Written Answers Nos. 700-720
700. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the number of addiction counsellors employed by the HSE by county in the Saolta group area; the number of vacancies that exist in those counties for addiction counsellors; when those vacancies will be filled; the level of qualification required for such a role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13914/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
701. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the wait times for an appointment with an addiction counsellor by county within the Saolta group; the number of persons on each list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13915/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
702. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if funding will be provided to Roscommon University Hospital to furnish and equip the shell and core unit which is idle since built in 2016 to enable the hospital to open a surgical ward which would alleviate waiting lists throughout the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13917/20]
View answerSaolta University Health Care Group advise that a meeting is to be scheduled in the coming weeks involving Roscommon University Hospital, HSE Estates Department and themselves to discuss a proposal for a project along these lines. A formal submission for capital funding has not been made in this regard.
703. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied). [13919/20]
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.
705. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if a reply will issue to correspondence from a person (details supplied) regarding the reopening of betting shops; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13924/20]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate my Department receives a significant amount of correspondence, however, I can assure the Deputy that a reply will issue on the matter raised in the question.
As the Deputy is aware, on Thursday 25th June the Government confirmed the move to Phase 3 of Roadmap for Reopening Society & Business from Monday, 29 June 2020. Information and advice about the restrictions that have been eased as part of Phase 3 and the measures that are now in place are available on the Government website at
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/d06271-easing-the-covid-19-restrictions-on-29-june-phase-3/ .
I wish to clarify to the Deputy that bookmakers are included in these measures and may reopen subject to the Phase 3 specific requirements. In recommencing all remaining commercial activities, business owners and organisations are advised to carry out a risk assessment of the nature of their business, service or activity, the particular risks associated and how they could mitigate those risks for their customers, staff and the wider public, as appropriate. The specific requirements can be found on the Government website at https://www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=https://assets.gov.ie/77452/39d51b02-5633-4e2f-a070-4551a3521081.pdf#page=7.
I would also wish to draw the Deputy's attention to the Return to Work Safely Protocol which was published by the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation on Saturday 9 May last. This detailed guidance document was developed to assist employers and employees in the coming period and is available at https://dbei.gov.ie/en/Publications/Return-to-Work-Safely-Protocol.html. The Protocol is mandatory, and it applies to all workplaces right across the economy. Specific sectors may need to introduce additional safeguards, but this document sets out the standard set of measures required in every workplace.
706. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter regarding information technology equipment in the health service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13925/20]
View answerThe Department of Health, has increased capital investment in ICT from €55 million in 2017 to €95 million in 2020 with a further planned increase to €120 million in 2021. This is intended to support reform of the health service by facilitating the deployment of more clinical and operational systems and implementation of key eHealth initiatives. Investment in underlying technical infrastructure specifically has benefited from this increased level of investment. Whilst there is clearly further work to be done, that work is ongoing and significant progress has been made to date. Indeed, without this commitment, the health service would not have been able to respond to the recent pandemic in the way that it did. By way of simple illustrations, over the past 5 years the HSE has had a rolling programme in place to replace every desktop and laptop computer in the health system, has replaced or upgraded WAN and LAN networks, replaced phone systems on major (and many smaller) sites, has virtualised its server infrastructure, deployed a new national data centre and increased storage capacity and performance on all sites. Wireless LAN is available in 33 out of the 49 voluntary and statutory hospitals, with a national enterprise procurement at planning stage. Whilst not all sites can be deployed at the same time, there are existing procurement frameworks in place so that hospitals and non-acute sites can have needs assessed. These frameworks facilitate the development of technical specifications for WiFi deployments, so that they can be submitted for capital funding and procurement. The investment in this area is ongoing and the programme is supported by the Department of Health.
In relation to multi-disciplinary conferences, teleconferencing and telehealth, one of the features of Covid-19 has been the significantly increased adoption of video as a means of communicating with each other during the pandemic> The health system has seen particular benefits with the adoption of this technology as we seek to enable social distancing a keep patients, clinicians and healthcare workers safe. The HSE has deployed multiple technologies at scale and at pace. Microsoft Teams has been deployed for staff, Attend Anywhere has been made available for clinical settings such as outpatient departments, and GPs have been able to avail of multiple choices.
In relation to the funding of computers through CME, HSE IT security policies are very specific in relation to connection of devices such as laptops that are not owned and managed by the health service, to the health network. The preferred arrangement is that if a laptop is required, this be funded, deployed and managed through local IT operations. Laptops deployed in this way will support remote working and multi-disciplinary team working.
707. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health when gynaecology appointments at Cork University Hospital, which were cancelled as a result of Covid-19, will recommence. [13931/20]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, in late March, the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) recommended that all non-essential health services should be paused to protect and maximise the delivery of essential time-critical care during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, on 5 May last the NPHET replaced its previous recommendation with a new recommendation that, going forward, the delivery of acute care should be determined by appropriate clinical and operational decision making.
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
708. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health his plans to ensure there is a full and independent investigation into the alleged illegal abortion that took place in the National Maternity Hospital in March 2019 (details supplied); the reason the medical reports for the abortions that took place in the National Maternity Hospital in March 2019 are still termed as draft; if he will meet with the family in question; and if the breaches of the Health (Regulation of the Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 that occurred in March 2019 will be included in his report on abortion services on 30 June 2020. [13933/20]
View answerIt is important that an independent external review be established to examine the facts of what occurred in this case, to provide clarity and answers to the family concerned, and to identify and address any patient safety risks emerging such that any patient safety learning for the Hospital and wider maternity services can be implemented without delay. I, and my Department, are conscious of the impact of this patient safety incident on the family concerned.
