Seán Sherlock
Question:365. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health when SouthDoc Blackpool in Cork will reopen. [9961/20]
View answerGeneral Practitioner Services
Questions (365)
Written answers
As this question relates to a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Cycle to Work Scheme
Questions (366)
Catherine Murphy
Question:366. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of persons that availed of and the costs incurred by his Department regarding the cycle to work scheme since it was introduced to date by year and cost in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9985/20]
View answerWritten answers
The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the staff of my Department who have availed of the cycle to work scheme since 2013 is set out in the following table.
Cycle to Work Scheme - Amounts by Year
|
Year |
No. of Applications |
Total Cost |
|
|
Department of Health |
2013 |
5 |
€4,470 |
|
2014 |
20 |
€16,314 |
|
|
2015 |
21 |
€15,803 |
|
|
2016 |
6 |
€6,029 |
|
|
2017 |
13 |
€10,831 |
|
|
2018 |
16 |
€14,126 |
|
|
2019 |
16 |
€16,975 |
|
|
2020 |
11 |
€9,277 |
|
|
Grand Total |
108 |
€93,825 |
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (367)
Roderic O'Gorman
Question:367. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Health if advice is being provided regarding isolating within households in which one member has returned from travel abroad and other members have not; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10009/20]
View answerWritten answers
The public health advice for people arriving into the State from overseas is to self-isolate for 14 days. Self-isolation means staying indoors and completely avoiding contact with other people.
Information for those who are self-isolating and for people living with those who are self-isolating is published by the HSE on www.hse.ie. Information resources on self-isolation are also available on the website of the HSPC, and these have been translated into a number of languages.
Direct Provision System
Questions (368)
Róisín Shortall
Question:368. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of Covid-19 cases in direct provision centres and a centre (details supplied); and if the centre is included in the overall figures for direct provision centres. [9155/20]
View answerWritten answers
Both my Department and the HSE are committed to protecting the identity and medical confidentiality of direct provision residents, as required by law, and therefore do not give specific information about individuals or locations. Information on cases or outbreaks of any illness (COVID-19 or otherwise) is provided only if there is a public health reason to do so.
However, I have asked the Health Service Executive to provide an update directly to the Deputy in relation to direct provision centres as soon as possible.
Question No. 369 answered with Question No. 329.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (370)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:370. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the location a drive-in cinema in which patrons are isolated in their cars and staff are safely socially distanced may reopen under the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business. [10013/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society & Business, published on 1 May 2020, sets out an indicative path to the easing of COVID 19 restrictions and other actions in order to facilitate the reopening of Ireland’s society and economy in a phased manner. Phase 1 was introduced on 18 May 2020 and, as the Deputy is aware, the Government confirmed the move to Phase 2 of Roadmap for Reopening Society & Business from Monday, 8 June 2020. Information and advice about the restrictions that have been eased as part of Phase 2 and the measures that are now in place are available on the Government website at http://www.gov.ie/phase2.
The Roadmap specifies that decisions in relation to which actions will be taken and which public health measures might be lifted will be made in accordance with the Framework for Future Decision-Making which is as follows:
1. Before each Government consideration of the easing of restrictions, the Department of Health will provide a report to the Government regarding the following on/off trigger criteria:
a. The latest data regarding the progression of the disease,
b. The capacity and resilience of the health service in terms of hospital and ICU occupancy,
c. The capacity of the programme of sampling, testing and contact tracing,
d. The ability to shield and care for at risk groups,
e. An assessment of the risk of secondary morbidity and mortality as a consequence of the restrictions.
2. It will also provide risk-based public health advice on what measures could be modified in the next period.
3. The Government would then consider what restrictions could be lifted, having regard to the advice of the Department of Health as well as other social and economic considerations, e.g. the potential for increased employment, relative benefits for citizens and businesses, improving national morale and wellbeing etc.
4. It is acknowledged that there is also an ongoing possibility that restrictions could be re-imposed and this process will be carried out on an ongoing basis once every 3 weeks.
As is clear from the framework described above, it is the Government rather than I or my Department that will decide on any modifications to the current public health measures in place and those decisions will be informed by the status of the on/off trigger criteria and the public health advice received at the time that a decision is being made.
