Tuesday, 28 Jul 2020

Written Answers Nos. 933-952

Covid-19 Tests

Questions (933)

Joe O'Brien

Question:

933. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the turnaround time for Covid-19 tests relative to the recommended 48 hours for proper test and trace. [18155/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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 (934)

Joe O'Brien

Question:

934. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if a series of matters raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) will be examined. [18156/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Since the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) met for the first time, a commitment was given to collect and publish as much relevant data as possible while ensuring individual patient confidentiality is maintained at all times. While the nature and scale of the Covid-19 pandemic has been unprecedented, the collection of timely and comprehensive data has underpinned the efforts of the public health response to Covid-19 and has been instrumental in developing the health service response to Covid-19 and to the advice provided by NPHET and the Department of Health to assist Government decision-making in the wider response to Covid-19 in Ireland.

Comprehensive national statistics, information and data about Covid-19, including a timeline of confirmed cases by date, is published on a daily basis on the Department of Health website at https://www.gov.ie/en/organisation/department-of-health/  and on the Covid-19 Data Hub and Dashboards available at https://covid19ireland-geohive.hub.arcgis.com/. Datasets, charts and maps are updated on an on-going basis and in line with newly published data. The published data are based on official figures provided by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) and the Health Service Executive (HSE).

I would also direct the Deputy to the CSO website for access to a range of data relating to Covid-19. This is available on the CSO Covid-19 Information Hub at   https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-covid19/covid-19informationhub/health/

Further information is also published in the daily report by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) available at https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/casesinireland/epidemiologyofcovid-19inireland.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (935)

Joe O'Brien

Question:

935. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if verbal or written direction has been provided by the Director General of the HSE via the HSE to general practitioners relating to requests for letters to confirm the inability of a person to wear a mask on the basis of legitimate health grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18157/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I have arranged for this question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (936)

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Question:

936. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18164/20]

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 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.

Home Help Service

Questions (937)

Neale Richmond

Question:

937. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if an increased allocation of home help hours from 17.5 hours a week will be provided for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18167/20]

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.

Nursing Homes Support Scheme

Questions (938)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

938. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health when legislation will be introduced for the modifications to the fair deal scheme to deal with self-employed persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18170/20]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Nursing Homes Support Scheme, (NHSS) commonly referred to as Fair Deal, is a system of financial support for people who require long-term residential care. Participants contribute to the cost of their care according to their means while the State pays the balance of the cost. The Scheme aims to ensure that long-term nursing home care is accessible and affordable for everyone and that people are cared for in the most appropriate settings.

 The proposed policy change to the NHSS, to cap contributions based on farm and business assets at 3 years where a family successor commits to working the productive asset, has been approved by Government. The Department developed draft Heads of Bill while considering a number of complex ancillary policy and operational matters which may need to be addressed in the proposed legislation.

The stated policy objective of the general scheme of the Bill is to introduce further safeguards in the NHSS to further protect the viability and sustainability of family farms and businesses that will be passed down to the next generation of the family to continue to work them as productive assets to provide for them their livelihood.

The amendment of the scheme will bring certainty to the duration for which a contribution to the cost of care under NHSS will be levied against family farms and businesses. This in turn will support the viability of farms and businesses by increasing the likelihood of access to financing & promoting investment, which will encourage orderly succession planning with family members, encourage young farmers to remain farming and potentially encourage family members that had changed occupation or emigrated to return to the family farm.

 The General Scheme of Bill for the Amendment to the NHSS was approved by Government on 11 June 2019 and subsequently published. The changes to the Scheme will come into effect as soon as the legislative process is successfully complete. The General Scheme was sent to the relevant Joint Committee and the Department participated in pre-legislative scrutiny on 13 November 2019.  Engagement with the Office of the Attorney General began in early 2020 to progress the legislative development process.

Further progress on the development of the Bill has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic with focus entirely on responding to the challenges presented by COVID-19. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been and continues to be a national and public health priority.

Hospital Services

Questions (939)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Question:

939. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the distress caused to young persons and their families in County Donegal by the long journeys they regularly have to make for appointments in Dublin with a paediatric rheumatology consultant; and if his Department and the HSE can ensure that paediatric rheumatology consultants can hold regular clinics in Letterkenny University Hospital to avoid such distress. [18174/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly, as soon as possible.

Hospice Services

Questions (940)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Question:

940. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health if the HSE will ensure that the delays in delivering the additional and required four new suites at a hospice (details supplied) are resolved and that the amount of matching funding sought from the voluntary committee supporting the hospice is reviewed on a realistic basis. [18175/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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

Cannabis for Medicinal Use

Questions (941)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

941. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in the awarding of a licence to access medical cannabis to a person (details supplied). [18180/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As the Deputy will be aware the Department cannot comment on individual cases. However, if the patient or their medical practitioner wishes to contact my Department directly to discuss the issue they are welcome to do so.

