Written Answers Nos. 538-562
538. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the speech and language therapy assessment waiting list in each local health area at the end of May 2020 or the latest date available; the numbers waiting less than four, four to 12 and more than 12 months, respectively; and the number waiting aged up to 17 and 18 years of age plus, respectively, in tabular form. [10866/20]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to a service issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
539. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the speech and language therapy assessment waiting list in each local health area at the end of May 2020 or the latest date available; the numbers waiting less than four, four to 12 and more than 12 months, respectively; and the numbers waiting aged up to 17 and 18 years of age plus, respectively, in tabular form. [10867/20]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to a service issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
540. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the speech and language therapy further treatment waiting list in each local health area at the end of May 2020 or the latest date available; the numbers waiting less than four, four to 12 and more than 12 months, respectively; and the numbers waiting aged up to 17 and 18 years of age plus, respectively, in tabular form. [10868/20]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to a service issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
541. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the occupational therapy first-time assessment waiting list in each local health area at the end of May 2020 or the latest date available; the numbers waiting less than four, four to 12 and more than 12 months, respectively; and the numbers waiting aged up to four, five to 17, 18 to 64 and 65 years of age plus, respectively, in tabular form. [10869/20]
View answerAs this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
542. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in each LHO area waiting for a counselling appointment in primary care at the end of May 2020 or the latest date available; and the numbers waiting up to 12, 12 to 26, 26 to 52 and more than 52 weeks, respectively. [10870/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
543. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in each local health office area waiting for a child and adolescent mental health services appointment at the end of May 2020 or the latest date available; and the numbers waiting up to 12, 12 to 26, 26 to 52 and more than 52 weeks, respectively. [10871/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
544. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in each LHO area waiting for a psychology appointment in primary care at the end of May 2020 or the latest date available; and the numbers waiting 0 to 12, 12 to 26, 26 to 52 and more than 52 weeks, respectively. [10872/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
545. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of children admitted to adult mental health units to date in 2020. [10873/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
546. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in each LHO area waiting for a podiatry appointment in primary care at the end of May 2020 or the latest date available; and the numbers waiting up to 12, 12 to 26, 26 to 52 and more than 52 weeks, respectively. [10874/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
547. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in each LHO area waiting for an ophthalmology appointment in primary care at the end of May 2020 or the latest date available; and the numbers waiting up to 12, 12 to 26, 26 to 52 and more than 52 weeks, respectively. [10875/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
548. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in each LHO area waiting for an audiology appointment in primary care; the number waiting up to 12 weeks at the end of May 2020 or the latest date available; and the numbers waiting 12 to 26, 26 to 52 and more than 52 weeks, respectively. [10876/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
549. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in each LHO area waiting for a dietetics appointment in primary care; the number waiting up to 12 weeks at the end of May 2020 or the latest date available; and the numbers waiting 12 to 26, 26 to 52 and more than 52 weeks, respectively. [10877/20]
View answerAs this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
550. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in each LHO area waiting for an oral health appointment in primary care at the end of May 2020 or the latest date available; and the numbers waiting up to 12, 12 to 26, 26 to 52 and more than 52 weeks, respectively. [10878/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
551. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae 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. [10883/20]
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 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, and the National Action Plan published on 16 March. The trajectory of the disease means there is now an opportunity for increasing the provision of non-Covid care including more routine care.
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, in order to be prepared to address any backlog or pent up demand. My Department continues to ensure that the resources available throughout our health system are best utilised at this unique and challenging time.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
553. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health when BreastCheck and Cervical Check screenings will be returning; the steps that can be taken to expedite the safe return of the services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10890/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
554. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health when weddings can take place. [10903/20]
View answer556. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health if guidelines for the holding of wedding ceremonies and receptions will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10905/20]
View answer619. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the number allowed at small weddings during each phase of the reopening under the revised Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11089/20]
View answer684. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the position with regard to the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions for wedding celebrations with particular reference to the announcement that small weddings will be allowed from 20 July 2020, in view of the fact no clarification has been given of the definition of a small wedding; when church ceremonies can recommence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11420/20]
View answer704. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when weddings affected by the Covid-19 restrictions can take place again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11503/20]
View answer726. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health if a decision has been made on weddings of between 100 and 250 persons taking place from September 2020, subject to the targets being met in the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business; if not, when a decision will be taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11639/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 554, 556, 619, 684, 704 and 726 together.
