Written Answers Nos. 178-202
178. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 361 of 17 September 2019, when he will give management approval to hire a speech and language therapist for a school (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are 56 students waiting on speech and language and behavioural therapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41450/19]
View answerThe Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
179. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of occupational speech and language, physio therapists and child psychologists employed by the HSE in 2017, 2018 and to date in 2019 by CHO in tabular form; the vacancies that exist by CHO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41454/19]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
180. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if a HSE employment transfer will be carried out as a matter of urgency for a person (details supplied). [41458/19]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
181. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41459/19]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
182. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment. [41463/19]
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.
The National Waiting List Management Policy, a standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, since January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
183. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) never received the rehabilitative training bonus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41464/19]
View answerThe Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
184. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) in relation to the FreeStyle Libre device; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41466/19]
View answerUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
185. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health the number of hospital intern posts and the prioritisation of CAO undergraduates (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41476/19]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
186. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the number of positions in the CHO2 health service in the western region in which applicants have received offers of a post but were subsequently informed by the HSE that the position is on hold due to budgetary restraints and continues to require the approval from the national director; the quarter in each case during which the offer of a position was initially made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41477/19]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to you directly on this matter.
187. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase the eligibility limit for those over 70 years of age applying for a medical card from a reduction that was implemented in 2014 and has not being raised to date to €500 for a single person over 70 years of age and €900 for a couple; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41478/19]
View answer188. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase the eligibility limit for those over 80 years of age applying for a medical card from a reduction that was implemented in 2014 and has not being raised to date to €500 for a single person over 80 years of age and €900 for a couple; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41479/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 187 and 188 together.
As announced in Budget 2020, medical card gross income limits for those over 70 will be increased to €550 per week for a single person aged over 70 (currently €500 per week) and to €1050 for a couple aged over 70 (currently €900 per week).
These increases to the gross medical card income limits for persons aged 70 or older will apply from July 2020.
189. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 319 of 22 January 2019, the conclusions by the HSE into the effect on whether the yearly increase of social welfare payments has adversely affected those over 70 and 80 years of age and their ability to qualify for a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41480/19]
View answerIt would always be the Government's intention that people's ability to qualify for a medical card would not be adversely affected by any increases in social welfare payments. The HSE continuously monitors the medical card scheme and would advise the Department if it considers that changes in the rates of social welfare payments may affect people's ability to qualify for a medical card.
It should also be noted that the gross medical card income limits for persons aged 70 or older are reviewed and considered annually in the context of the Budget and the Consumer Price Index.
In that regard, I am very pleased that Budget 2020 will provide for an increase in the gross income limits for medical cards for the over 70's. The revised income limits are €550 per week for a single person over 70 (currently €500) and €1050 per week for a married couple over 70 (currently €900). These increases to the gross medical card income limits for persons aged 70 or older will apply from July 2020.
190. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will be advised in relation to the provision of medication. [41487/19]
View answerThe supply of Osteofos D3 1200mg/800IU Powder for Oral Suspension resumed on the 8th October 2019. The product is now available to pharmacies to order from wholesalers. The product was out of stock from August due to delays at the manufacturing site. Authorised alternatives in the same therapeutic class were available during the period of the shortage. Unfortunately, medicine shortages are a feature of modern health systems, but Ireland has a multi-stakeholder system in place to prevent and manage shortages when they occur. The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) has worked with stakeholders, including the HSE, to develop an effective approach to the management of medicine shortages in Ireland. In 2018 the HPRA launched the “Medicine Shortages Framework”, which is built in a pragmatic and collaborative approach involving the wide range of stakeholders within the medicine supply chain. The HPRA coordinates all stakeholders to share information in order to prevent or mitigate the impact of medicine shortages when they occur. Information detailing current, resolved shortages and how to report a shortage directly to the HPRA can be found on the HPRA website: http://www.hpra.ie/homepage/medicines/medicines-information/medicines-shortages
191. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to the request by a local authority for the provision of health services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41496/19]
View answerThe Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
192. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which he remains satisfied that the proposed health budget for 2020 is fully capable of meeting his requirements throughout the year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41517/19]
View answerBudget 2020 sets out a budget of over €18.3 billion for health and social care services, the highest budget ever allocated. The Health budget increased by €1.2 billion on 2019, a substantial additional level of funding. The amount allocated follows an extensive process of engagement between my Department and the Department of Expenditure and Reform, which considered both the funding requirements and the fiscal position. These types of engagements are a normal part of the Budgetary process and happen with Departments across Government. All Departments put forward spending proposals but are required to operate within the amounts proposed by Government and determined by the Dáil.
