Written Answers Nos. 592-601
592. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm the appreciation of the State for the doctors who deferred retirement, giving up a good portion of a well-earned retirement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17446/24]
View answerGPs play a vital role in the provision of health services. They are usually the first point of contact when a person is unwell and act as gatekeepers to the wider healthcare service. They are a central part of our communities, caring for people and their families throughout their lives.
All GPs, and in particular those who have an extension to provide GMS services past the GMS retirement provisions, have the appreciation and gratitude of the Government and the public for their devotion to their patient's wellbeing. In providing GMS services past GMS retirement, such GPs help ensure continuity of care for their patients in their community and I am happy to confirm my particular appreciation to them.
593. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the extraordinary situation where it seems to be the case that the primary care reimbursement service, despite contractual obligations, failed to contribute towards these doctors' pensions the agreed 15% of the doctors' monthly capitation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17447/24]
View answerGPs are private practitioners, most of whom hold a GMS contract with the HSE for the provision of GP services to medical card and GP visit card holders. Under the terms of the GMS contract, the HSE deducts 5% of a GP's capitation earnings and makes an additional payment of 10% of a GP's capitation earnings to a private pension scheme administered on behalf of relevant GPs; the HSE has no role in the administration of this scheme.
I understand that recently there was an issue regarding the making of these payments for a very small group of GPs and that the HSE is examining this issue with a view to resolving it as soon as possible. I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly with an update, as soon as possible.
594. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if he is familiar with the strict investment rules, which has resulted in this group of doctors being denied a retirement lump sum and a pension sine die unless/until this matter can be resolved; if he will commit to rectifying this situation without delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17448/24]
View answerGPs are private practitioners, most of whom hold a GMS contract with the HSE for the provision of GP services to medical card and GP visit card holders. Under the terms of the GMS contract, the HSE deducts 5% of a GP's capitation earnings and makes an additional payment of 10% of a GP's capitation earnings to a private pension scheme administered on behalf of relevant GPs; the HSE has no role in the administration of this scheme.
595. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health when it will be possible to increase the COSS eye exam fee payable to contractors to ensure parity with that payable for a similar exam under the Department of Social Protection's treatment (optical) benefit scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17466/24]
View answerThe Community Ophthalmic Services Scheme (COSS) is a national fee-per-item scheme which was introduced in 1979. Under the COSS, medical card holders aged over 16 years can be seen by ophthalmologists, community ophthalmic physicians, optometrists or dispensing opticians.
Eligible patients can receive an eye examination and be provided with prescribed optical appliances in accordance with a national schedule of approved optical appliances.
The Health Professionals (Reduction of Payments to Ophthalmologists, Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians) Regulations 2013 (SI 274 of 2013) sets the fees for optometrists and dispensing opticians under the Community Optometric Services, Community Spectacle Dispensing Services and Health Amendment Act Card Schemes.
I am committed to increasing the fee payable to contractors for a standard eye examination under the COSS, to ensure parity with that payable for the same exam under the Department of Social Protection’s Treatment Benefit Scheme. This is a priority for my Department, and work with stakeholders is ongoing to implement this change as soon as possible.
596. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect to receive botox injections into lower lumbar region as the person has been waiting for same over three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17468/24]
View answerUnder 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.
597. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if he will give equal status to medical graduates who received funding from the State to study in Northern Ireland when applying for an internship programme within the HSE who are currently classed as tier 2 applicants; if he will review the current process for internship placement allocation to enable such graduates to continue speciality training and serve local communities on their return; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17471/24]
View answerIrish medical students who graduate from Northern Ireland are eligible to apply for internship in the Republic of Ireland. Under the current application process, all eligible CAO and non-CAO EEA work permit exempt applicants have been allocated an intern post each year since 2016.
All eligible EU citizens and UK citizens who have applied for internship in Ireland have received an offer of internship. This allows Irish graduates from other medical schools the opportunity to return to the State as doctors and, following successful completion of internship, continue specialty training in Ireland.
