Tuesday, 16 Jun 2020

Written Answers Nos. 563-587

Health Screening Programmes

Questions (566)

Seán Haughey

Question:

566. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health when the cervical cancer screening programme will recommence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10919/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Defibrillators Provision

Questions (567)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

567. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the procedures and criteria in place in respect of supplying automated external defibrillators for families of children with inherited heart conditions; if there are different criteria in place in view of the absence of standard pathways; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10934/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Defibrillators Provision

Questions (568)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

568. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health his plans to develop a system for supplying automated external defibrillators for families of children with inherited heart conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10935/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Departmental Strategies

Questions (569)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

569. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the status of the implementation of the out-of-hospital cardiac arrest strategy for Ireland, Putting Survival at the Heart of the Community; the funding required to implement the strategy; the funding made available to date to fund the strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10936/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply to you directly. 

Hospital Services

Questions (570)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

570. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the status to date of setting up an in-hospital cardiac arrest register; the funding required to set up this register; the funding that has been made available to date in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10937/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply to you directly. 

Health Services Staff

Questions (571)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

571. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of community dieticians operating within the HSE; the number of those that operate on a part-time and full-time basis, respectively; the breakdown of dieticians within each CHO and the acute sector, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10938/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on the matter.

Health Services

Questions (572)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

572. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the costs associated with providing free check-ups for hypertension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10939/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Around 30-40% of people in Ireland have high blood pressure and the chances of having high blood pressure increase as a person gets older.  The Chronic Disease Management (CDM) Programme is a key element of the 2019 Agreement on GP Contractual Reform and Service Development. This programme will see GPs identifying patients with one or more of four chronic conditions – Type 2 Diabetes, Asthma, COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) and Cardiovascular disease – to participate in the programme.

When fully implemented, it is planned that over 400,000 patients with an existing diagnosis of one of the specified conditions, those who are assessed by their GP on an opportunistic case finding basis, as well as those identified as high risk, will benefit under the programme.

The roll-out of the CDM programme commenced earlier this year to medical card and GP visit card holders aged 75 years and older, with additional groups of patients to be identified in the next three years.  Full roll-out is expected in 2023. This programme is a structured approach to the management of chronic diseases in the context of general practice designed to help patients to manage their conditions and delivering better quality of life and a reduced reliance on hospital attendance.

Patients on the structured CDM programme will receive two annual visits with their GP and two visits with the practice nurse while those patients on the high-risk preventative programme will receive 1 GP visit and 1 practice nurse visit a year. The annual scheduled reviews include patient education, preventative care, past medical history, physical examination (including blood pressure) and scheduled investigations. 

Patients holding a medical or a GP visit card can receive check-ups for hypertension without charges, and the costs associated with such check-ups would be covered by the capitation payments made to GPs on the patients’ behalf.  There are no plans at present to introduce free check-ups for hypertension to the general population and so there are no costings available for the introduction of this measure.

Health Services

Questions (573)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

573. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the costs of treating hypertension and high blood pressure here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10940/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Tobacco Control Measures

Questions (574)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

574. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the funding spent on tobacco cessation measures in each of the past ten years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10941/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this matter is an operational issue I have sent the question to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.

Stroke Care

Questions (575)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

575. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the costs associated with expansion of stroke thrombectomy procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10944/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Stroke Care

Questions (576, 581, 582)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

576. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the costs associated with decision-supported software for emergency stroke radiology assessment and case selection for thrombectomy treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10945/20]

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

581. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of stroke beds here; the deficit that exists for the population on the basis of recommendations contained in the UK national clinical guidelines for stroke; the number of stroke beds required to manage the predicted increase in stroke outlined by SAFE; the estimated cost of meeting the staffing requirements for a singular stroke unit bed; the estimated cost required to meet the increase in incidence; the additional staffing needed for the development of acute stroke unit bed capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10950/20]

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

582. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of stroke unit beds before Covid-19; the number of stroke unit beds now that hospitals are operating on reduced capacity as per the two metre rule; the number of stroke beds if the 2 m rule was reduced to 1 m; the associated costs of keeping stroke unit bed capacity and then ensuring the appropriate number of stroke beds for the population on the basis of recommendations contained in the UK national clinical guidelines for stroke; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10951/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 576, 581 and 582 together.

