Danny Healy-Rae
Question:1122. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a medical procedure for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15252/20]
View answerHospital Waiting Lists
Questions (1122)
Written answers
I am conscious that waiting times are often unacceptably long and of the burden that this places on patients and their families.
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to defer all most elective scheduled care activity in line with the advice of the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET). This was to ensure patient safety and that all appropriate resources were made available for Covid-19 related activity and time-critical essential work.
The decision to delay appointments and admissions is not undertaken lightly and when such a decision is made, it is based on the safe delivery of care to all patients. The trajectory of the disease means there is now an opportunity for increasing the provision of non-covid care including more routine care. In this context Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) is now re-establishing services on an incremental basis.
Under 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 line with this policy, the clinical prioritisation of patients is the responsibility of the treating Consultant.
My Department has been made aware of the specific patient query raised. Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) have advised the Department that the hospital remains in constant contact with the patient’s family to provide updates and advice.
Hospital Services
Questions (1123)
Mattie McGrath
Question:1123. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the timeline for the reopening of St. Brigid’s Hospital, Carrick-on-Suir, for respite and palliative care services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15254/20]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Hospital Services
Questions (1124)
Mattie McGrath
Question:1124. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the long-term plan for St. Michael’s Hospital following the investment of €700,000 as part of the Covid-19 response; if the hospital will now be reconsidered for the provision of urgently required mental health crisis beds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15255/20]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible in relation to this facility in Clonmel.
Hospital Staff
Questions (1125)
Catherine Murphy
Question:1125. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of consultants by specialist posts that are vacant in each hospital that is part of Dublin Midlands hospital group as of 1 July 2020; the length of time each post has been vacant; and the position regarding the filling of each post. [15270/20]
View answerWritten answers
I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (1126)
Catherine Murphy
Question:1126. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the waiting list to see a consultant cardiologist at Naas General Hospital; and the average waiting time to see the consultant. [15271/20]
View answerWritten answers
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to pause all non-urgent elective scheduled care activity with effect from the end March 2020. 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 National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) and in accordance with World Health Organisation guidelines, and the National Action Plan.
The trajectory of the disease means there is now an opportunity for increasing the provision of non-covid care including more routine care. NPHET has since revised its recommendation on the pausing of all non-essential health services, with a recommendation that the delivery of acute care be determined by appropriate clinical and operational decision making.
Application of the essential risk mitigating steps set out in the guidance developed under the auspices of the NPHET Expert Advisory group will have operational implications, which will impact on throughput.
Where possible, hospitals are working to find innovative ways to enable service provision, which include virtual clinics for some outpatient department appointments. The HSE website provides details on services currently available and operational in each hospital on its website. This information is reviewed frequently and provides up-to-date announcements on services available at each site (https://www2.hse.ie/services/hospital-service-disruptions/hospital-service-disruptions-covid19.html).
To ensure services are re-introduced in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, the HSE launched its Strategic Framework for ‘Service Continuity in a Covid Environment’ on 24 June. Its implementation will ensure service resumption is done in an integrated way. This will involve a phased approach to ensure community services are strengthened. The Framework will also consolidate new ways of working and build on international knowledge. The HSE is currently developing a Service Continuity Roadmap for the resumption of services across the health system.
As the system continues to deliver Covid-19 and non-Covid 19 care side-by-side over a more prolonged period, my Department and the HSE will continue to work closely together to protect essential non-Covid 19 acute care and progress the provision of more routine non Covid-19 care.
The latest National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) figures show that there are 1,324 patients on the Naas General Hospital cardiology waiting list. The NTPF have advised my Department that the average waiting time is 354 days. The data requested concerning the Naas General Hospital cardiology waiting list is also outlined in the following document.
Table - Naas General Hospital cardiology waiting list figures
The NTPF currently collects and collates information in respect of the Inpatient, Day Case, Planned Procedure (IDPP*) and Outpatient (OP) Waiting Lists. The requested National waiting list data is available on the NTPF website, and is available by hospital site as well as specialty at (https://www.ntpf.ie/home/nwld.html).
Hospital Expenditure
Questions (1127)
Catherine Murphy
Question:1127. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the estimated full-year current and capital costs of extending the period the sleep clinic is available at Naas General Hospital from half a day per month to two full days per month. [15272/20]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly, as soon as possible.
