Written Answers Nos. 471-495
471. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the amount spent on the new National Rehabilitation Hospital, Dún Laoghaire; and if this project is the subject of conciliation between parties. [13135/20]
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.
472. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the estimated full-year cost of increasing the number of child and adolescent mental health teams to 88. [13136/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
473. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if the necessary funding will be provided for the recruitment of a consultant anaesthesiologist with a special interest in paediatric complex pain management in Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin and Temple Street; and when this post will be filled. [13137/20]
View answerFunding has been provided in 2020 to develop the paediatric complex pain management service in Children's Health Ireland, including recruitment of consultant anaesthesia/pain specialist, occupational therapist, psychologist, physiotherapist and advanced nurse practitioner.
In regard to the specific detail on timing of recruitment, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
474. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health if doctors (details supplied) have been told that there is no work for them after their three-month short-term contract is up; and the number of doctors that have returned to the medical register since 10 March 2020. [13151/20]
View answerI have asked the HSE to reply to the Deputy concerning the first part of the question.
With regard to the second part, the Medical Council has advised that the first restorations to the Medical Council Register via the COVID 19 route were on Thursday 19 March 2020. There are currently 397 doctors who have restored to the register via the COVID route. In addition to this 91 doctors have restored their names to the register via the normal restoration route since 10 March 2020.
475. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health the number of nurses and midwives returned to their medical register from 10 March 2020. [13158/20]
View answerThe Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland restored 1,097 nurses and midwives to the register between the 10th March and the 24th June, 2020
476. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the funding supports available for community-based mental health charities which provide counselling services and are operated by local volunteers. [13162/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
477. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a medical card will be issued to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13167/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
478. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the length of time he plans to operate a temporary field hospital in the university area gymnasium at University of Limerick; if the field hospital will now be wound down earlier than initially expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13174/20]
View answerAs this is a service issue, I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply to you directly.
479. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health the details of the reopening plan for the health service in view of the fact hairdressers and so on are reopening but cancer screening and other services have not been given a date for reopening. [13181/20]
View answerThe Covid-19 pandemic has led to an unprecedented interruption to normal health services both in the community and acute hospitals. While many vital services were maintained or restructured to respond more appropriately to Covid-19 related risks and evolving needs, other services were suspended or delivered on a reduced basis.
To ensure services are re-introduced in a safe, clinically aligned and prioritised way, the HSE published a Strategic Framework for ‘Service Continuity in a Covid Environment’ on 8 June. This document can be found at the following link
https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/news/newsfeatures/covid19-updates/service-continuity-in-a-covid-environment-a-strategic-framework-for-delivery.pdf .
The implementation of the Framework will ensure service resumption is done in an integrated and phased manner. It will consolidate new ways of working and build on international knowledge.
While not all services can return to previous levels immediately, many health services have already resumed, particularly for priority cases. The HSE are currently developing a Service Continuity Roadmap for the resumption of services across the health system.
In relation to the restart of screening services, this has been a priority for the National Screening Service (NSS). The NSS have now finalised their plans for a phased restart and the programmes will restart as follows:
- CervicalCheck will begin sending invites and reminders to participants in its cervical screening programme on July 06.
- Diabetic RetinaScreen will also resume screening in July.
- BreastCheck will resume screening in September/October.
- BowelScreen will resume in September/October.
The recommencement of screening is underpinned by the assumption that there will be no worsening of the COVID-19 situation and restrictions will continue to ease. Provided all key conditions remain safe for participants and staff, on a monthly basis invitations will be sent to individuals overdue a routine screening.
480. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health when the local centres that cater to adults with disabilities are reopening. [13182/20]
View answerAs part of the overall effort to contain the spread of COVID-19 and in line with public health advice, day service locations have been closed since March. However priority service users have been identified in each CHO, and individualised supports continue to be provided to many people in alternative models particularly for these individuals with higher support needs, through alternative means such as via online support and/or regular telephone contact with families. Health and social care responses to the current public health emergency are under continuing review, including specific measures such as these to support vulnerable people.
The resumption of adult day services is currently being considered by my Department and the HSE as part of broader planning to prepare for the resumption of non-COVID-19 community and social care services in the current environment, and in line with public health guidance. My Department and the HSE has established a Joint Working Group to develop a plan for Community Capacity.