The number of internship posts has been permanently increased since 2021 with the establishment of 145 new intern places. Since 2021 every eligible applicant, both EEA and Non-EEA, who has applied has received an offer of an internship. In 2022 and 2023, despite all eligible candidates receiving an offer of internship, there were vacancies remaining in the intern programme.
The Department and the HSE will continue to keep the current policy on intern allocation under review to ensure that the policy continues to support the development and growth of the medical workforce.
598. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the reason a HSE reimbursement application was refused for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17472/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
599. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health his plans to establish a diabetes taskforce to develop a National Diabetes Strategy; the timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17481/24]
View answer601. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health when he will set up a Diabetes Taskforce of relevant stakeholders to develop a National Diabetes Strategy that will ensure the provision of optimum care to every person with diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17483/24]
View answer629. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health if he has any plans to set up a diabetes taskforce of relevant stakeholders to develop a national diabetes strategy that will ensure the provision of optimum care to every person with diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17695/24]
View answer631. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if a “Diabetes Taskforce” of relevant stakeholders will be set up to develop a National Diabetes Strategy that will ensure the provision of optimum care to every person with diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17731/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 599, 601, 629 and 631 together.
Diabetes is a complex condition that can require management across the entire spectrum of healthcare delivery, including self-management support as well as care delivered through general practice, community specialist care and hospital inpatient specialist care.
As part of Budget 2023, funding was allocated to implement a number of initiatives aimed at improving diabetes care. This includes the commencement of the development of a National Diabetes Registry, the commencement of a National Paediatric Audit of Type 1 Diabetes, and two further initiatives related to gestational diabetes.
The inclusion of diabetes as one of four chronic diseases in respect of which GMS patients receive ongoing, planned care from their GP through the Chronic Disease Management Programme also represents a major step forward in assisting those living with diabetes to manage their condition. As part of the GP Agreement of 2023, agreement was secured to include all women who have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes or pre-eclampsia since January 2023 in the CDM Preventative Programme. Access to this service commenced in November 2023.
Guidelines for Diabetes prevention and management include the Model of Integrated Care for Patients with Type 2 Diabetes, the Model of Care for the Diabetic Foot (2021), the National Clinical Guideline for the Management of Adult Type 1 Diabetes and Diabetes in Pregnancy: A Model of Care for Ireland (2024). Guidelines are reviewed and amended in line with the most up to date evidence to support best clinical practice and standardisation of care for diabetes patients.
In 2020, the Health Service Executive published The National Framework for the Integrated Prevention and Management of Chronic Disease (2020-2025) which adopted a whole system approach to integrated care for people with Chronic Diseases. It sets out a national framework for an integrated approach to the prevention and management of chronic disease in Ireland over the coming years. This framework was developed in relation to four major chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes. The framework builds on the existing policies and guidelines, with a focus on health promotion, disease prevention, diagnosis, treatment, disease management and rehabilitation services that are coordinated across different healthcare providers and healthcare settings.
I am aware of the needs of the diabetes community and the challenges faced by those living with the condition. Officials in my Department are engaged with the HSE Diabetes clinical team in consideration of the future development of diabetes related services.
600. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the details of any analysis carried out or commissioned by his Department or bodies under the aegis of his Department into the number of hospital-based diabetes clinics in Ireland that currently meet the recommended staffing levels of multidisciplinary diabetes team members, including consultant endocrinologists, advanced nurse practitioners, diabetes nurse specialists, dietitians, psychologists; the steps being taken to ensure that recommended multidisciplinary diabetes staffing levels are met in all paediatric and adult diabetes clinics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17482/24]
View answerDiabetes is a complex condition that can require management across the entire spectrum of healthcare delivery, including self-management support as well as care delivered through general practice, community specialist care and hospital inpatient specialist care.
Officials in my Department are engaging with the HSE Diabetes clinical team in consideration of the future development of diabetes related services. As part of this work, the HSE are conducting an examination of diabetes staffing levels across the country. As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
