Tuesday, 28 Jul 2020

Written Answers Nos. 1054-1074

Hospital Data

Questions (1054)

David Cullinane

Question:

1054. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number and types of beds available in the public health system on 1 July 2020, in tabular form. [18942/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

Hospital Data

Questions (1055)

David Cullinane

Question:

1055. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number and types of beds in the public health system on completion of the bed capacity review; the number of beds of each type added since; and the number of additional beds that must be added to reach the required numbers as identified in the bed capacity review, in tabular form. [18943/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, commits to continuing investment in our health care services in line with the recommendations of the Health Service Capacity Review and the commitments in Project Ireland 2040.

The Health Service Capacity Review 2018 found that the net requirement in combination with health system reform is for an additional 2,590 hospital beds by 2031 (inpatient, day case, critical care). The Review identified an immediate requirement for 1,290 beds to address overcrowding and to ensure hospitals operated at 85% occupancy in line with other OECD countries. Approximately 770 additional beds have been provided to date. The National Development Plan provides for the addition of the full 2,590 beds by 2027.

Sláintecare are working to frame an interagency multi-annual plan, to deliver on the recommendations of the Health Service Capacity Review (2018). The key recommendations of the Health Service Capacity Review (2018) encompass increased human and infrastructural capacity, including:

- Increase of 2,590 acute beds by 2031

- Increase of 3,840 in primary care workers by 2031

- Increase of 19,460 home care packages by 2031

- Increase of 12.5m home help hours by 2031

A delivery timeframe and associated milestones for the achievement of the resource requirements (finance, human resources, infrastructure, equipment, etc.) is being finalised. There has been an agreed approach to be adopted for the implementation of the Capacity-Access Joint Action Programme and entails the following five workstreams:

- Workstream 1: Healthy Living

- Workstream 2: Enhanced Community Care and Capacity

- Workstream 3: Enhanced Acute Care and Capacity

- Workstream 4: Scheduled Care Access

- Workstream 5: Unscheduled Care Access

  Work had been progressing under each of the above workstreams, and in particular, initiatives under Healthy Living are being rolled out. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been necessary to revisit the plans that were drafted in February 2020 to see what can and cannot be progressed in the Capacity-Access Programme for the remainder of 2020 and into 2021.

The future opening of additional acute bed capacity will be considered in the context of the Estimates discussions and on the priorities in the HSE's National Service Plans.

In relation to the question of the existing number and types of acute beds in the system, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to provide a response to the Deputy directly.

Hospital Facilities

Questions (1056)

David Cullinane

Question:

1056. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his strategy for reaching the targets set by the bed capacity review; the progress on same; the interim targets that may be identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18944/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, commits to continuing investment in our health care services in line with the recommendations of the Health Service Capacity Review and the commitments in Project Ireland 2040.

The Health Service Capacity Review 2018 found that the net requirement in combination with health system reform is for an additional 2,590 hospital beds by 2031 (inpatient, day case, critical care). The Review identified an immediate requirement for 1,290 beds to address overcrowding and to ensure hospitals operated at 85% occupancy in line with other OECD countries. Approximately 770 additional beds have been provided to date. The National Development Plan provides for the addition of the full 2,590 beds by 2027.

Sláintecare are working to frame an interagency multi-annual plan, to deliver on the recommendations of the Health Service Capacity Review (2018). The key recommendations of the Health Service Capacity Review (2018) encompass increased human and infrastructural capacity, including:

- Increase of 2,590 acute beds by 2031

- Increase of 3,840 in primary care workers by 2031

- Increase of 19,460 home care packages by 2031

- Increase of 12.5m home help hours by 2031

A delivery timeframe and associated milestones for the achievement of the resource requirements (finance, human resources, infrastructure, equipment, etc.) is being finalised. There has been an agreed approach to be adopted for the implementation of the Capacity-Access Joint Action Programme and entails the following five workstreams:

- Workstream 1: Healthy Living

- Workstream 2: Enhanced Community Care and Capacity

- Workstream 3: Enhanced Acute Care and Capacity

- Workstream 4: Scheduled Care Access

- Workstream 5: Unscheduled Care Access

Work had been progressing under each of the above workstreams, and in particular, initiatives under Healthy Living are being rolled out. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been necessary to revisit the plans that were drafted in February 2020 to see what can and cannot be progressed in the Capacity-Access Programme for the remainder of 2020 and into 2021.