It should be noted that the Department of Health website contains detailed information on medical cannabis, including clinical guidance on the use of medical cannabis and details on how a medical  practitioner may apply for a Ministerial licence. This information can be found at:

health.gov.ie/blog/publications/cannabis-for-medical-use/

It is important to note that the decision to prescribe or not prescribe  any treatment, including cannabis treatment, for an individual patient  is strictly a decision for the treating clinician, in consultation with  their patient. The Minister for Health has no role in this clinical decision-making process.

Question No. 942 answered with Question No. 924.

Physiotherapy Services

Questions (943, 944)

John Lahart

Question:

943. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the reason physiotherapists are not allowed to order X-rays in view of the fact that in other parts of Europe and Australia this is not the case, provided a physiotherapist has undergone the appropriate training (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18208/20]

John Lahart

Question:

944. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the reason physiotherapists now registered with CORU cannot order X-rays in view of the fact that the lack of registration previously precluded them from ordering X-rays. [18209/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 943 and 944 together.

The European Union (Basic Safety Standards for Protection Against Dangers Arising from Medical Exposure to Ionising Radiation) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 256 of 2018) transposed the Basic Safety Standards Directive (BSSD), the purpose of which is to protect the public, patients, workers and others from all forms of ionising radiation. 

The regulations designate those who may refer for radiological tests, those who may carry them out and other functions; nurses, doctors, dentists and radiographers are designated as appropriate. Physiotherapists are not designated in the regulations. Physiotherapists were not designated as referrers under the previous regulations.

It should be noted that not all statutorily regulated professions are designated for the purposes of the BSSD.

In November 2017, my colleague Minister Harris launched Working Together for Health: A National Strategic Framework for Health and Social Care Workforce Planning . Underpinned by a core set of principles, the framework is intended to support the recruitment and retention of the right mix of health workers across the health system to meet planned and projected service need.

Physiotherapy Services

Questions (945, 946, 947)

John Lahart

Question:

945. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health his views on whether the inability of physiotherapists to order X-rays is seriously hampering their ability to work in an advanced practice role in view of the fact they must interrupt the doctors from doing their jobs to request orders for imaging (details supplied). [18210/20]

John Lahart

Question:

946. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the reason physiotherapists in a service (details supplied) are hampered by an inability to order X-ray and MRI imaging in view of the potential benefits to the service in reducing the wait times for patients referred to orthopaedics nationally. [18212/20]

John Lahart

Question:

947. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health his views on whether advanced practice physios have the ability to improve waiting times for many patients with musculoskeletal complaints (details supplied). [18213/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 945 to 947, inclusive, together.

International evidence demonstrates access to appropriate health services for patients is maximised through multidisciplinary team (MDT) working and integration of services. Sláintecare, underpinned by these principles for reform has also identified waiting list management as a key priority. 

 Physiotherapists, as part of the MDT with expert knowledge of rehabilitation and injury management can make a positive contribution towards improving waiting times for some patients. It is documented that there are selected caseloads of patients particularly in the area of musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders that have gained more timely access to care where clinical teams include specialist or Advanced Practice Physiotherapists. There is also evidence that re referral rates are low and comparable to International rates avoiding system over burden. Longitudinal research of patient outcomes is required in the Irish context to determine the appropriateness of care delivered by Advanced Practice.

Physiotherapists and the impact on waiting lists.  

 Advanced Practice Physiotherapist in Ireland is a role title rather than a regulated professional role which is governed by legislation. In other professions legislation protects the title of Advanced Practitioner and requires certain extended standards of practice.  In physiotherapy, such  legislative changes would require definition of the role from the professional perspective and the development of appropriate standards and an education programme to support the change in the level of practice.

Registered Advanced Practitioners are well established in the Nursing and Midwifery professions for example. Advanced Practice in these professions developed over a number of years and followed a recommendation from the Commission on Nursing (1998). The basis of advanced practice is the high degree of knowledge, skill and experience that is applied within the nurse-patient/client relationship to achieve optimal outcomes through critical analysis, problem solving and accurate decision making. The outer limits to advanced practice are set by legislation, policy and guidelines that were developed through an extensive process.

Hospital Equipment

Questions (948)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

948. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the purchase date of each MRI machine in each hospital in Ireland; the end of life date; and the end of supply of spare parts date of each machine ,in tabular form. [18238/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of healthcare equipment, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.

Hospital Equipment

Questions (949)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

949. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the purchase date of each X-ray machine in each hospital in Ireland; the end of life date; and the end of supply of spare parts date of each machine, in tabular form. [18239/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of healthcare equipment, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.

Hospital Equipment

Questions (950)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

950. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the purchase date of each ultrasound scanner in each hospital in Ireland; the end of life date; and the end of supply of spare parts date of each machine, in tabular form. [18240/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of healthcare equipment, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.

Medical Cards

Questions (951)

Marian Harkin

Question:

951. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health if an application for a medical card by a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; when the new thresholds for medical cards will be enacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18241/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.

Mental Health Services

Questions (952)

Marian Harkin

Question:

952. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health when interviews for psychiatric nurses for those on the HSE national panel will be held; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18242/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this question relates to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond directly to the Deputy.