Niamh Smyth
Question:603. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to deal with the ongoing crisis regarding the provision of home help hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2889/20]
View answerHome Help Service Provision
Questions (603)
Written answers
Last year the Health Service National Service Plan set a target that over 53,000 people would receive 17.9m home support hours and a further 235 people would receive 360,000 hours through intensive home care packages. This represented a combined target of over 18.2m hours of home support. This year an additional investment of €52 million has been provided for home support services and the 2020 Service Plan sets a target of over 19.2 million hours which is 1 million hours more than the 2019 target.
Enabling people to continue to live independently at home for as long as possible is a long-standing objective of successive governments. To advance this, my Department is committed to establishing a new statutory scheme for the financing and regulation of home-support services. Sláintecare commits to the establishment of this scheme by the end of 2021. The Department of Health is currently engaged in designing the scheme based on continual enhancement of existing service-provision and on good practice internationally in relation to health and social care delivery. Of the additional investment in home supports this year €7m has been allocated for the testing of the new model of service delivery envisaged as part of the development of the statutory home-support scheme. My Department is working with the HSE to finalise the plan for the testing phase which is expected to take place throughout 2020.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (604)
Niamh Smyth
Question:604. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health his views on the ongoing concerns regarding a matter (details supplied); the reassurance he can offer to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2894/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is responsible for monitoring the safety and quality of all medicines and vaccines that are licensed in Ireland. While no medicine (including vaccines) is entirely without risk, the safety profile of Gardasil, as with all medicines, is carefully monitored and any new evidence concerning side-effects is taken into account. HPV vaccine is one of the most closely studied and monitored medicinal products around. The HPRA and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) continually monitor adverse events to vaccination. The vast majority of reports received by the HPRA have been consistent with the expected pattern of short term adverse side effects for the vaccine, as described in the Patient Information Leaflet (PIL). These are usually mild and temporary reactions to any kind of vaccination. The Patient Information Leaflet provides information on the vaccine, its uses and on any precautions that require advice from a healthcare professional before it is administered.
Home Care Packages Provision
Questions (605)
Niamh Smyth
Question:605. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if a home care package will be expedited for a person (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to the difficult circumstances in this case and if he will assist the person's sibling in this time of need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2895/20]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Hospitals Data
Questions (606)
Niamh Smyth
Question:606. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of attendances at the minor injury unit in Monaghan General Hospital between 2010 and to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2898/20]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service delivery matter, I have referred the question to the HSE for direct reply.
Home Help Service
Questions (607)
Niamh Smyth
Question:607. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of a home help application that has been approved but remains in limbo for a person (details supplied); if the case will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2899/20]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (608)
Niamh Smyth
Question:608. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2902/20]
View answerWritten 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.
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.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (609)
Niamh Smyth
Question:609. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2903/20]
View answerWritten 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.
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.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (610)
Niamh Smyth
Question:610. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has been waiting so long for a scan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2913/20]
View answerWritten 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.
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.
Services for People with Disabilities
Questions (611)
Matt Carthy
Question:611. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the main developments since 2007 in the planning, construction and operation of the group home for persons with disabilities at Convent Lands, Carrickmacross, County Monaghan; if he will instruct the HSE to ensure the centre becomes operational without further delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2924/20]
View answerWritten answers
The 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.
Hospital Services
Questions (612)
Matt Carthy
Question:612. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the services removed from Monaghan General Hospital since 2000; the new services provided at the hospital since 2000; the plans in place for the restoration or development of additional services in the coming period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2925/20]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service delivery matter, I have referred the question to the HSE for direct reply.
General Practitioner Data
Questions (613)
Matt Carthy
Question:613. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time equivalent general practitioners operating in County Monaghan in each of the past five years; his plans to address the current shortages in this regard in many parts of the county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2926/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Government is aware of the workforce issues facing general practice, including those affecting rural areas, and has implemented a range of measures in recent years to improve recruitment and retention in general practice.
These include changes to the entry provisions to the GMS scheme to accommodate more flexible/shared GMS GP contracts, and to the retirement provisions for GPs under the GMS scheme, allowing GPs to hold GMS contracts until their 72nd birthday. Enhanced supports for rural GP practices have also been introduced.
In addition, the number of medical graduates undertaking GP training has increased from 120 in 2009 to 192 filled places in 2019. There will be a further increase in training places available this year with 217 places available. It is hoped that final issues can be resolved so that the transfer of responsibility for training from the HSE the Irish College of General Practitioners can take place in 2020 and this will allow for a further expansion in the number of training places in future years.
The recent Agreement on GP contractual reforms will see an increase in expenditure on GP services of €210 million annually by 2023, providing significant increases in capitation fees for participating GPs, and increases in supports for rural practices and practices in urban areas of deprivation.
Improved family friendly arrangements are an important feature of the revised contractual arrangements, with an increase in the locum rate for maternity and paternity cover, and an increase in the paternity leave allowance from 3 days to 2 weeks. This is in recognition of the need to ensure that general practice is compatible with doctors’ family commitments.