Respite Care Services
Questions (1128)
Cathal Crowe
Question:1128. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if provisions will be put in place for those in need of respite care who are unable to access it due to public health advice. [15288/20]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (1129)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:1129. 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. [15291/20]
View answerWritten answers
I am conscious that waiting times are often unacceptably long and of the burden that this places on patients and their families.
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to defer most elective scheduled care activity in line with the advice of the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET). This was to ensure patient safety and that all appropriate resources were made available for Covid-19 related activity and time-critical essential work.
The decision to delay appointments and admissions is not undertaken lightly and when such a decision is made, it is based on the safe delivery of care to all patients. The trajectory of the disease means there is now an opportunity for increasing the provision of non-covid care including more routine care. In this context Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) is now re-establishing services on an incremental basis.
Under 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, was 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 relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
Disability Services Provision
Questions (1130)
Mattie McGrath
Question:1130. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the specific timeline for the reopening of adult and child disability services, respectively; the additional supports that will be put in place to support those living with disabilities and their families who are experiencing extreme regression as a result of the closure of such services for months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15293/20]
View answerWritten answers
As part of the overall effort to contain the spread of COVID-19 and in line with public health advice, day service locations closed in March.
Since then, HSE Disability Services have been working to develop national guidance on the part of the disability sector to direct how all day services can be delivered. The Guidance to support the Framework for the Resumption of Adult Disability Day Services was published by the HSE on 9 July 2020.
In developing the guidance document to guide providers, the HSE worked closely with service providers through representative organisations such as the National Federation of Voluntary Service Providers, Disability Federation of Ireland and the Not for Profit Association, in addition to Inclusion Ireland, who represent people with intellectual disabilities and their families.
The guidance document seeks to support the safe return of services in the context of ongoing public health guidance. It also recognises that the impact of public health guidance will result in services being provided at a reduced level and will require changes in how people are supported, increased use of technology where appropriate and more use of outreach supports.
Day services will gradually resume during the month of August. Service providers are already working to get day services ready to reopen safely, and in line with public health guidance. Service providers will be in touch with all families and service users during the month of July to discuss when they may expect the resumption of their service and what that service will consist of.
I want to acknowledge the many challenges experienced by individuals and their families over this difficult time. Families across the country have had their routines upended due to the impact of COVID-19 and I hope that this will be the first step towards returning to some sense of normalcy.
The Guidance to support the Framework for Resumption of Adult Disability Day Services is available on the New Directions website: www.hse.ie/newdirections. The HSE have also issued monthly communications updates for service users and their families, the latest leaflet “Adult Disability Day Services and COVID-19 - What’s Happening? July 2020” is available at the above link.
With regard to specific service locations, service providers can provide this information directly. 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.
Hospital Services
Questions (1131)
Mattie McGrath
Question:1131. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health his plans to deliver access to 24-7 cardiac care at University Hospital Waterford, UHW; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15294/20]
View answerWritten answers
In 2016, the Herity Report concluded that the needs of the effective catchment population of University Hospital Waterford (UHW) could be accommodated from a single cath lab and recommended that the operating hours of the existing cath lab should be extended.
The HSE has advised that an additional Consultant Interventional Cardiologist post to support a seven (7) day; 8 am – 8 pm service in the existing Cath Lab was advertised by the Public Appointment Service on 27 September 2019. Interviews for this position took place on 27 January 2020, the post is now at the final stages of recruitment through the Public Appointment Services and it is expected that it will be filled very soon.
The Programme For Government commits to the delivery of a second cath lab in University Hospital Waterford. As set out in the HSE’s options appraisal, the preferred option is for a second cath lab and associated 12 bed day ward (delivering six additional beds) on the roof of the existing Cardiology Department, which will operate five days per week and provide diagnostic services only.
The HSE has advised that funding was allocated in the 2019 Capital Plan for the provision of second cath lab at University Hospital Waterford, planning permission was received from Waterford City and County Council in January 2020. Applications for fire and disability certification are currently in progress. Preparation of contract documentation has commenced and contractor selection is underway. Works and schedules were delayed due to COVID-19, but it is now anticipated that the project will go to tender in late August/early September.
