Written Answers Nos. 484-503
484. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding provided to the access community mental health team for the homeless in each of the years 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020; the expected allocation for 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12238/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
485. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of progress with phase 2 of the national forensic mental health capital project, which will provide new regional intensive care rehabilitation units in the HSE west and HSE south areas, in view of the reported imminent opening of the new National Forensic Mental Health Service Hospital, Portrane, County Dublin; if the site selection and pre-planning for the two units has commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12249/20]
View answerAs 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.
486. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health his views on matters raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) regarding vaccinations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12250/20]
View answerIt is important to note that vaccine hesitancy is not unique to Ireland. It is a global issue and was identified by the World Health Organisation as one of the ten leading threats to global health in 2019.
One of my priorities as Minister for Health is to increase vaccination rates across the country and several options in this area are being explored. In this regard, I wrote to the Attorney General to seek legal advice as to the Constitutionality of introducing schemes of mandatory vaccination. The requested legal advice is being reviewed by my Department.
In addition, I launched the Vaccine Alliance in September 2019. Its aim is to increase the uptake of childhood vaccines and reduce vaccine hesitancy. The group includes a wide range of organisations and further organisations will be added once the terms of reference, key target audiences, and priorities for the Vaccine Alliance have been agreed.
The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The NIAC is a committee of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland comprising of experts in several specialties including infectious diseases, paediatrics and public health. The committee's recommendations are based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practice in relation to immunisation. It makes recommendations on vaccination policy to my Department. The NIAC continues to revise recommendations to allow for the introduction of new vaccines in Ireland and to keep abreast of changes in the patterns of disease. Therefore, the immunisation schedule will continue to be amended over time.
The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is responsible for monitoring the safety and quality of all medicines including vaccines that are licensed in Ireland. The HPRA and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) continually monitor adverse events to vaccination. The HPRA operates a national adverse reaction reporting system, which members of the public and healthcare professionals are encouraged to submit any suspected adverse reactions to. All Reports received by the HPRA are routinely transmitted to the EMA's adverse reaction database for inclusion in global signal detection and monitoring activities.
Prior to use in humans all vaccine formulations undergo preclinical testing. These typically involve a range of in vitro tests followed by a comprehensive range of toxicity studies in animals. These studies identify potential safety concerns and serve to avoid possible harm to human subjects. Clinical safety studies are conducted during the clinical trials and the safety data that is collected is based on events reported after each dose of vaccine and also events reported after a longer time post-vaccination. Clinical trials run for a defined period and safety data will be collected from trial participants for a defined period post vaccination. This period of time may differ between trials. In addition, vaccines on the market are continuously monitored to provide additional safety data and to identify adverse reactions. Under the regulatory framework, benefit-risk evaluations continue to be carried out throughout the product lifecycle.
Manufacture of vaccines must also comply with good manufacturing standards and regulatory requirements in EU and national legislation to ensure that the materials and methods used are appropriate. Vaccine manufactures are subject to independent assessment and inspection by national medicines agencies. It is important to reiterate that all medicines, including vaccines are subject to on-going review and evaluation of all available data from a range of sources, including systematic scientific literature review, to consider any impact that their data may have on the overall assessment of the benefits and risks of a medicinal product. The safety of these vaccines continues to be monitored at EU level through the EMA and its expert committees, which includes representatives from member state competent authorities such as the HPRA.
487. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health when the CervicalCheck and BreastCheck clinics will be operational; the way in which the backlog for appointments will be dealt with in view of the importance of these services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12259/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
488. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a copy of the terms of reference of the scope of the review for a unit (details supplied); the timelines and names of the persons who are to undertake same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12263/20]
View answerMy Department has requested, and is awaiting, a full report from the National Women & Infants Health Programme regarding the MLU in Cavan. The Programme has advised that a review is underway within the RCSI Hospital Group, led by the Group Clinical Director for Maternity Services in conjunction with the Directors of Midwifery from Our Lady of Lourdes, Drogheda and the Rotunda Hospitals.
Accordingly, I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply to the Deputy directly in relation to the terms of reference for that review.
489. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the supports being considered for those living with Parkinson’s disease in view of the extraordinarily low number of dedicated nurses for such patients nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12265/20]
View answerAs the issue raised are service delivery matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy.
490. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health when respite care for persons who need it may start again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12266/20]
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
491. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health when adult occupational therapist visits to persons in most need may begin again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12267/20]
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.
492. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health his plans to review Departmental policy on nursing homes in view of the Covid-19 pandemic and the high death rate among residents of such homes; and his further plans to include in this review nursing home developments that have planning permission but that have not commenced construction. [12271/20]
View answerThe actions and measures we have taken in Ireland to support nursing homes and their residents have been taken and have evolved on foot of epidemiological data and guidance from the WHO and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). These measures have been both society wide (e.g. cocooning), as well as focused specifically on residential facilities.
As the disease has progressed, a range of enhanced measures for nursing homes recommended by NPHET on 31st March and 3rd April are being implemented. In recognition that there is an expected ongoing COVID-19 impact over the next 6-18 months NPHET has emphasised the importance of real-time learning and a forward-looking approach for nursing homes. Therefore at the meeting 14th May, NPHET recommended the establishment of an expert panel (COVID-19 Nursing Home Expert Panel – examination of measures to 2021) which, through examination of national and international measures in response to COVID-19 and emerging best practice, will make recommendations to the Minister for Health, by the end of June 2020, to ensure all protective COVID-19 response measures are planned, for in light of the expected ongoing COVID19 risk and impact for nursing homes over the next 6-18 months. This panel comprises public health, geriatric, nursing and public representation expertise.
Recent studies commissioned by the Department of Health such as the Review of Health Demand and Capacity Requirements in Ireland to 2031 - Findings and Recommendations(2018) and the ESRI's Projections of Demand for Healthcare in Ireland, 2015-2030 (2017), indicate the significant role that long-term residential care will play in the future. Both reports indicate a substantial additional demand for community bed capacity, short-stay and long-stay, over the coming 10 years. Community beds play and will continue to play an important role in the continuum of care for older people, including for residential care, rehabilitative care, convalescence and transitional care. Additionally, services such as intermediate care and reablement require further policy exploration.
Long-term residential care is often the most appropriate care option where an older person’s needs are complex. In Ireland the care model, however, for the older population is disproportionately geared towards residential care as opposed to supporting older people to remain living independently at home for longer. This is why enhanced, better structured and integrated community supports are part of the larger health and social care reform programme that is underway in the context of Sláintecare. Increased access to home support in the short-term and the development of a reformed model of home support through a statutory home scheme are key in this regard and the development and testing of a new home support scheme is a priority objective for my Department. Similarly, there is a compelling case for examining the potential of new housing models, including those with associated care and support models which fall between home care and full-time nursing home care. The collaborative development of the policy framework, "Housing Options for Our Ageing Population" by my Department and the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government in 2019 provides an important framework to the further exploration of, and development of policy with regard housing for older persons and integrated of housing and health and social care services.
493. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of full and partial lower limb amputations that were carried out in 2019; the number of patients that had diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12283/20]
View answerI have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
494. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of full and partial lower limb amputations that were carried out in each of the years 2017 to 2019; the number of patients by county that had diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12284/20]
View answerI have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
495. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of patients by county treated for foot ulcerations that did not require a full or partial limb amputation in 2019; the number of patients that had diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12285/20]
View answerI have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
496. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of patients under 65 years of age by county treated for foot ulcerations that did not require a full or partial limb amputation in 2019; the number of patients that had diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12286/20]
View answerI have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
497. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of full and partial lower limb amputations that were carried out in 2019, by county on persons under 65 years of age; the number of patients that had diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12287/20]
View answerI have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
498. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of bed days required by patients treated for foot ulcerations that did not require a full or partial limb amputation in each of the years 2027 to 2019; the number of patients that had diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12288/20]
View answerI have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
499. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of hospital bed days required by patients by county treated for foot ulcerations that did not require a full or partial limb amputation in each of the years 2017 to 2019; the number of patients that had diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12289/20]
View answerI have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
500. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of hospital bed days required by patients undergoing full and partial lower limb amputations procedures in each of the years 2017 to 2019, by county on persons under 65 years of age; the number of patients that had diabetes in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12290/20]
View answerI have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
501. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of hospital bed days required by patients by count, on persons under 65 years of age treated for foot ulcerations that did not require a full or partial limb amputation in each of the years 2017 to 2019; the number of patients that had diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12291/20]
View answerI have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
502. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health the public elective surgeries that have taken place in private hospitals from 2 June to 13 June 2020, by hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12304/20]
View answerA 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 relation to the requested information concerning the public elective surgeries that have taken place in private hospitals from 2 June to 13 June 2020, by hospital, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