The HSE is finalising plans to re-establish vital non-COVID supports and services. This includes very careful and detailed work on the part of the disability sector with national guidance and will result in directing how all funded agencies can deliver services on a medium to long-term basis. A national group for the resumption of day services representative of service users and families, service providers and the HSE is working together to prepare for the resumption of day service supports in line with COVID-19 guidance. The Framework for the Resumption of Adult Disability Day Services and Action Plan for resumption of services have been completed. The national group are currently developing guidance to support the day service sector to reopen within the parameters of public health advice.
Community Healthcare Organisations are working with service providers to ascertain the current level of service provision and innovative practises that have developed over the last number of months. The collation and analysis of this data will provide a current national picture which will enable the resumption group to address the challenges of reopening day service locations.
The resumption group plan to have completed the above strands of work shortly, following which a timeframe for the phased reopening of adult day services will be planned in cooperation with HSE disability services and service providers. In the meantime, service providers continue to contact day service users regarding their support needs and are providing those supports in different ways. Some supports continue to be provided in a number of ways, for example by telephone, online communication and responses to address emergency needs.
The HSE and disability service providers, where identified, will continue to communicate with school leavers and their families to plan and organise for a transition to day services in line with public health guidance.
The safety of service users and staff is of critical importance therefore the attendance at locations will be determined by public health guidance, which may result in some reduction of capacity.
An information leaflet for service users and their families was developed by the national group and distributed widely to all stakeholders on June 9th.
It is expected that a clearer picture will emerge before shortly as to when day services are likely to be reinstated and how the service will be delivered taking account of Public Health Guidance and COVID-19 restrictions.
The Framework for Resumption of Adult Disability Day Services and the information leaflet “What’s Happening” is available on the New Directions website: www.hse.ie/newdirections
481. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to doctors in general practice charging parents the same amount for a telephone appointment and assessment as they do for a face-to-face assessment in their surgery; his views on whether this is an acceptable practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13183/20]
View answerIn response to the COVID-19 pandemic, patient in-person contact with GPs has been curtailed as much as possible to help prevent the spread of the virus. Nurse and doctor advice is provided over the phone where appropriate, and only patients who are clinically assessed as requiring a face to face consultation with a doctor are referred for an appointment.
GPs are reimbursed by the HSE for medical services provided to medical card or GP visit card holders, while patients who do not hold a medical card or GP visit card access GP services on a private basis. I have no role in relation to the fees charged by individual GPs for private consultations, as the fees charged by GPs for services to private patients are a matter of private contract between the clinician and their patient.
482. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health when a disability service (details supplied) can reopen; if the reopening of the service will be delayed; if interim measures can be put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13184/20]
View answerAs part of the overall effort to contain the spread of COVID-19 and in line with public health advice, day service locations have been closed since March. However priority service users have been identified in each CHO, and individualised supports continue to be provided to many people in alternative models particularly for these individuals with higher support needs, through alternative means such as via online support and/or regular telephone contact with families. Health and social care responses to the current public health emergency are under continuing review, including specific measures such as these to support vulnerable people.
The resumption of adult day services is currently being considered by my Department and the HSE as part of broader planning to prepare for the resumption of non-COVID-19 community and social care services in the current environment, and in line with public health guidance. My Department and the HSE has established a Joint Working Group to develop a plan for Community Capacity.
The HSE is finalising plans to re-establish vital non-COVID supports and services. This includes very careful and detailed work on the part of the disability sector with national guidance and will result in directing how all funded agencies can deliver services on a medium to long-term basis. A national group for the resumption of day services representative of service users and families, service providers and the HSE is working together to prepare for the resumption of day service supports in line with COVID-19 guidance. The Framework for the Resumption of Adult Disability Day Services and Action Plan for resumption of services have been completed. The national group are currently developing guidance to support the day service sector to reopen within the parameters of public health advice.
Community Healthcare Organisations are working with service providers to ascertain the current level of service provision and innovative practises that have developed over the last number of months. The collation and analysis of this data will provide a current national picture which will enable the resumption group to address the challenges of reopening day service locations.
