical assessment unit-opening hours in CHO3, in view of significant overcrowding at University Hospital Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49025/23]
View answerWhile significant investment has been driven through Winter Planning and National Service Plans over the past three years, a new approach to Urgent and Emergency Care planning in now required in response the changing demands.
This approach is twofold:
• The delivery of an Urgent and Emergency Care Operational Plan for 2023, which was signed off by Government at the end of July; and
• The delivery of a 3-year multi-annual Urgent and Emergency Care Strategy, which is currently being prepared for government.
A HSE review of Injury Units and Medical Assessment Units looked in detail at the activity, capacity, staffing and operations of existing Units across the Model 2 Hospitals, as well as areas having the most potential need for additional injury units. A key action identified in the Urgent and Emergency Care Operational Plan 2023 is to expand and standardise Local Injury Unit and Medical Assessment Unit hours in line with that review.
50. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health when construction will recommence on Ballyhaunis primary care centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48457/23]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive (HSE) holds responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6th October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
51. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the details of any recruitment process underway to increase staffing levels in the Áras Mhic Dara community nursing unit in Carraroe to facilitate the use of all available beds in the unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48473/23]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
52. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the level of additional core expenditure for new developments, excluding funding for carryover and otherwise maintaining existing levels of service, which has been allocated to the Nenagh medical assessment unit for 2024 to increase capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49065/23]
View answerAs Minister for Health, I am committed to the ongoing development of services in the Mid-West area, including at Nenagh Hospital.
Funding of €5.2m this year has enabled Medical Assessment Units (MAUs) at Nenagh, St John's and Ennis Hospitals to further extend their hours of operation. Nenagh MAU is now open to patients 7 days a week between 8am – 8pm.
Recruitment is underway for an additional 21 Whole Time Equivalent positions at the Nenagh MAU, across a range of specialties. This has so far included a clinical nurse manager, three staff nurses, a senior house officer, a cardiac physiologist, a senior radiographer, a physiotherapist, an occupational therapist and a number of support staff.
As more of these staff take up post, the number of additional slots available for medical assessment will increase. In 2022, 2,476 patients were referred to the Nenagh MAU. As of October this year, 3,287 patients had been seen by the MAU. Once all staff are in post, the overall effect of this investment will be the creation of an additional 7,176 slots per annum across Nenagh, St John's and Ennis Hospitals.
This investment is improving options available to GPs for referring acute patients over weekends. The Nenagh MAU is playing an integral role in Emergency Department avoidance and appropriate community referrals for patients. This can be seen through the significant increase in patient referrals on foot of the investment this year.
Following the announcement of the budget allocation for my Department, I will shortly be issuing a Letter of Determination to the HSE outlining my priorities and funding levels for 2024. This will be the basis on which the HSE will draw up its National Service Plan (NSP) for 2024. It is not until the conclusion of this process that a detailed breakdown of non-core expenditure will be available.
53. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that an organisation (details supplied) has stated that 10,538 patients, including 273 children, went without a bed in October and has stated that targeted recruitment and retention plans are needed in each hospital and community care area to allow for more nurses and midwives to be recruited at the pace in which they are needed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49021/23]
View answerThe HSE is operating in a fiercely competitive global race for talent across all professions in which the mobility of healthcare workers across the globe has become an ever increasing challenge. Resourcing our health services is further compounded by existing deficits across some professions and specialties exiting training and global workforce shortages in health care. This is against a backdrop where there are changing workforce expectations, which requires greater flexibility, agility and creativity.
The HSE is looking towards opportunities to not only attract and recruit talent, but to develop, engage and retain the workforce that will deliver our service’s needs, now and into the future.
The HSE Resourcing Strategy was launched in June 2023 and is an action orientated Strategy aimed to be delivered by the Services and for the Services. It sets out a comprehensive list of Actions which aim to meet the current and future needs of the Organisation.
A core element of the HSE Resourcing Strategy involves enhancing the Organisation’s capacity to develop, retain and engage the workforce that will ensure a sufficient domestic supply of health care staff, maximising self-sufficiency within the Irish state for the resourcing and delivery of publicly funded health services for the future.