The future opening of additional acute bed capacity will be considered in the context of the Estimates discussions and on the priorities in the HSE's National Service Plans.

Health Services Staff

Questions (1057)

David Cullinane

Question:

1057. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the efforts made by his Department to devise and implement a comprehensive workforce plan; if there are targets for year end in each of the years 2020 to 2022; the current targeted and necessary staffing levels by profession in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18945/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The workforce plan for the HSE is on an annual basis and is contained in the pay and numbers strategy set out in the HSE National Service Plan 2020. This provides the details on the projected affordable staffing levels by health service for 2020 on an annual basis as funding of the HSE is on an annual basis. The detail by staff category is not included, as the model is underpinned by an affordability model, whereby there is flexibility within HSE service delivery to allocate staff based on need and affordability rather than a more rigid staff category approach. The information can be found in the HSE National Service Plan (page 118) at the following link: www.hse.ie/eng/services/publications/national-service-plan-2020.pdf. It should be noted that those projections were developed prior to COVID- 19.

The HSE is currently undertaking a strategic workforce planning exercise in the context of the ongoing response to COVID-19 to determine the required workforce to year end, to meet the service requirements of COVID-19 service delivery (i.e. COVID-19 services that are required to continue and standing back up services that were paused due to the immediate response to COVID-19). This work is complex, given that the HSE are dealing with a novel virus, and requires an integrated approach across multiple workstreams.

It remains difficult to quantify what the public health sectors workforce requirements will be going forward, as we are still in the process of managing the crisis.  The service requirements and available resources will determine the extent to which recruitment will take place going forward.

Over the coming months, the health service will face normal staff attrition and staff redeployed will return to their previous positions to support the recommencement of non-COVID services.  However, it has become clear that the workforce must be enhanced to meet current and future demands with sufficient contingency and flexibility to respond to unexpected public health threats and demand surges.  A new strategic workforce plan is being developed to take account of such matters. This work is being progressed as a matter of priority by the Department of Health and HSE.

Suicide Incidence

Questions (1058)

Mark Ward

Question:

1058. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health his views on reports that data collection on suicide for hospitals was suspended due to the Covid-19 lockdown; the reason for same; when such data collection will recommence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18947/20]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Drugs Payment Scheme

Questions (1059)

Alan Kelly

Question:

1059. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a copy of the review of governance structures of the HSE drug reimbursement process that was conducted by a company (details supplied) and received by his Department in January 2020. [18952/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

In 2019, Mazars conducted a review of the governance structures around the HSE's drug reimbursement process. The report was submitted to my Department in January 2020.

The report was under consideration by officials earlier this year; however, this work stream was temporarily suspended to reallocate resources to support essential services during the Department's efforts to combat COVID-19.

It would not be appropriate to publish this report before it can be adequately examined by my officials and the relevant personnel in the HSE.

Health Services Staff

Questions (1060)

James Browne

Question:

1060. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the status of the recruitment process of a professional for a service (details supplied); the number of applications received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18957/20]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Hospital Procedures

Questions (1061, 1064, 1065, 1066)

Alan Kelly

Question:

1061. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the investment made in colposcopy services in 2018, 2019 and 2020; the amount he plans to invest in 2021 and 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18974/20]

Alan Kelly

Question:

1064. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the capacity available in colposcopy services in April 2018 versus the capacity in July 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18977/20]

Alan Kelly

Question:

1065. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the position on the processing time for colposcopy results by hospital; the number of laboratories examining these biopsies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18978/20]

Alan Kelly

Question:

1066. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of women waiting for colposcopy appointments by hospital on 22 July 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18979/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1061 and 1064 to 1066, inclusive, together.

The Programme for Government contains a strong commitment to women’s health issues and ensuring that there is a greater focus on, and scrutiny of, women’s experiences of healthcare. In particular, it has committed to supporting the CervicalCheck Screening Programme, and the colposcopy services as an important part of that programme. This is something I fully support and my Department will work closely with the National Screening Service and the CervicalCheck Programme, in particular, to advance colposcopy services.

