Written Answers Nos. 680-704
680. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health if an assessment of needs can be undertaken in respect of a child (details supplied); if services and therapies can be obtained by the early intervention team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4781/20]
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.
681. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the additional funding being made available to University Hospital Waterford to deal with Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4784/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
682. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of isolation beds operational and available at University Hospital Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4785/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
683. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the changes being made to deal with patient discharges as part of dealing with Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4786/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
684. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the plans put in place by University Hospital Waterford to deal with Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4787/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
685. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the current use and capacity of a respite care house for persons with an intellectual disability at a location (details supplied); the cost of running the service; the cost of bringing the house into full-time use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4788/20]
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.
The Programme for Partnership Government states that the Government wishes to provide more accessible respite care to facilitate full support for people with a disability.
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
687. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health when a decision will be made on an application by a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay in same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4803/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
688. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect to get an appointment with the Eye and Ear Hospital. [4814/20]
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.
689. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will have their cataract operation carried out in the Eye and Ear Hospital. [4815/20]
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.
690. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if a replacement breastfeeding nurse has been provided at Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe, County Galway. [4824/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
691. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4825/20]
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.
692. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health if he will reinstate the participant payment for a service (details supplied). [4826/20]
View answer693. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health if alternative accommodation has been secured for a service (details supplied) in view of the fact the leases are due to expire. [4827/20]
View answer694. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the number of whole-time equivalent HSE staff employed at a service (details supplied) in each of the years 2012 to 2019. [4828/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 692 to 694, inclusive, together.
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
695. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of vacancies filled or unfilled on a temporary basis in Cavan General Hospital; and the details of each by categories (details supplied). [4852/20]
View answerAs this is a service delivery matter, I have referred the question to the HSE for direct reply.
696. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the checks made into the qualifications of doctors coming to work here from other countries; and if an English language exam is required before they take up a position with the HSE. [4856/20]
View answerThe Medical Council is responsible for the registration of doctors in Ireland. The roles and powers of the Medical Council are laid out in the Medical Practitioners Act 2007.
All doctors are required to possess a degree or diploma awarded from a Medical School or institution listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS). Applicants from non-EU countries need to have their qualifications verified through the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) prior to applying to the Medical Council. The Council can then confirm the relevant qualifications have been verified through the Electronic Portfolio of International Credentials (EPIC), available through the ECFMG website. All non-EU applicants are required to provide documentary evidence of English language proficiency as part of their application and guidelines as to what can be accepted as evidence of communication skills are available on the Medical Council’s website.
Doctors who graduate from Non-European Union/European Economic Area countries or Switzerland may be required to sit one of the Medical Council's examinations. Doctors intending to pursue registration in the general or trainee specialist division may be required to sit the Pre-Registration Examination System (PRES). The PRES examinations are primarily a test of knowledge and clinical skills in the main clinical disciplines of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Psychiatry, Surgery, and Medicine/General Practice. The PRES examinations are based on the Eight Domains of Good Professional Practice as devised by Medical Council. All applicants for registration will be required to undergo a Level 1 assessment and verification of their documentation and alternative qualification, prior to eligibility for the PRES Level 3 being granted. PRES Level 3 is an assessment of a doctor's clinical skills.
Applicants from EU/EEA countries are entitled to “automatic recognition” of their qualifications under the provisions of the EU Professional Qualifications Directive 2005/36/EC. Prospective applicants are required to hold a qualification listed in Annex V 5.1.1. and/or Annex V 5.1.2, awarded by the relevant body. All documents submitted need to be notarised/attested in the correct manner. The Directive is designed to facilitate the freedom of movement of professionals within the single market, and to remove barriers to allow this movement to be as frictionless as possible. As such, it does not provide for the blanket language testing of every applicant, although recent updates allow Member States a little more flexibility to ask for such evidence on a case-by-case basis.
The HSE independently requires a doctor to complete an assessment of their English language capabilities, as part of the employment engagement process. The most recent circular from the HSE - HR Circular 022/2018 attached - sets out the HSE position re English language requirements for NCHDs employed in the HSE.
697. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health if medicinal cannabis can be provided here without the necessity of patients having to travel abroad to acquire the product; if so, the location it can be sourced; the requirements for acquiring same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4863/20]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, Minister Harris launched the Medical Cannabis Access Programme (MCAP) in June 2019. The programme will run on a 5-year pilot basis and is restricted to prescribing of cannabis-based products at medical consultant level, for those patients with certain medical conditions who have exhausted all other available treatment options. The 3 medical conditions are
- spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis;
- intractable nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy;
- severe, refractory (treatment-resistant) epilepsy.
To date three products have been added to Schedule 1 of the Misuse of Drugs (Prescription and Control of Supply of Cannabis for Medical Use) Regulations 2019. While the MCAP is not currently operational, engagement is ongoing with the HSE in regard to progressing same. For more information relating to the Programme please visit the Department of Health's website.
Pending full operation of the MCAP and for medical indications not included in the MCAP, doctors may continue to utilise the Ministerial licencing route to prescribe medical cannabis for their patients, should they wish to do so. Until these products are available in Ireland, it will be a matter for the prescriber and their patient to source the prescribed medical cannabis-based product. It is understood that patients who have been prescribed such products have sourced it from a Pharmacy in the Netherlands. The authorities in the Netherlands do not permit the export to wholesalers or pharmacies of cannabis-based oil products but will permit the filling of individual prescriptions.
698. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if a fair deal application will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4865/20]
View answer774. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if funding will be expedited in relation to the fair deal application for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5169/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 698 and 774 together.
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
699. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health the mechanism and criteria to reimburse families that have had to travel abroad to obtain medicinal cannabis; the length of time it takes for families to be reimbursed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4867/20]
View answerAs the HSE has responsibility for this matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this issue.
700. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health the status of a procedure for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4871/20]
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.
The HSE has advised my Department that, in line with the National Action Plan on COVID-19, there has been a significant reduction in all non-urgent elective scheduled care activity since March. This was to ensure that all appropriate resources, both physical and human, were made available for COVID-19 related activity. The HSE continues to adhere to the best clinical guidance and NPHET’s recommendations, which have now approved the careful re-commencement of scheduled care activity based on strict criteria to ensure the continued provision of safe, patient-centred care to non-Covid patients. Importantly, time-critical essential work continues throughout the system in line with the National Action Plan, the HSE Model of Care, and World Health Organisation recommendations.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
701. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if appropriate supports and services will be provided for a person (details supplied) at the Prader-Willi syndrome specific house located in Enniscorthy, County Wexford; if the history of care of the person and the court case of 22 February 2018 will be examined in detail; if a permanent care plan will be agreed with their parents; if the appropriate level of funding will be agreed; and if he will expedite the matter. [4873/20]
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
702. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when additional medical treatment will be provided under the treatment purchase fund for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4890/20]
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.
The HSE has advised my Department that, in line with the National Action Plan on COVID-19, there has been a significant reduction in all non-urgent elective scheduled care activity since March. This was to ensure that all appropriate resources, both physical and human, were made available for COVID-19 related activity. The HSE continues to adhere to the best clinical guidance for the careful re-commencement of scheduled care activity. Guidance on patient pathways to mitigate the risks associated with the delivery of non-COVID care, for patients and healthcare workers, to support safe delivery of care has been developed under the auspices of the Expert Advisory Subgroup of NPHET (EAG) and approved by NPHET. Importantly, time-critical essential work continues throughout the system in line with the National Action Plan, the HSE Model of Care, and World Health Organisation recommendations.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
703. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which appropriate and sufficient assistance of the request nature has been made available and continues to be made available in the case of persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4891/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
704. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when medical treatment will be made available in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4896/20]
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.
The HSE has advised my Department that, in line with the National Action Plan on COVID-19, there has been a significant reduction in all non-urgent elective scheduled care activity since March. This was to ensure that all appropriate resources, both physical and human, were made available for COVID-19 related activity. The HSE continues to adhere to the best clinical guidance and NPHET’s recommendations, which have now approved the careful re-commencement of scheduled care activity based on strict criteria to ensure the continued provision of safe, patient-centred care to non-Covid patients. Importantly, time-critical essential work continues throughout the system in line with the National Action Plan, the HSE Model of Care, and World Health Organisation recommendations.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