The resumption group plan to have completed the above strands of work by the end of June following which a timeframe for the phased reopening of adult day services will be planned in cooperation with HSE disability services and service providers. In the meantime, service providers continue to contact day service users regarding their support needs and are providing those supports in different ways. Some supports continue to be provided in a number of ways, for example by telephone, online communication and responses to address emergency needs.
The HSE and disability service providers, where identified, will continue to communicate with school leavers and their families to plan and organise for a transition to day services in line with public health guidance.
The safety of service users and staff is of critical importance therefore the attendance at locations will be determined by public health guidance, which may result in some reduction of capacity.
An information leaflet for service users and their families was developed by the national group and distributed widely to all stakeholders on June 9th.
It is expected that a clearer picture will emerge before end of June as to when day services are likely to be reinstated and how the service will be delivered taking account of Public Health Guidance and COVID-19 restrictions.
The Framework for Resumption of Adult Disability Day Services and the information leaflet “What’s Happening” is available on the New Directions website: www.hse.ie/newdirections
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.
483. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) is waiting so long for a procedure; the further length of time they can expect to wait for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13185/20]
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.
484. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) is waiting so long for a procedure; the further length of time they can expect to wait for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13186/20]
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.
485. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if home help will be provided to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13187/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
486. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health his plans to allow residents in community houses to leave the houses and travel to and from home; when the families and community houses will be given an indication of timelines for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13188/20]
View answerI note that the Deputy has clarified that her question relates in this instance to residential settings for people with a disability, and where the residential setting is the person’s primary residence.
It is recognised that the impact of COVID-19 on society in general and especially those with a disability living in community houses has been considerable. Residential settings are people’s homes as well as places where health and social care are provided. The introduction of physical distancing, isolation and restricted contact with family and loved ones has changed the usual dynamic of social interaction. During these times there has been a particular emphasis on retaining a holistic view of the wellbeing of residents, remaining person-centred, being cognisant of their rights as citizens, and being vigilant that in seeking to shield them from infection that these rights are not infringed upon in to an extent, or in a manner, that is disproportionate.
As the disease is becoming more supressed in the community the National Public Health Emergency has advised that the gradual reintroduction of usual activities while taking public health precautions should commence. This advice is reflected in the latest Cocooning and visiting guidance. Detail of this guidance is set out by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre at: https://www.hpsc.ie
Families are encouraged to talk to the support staff at the person’s residence, to make arrangements for visits and other activities that can be facilitated within the current public health guidance. While it is appropriate in line with the public health cocooning guidance for activities outside the home to commence it is important to balance the risk involved in prolonged periods of time outside the home. These risks will continue to be reviewed in line with the disease progression and guidelines will be updated. The Department of Health is very much aware of how difficult the current restrictions on visiting are for residents and their families, and we very much hope that this can be safely facilitated soon.
487. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health when a facility (details supplied) will resume services; and when services and support facilities for children and or adults with intellectual disabilities will resume services. [13189/20]
View answerAs part of the overall effort to contain the spread of COVID-19 and in line with public health advice, day service locations have been closed since March. However priority service users have been identified in each CHO, and individualised supports continue to be provided to many people in alternative models particularly for these individuals with higher support needs, through alternative means such as via online support and/or regular telephone contact with families. Health and social care responses to the current public health emergency are under continuing review, including specific measures such as these to support vulnerable people.
The resumption of adult day services is currently being considered by my Department and the HSE as part of broader planning to prepare for the resumption of non-COVID-19 community and social care services in the current environment, and in line with public health guidance. My Department and the HSE has established a Joint Working Group to develop a plan for Community Capacity.
The HSE is finalising plans to re-establish vital non-COVID supports and services. This includes very careful and detailed work on the part of the disability sector with national guidance and will result in directing how all funded agencies can deliver services on a medium to long-term basis. A national group for the resumption of day services representative of service users and families, service providers and the HSE is working together to prepare for the resumption of day service supports in line with COVID-19 guidance. The Framework for the Resumption of Adult Disability Day Services and Action Plan for resumption of services have been completed. The national group are currently developing guidance to support the day service sector to reopen within the parameters of public health advice.
Community Healthcare Organisations are working with service providers to ascertain the current level of service provision and innovative practises that have developed over the last number of months. The collation and analysis of this data will provide a current national picture which will enable the resumption group to address the challenges of reopening day service locations.