In light of the unprecedented public health challenges posed by the COVID-19 global pandemic in March 2020, the National Screening Service’s (NSS) four national screening programmes, including CervicalCheck, were paused in March 2020. It is important to note, however, that clinical staff continued to work within the programmes.

This pause was for community testing (GPs and clinics) and not for patients already referred to or in the process of being managed within the colposcopy system. These patients were still cared for as hospital resources allowed and all colposcopy units continued to operate with a reduced volume.

CervicalCheck has a network of quality-assured colposcopy clinics for women requiring further investigation following a smear test. Colposcopy units prioritised their work in line with clinical need and staffing availability. Samples taken from patients in a colposcopy clinic setting (including follow-up smear clinics) continued to be accepted by the CervicalCheck Screening Programme.

In terms of investment in colposcopy services in particular, this is dealt with as part of the National Service Plan and the HSE will provide details of investment made in 2018, 2019 and 2020. Funding for 2021 will be dealt with as part of the upcoming estimates process.

In relation to the specific data requested in relation to capacity available in colposcopy services, processing time for colposcopy results by hospital, the number of laboratories involved, numbers of women waiting for appointments, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

Vaccination Programme

Questions (1062)

Alan Kelly

Question:

1062. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health when HPV screening will be rolled out for women under the CervicalCheck programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18975/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Vaccination Programme

Questions (1063)

Alan Kelly

Question:

1063. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health when the CervicalCheck backlog will be cleared; the way in which a laboratory (details supplied) will deal with the backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18976/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Questions Nos. 1064 to 1066, inclusive, answered with Question No. 1061.

National Cervical Screening Programme

Questions (1067)

Alan Kelly

Question:

1067. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the timeframe for the work of the CervicalCheck tribunal from establishment; when he plans to appoint new members to the CervicalCheck tribunal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18980/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The legislation necessary to establish the CervicalCheck Tribunal, the CervicalCheck Tribunal Act 2019 (the Act), passed through the Oireachtas and was signed into law by the President on 23 July 2019. The Tribunal is being set up to hear and determine claims in respect of CervicalCheck outside of the court process.

As the key arrangements for the CervicalCheck Tribunal were in place including the premises, membership, staffing and rules and procedures, it was intended that the Tribunal would be established by the end of March 2020. However, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, in line with the public health measures being taken to control the outbreak of the virus it was decided to delay the establishment of the Tribunal.

Ms. Justice Mary Irvine who was originally announced as the Tribunal’s nominated Chairperson when the Government agreed to set up the Tribunal in December 2018, was appointed as President of the High Court on 18 June 2020 and therefore will no longer be in a position to carry out the role of Chairperson of the Tribunal. Separately, Mr. Justice Michael Peart who was nominated for appointment as an ordinary member of the Tribunal has informed the Government that he will not be taking up that post.

The Act requires that the Tribunal shall consist of a chairperson and at least two ordinary members, accordingly it will not be possible to establish the Tribunal until suitable persons have been identified for appointment to the Tribunal upon establishment.

I am engaged in the process of identifying suitable new members for appointment. Once this process is complete, and the newly nominated chairperson is satisfied with the arrangements in place, the Tribunal will be established as soon as possible thereafter, and its members will be formally appointed under the Act. The Tribunal will be in a position to begin receiving claims immediately upon establishment.

Section 12 of the Act sets out the time limits for making a claim to the Tribunal, including that in general, time limits for eligibility are calculated from the date of the Tribunal’s establishment and that claims must be lodged within 9 months of that date. However, it is not possible to set out a timeframe for the Tribunal to carry out its work as the length of time the Tribunal will be in operation for is dependent on a number of factors, including how many of the persons who are eligible to make a claim to the Tribunal ultimately do so.

Home Help Service

Questions (1068)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

1068. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if home support services will be terminated for service users in circumstances in which the service was suspended while their disability day services remain closed and family members are cocooning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18984/20]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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 Appointments Status

Questions (1069)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

1069. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will be considered for an earlier appointment in Letterkenny University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18985/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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.

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 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 the Deputy with a direct response.

