David Cullinane
Question:295. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans to prepare for the winter flu season; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17889/20]
View answerVaccination Programme
Questions (295, 296)
David Cullinane
Question:296. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans to invest further in a flu-vaccination programme in 2020; the extent of the additional funding; his views on a total population flu-vaccination programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17890/20]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 295 and 296 together.
To mitigate as much as possible the pressure on the health services that would result from a coincidence of the winter flu season and a resurgence of COVID-19, there will be an expanded provision of seasonal influenza vaccine this year. All of those in the at-risk groups aged from 6 months up, including healthcare workers, will be able to access the vaccination without charges. All children aged from 2 to 12 years inclusive will also have access to vaccination without charges.
This expanded programme will ensure that those most vulnerable to the effects of influenza will have access without charges. This is in line with the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee, which has not recommended a programme of vaccination of the whole population, and represents a significant step forward in providing vaccination without charges. The expansion will be accompanied by a comprehensive communications campaign to encourage the greatest possible take-up.
The final cost of the expansion will depend on the outcome of negotiations with service providers - GPs and pharmacists. However, we have estimated that an additional cost of approximately €40 million will arise when all factors are accounted for.
Hospital Consultant Contracts
Questions (297)
David Cullinane
Question:297. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the details of the shortage of consultants by speciality (details supplied) in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17891/20]
View answerWritten answers
I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy with the data sought.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (298)
David Cullinane
Question:298. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the decrease in community service activity that has occurred as a consequence of Covid-19; his plans to address the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17892/20]
View answerWritten answers
As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
Cancer Services
Questions (299)
David Cullinane
Question:299. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the backlog in screening by the four national screening programmes in tabular form; his plans to clear the backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17893/20]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Hospital Facilities
Questions (300)
David Cullinane
Question:300. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans to further increase hospital step-down capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17894/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Government recognises that our ageing population will require the delivery of significant additional long-stay and step-down facilities. A comprehensive programme of investment in public nursing homes over the period 2016-2021 is well underway. The programme is aimed at maintaining the existing level of public bed provision and will also provide some additional capacity.The National Development Plan provides capital funding over the next ten years for additional capacity requirements including 4,500 additional short-term and long-term beds across the public system in Community Nursing Units and other step-down facilities, as identified by the Health Service Capacity Review (2018).
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (301)
David Cullinane
Question:301. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans to leverage the use of private health facilities and capacity to help deliver a public catch up programme to deal with missed care as a consequence of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17895/20]
View answerWritten answers
A major part of the Government's Action Plan in response to Covid-19 was to substantially increase the capacity of public healthcare facilities to cope with the anticipated additional demand. In order to urgently ramp up capacity for acute care facilities, an arrangement was agreed with the private hospitals to use their facilities as part of the public system on a temporary basis, to provide essential services. A Heads of Terms of Agreement between the HSE and the Private Hospitals was agreed at the end of March 2020 and all 18 of the acute private hospitals signed up to it. Under the arrangement, all patients in the private hospitals were treated as public patients and their treatment was prioritised based on clinical need.
The agreement was reviewed at the end of May and the Government decided that the existing arrangement should not be extended beyond the end of June. It has however mandated the HSE to negotiate a new arrangement with private hospitals which would provide the HSE with full access to private hospital capacity in the event of a surge of Covid-19 and separately with ongoing agreed access, to enable the HSE to meet essential and elective care needs.
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.
In terms of increasing elective care activity, the HSE is seeking to optimise productivity through alternative work practices such as telemedicine and the use of alternative settings including community facilities and alternative outpatient settings.
Cancer Services
Questions (302)
David Cullinane
Question:302. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of cancers which have gone undetected due to the suspension of screening; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17896/20]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (303)
David Cullinane
Question:303. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the details of his plans to return all four national screening programmes to pre-Covid-19 levels; the time frame to achieving same; the additional resources that will be made available to achieving pre-Covid-19 levels of screening; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17897/20]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Disability Services Provision
Questions (304)
David Cullinane
Question:304. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health when full access to disability day services will be restored; his views on whether additional funding and capacity will be needed to achieve same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17898/20]
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. The HSE is committed to maximising the support that can be provided within these restrictions and providers are exploring options such as the use of other community facilities to augment capacity.
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.
In relation to additional funding and capacity, the Government has agreed to allocate substantial additional funding to the Health Vote to meet the costs associated with the implementation of the measures outlined in the National Action Plan in response to COVID-19.
The HSE, through the Community Healthcare Organisations (CHOs) is actively engaging with any Section 38 and Section 39 disability service providers who are experiencing financial challenges, including access to cash acceleration, where appropriate, to maintain continuity of service provision where cash flow issues arise. Organisations receiving funding from the HSE should raise any concerns in relation to financial issues that may have implications for continuity of service provision with the relevant Community Health Care Organisation (CHO) responsible for the service arrangements.