The HSE National Clinical Programme for Stroke has been in place since early 2010 and has been instrumental in the re-organisation of stroke care in Ireland. The vision of the programme is a modern comprehensive and integrated care pathway for all stroke patients using the best available medical evidence. 

Building on the success of the last 10 years, the National Clinical Programme for Stroke is currently completing  a new five-year programme of work that will focus on the following four pillars of stroke care: 

- Prevention 

- Acute Care and Cure 

- Rehabilitation and Restoration 

- Education and Research 

Arising from the National Stroke Register Report (2018) the HSE National Clinical Programme for Stroke has included in its five year stroke strategy a proposal for the reintroduction of a symptom awareness campaign to supplement the significantly improved clinical outcomes that have occurred in stroke care in Ireland over the last 10 years.

On its completion I look forward to working with the HSE on this important programme of work.

With regard to the query raised in respect of numbers of beds, as this is a service matter I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.

Stroke Care

Questions (577)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

577. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the costs associated with further development of early supported discharge for stroke; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10946/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Neuro-Rehabilitation Services

Questions (578)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

578. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the status of the implementation of the National Neurorehabilitation Strategy to develop neurorehabilitation services from acute, post-acute and community services nationally; the funding allocated to the strategy to date; the funding required to implement the strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10947/20]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Finian McGrath)

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 

Stroke Care

Questions (579)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

579. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of stroke patients that are admitted to a stroke unit; the number of stroke patients that receive treatment in a stroke unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10948/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Health Services

Questions (580)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

580. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if his Department has carried out an evaluation of the potential to introduce a scheme similar to the UK scheme Healthy Start here; if such a scheme could be introduced here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10949/20]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Catherine Byrne)

The UK Healthy Start Programme is a welfare scheme and is part of a suite of supports aimed at pregnant mothers and mothers of young children where families are provided with vouchers to buy milk, fruit, vegetables and vitamin supplements.

First 5 is our whole-of-Government Strategy and it aims to improve the lives of babies, young children and their families. It is a ten-year plan to help make sure all children have positive early experiences and get a great start in life. A key deliverable of First 5 is a package of measures to tackle early childhood poverty. To help achieve this, my Department is leading work with the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and other Government Departments on Healthy Eating Guidelines for 1-5 year olds and on Nutrition Standards for food provided in the Early Learning and Care system.

In addition, the Government’s Roadmap for Social Inclusion (2020-2025): Ambitions, Goals, Commitments includes a commitment to consider how progress in reducing child poverty can be accelerated.

My Department, together with the Departments of Children and Youth Affairs and Education and Skills has provided a Healthy Ireland Smart Start Health Promotion Pre-school Programme since 2015 which includes education on healthy eating.

Questions Nos. 581 and 582 answered with Question No. 576.

Stroke Care

Questions (583)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

583. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the capital projects in the National Stroke Programme that have been approved but which have not progressed due to lack of capital funding; the costings for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10952/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.

Stroke Care

Questions (584)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

584. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the recommended staffing per early supported discharge team under the National Stroke Programme; the costs of staff; the estimated cost of an early supported discharge team here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10953/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Hospital Facilities

Questions (585)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

585. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of establishing a heart failure unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10954/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly, as soon as possible.

Hospital Services

Questions (586)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

586. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the geographical gaps that exist with respect to the heart failure service; the costs associated with addressing this disparity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10955/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Primary Care Services

Questions (587)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

587. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the costs associated with the national roll-out of heart failure integrated care projects in the community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10956/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.