The services described in the Deputy’s questions are not matters within the remit of my Department. Guidance in relation to specific sectors of the economy should in the first instance be sought from the Government Department with responsibility for that sector. However, the Deputy may wish to note that the newly introduced Health Act 1947 (Section 31 A - Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 identify in Schedule 2 that "outdoor cinemas at which persons attending a screening do so in motor vehicles and remain in the vehicles without exiting the motor vehicles for the duration of such attendance" do not have to remain closed.
Physiotherapy Services
Questions (371)
Jackie Cahill
Question:371. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health if physiotherapists and reflexologists can reopen as part of phase 2 of the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business; if so, the restrictions under which they will operate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10014/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) Regulations 2020 (SI No. 121 of 2020) and subsequent amendments were in effect until 8 June 2020.
Physiotherapists are members of a designated profession within the meaning of section 3 of the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 (No. 27 of 2005) and have been and continue to be permitted to operate.
On 8 June 2020, new regulations signed by the Minister for Health came into operation. These Regulations, the Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 (SI No. 206 of 2020), apply from 8 June 2020 until 29 June 2020.
The Regulations provide that the occupier, the manager, or any other person in charge, shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that members of the public are not permitted, or otherwise granted, access to a premises or to a part of such premises, where a relevant business or service is carried on or otherwise provided. "Relevant business or service" is defined in Schedule 2 to the S.I. and includes services provided on a commercial basis, other than where such services are provided by a physiotherapist or by a registered medical practitioner, including massage services. Such services are, therefore, not permitted at this time.
It should also be noted that reflexologists are not registered health professionals within the meaning of section 3 of the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 (No. 27 of 2005).
Drugs Payment Scheme
Questions (372)
Pa Daly
Question:372. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health if the drug sativex will be included in the drug payment scheme for a person (details supplied). [10017/20]
View answerWritten answers
The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drugs schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
In line with the 2013 Act and the national framework agreed with industry, a company must submit an application to the HSE to have a new medicine added to the reimbursement list.
Reimbursement is for licenced indications which have been granted market authorisation by the European Medicines Agency or the Health Products Regulatory Authority.
In making a relevant reimbursement decision, the HSE is required under the Act to have regard to a number of criteria including the health needs of the public, cost effectiveness, potential or actual budget impact and efficacy.
HSE decisions on which medicines are reimbursed by the taxpayer are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds, on the advice of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE).
I am advised by the HSE that it has received an application for reimbursement of Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol/Cannabidiol, THC/CBD (Sativex) in February 2018.A rapid review by the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE) was completed on 3 April 2018 and a full pharmacoeconomic assessment was recommended to assess the clinical and cost effectiveness of this medicine compared with the current standard of care.
The HSE commissioned a full health technology assessment with respect to this indication in April 2018. On 12 August 2019, the NCPE received the applicant's submission. On 10 February 2020, the NCPE sent a preliminary review to the applicant and are currently awaiting their response.
Until such time as a decision has been made in relation to the reimbursement of Sativex by the HSE, this product will not be available under the community drug schemes.
A Vision for Change
Questions (373)
Joan Collins
Question:373. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health if he will publicise the revised A Vision for Change document with immediate effect. [10021/20]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland’s new mental health policy Sharing the Vision – a Mental Health Policy for Everyone 2020-2030 has been approved by Government and is scheduled to be published in the coming week. This policy was developed following a process of research into international innovation and best practice in mental health and an extensive national consultation of over 1,000 service users, family members, friends and carers and other stakeholders. Sharing the Vision comes at a time when Covid-19 has impacted so negatively on the nation’s mental health. It advocates protecting health and wellbeing, getting appropriate care quickly and seeks that services provided are quality assured and safe.
Health Screening Programmes
Questions (374)
Frank Feighan
Question:374. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Health if he will consider expanding the number of rare health conditions which are tested for under the heel prick screening process for newborn babies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10023/20]
View answerWritten answers
Currently all newborn babies (between 3 and 5 days old) are offered newborn bloodspot screening (generally known as the ‘heel prick’) through their parents/guardians for eight very rare conditions that are treatable if detected early in life.