Tribunals of Inquiry

Questions (1070)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

1070. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of a tribunal (details supplied); the status of the appointment of its new chairperson; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18986/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The legislation necessary to establish the CervicalCheck Tribunal, the CervicalCheck Tribunal Act 2019 (the Act), passed through the Oireachtas and was signed into law by the President on 23 July 2019. The Tribunal is being set up to hear and determine claims in respect of CervicalCheck outside of the court process.

As the key arrangements for the CervicalCheck Tribunal were in place including the premises, membership, staffing and rules and procedures, it was intended that the Tribunal would be established by the end of March 2020. However, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, in line with the public health measures being taken to control the outbreak of the virus it was decided to delay the establishment of the Tribunal.

Ms. Justice Mary Irvine who was originally announced as the Tribunal’s nominated Chairperson when the Government agreed to set up the Tribunal in December 2018, was appointed as President of the High Court on 18 June 2020 and therefore will no longer be in a position to carry out the role of Chairperson of the Tribunal. Separately, Mr. Justice Michael Peart who was nominated for appointment as an ordinary member of the Tribunal has informed the Government that he will not be taking up that post.

The Act requires that the Tribunal shall consist of a chairperson and at least two ordinary members; accordingly it will not be possible to establish the Tribunal until suitable persons have been identified for appointment to the Tribunal upon establishment.

I am engaged in the process of identifying suitable new members for appointment. Once this process is complete, and the newly nominated chairperson is satisfied with the arrangements in place, the Tribunal will be established as soon as possible thereafter, and its members will be formally appointed under the Act. The Tribunal will be in a position to begin receiving claims immediately upon establishment.

Hospital Data

Questions (1071)

David Cullinane

Question:

1071. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number and cost of retaining the new beds added in 2020 to year end; and the full-year cost of retaining those beds for 2021. [18988/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, commits to continuing investment in our health care services in line with the recommendations of the Health Service Capacity Review and the commitments in Project Ireland 2040.

The Health Service Capacity Review 2018 found that the net requirement in combination with health system reform is for an additional 2,590 hospital beds by 2031 (inpatient, day case, critical care). The Review identified an immediate requirement for 1,290 beds to address overcrowding and to ensure hospitals operated at 85% occupancy in line with other OECD countries. Approximately 770 additional beds have been provided to date. The National Development Plan provides for the addition of the full 2,590 beds by 2027.

The Department of Health is working with the HSE to increase acute capacity in hospitals throughout the country. In the context of the current COVID-19 Pandemic response, the HSE advised on 22 June 2020 that an additional 324 acute beds have opened since March, bringing the current total of acute beds in the system to 11,597 excluding critical care capacity. It should be noted that this is the total current bed capacity. However, beds are unavailable when they are temporarily closed for reasons such as infection control, maintenance/refurbishment, or staffing shortages.

Furthermore, the HSE’s Critical Care Programme Census from September 2019 reported that there were 255 adult critical care beds in public hospitals. At an early stage of the Covid-19 pandemic, additional funding was provided to the HSE to increase the number of critical care beds. 42 critical care beds have been funded since March in addition to the baseline critical care capacity already identified in hospitals.

In line with the HSE’s Critical Care Major Surge Preparedness Planning Framework, surge plans for further capacity for each Hospital Group have been developed in order to create additional capacity if required.

Finally, the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) agreed to support the marginal costs of funding additional beds for three months to the end of March 2020 at a cost of €5.8 million. The HSE confirmed 197 of those beds had opened as planned. A further extension of this agreement has been approved until the 31st December 2020 at an estimated cost of €12 million.

The future opening of additional acute bed capacity will be considered in the context of the Estimates discussions for the years concerned and on the priorities in the HSE's National Service Plans for those years.

In relation to the Deputy's question regarding the cost of retaining additional capacity, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

Health Services Funding

Questions (1072)

Colm Burke

Question:

1072. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will direct the HSE to provide adequate funding to ensure that a facility (details supplied) can continue to function and remain open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18995/20]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Mental Health Services

Questions (1073)

Mark Ward

Question:

1073. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the funding available for non-governmental organisations to provide mental health supports in the community; and the process for applications. [19049/20]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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 (1074)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

1074. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if a response will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19050/20]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I sincerely apologise for the delay in issuing a response to this correspondence.  The delay in responding is due to the sheer volume of correspondence which was received in recent times. I can assure the Deputy that a response will issue in the coming days.