The issue of health funding is a major policy challenge for both the Irish and international Governments. Despite welcome increases annually, the need for effective financial management remains crucial as the health service deals with a larger and older population, with more acute health and social care requirements, increased demand for new and existing drugs and the rising costs of health technology. The costs associated with these service pressures will increasingly need to be managed not solely through annual increased Exchequer allocations but also through improved efficiencies, productivity and value from within the funding base.
Funding is provided to the HSE for Health services in accordance with the letter of determination which sets out the approved level of overall HSE expenditure for the year in question. The determination for 2020 will issue shortly. It is the responsibility of the HSE to manage the entire budget and prepare and implement the National Service Plan which must under legislation, set out the type and volume of health and personal social services, to be provided during the year in question within the funding allocated. Both the additional funding allocated and additional value to be derived from improved efficiencies and productivity will be considered by the HSE in setting out its National Service Plan 2020.
193. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the degree to which he expects hospital waiting lists to improve in the course of the next 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41518/19]
View answerReducing waiting times for hospital appointments and procedures is a key commitment of government.
Waiting list figures for the end of September, due to be published by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) later this week, show that there are almost 68,000 people on the Inpatient Daycase (IPDC) Waiting List. This is a reduction of 7% (4,733) compared to September 2018. Of those patients, the numbers waiting over 3 months have decreased by 13% (5,718), and the numbers waiting over 12 months have decreased by 19% (2,474).
While there has been considerable progress in the reduction of waiting times for Inpatient and Daycase treatments, I am conscious that the Outpatient Waiting List remains a significant challenge as demand for acute hospital services continues to grow. Waiting list figures for the end of September show that there are 568,769 patients on the outpatient waiting list. Of these, 59% (337,171) are waiting 9 months or less for an outpatient appointment and 69% (390,262) are waiting 12 months or less. Over the remainder of this year, the NTPF National Central Validation Unit will increase their activity which will see the validation of a further 100,000 patient files and with a particular focus on OPD waiting lists.
More broadly, Budget 2020 announced that the Government has further increased investment in tackling waiting lists, with funding to the National Treatment Purchase fund (NTPF) increasing from €75 million in 2019 to €100 million in 2020. The year-on-year increases to the National Treatment Purchase Fund since Budget 2017 reflect this Government’s priority to improve waiting times for patients to access hospital treatment.
In addition, my Department has established a Working Group comprised of representatives from the HSE, NTPF, and Departmental officials, to examine ways of improving access for patients waiting for scheduled care. Part of this work includes developing initiatives which will move care to the most appropriate setting, and at the lowest level of complexity.
My Department is working with the HSE and NTPF to develop the Scheduled Care Access Plan 2020. In this regard, the HSE National Service Plan 2020 will set out a planned activity level for the year ahead, while the NTPF will work with the hospital system to provide additionality to reduce inpatient/day case waiting lists, with a particular focus on improving access to hospital outpatient services. In 2020, the Department will also be asking the HSE and NTPF to work together with the Sláintecare Implementation Office with the aim of driving sustainable improvements to service provision.
In this regard, I encourage all hospital groups and individual hospitals to engage with the NTPF to identify waiting list proposals for the remainder of this year and for 2020.
194. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which the number of medical card numbers has fluctuated over the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41519/19]
View answerThe Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS) within the HSE operates the General Medical Services scheme which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended.