A National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC) was established in 2019 and has held two meetings to date. The Committee’s role is to undertake an independent assessment of the evidence for screening for a particular condition against internationally accepted criteria and make recommendations accordingly.
I appointed Professor Niall O’Higgins as Chair of this Committee in 2019 and asked that, as part of its initial body of work, the Committee prioritise a review of the national newborn blood-spot screening programme and look specifically at how Ireland should best proceed with an expansion in line with international best practice. Any future potential changes to the National Newborn Bloodspot Screening Programme will be incorporated as part of the Committee's work programme.
Ireland, has always evaluated the case for commencing a national screening programme against international accepted criteria – collectively known as the Wilson Jungner criteria. The evidence bar for commencing a screening programme should and must remain high. This ensures that we can be confident that the programme is effective, quality assured and operating to safe standards. There is no doubt that newborn screening programmes have the potential to be rapidly transformed by new technologies and new therapies but this highlights the need to continue with a robust, methodologically sound and detailed analysis of the evidence in each and every case against internationally accepted screening criteria.
However, it is most likely that over the course of the next 5 years we are likely to see an incremental expansion of the bloodspot programme that will screen for new conditions.
Updates in relation to screening will be posted on the NSAC website (https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/nsac/).
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (375)
Joan Collins
Question:375. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health if he will continue the two-metre physical distancing as advised by NPHET; and if at any stage the advice changes to one-metre, if the wearing of cloth face masks will become mandatory. [10024/20]
View answerWritten answers
While the evidence relating to the SARS-CoV-2 virus is evolving, it is clear now that the risks of transmission of any respiratory pathogens such as the type that causes Covid-19 are lessened when greater distance is maintained between people. The current advice is that you should follow social distancing guidance everywhere outside the home, including keeping a physical distance of 2 metres apart. It is also recommended that face coverings be worn in situations where social distancing is difficult to maintain, such as shops, and on public transport, or when meeting someone who is vulnerable to the virus, for example people who are cocooning. The recommendation applies to those people aged over 13 who can tolerate them.
This advice is kept under review by the National Public Health Emergency Team on a continuing basis. Arising from their meeting of 4 June, 2020, the National Public Health Emergency Team has requested that the Health Protection Surveillance Centre develop guidance on the application of existing social distancing requirements in specific, defined and controlled environments in the hospitality industry during periods of low incidence of the disease. This guidance will then be considered by the National Public Health Emergency Team on completion.
The Deputy may also wish to note that on 9 May the “Return to Work Safely Protocol - COVID-19 Specific National Protocol for Employers and Workers” was published. It provides clear guidance to employers and to workers on the measures that must be taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. The Protocol was developed through the cooperation of the Health and Safety Authority, the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, the HSE and my Department. It is designed to be used by all workplaces to adapt their procedures and practices to provide protection against the threat of COVID-19.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (376)
James Browne
Question:376. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health if he has reviewed protocols laid down by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency in relaxing restrictions affecting air travel during this phase of the Covid-19 pandemic; if he has consulted with his EU counterparts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10029/20]
View answerWritten answers
I and my Ministerial colleagues engage regularly with our EU counterparts; in my case this is done at the EPSCO (Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs) Council meeting of Health Ministers and through bilateral contacts. Since 15 April there have been five Informal Video Conferences of Health Ministers where a wide range of Covid-19 related issues were discussed. This followed on from two extraordinary EPSCO meetings in Brussels in February and March to discuss the Covid-19 response.
There is also ongoing, close engagement with the Northern Ireland authorities in a variety of forums, at both political and official level, both on a North-South basis and as part of broader engagement with the United Kingdom, including in relation to international travel.
Ireland pays close attention to all guidance from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). The guidelines developed by ECDC and the European Aviation Safety Authority (EASA) are welcome in providing clarity to carriers and passengers about how to minimise the risk of transmission during a flight. However, even with the recommendations of the ECDC/EASA report fully implemented, air travel should not be viewed as risk free. The guidelines do not address the broader risks that increased non-essential international travel will present, including the possible importation of cases.
In the absence of a test that definitively shows that a passenger arriving from overseas neither has nor is incubating the virus, the public health advice for passengers is to self-isolate during the 14 days – the duration of possible incubation - after they arrive into the State from overseas.