The NMH has proposed to commission a review process comprised of a panel of experts which is independent and external to the Hospital to carry out the review process. I understand that the Hospital is engaging with the family to address their concerns with regard to the review process. I hope that the family’s concerns can be addressed in order that this independent external review process can now commence without further delay.
The matter of medical reports is an operational matter and I have referred this query for direct response.
Pursuant to section 20 of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018, the Minister for Health is obliged to prepare a report on notifications received by him in the immediately preceding year and to cause copies of the report to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.
The notifications are recorded on the form entitled “Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 (Notifications) Regulations 2018” (Statutory Instrument No. 597 of 2018). The following information is included in the form:
- Medical Council registration number of the medical practitioner who carried out the termination of pregnancy;
- The section of the Act under which the termination was carried out, i.e., section 9, 10, 11 or 12;
- Medical Council registration number(s) of the medical practitioner(s) who made the certification concerned;
- The county of residence, or place of residence (where the woman resides outside of the State) of the woman concerned;
- The date on which the termination of pregnancy was carried out.
The legislation does not provide for any further information to be included in the report on notifications.
709. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the date on which a primary medical certificate was issued to a person (details supplied); the date on which they were notified of the decision; the number of times the case was reviewed; the outcome of each; the dates they were notified of changes to the decision regarding the certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13935/20]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
710. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) can be subscribed the treatment patisiran or gene silencer on compassionate grounds. [13938/20]
View answerThe 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. The Act specifies the criteria for decisions on the reimbursement of medicines. As Minister for Health, I do not have any statutory power or function in relation to the reimbursement of medicines. In addition, Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 precludes me from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
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 licensed 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.
I am advised by the HSE that it has received an application for the reimbursement of Patisiran (Onpattro®) for the treatment of hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis (hATTR amyloidosis) in adult patients with stage 1 or stage 2 polyneuropathy.
In January 2019, a full health technology assessment was commissioned by the HSE. This assessment was completed in February 2020 with the NCPE recommending that patisiran (Onpattro®) is not considered for reimbursement unless cost-effectiveness can be improved relative to existing treatments. The HTA report will be an important input into the decision making processes of the HSE. The HSE is currently reviewing the report received and has recently met with the applicant company to discuss this. Once negotiations between the HSE and the applicant company are complete, this application must then be formally considered by the HSE Drugs Group. The HSE Drugs Group is the national committee which the HSE has in place to make recommendations on the pricing and reimbursement of medicines. The decision making authority in the HSE is the HSE Executive.
711. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the reason construction work has halted on the new national children’s hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13940/20]
View answerI am aware that construction work on the new children’s hospital site beside St. James’s Hospital stopped on 31 March 2020 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
I understand that since the commencement of the easing of restrictions on 18 of May, the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB) has been engaging with the main contractor in relation to the earliest possible reopening of the site. I have been informed that some matters remain unresolved at this time and that construction has not recommenced.
I am anxious that the hospital be completed as quickly as possible on behalf of children, young people and their families. The NPHDB has statutory responsibility for planning, designing, building and equipping the new children's hospital and I have referred your question to the NPHDB for direct reply.
712. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health his plans for the introduction of advanced and extended practice for medical scientists; the meetings he has had with the representative bodies (details supplied) on the subject; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13942/20]
View answerMy officials recently met with representatives from the Medical Laboratory Scientists Association and the Academy of Clinical Science and Laboratory Medicine. A range of issues were discussed at this meeting including the potential for an advanced practice role for medical scientists.
A detailed examination of the proposal, including the detail of the costs, regulation and training requirements, would be required before any decision could be made.
713. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if additional home help will be provided to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13943/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
714. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the closures of mental health facilities by county in the past 20 years; and the amount returned from mental health budgets by county to the HSE since 2010. [13944/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
715. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the full facts regarding the Be on Call for Ireland campaign launched by the HSE; the number of trained healthcare professionals who responded across each discipline; the number that actually returned home; the locations they were deployed to; the number across each of those disciplines that remain in service; the number in each discipline that have been and will be retained and permanently employed in the health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13946/20]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
716. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his plans to open day care centres (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13961/20]
View answerCommunity services such as day care play an important role in enabling older people to continue living in their communities. My Department 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 and the ‘Return to work safely’ protocol. 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.
717. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health when he expects nursing homes to start accepting new residents; when he expects hospitals to commence easing their visiting restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13962/20]
View answerNursing home providers are ultimately responsible for admissions to their homes and to further assist nursing homes the Health Protection Surveillance Centre has developed substantial public health guidance. An extensive body of guidance and support tools are available on the HPSC website. Guidance on resident transfers is addressed in the “Interim Public Health, Infection Prevention & Control Guidelines on the Prevention and Management of COVID-19 Cases and Outbreaks in Residential Care Facilities (Version 5 19 June 2020).” Appendix H, page 54 provides guidance on Admissions, Transfers to and Discharges from Residential Care Facilities during the COVID-19 Pandemic. This guidance sets out the measures that should be adopted in relation to admissions to residential facilities.
718. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive a date for an operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13967/20]
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.
719. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive an appointment to attend for physiotherapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13968/20]
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.
720. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a CORU application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13970/20]
View answerAs this is a matter relating to an application for registration with CORU, it has been referred to CORU for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