The following table indicates the number of medical cards as at 1st January for the past five years:
|
Date |
Number of Medical Cards |
|
1st January 2019 |
1,565,049 |
|
1st January 2018 |
1,609,820 |
|
1st January 2017 |
1,669,721 |
|
1st January 2016 |
1,734,853 |
|
1st January 2015 |
1,734,853 |
The figures provided also include discretionary medical card figures.
It should also be noted that the PCRS publish a number of reports in relation to medical card and GP visit card eligibility on a monthly basis. These reports can be accessed online at www.hse.ie.
195. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which scoliosis patients can expect to receive treatment in the next 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41520/19]
View answerChildren’s Health Ireland (CHI) is working to develop sustainable solutions to reduce waiting times for children attending its orthopaedic and scoliosis services. The additional investment from the HSE in recent years and the impact of investment and the implementation of the Scoliosis 10 Point Action Plan for 2018/2019 is starting to deliver results. Across Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) a total of 418 surgical procedures were performed in 2018, compared with 371 in 2017 and 224 in 2016.
In terms of driving sustainable improvements to accessing services, CHI advises that new processes have been implemented whereby all patients on the orthopaedic waiting list are clinically triaged by an Orthopaedic Consultant as to their clinical acuity, and any surgeries if required are carried out in order of clinical priority and waiting time.
Since May 2018 CHI Crumlin have had an initiative in place to address long waiters on the OPD waiting lists. This has seen a reduction in the average waiting time for an OPD appointment from 248 patients waiting over 21 months in July 2018 to 45 patients waiting over 21 months in July 2019.
In terms of activity to reduce waiting times to access services, CHI at Crumlin will be running additional spinal clinics to ensure that by year end no child is waiting longer than 12 months.
In addition CHI at Temple Street forecast that no child will be waiting over 12 months for a spinal OPD appointment by year end, and are working to ensure that there are ongoing developments to maintain this target into 2020.
CHI advises that the appointment of two orthopaedic consultant surgeon posts is currently in progress and will have a positive impact on waiting times for patients for an OPD appointments for general orthopaedics, including scoliosis. These consultants will form part of Children’s Health Ireland’s consultant team and will join a cross-city team of paediatric consultants who will deliver services at Crumlin and Temple Street as well as evolving the role of the Paediatric Outpatients and Urgent Care Centre at Connolly which is part of the overall vision for a cross city Orthopaedic Service in CHI.
In addition, two Consultant Anaesthesiologists (2WTE) have been appointed in CHI at Crumlin which has increased theatre capacity for orthopaedics.
CHI is also working to recruit a consultant Neurophysiologist, which will allow CHI at Crumlin to develop a dedicated in-house spinal monitoring service
The 2018 investment in paediatric orthopaedics included funding to support the transition of adolescents with scoliosis from CHI at Crumlin and Temple Street to the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital (MMUH). There are now agreed clinical pathways in place for the transition of adolescents (aged 16 years and over) waiting for a first time OPD/spinal review appointment.
196. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which waiting lists for orthopaedic treatment has improved in the past five years and likely to continue to improve in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41521/19]
View answerReducing waiting times for hospital appointments and procedures is a key commitment of government.
The waiting list data for Orthopaedics for the period 2015 to date is attached for the information of the Deputy and shows a stabilisation in the number of patients waiting for an inpatient or daycase procedure. This is despite the increasing demands on our hospital system in recent years. It is also clear from the data that the Outpatient waiting list continues to be a significant challenge with the numbers waiting for an orthopaedic appointment growing year-on-year.
A key element of the Government policy to improve waiting times for hospital appointments and procedures has been the utilisation of the National Treatment Purchase Fund to collaborate with the HSE and the hospital system to provide the additionality needed to narrow the gap between demand and capacity.
In recent years, the National Treatment Purchase Fund has placed a particular focus on funding treatment for particular high-level procedures and specialties and includes hip/knees procedures. Since 2017, the number of patients waiting over 6 months for a hip/knee replacement has reduced by over 60%.
Furthermore, Budget 2020 announced that the Government has further increased investment in tackling waiting lists, with funding to the National Treatment Purchase fund (NTPF) increasing from €75 million in 2019 to €100 million in 2020.