The HSE has also agreed a structured approach to addressing the financial challenges of Section 39 service providers due to COVID-19. The objective of the programme is to provide a structured governance process and modus operandi through which Section 39 partners experiencing financial difficulties due to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency can engage through the HSE to ensure, where appropriate, continuity of essential services provided by these agencies. The HSE has also developed a methodology to provide a pro forma approach to support decision making in respect of Section 39 Organisations that have made submissions to the HSE for both financial and non-financial supports during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The HSE has advised the Department that it has given Section 38 and Section 39 providers of disability services and supports assurance that budget allocations confirmed to each provider via the relevant CHO, will remain in place to year end, subject to co-operation with the HSE and compliance with the relevant Service Arrangements.
Other supports provided by CHOs to Section 38 and Section 39 organisations providing disability specialist services between March and May 2020 include PPE; Infection Prevention and Control support, advice and training; Public Health advice/support with regard to suspected/positive cases; Isolation facilities allied to testing, funding for emergency residential placements, logistics in the form of transport and Accommodation. In addition, COVID response teams were put in place to assist and support residential service providers during the pandemic. These teams will now oversee and support the reshaping of disability services as a result of COVID 19.
A critical focus at this time is the assurance of value for money in delivering on the required patient services and population health needs to effectively manage COVID-19 infection within the Irish context. Accordingly, the financial implications of measures taken to mitigate impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak are matters which the Department of Health will continue to keep under review in conjunction with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, as the situation evolves.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (305)
David Cullinane
Question:305. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the impact of the two-metre rule on acute hospital capacity; the actual loss of capacity, by hospital and by hospital group in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17899/20]
View answerWritten answers
To ensure services are re-introduced in a safe, clinically aligned and prioritised way, the HSE have published a Strategic Framework for ‘Service Continuity in a Covid Environment’. This document was published on 8 June and 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.
With regard to the specific impact of social distancing measures on hospital capacity for each hospital site, I have asked the HSE to provide this information to the Deputy directly.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (306)
David Cullinane
Question:306. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the details of the capacity for testing and tracing for Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17900/20]
View answerWritten answers
As this is an operational matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (307)
David Cullinane
Question:307. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the additional healthcare workforce capacity brought into the public system since February 2020 to deal with Covid-19 by category (details supplied), by staff group, hospital and hospital group; the full-year cost of retaining the work force capacity in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17901/20]
View answerWritten answers
A number of initiatives were taken to maximise the healthcare workforce in the face of COVID-19. I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy with the results of the actions taken.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (308)
James Browne
Question:308. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the limitations placed on visiting nursing homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17903/20]
View answerWritten answers
Nursing home providers are ultimately responsible for the safe care of their residents and have a range of legal responsibilities under the regulatory framework, including the Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2013.
It is recognised that the impact of COVID-19 on society in general and especially those living in nursing homes 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.
Visitor guidance is under constant review, balancing risks with benefit in line with the disease trajectory in the community. The latest guidance which was published on Wednesday 22 July comes into effect on 29 July 2020.
Departmental Correspondence
Questions (309)
Michael Ring
Question:309. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health the reason a reply has not issued to a query (details supplied) which was sent to his Department on two separate occasions [17904/20]
View answerWritten answers
I understand that a reply to the Deputy's query has now issued. I would like to apologise for the delay in reverting to him.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (310)
Denise Mitchell
Question:310. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health the number of persons awaiting a needs assessment in CHO9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17932/20]
View answerWritten answers
The recently published Programme for Government document "Our Shared Future" recognises the need to improve services for both children and adults with disabilities through better implementation and by working together across Government in a better way.
The Government commits to prioritising early diagnosis and access to services for children and ensuring that the most effective interventions are provided for each child, to guarantee the best outcomes.
As the Deputy's question relates to a service issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (311)
Denise Mitchell
Question:311. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health the number of persons awaiting access to a speech and language therapist in CHO9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17933/20]
View answerWritten answers
The recently published Programme for Government document "Our Shared Future" recognises the need to improve services for both children and adults with disabilities through better implementation and by working together across Government in a better way.
The Government commits to prioritising early diagnosis and access to services for children and ensuring that the most effective interventions are provided for each child, to guarantee the best outcomes.
As the Deputy's question relates to a service issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (312)
Denise Mitchell
Question:312. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health the number of persons awaiting access to an occupational therapist in CHO9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17934/20]
View answerWritten answers
As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (313, 314)
Denise Mitchell
Question:313. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on an inpatient waiting list in CHO9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17935/20]
View answerDenise Mitchell
Question:314. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on an outpatient waiting list in CHO9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17936/20]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 313 and 314 together.
In 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.
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 NTPF currently collects and collates information in respect of the Inpatient, Day Case, Planned Procedure (IDPP) and Outpatient (OP) Waiting Lists. National waiting lists data by hospital site and by specialty is published by the NTPF on their website (https://www.ntpf.ie/home/nwld.htm . ) and is publicly available.
The information requested by the deputy concerning the number of patients on IPDC and outpatient waiting lists in CHO9 is outlined in the attached document.