The resumption group plan to have completed the above strands of work by the end of June following which a timeframe for the phased reopening of adult day services will be planned in cooperation with HSE disability services and service providers. In the meantime, service providers continue to contact day service users regarding their support needs and are providing those supports in different ways. Some supports continue to be provided in a number of ways, for example by telephone, online communication and responses to address emergency needs.
The HSE and disability service providers, where identified, will continue to communicate with school leavers and their families to plan and organise for a transition to day services in line with public health guidance.
The safety of service users and staff is of critical importance therefore the attendance at locations will be determined by public health guidance, which may result in some reduction of capacity.
An information leaflet for service users and their families was developed by the national group and distributed widely to all stakeholders on June 9th.
It is expected that a clearer picture will emerge before end of June as to when day services are likely to be reinstated and how the service will be delivered taking account of Public Health Guidance and COVID-19 restrictions.
The Framework for Resumption of Adult Disability Day Services and the information leaflet “What’s Happening” is available on the New Directions website: www.hse.ie/newdirections
As the Deputy's question relates to a particular service, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
488. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if he will engage with the Minister for Education and Skills and work with third-level universities to expand the number of medical training places for students applying through the Central Applications Office system to help increase the number of doctors nationally. [13191/20]
View answerGiven its statutory functions, I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy on this matter.
489. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if care workers visiting the homes of sick, elderly or disabled persons will be tested fortnightly for Covid-19 in line with the testing of care workers in nursing homes every two weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13206/20]
View answerA robust and real-time process of testing, isolation and contact tracing is central to our public health strategy for containing and slowing the spread of COVID-19, as advocated by the WHO and the ECDC.
All healthcare workers meeting the current case definition for COVID-19 are referred for testing in line with current testing criteria. There is extensive guidance in place for healthcare workers and this can be found on the HPSC website: https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/guidance/guidanceforhealthcareworkers/. There is also clear guidance in place for the assessment, testing and return to work of healthcare workers. https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/algorithms/Algorithm%20for%20Testing%20and%20Return%20to%20Work%20of%20Symptomatic%20HCWs.pdf
The HSE has advised that where healthcare workers, including home support workers, require a test, they are prioritised and there is no delay in scheduling a test appointment. Where a person in receipt of home support requires a test, this is also the case.
In addition, current guidance requires the testing of all staff and residents when a new case emerges in a long term residential care facility (including mental health facilities) that have not yet had a case.
It is important to note that testing is only one element of a comprehensive strategic response to COVID-19. Testing for COVID-19 only provides a point-in-time result. It confers no guarantee that the individual with a 'not detected' result is not incubating the infection or the level of virus is below detectable levels at the time of the test.
Targeted, risk-based testing can yield important data to inform control measures, but does not constitute a control measure in and of itself. Testing should only be undertaken based on a public health risk assessment. A comprehensive response to the COVID-19 pandemic must include a strong focus on infection prevention and control and additional measures such as prompt identification and exclusion from work of symptomatic healthcare workers for example.
490. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health if the HSE will outsource dental appointments for children in order that waiting times to have urgent dental work undertaken can be significantly reduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13212/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
491. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 608 of 3 June 2020, if the matter will be directed to another office (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a number of persons are seeking information on their entitlements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13221/20]
View answerOn making enquiries with the HSE, I have been advised that the individual concerned left St Patrick's, Kilkenny at the end of August 2002. They became entitled to their preserved pension benefits in March 2019.
The HSE has confirmed that the Pensions Management Unit, Manorhamilton received the person's application for pension entitlements from St Patrick's, Kilkenny on the 9 June 2020. The application remains in progress.
The HSE is not in a position to comment on any other cases without further details.
492. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health when the necessary works will be carried out in Belmullet District Hospital, County Mayo to enable patients to be admitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13226/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
493. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health when the recommendations (details supplied) of the Labour Court will be implemented; when the additional four staff will be put in place as recommended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13227/20]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
494. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health if the contract previously awarded to a company (details supplied) for transfers at University Hospital Kerry considered a request by hospital management to select a specific third party due to the complex nature of transferring dialysis patients. [13247/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
495. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health his plans to roll out a campaign to highlight the appropriate use of face masks, similar to the campaign rolled out for hand washing and hand hygiene; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13250/20]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