My Department is working with the HSE and National Treatment Purchase Fund to develop the Scheduled Care Access Plan 2020. In this regard, the HSE National Service Plan 2020 will set out a planned activity level for the year ahead, while the NTPF will work with the hospital system to provide additionality to improve access to inpatient/daycase treatment and with a particular focus on hospital outpatient services.
In this regard, I would encourage all hospital groups and individual hospitals to engage with the NTPF to identify waiting list proposals, including for orthopaedic services, for the remainder of this year and for 2020.
|
Orthopaedics IPDC Waiting List September 2015 - September 2019 |
|
0-3 Mths |
3-6 Mths |
6-9 Mths |
9-12 Mths |
12-15 Mths |
15-18 Mths |
18+ Mths |
Grand Total |
|
|
Sep-15 |
3929 |
2456 |
1462 |
883 |
598 |
309 |
284 |
9921 |
|
Sep-16 |
3951 |
2753 |
1706 |
1221 |
697 |
370 |
485 |
11183 |
|
Sep-17 |
4364 |
2771 |
1816 |
1165 |
746 |
484 |
698 |
12044 |
|
Sep-18 |
3885 |
2724 |
1378 |
968 |
565 |
430 |
698 |
10648 |
|
Sep-19 |
4074 |
2383 |
1198 |
758 |
436 |
315 |
638 |
9802 |
|
Orthopaedics Outpatient Waiting List September 2015 - September 2019 |
|
0-3Months |
3-6Months |
6-9Months |
9-12Months |
12-15Months |
15-18Months |
18+Months |
Grand Total |
|
|
Sep-15 |
14636 |
10916 |
7820 |
6458 |
4933 |
2960 |
1777 |
49500 |
|
Sep-16 |
16390 |
11871 |
8561 |
6558 |
4435 |
3193 |
3251 |
54259 |
|
Sep-17 |
15806 |
11869 |
8470 |
7074 |
5949 |
4423 |
8334 |
61925 |
|
Sep-18 |
16651 |
11543 |
7868 |
6542 |
5206 |
4350 |
11439 |
63599 |
|
Sep-19 |
16206 |
12341 |
8555 |
6964 |
5763 |
4208 |
12558 |
66595 |
197. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which full medical examinations and dental follow-up treatment is effective to the extent necessary for early intervention and treatment of dental matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41522/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy
198. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which primary care centres are relieving the pressure on accident and emergency services nationally; if some are preforming to a greater or lesser extent to other; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41523/19]
View answer199. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which modern health centres are available or are proposed to become available in all population centres nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41524/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 198 and 199 together.
As the HSE has responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres and other Primary Care facilities, the Executive has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.
200. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which modern health centres and primary care centres are available throughout County Kildare; the proposed improvement and extension of such centres in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41525/19]
View answerAs the HSE has responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres and other Primary Care facilities, the Executive has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.
201. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the degree to which it is planned to provide maternity cover for speech and language therapists; if his attention has been drawn to fact that the lack of services while therapists are on maternity leave is a major setback for children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41526/19]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to you directly on this matter.
202. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if, in the course of the next HPV campaign, the most modern and effective vaccines will be used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41527/19]
View answerThe immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The committee's recommendations are based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practice in relation to immunisation. It makes recommendations on vaccination policy to my Department. The NIAC continues to revise recommendations to allow for the introduction of new vaccines in Ireland and to keep abreast of changes in the patterns of disease. Therefore, the immunisation schedule will continue to be amended over time.
There are only three licensed HPV vaccines available in Ireland. HPV2 protects against strains 2 of HPV that cause 70% of cervical cancers, HPV4 protects against 4 strains of HPV so it protects against 70% of cervical cancers and 90% of genital warts, and HPV9 which protects against 9 strains of HPV and so can provide protection against 90% of cervical cancers, other genital cancers and 90% of genital warts.
The gender-neutral HPV vaccination programme for boys and girls in their first year of secondary school, which commenced in September, uses the HPV9 vaccine.
My Department will continue to be guided by the NIAC's recommendations on any emerging evidence on this issue in the future.