Mental Health Services
Questions (377)
James Browne
Question:377. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health if he will review the need to facilitate parental visits to children currently receiving inpatient mental healthcare here; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that these visits can take place in adherence to public health guidance in outdoor gardens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10034/20]
View answerWritten answers
As this is an operational issue taking into account Covid requirements and that the Deputy has asked this PQ, he will get a response from the HSE at an early date. .
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (378)
Steven Matthews
Question:378. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if rural hotels will be allowed open a takeaway food service in phase 2 of the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business in circumstances (details supplied). [10039/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society & Business, published on 1 May 2020, sets out an indicative path to the easing of COVID 19 restrictions and other actions in order to facilitate the reopening of Ireland’s society and economy in a phased manner. Phase 1 was introduced on 18 May 2020 and, as the Deputy is aware, the Government confirmed the move to Phase 2 of Roadmap for Reopening Society & Business from Monday, 8 June 2020. Information and advice about the restrictions that have been eased as part of Phase 2 and the measures that are now in place are available on the Government website at http://www.gov.ie/phase2.
The Roadmap specifies that decisions in relation to which actions will be taken and which public health measures might be lifted will be made in accordance with the Framework for Future Decision-Making which is as follows:
1. Before each Government consideration of the easing of restrictions, the Department of Health will provide a report to the Government regarding the following on/off trigger criteria:
a. The latest data regarding the progression of the disease,
b. The capacity and resilience of the health service in terms of hospital and ICU occupancy,
c. The capacity of the programme of sampling, testing and contact tracing,
d. The ability to shield and care for at risk groups,
e. An assessment of the risk of secondary morbidity and mortality as a consequence of the restrictions.
2. It will also provide risk-based public health advice on what measures could be modified in the next period.
3. The Government would then consider what restrictions could be lifted, having regard to the advice of the Department of Health as well as other social and economic considerations, e.g. the potential for increased employment, relative benefits for citizens and businesses, improving national morale and wellbeing etc.
4. It is acknowledged that there is also an ongoing possibility that restrictions could be re-imposed and this process will be carried out on an ongoing basis once every 3 weeks.
As is clear from the framework described above, it is the Government rather than I or my Department that will decide on any modifications to the current public health measures in place and those decisions will be informed by the status of the on/off trigger criteria and the public health advice received at the time that a decision is being made.
The Regulations which currently apply, and are in operation until 29 June 2020, are the Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 (SI No. 206 of 2020).
The Regulations provide that outlets selling food or beverages on a takeaway basis are permitted outlets at this time.
However, the Deputy may wish to note that the Regulations provide that the occupier, the manager, or any other person in charge, shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that members of the public are not permitted, or otherwise granted, access to a premises or to a part of such premises, where a business or service of a type such as an outlet selling food or beverages whether on a retail or wholesale basis and whether in a non-specialised or specialised outlet, is carried on or otherwise provided other than insofar as they sell food or beverages on a takeaway basis or for consumption off the premises. This includes outlets in relation to which an on-licence (within the meaning of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 (No. 24 of 2018) applies.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (379)
Seán Haughey
Question:379. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health when day-care centres for persons with Alzheimer’s disease will reopen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10042/20]
View answerWritten answers
Day care services play an important role in enabling people with dementia to continue living in their communities, and the Government appreciates the work of these services. The Department of Health and the HSE are undertaking work to determine the current level of service delivery in the community and to set out plans, including associated required capacity, to resume services, including day services, in line with the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business. This process will take on board the learning of the current period, including the possibility of delivering services in a new way, and the requirement to adhere to public health guidance. This means that services, whilst being delivered in new ways, will gradually be restored to older people, including people with dementia.
Primary Care Centres
Questions (380)
Brian Stanley
Question:380. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the progress made to date in the provision of primary care centre in counties Laois and Offaly; and his plans to provide them in each municipal district of the two counties. [10045/20]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Health Services Provision
Questions (381)
Robert Troy
Question:381. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health his views on the future provision of healthcare during the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he has considered specialist Covid-19 units in order that other hospitals could operate as normal carrying out non-essential procedures. [10069/20]
View answerWritten answers
I take the Deputy's question to relate to provision of non-Covid acute services specifically.In line with the National Action Plan for Covid-19, delivery of essential non-Covid acute care has continued to date, albeit at lower volumes than previously, often in alternative locations and using innovative methods of care delivery. Where possible, hospitals are working to provide services in a different way, which includes virtual clinics for some out-patient department appointments. The potential for certain hospitals, including private hospitals, to provide non-Covid care has been recognised as part of the solution for ensuring continuation of time-critical care, including cancer surgery, during the first phase of the pandemic.