The Herity Report also recommended that the current 9 to 5 provision of emergency pPCI services should cease to allow the hospital focus on the much larger volume of planned work. The then Minister for Health asked the Department to address the implications of this recommendation by arranging for a National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services.
The National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services commenced in January 2018 under the Chairmanship of Professor Phillip Nolan and a Steering Group was formed from nominations from interested stakeholders representing medical, professional/technical staff, nursing and patient representatives.
The aim of this Review is to achieve optimal patient outcomes at population level with particular emphasis on the safety, quality and sustainability of the services that patients receive by establishing the need for an optimal configuration of a national adult cardiac service.
While it is hoped that the National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services can be completed in the near future so that decisions can be made with regard to the continued investment and upgrading of Specialist Cardiac Services in Ireland, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has, unfortunately, had an adverse impact on its progress.
Primary Care Centres
Questions (1132)
Brendan Griffin
Question:1132. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the way in which a community in County Kerry would apply for a new primary care centre in its area; the points of contact within his Department and the HSE to initiate the process; the models of delivery and criteria for recent primary care centre developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15301/20]
View answerWritten answers
As the HSE has responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres and other Primary Care facilities, the Executive has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.
Departmental Expenditure
Questions (1133)
John McGuinness
Question:1133. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding allocated to the production of television programmes (details supplied); the subhead in the accounts from which the sums were allocated; if there was a tendering process; if so, the details and costs involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15304/20]
View answerWritten answers
There was no funding allocated to the production of the Ireland on Call and Operation Covid Nation television programmes.
Hospital Data
Questions (1134)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:1134. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a list of hospitals that act as mesh centres at which women who have been injured due to the use of mesh can see a specialist. [15316/20]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
Hospital Data
Questions (1135)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:1135. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a list of hospitals that have the necessary scanning facilities to detect mesh implants in women who have been injured due to the use of mesh. [15317/20]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
Medicinal Products
Questions (1136)
Jennifer Murnane O'Connor
Question:1136. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if approval will be given to the immunotherapy drug osimertinib; if a timeline can be provided for its availability for lung cancer patients; and if not, the reason. [15318/20]
View answerWritten answers
The 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.
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 can confirm that the HSE has approved the application for reimbursement of Osimertinib (Tagrisso) for non small cell lung cancer, the specific recommendation is for second-line use for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic EGFR T790M mutation-positive non small cell lung cancer.
I am advised by the HSE that reimbursement commenced from 1st July 2020.
Data Protection
Questions (1137)
Róisín Shortall
Question:1137. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will conduct a full audit of all data transferred with or without consent to a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15326/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Minister for Health does not have the power to carry out audits of personal data flows between data controllers. Under GDPR, all data controllers need to regularly audit their holdings of personal data and the procedures they have in place to protect the data in order to ensure compliance with data protection law. External auditing of data controllers is a matter for the Data Protection Commission to decide upon and to undertake.
Data Protection
Questions (1138)
Róisín Shortall
Question:1138. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if brain tumour data from Beaumont Hospital have been transferred to a company (details supplied) before the extended opt-out deadline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15327/20]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Charges
Questions (1139)
Bernard Durkan
Question:1139. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the provision being made to waive the accident and emergency charge for public patients during the Covid-19 pandemic in circumstances in which a patient has had no other option to attend accident and emergency for care due to restricted access to other care options; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15348/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Health (Out-Patient Charges) Regulations 2019 provides that, subject to certain exemptions, a charge shall be made for out-patient services provided at designated centres including an emergency department (€100) and a minor injury unit (€75). These exemptions include a person with a medical card, a person who has a letter of referral from a registered medical practitioner, a person receiving services for the diagnosis or treatment of an infectious disease prescribes under part IV of the Health
On the 20th February 2020, the Minister for Health signed the 'Infectious Diseases (Amendment) Regulations 2020' to include Covid-19 on the list of notifiable infectious diseases. As a consequence, a person receiving services for the diagnosis or treatment of Covid-19 is exempt from the statutory €100 Emergency Department (and €75 Minor Injury Unit) charge.
I have no plans to amend the provisions in relation to the application of this charge.