The Agreement also includes a commitment to a strategic review of GP services which is intended to examine how best to ensure the provision of GP services in Ireland for the future. This review will get underway in 2020.
I am confident that these measures will help make general practice more sustainable and a more attractive career option for doctors.
In relation to the number of full-time equivalent general practitioners operating in County Monaghan for each of the past five years, as this is a service issue I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to this issue.
General Practitioner Services Provision
Questions (614)
Brendan Smith
Question:614. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the measures he plans to implement in respect of the difficulties in the recruitment and retention of general practitioners, with particular reference to rural practices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2935/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Government is aware of the workforce issues facing general practice, including those affecting rural areas, and has implemented a range of measures in recent years to improve recruitment and retention in general practice.
These include changes to the entry provisions to the GMS scheme to accommodate more flexible/shared GMS GP contracts, and to the retirement provisions for GPs under the GMS scheme, allowing GPs to hold GMS contracts until their 72nd birthday. Enhanced supports for rural GP practices have also been introduced.
In addition, the number of medical graduates undertaking GP training has increased from 120 in 2009 to 192 filled places in 2019. There will be a further increase in training places available this year with 217 places available. It is hoped that final issues can be resolved so that the transfer of responsibility for training from the HSE the Irish College of General Practitioners can take place in 2020 and this will allow for a further expansion in the number of training places in future years.
The Agreement reached in 2019 on GP contractual reforms and service developments will see an increase in expenditure on GP services of €210 million annually by 2023, providing significant increases in capitation fees for participating GPs, and increases in supports for rural practices and practices in urban areas of deprivation.
Improved family friendly arrangements are an important feature of the revised contractual arrangements, with an increase in the locum rate for maternity and paternity cover, and an increase in the paternity leave allowance from 3 days to 2 weeks. This is in recognition of the need to ensure that general practice is compatible with doctors’ family commitments.
The Agreement also includes a commitment to a strategic review of GP services which is intended to examine how best to ensure the provision of GP services in Ireland for the future. This review will get underway in 2020.
I am confident that these measures will help make general practice more sustainable and a more attractive career option for doctors.
Home Care Packages Provision
Questions (615)
Brendan Smith
Question:615. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if additional funding will be provided for home support and home support packages in counties Cavan and Monaghan in 2020, in view of the delays in providing such necessary supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2936/20]
View answerWritten answers
Last year the Health Service National Service Plan set a target that over 53,000 people would receive 17.9m home support hours and a further 235 people would receive 360,000 hours through intensive home care packages. This represented a combined target of over 18.2m hours of home support. This year an additional investment of €52 million has been provided for home support services and the 2020 Service Plan sets a target of over 19.2 million hours across the country which is 1 million hours more than the 2019 target.
As the Deputy's queries in relation to Cavan and Monaghan are a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Home Care Packages Provision
Questions (616)
Brendan Smith
Question:616. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health his plans for the HSE to recruit persons to provide home support and home care packages directly on behalf of the HSE rather than outsourcing such services; his views on whether the lack of personnel is contributing to the delays in having home support provided for eligible patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2937/20]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Home Help Service
Questions (617)
Darragh O'Brien
Question:617. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Health when the gratuity payment due to certain home help workers will be made in lieu of pension payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2947/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Deputy is referring to home help workers who are employed by voluntary providers of home help services which are funded under section 39 of the Health Act 2004.
I advised the Deputy previously on a number of occasions that as these home help workers are not employed by the HSE, the HSE and the Department have no role in determining the salaries or other terms and conditions applying to these staff including any pension arrangements.
In addition, the Deputy is aware that a joint working group was established, as agreed as part of the 2015 Lansdowne Road talks, to consider a number of issues in relation to section 39 organisations. Unfortunately it was not possible to reach an agreement between the parties on the issue of gratuity payments.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (618)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:618. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied) in University Hospital Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2951/20]
View answerWritten 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.
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.
Health Services Provision
Questions (619)
Anne Rabbitte
Question:619. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the timeline for the provision of an occupational therapist to assist a person (details supplied) as previously recommended by the local HSE services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2955/20]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy's question relates to a service issue it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Home Care Packages Provision
Questions (620)
Thomas Byrne
Question:620. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Health when a home care package, which has been approved, will be put in place for a person (details supplied). [2967/20]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (621)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Question:621. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if a surgical procedure appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied). [2968/20]
View answerWritten answers
Improving access to scoliosis services is a key commitment of this government. In recent years there has been an increased investment in paediatric orthopaedics and scoliosis services, which has improved access to surgery and outpatient appointments. In 2018 Children’s Health Ireland (CHI; previously the Children’s Hospital Group) was provided with an additional €9 million in funding to address paediatric orthopaedic waiting lists, including the provision of scoliosis services.
As a result, since 2018 there have been continued improvements in paediatric scoliosis services, with increased activity and a reduction in waiting times to access appointments and procedures.
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.
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.
Medicinal Products
Questions (622)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Question:622. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if a drug is to be reinstated in respect of a person (details supplied). [2969/20]
View answerWritten answers
As this refers to an individual case, I have referred this matter to the HSE for their attention and direct reply to the Deputy.