Written Answers Nos. 147-158
147. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a person (details supplied) who requires a medical procedure has been informed that the waiting list is approximately four years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16195/20]
View answerIn response to the Covid-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to pause most 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.
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 24th June 2020. 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. My Department, the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund are currently working together to evaluate the impact of Covid 19 on Scheduled Care waiting lists, in order to be prepared to address pent up demand.
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 is a standardised approach used by the HSE to manage scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures. It sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists and was developed in 2014 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.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to investigate the matter and provide you with a direct response.
148. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health if updates are available for women affected by pelvic mesh implants. [16209/20]
View answer159. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the report published recently in the UK titled, First Do No Harm; if so, if he has considered the findings of the report; and if similar measures are being considered here. [16240/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 148 and 159 together.
I note the recent publication in England of the report of the Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety (IMMDS) review, “First Do No Harm” which was chaired by Baroness Cumberlege.
International evidence and learning play an important role in health policy considerations to promote safe, high quality care for patients. This report may add to that evidence and learning.
Over the past two decades, Uro-Gynaecological (Transvaginal) Mesh has been widely used in the surgical treatment of Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) and Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) in women. Mesh devices are certified as compliant with relevant EU legislation, and as such, European regulatory competent authorities consider that the benefits outweigh the risks for these devices.
In Ireland, considerable work has been done to date and continues to progress on patient safety in relation to mesh implants; and the patient voice is central to our understanding of these, and similar, issues. As part of the ongoing policy response, my department officials are examining options to establish a process for an independent, compassionate engagement for women affected by mesh to have their voices heard; and will make proposals to me in this regard. Any engagement process will need to take account of the wider context relating to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Concerns were raised in Ireland regarding complications associated with the use of mesh devices in late 2017, including a number of Ministerial representations from the women affected or on their behalf. At that time, the Minister for Health requested the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) to prepare a report on the clinical and technical issues involved in ensuring both:
1. the safe and effective provision of mesh procedures in urogynaecology and
2. an appropriate response to women who suffer complications as a result of undergoing such procedures.
This CMO Report was published in November 2018.
Importantly, the CMO report was informed by the available national and international evidence and the personal experiences of women who have suffered complications following mesh surgery.
Since July 2018, the HSE has paused all mesh procedures where clinically safe to do so. This was at the request of the CMO and undertaken in advance of completion of the final CMO report. The pause was instigated pending confirmation by the HSE of the implementation of initial recommendations relating to (i) professional training requirements, (ii) patient information and consent and (iii) the development and maintenance of a national data set for all mesh procedures carried out in HSE funded hospitals.
The CMO report identifies that for many women, surgical procedures using synthetic mesh devices have provided a more effective and less invasive form of treatment than traditional procedures. However, mesh devices are associated with significant and severe complications in a minority of women, which are of concern given the difficulties of mesh implant removal.
The CMO report made a number of recommendations, the implementation of which will provide significant assurance that both women presenting for treatment and who develop mesh-related complications, receive high quality, multi-disciplinary patient centred care in accordance with the evidence and supported by robust clinical governance mechanisms.
The HSE published a detailed Implementation Plan for the recommendations in the report in April 2019. The HSE’s National Women & Infants Health Programme (NWIHP) is progressing treatment pathways and referral services for women suffering from mesh-related complications.
A multidisciplinary National Specialist Centre is being developed over 2 sites at Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH) and the National Maternity Hospital (NMH) Dublin. In addition, two translabial scanners, were procured by the HSE in late 2019, and are now onsite in both hospitals. However, the first scanning clinic, which was due to take place last March had to be postponed, due to the pandemic.
The HSE has published a dedicated webpage about vaginal mesh implants, including contact information for women suffering complications, which I hope is a useful resource. This can be found on the HSE website.
I would strongly encourage all women affected by mesh to engage with the relevant HSE contact points provided, to ensure that their service needs can be identified and provided for.
149. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the corporate and clinical governance arrangements of the new rehabilitation unit in the Phoenix Park. [16210/20]
View answer150. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the costs associated with the new rehabilitation unit in the Phoenix Park. [16211/20]
View answer151. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health if external bodies were involved in funding the new rehabilitation unit in the Phoenix Park. [16212/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 149 to 151, inclusive, together.
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy
152. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health his views on planned changes to outpatient respite care in a nursing home (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16213/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
153. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the status the new national children’s hospital; and the changes of contractors on site. [16214/20]
View answerThe 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.
154. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Clare with spinal muscular atrophy type 2 will be provided with Spinraza treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16230/20]
View answerAs this refers to an individual case, I have referred this matter to the HSE for their attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
155. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if a clear and detailed map will be provided of all lands owned by the Health Service Executive in Portrane, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16235/20]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the public healthcare property estate, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you in relation to this matter.
156. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the estimated demand for the flu vaccine in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16236/20]
View answerIt is anticipated that there will be higher demand for the influenza vaccine for the upcoming influenza season than in previous years due to the emergence of COVID-19. It is also desirable that the rate of uptake of the vaccine, particularly among all persons in HSE-defined at-risk groups and among healthcare workers, should increase. The planned expansion to the seasonal influenza vaccine programme for winter 2020/2021 will help encourage such persons to vaccinate.
Under the expansion, the influenza vaccine is to be made available without charge to all of those in the HSE-defined at-risk groups aged from 6 months to 69 inclusive, and to all children aged between 2 and 12 years inclusive. All persons aged over 70 already have access to the vaccine without charges.
157. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the amount spent by the health service in 2019 to treat fragility fractures and fall-related injuries. [16237/20]
View answerI have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
158. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of the work of the AFFINITY project to deliver the national strategy for prevention of falls and fractures in Ireland’s ageing population; the progress made to develop a national network of fracture liaison services; the budget provided for the work of the AFFINITY programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16238/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