Disability Services Provision
Questions (1140)
Mairéad Farrell
Question:1140. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health the status of the effectiveness of the HSE framework for the resumption of adult disability day services; if he will obtain feedback from user groups such as a group (details supplied) to hold the HSE accountable for the satisfactory outcome of its plan; and the way in which the State can better support the thousands of carers and their loved ones who are now facing stress and frustration while the adult disability day services are not fully resumed. [15352/20]
View answerWritten answers
As part of the overall effort to contain the spread of COVID-19 and in line with public health advice, day service locations closed in March.
Since then, HSE Disability Services have been working to develop national guidance on the part of the disability sector to direct how all day services can be delivered. The Guidance to support the Framework for the Resumption of Adult Disability Day Services was published by the HSE on 9 July 2020.
In developing the guidance document to guide providers, the HSE worked closely with service providers through representative organisations such as the National Federation of Voluntary Service Providers, Disability Federation of Ireland and the Not for Profit Association, in addition to Inclusion Ireland, who represent people with intellectual disabilities and their families.
The guidance document seeks to support the safe return of services in the context of ongoing public health guidance. It also recognises that the impact of public health guidance will result in services being provided at a reduced level and will require changes in how people are supported, increased use of technology where appropriate and more use of outreach supports.
Day services will gradually resume during the month of August. Service providers are already working to get day services ready to reopen safely, and in line with public health guidance. Service providers will be in touch with all families and service users during the month of July to discuss when they may expect the resumption of their service and what that service will consist of.
I want to acknowledge the many challenges experienced by individuals and their families over this difficult time. Families across the country have had their routines upended due to the impact of COVID-19 and I hope that this will be the first step towards returning to some sense of normalcy.
The Guidance to support the Framework for Resumption of Adult Disability Day Services is available on the New Directions website: www.hse.ie/newdirections. The HSE have also issued monthly communications updates for service users and their families, the latest leaflet “Adult Disability Day Services and COVID-19 - What’s Happening? July 2020” is available at the above link.
Hospital Data
Questions (1141)
Jackie Cahill
Question:1141. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the number of isolation beds operational and available at South Tipperary General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15353/20]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
Hospital Data
Questions (1142)
Jackie Cahill
Question:1142. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the staffing budget for South Tipperary General Hospital in each of the years 2016 to 2020, inclusive, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15354/20]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
Covid-19 Tests
Questions (1143)
Cathal Crowe
Question:1143. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify the situation for private patients who, despite paying for health insurance, are being charged for Covid-19 testing on top of their healthcare. [15360/20]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy will be aware, I do not have responsibility for private hospitals, including in relation to charges that they apply. Neither do I have a role, as Minister for Health, in the commercial decisions taken by any health insurer regarding the treatments or services provided in their products, provided that the regulatory obligations set out in Minimum Benefit regulations and other health insurance legislation are complied with.
In relation to testing, the HSE has developed guidance for the management of planned hospital admissions for non-COVID care which sets out advisory testing strategies for hospital patients. This guidance seeks to provide an advisory framework for mitigating risks associated with the delivery of non-COVID care while COVID-19 continues to be prevalent, and testing provides one of a number of measures that can be taken to reduce risk.
As with any procedure or test, there will be a cost. I am not in a position to comment on what the actual cost may be in private hospitals, however, I understand that the costs arising from testing for COVID-19 in public hospitals is much lower than the upper charges referenced in recent media coverage. In addition, I can confirm that the NTPF have advised my Department that no patient is liable for any charge from a private hospital for services arranged by the NTPF.
Disability Services Data
Questions (1144)
Paul McAuliffe
Question:1144. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the average waiting time for access to the early intervention teams covering Dublin 9 and 11; and if plans will be put in place to increase the capacity of the teams to meet the growing demand for the service. [15365/20]
View answerWritten answers
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
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.
National Children's Hospital
Questions (1145)
Michael McNamara
Question:1145. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health when construction work will recommence on the national children’s hospital, if works have stalled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15376/20]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Hospital Funding
Questions (1146)
Niamh Smyth
Question:1146. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason funding to develop a new endoscopy wing at Cavan General Hospital by the RCSI hospital group has not been allocated to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15380/20]
View answerWritten answers
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.