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 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:
— The latest data regarding the progression of the disease,
— The capacity and resilience of the health service in terms of hospital and ICU occupancy,
— The capacity of the programme of sampling, testing and contact tracing,
— The ability to shield and care for at risk groups,
— 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 the Minister or Department of Health 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 decisions of the Government are published and the guidance in operation at a point in time are available on the Government website at http://www.gov.ie/.
The Government also agreed to bring forward actions in the remaining phases of the Roadmap and plan for four phases rather than the five originally indicated. Work is underway to consider how best to achieve this aim and more information will be made available in the coming weeks.
The exact numbers of person which can attend events in future phases have not been determined in advance. As with all other decisions under the Roadmap, these will be informed, at the time that the decision is made, by the status of the on/off trigger criteria and the public health advice received.
555. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if the hospital date for surgery for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a referral has been made for surgery to St. James’s Hospital but no date has been given; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10904/20]
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 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, and the National Action Plan published on 16 March. The trajectory of the disease means there is now an opportunity for increasing the provision of non-Covid care including more routine care.
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, in order to be prepared to address any backlog or pent up demand. My Department continues to ensure that the resources available throughout our health system are best utilised at this unique and challenging time.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
557. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will continue to support the National Maternity Strategy 2016 commitment to develop more midwifery-led units in line with best international evidence to provide effective, cost-efficient care and choice for women; and if the Taoiseach will confirm his continued interest in the strategy as articulated at its launch. [10906/20]
View answer558. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the plans and agreed timelines to build and resource additional midwifery-led units in addition to the two midwifery-led units in Cavan General Hospital and Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, further to the national maternity strategy. [10907/20]
View answer676. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the status of the national maternity strategy; his plans to expand midwifery-led units nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11384/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 557, 558 and 676 together.
I would like to be clear that the Government is fully committed to the implementation of the National Maternity Strategy and to the development of community midwifery services.
The Strategy recognises that while all pregnant women need a certain level of support, some will require more specialised care. Accordingly, it proposes an integrated model that delivers care at the lowest level of complexity and encompasses all the necessary safety nets in line with patient safety principles. The Strategy aims to ensure that appropriate care pathways - Supported, Assisted and Specialised - are in place so that mothers, babies and families get the right care, at the right time, by the right team in the right place.
As a result of the investment which has been made in maternity services since the launch of the Strategy, more women are being offered midwifery led care, with many of our maternity hospitals and units now providing community-based midwifery services and home-away-from-home birthing suites.
The National Women & Infants Health Programme has been established in the HSE to lead the management, organisation and delivery of maternity, gynaecology and neonatal services across primary, community and acute care. The Programme is driving implementation of the Strategy and this will be done on a phased basis over the next few years.
€1.5m additional development has been provided to the Programme for the further implementation of the Strategy in 202, and this funding will be used to further expand community midwifery services. I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply to you directly in relation to your specific queries regarding the timelines for implementation of the Strategy.
559. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Northern Ireland Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety has eight midwifery-led units under its governance with midwives working as autonomous professionals who operate independently from consultant-led units with appropriate multidisciplinary discussions only as needed. [10908/20]
View answerI am aware that there are a number of midwifery-led units operating in Northern Ireland. In that regard the Deputy may wish to note that the National Maternity Strategy, Creating A Better Future Together, 2016 – 2026 was informed by an international literature review. That review involved an analysis of the strategic approaches to maternity services in seven jurisdictions, including Northern Ireland.
In addition, the Maternity Strategy Steering Group received presentations from Dr Paul Fogarty, Senior Vice President, Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists in relation to A Strategy for Maternity Care in Northern Ireland, 2012-2018, and from Ms Polly Ferguson, Nursing Officer Maternity Services and Early Years in relation to A Strategic Vision for Maternity Services in Wales (2011) and heard at first hand how those Strategies were developed. Both of those strategies supported the principle of midwifery led care for pregnant women deemed to be at normal risk, and that principle now underpins our National Maternity Strategy which was published in 2016.
562. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if there has been a formal consultation with women at local level in County Cavan regarding their needs and wants from the maternity services further to the women’s health task force radical listening exercise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10911/20]
View answerThe Department of Health established a Women's Health Taskforce in September 2019 to improve women’s health outcomes and experiences of healthcare. Direct engagement and input from women are central to the taskforce's work, with over 500 individual women, and numerous representative groups providing input to the work of the Taskforce to date.
Due to the demands of the Covid-19 response, the work of the dedicated Women’s Health Taskforce has been paused, including the radical listening exercise. It is expected that this work will be recommenced as soon as possible. The Department of Health remains fully committed to improving women’s health outcomes and experiences of healthcare.