My Department, the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund are currently working together to estimate the impact of Covid 19 on scheduled care waiting lists, with a view to informing activity going forward. As the system continues to deliver Covid-19 and non-Covid 19 care side-by-side over a more prolonged period, my Department and the HSE will continue to work closely together to protect essential non-Covid 19 acute care and progress the provision of more routine non Covid-19 care.
The HSE has advised that it is working to develop a strategic framework for service continuity, as part of re-establishing services across all settings, including acute settings. I expect that consideration of how and where Covid and non-Covid acute services will be delivered in the next phase of the pandemic will be informed by that work.
Environmental Schemes
Questions (382)
Chris Andrews
Question:382. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Health the action he will take to set up a special unit in the environmental health department to help tackle a rat infestation in an area (details supplied); and if he will work with the unit to resolve this issue. [10074/20]
View answerWritten answers
I am advised that responsibility for keeping land or property rodent free under the Rats and Mice (Destruction) Act 1919 lies with the owner/occupier of the land/property in question. As the properties referred to by the Deputy are owned by Dublin City Council, it is a matter for the Council to ensure they are kept rodent free.
I have no plans to set up a special unit in my Department to tackle this issue given that responsibility lies with Dublin City Council.
Hospital Services
Questions (383)
Paul Murphy
Question:383. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if persons under 18 years of age that are admitted to the adult section of Tallaght Hospital will be permitted to have a parent or guardian stay with them overnight. [10075/20]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Data
Questions (384)
Catherine Murphy
Question:384. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of persons cared for in Clane General Hospital under the agreement between an association (details supplied) and the HSE. [10078/20]
View answerWritten answers
A major part of the Government's Action Plan in response to Covid-19 was to substantially increase the capacity of public healthcare facilities to cope with the anticipated additional demand. In order to urgently ramp up capacity for acute care facilities, an arrangement was agreed with the private hospitals to use their facilities as part of the public system on a temporary basis, to provide essential services. A Heads of Terms of Agreement between the HSE and the Private Hospitals was agreed at the end of March 2020 and all 18 of the acute private hospitals signed up to it. Under the arrangement, all patients in the private hospitals are treated as public patients and their treatment is prioritised based on clinical need. Provision was made under the agreement to allow for continuity of care for patients who were in a private hospital or attending for treatment at the time the Heads of Terms of Agreement were agreed, on the grounds that these patients would be treated as public patients.
The agreement was reviewed at the end of May and the Government decided that the existing arrangement should not be extended beyond the end of June. It has however mandated the HSE to negotiate a new arrangement with private hospitals which would provide the HSE with full access to private hospital capacity in the event of a surge of Covid-19 and separately with ongoing agreed access, to enable the HSE to meet essential and elective care needs.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to defer all non-urgent elective scheduled care activity, including outpatient clinics. This was to ensure patient safety and that all appropriate resources were made available for COVID-19 related activity and time-critical essential work. This decision was in line with the advice issued by the World Health Organisation, the measures set out in the Action Plan in Response to Covid-19 and the recommendation of NPHET. The NPHET has now recommended that steps be taken to resume non-urgent scheduled care in the context of the safe care guidelines set out by its Expert Advisory Group.
The HSE has been working with National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to establish a mechanism to allow for return of electronic data from Private Hospitals. This system went live the week ending the18th May with guidance issued to private hospitals around the process for submission of data. In order to ensure early reporting of activity the HSE has put a manual data reporting system in place with private hospitals. This supports the return of a limited dataset which remains subject to validation based on electronic data returns through the NTPF.
My Department has been advised of the following preliminary activity figures for Clane Hospital (UPMC Kildare) from the start of the arrangement until 28 May 2020 - 118 inpatient/ daycase/ diagnostics and 390 outpatient appointments.