Tuesday, 22 Sep 2020

Written Answers Nos. 742-761

Maternity Services

Questions (742)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

742. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health his plans to restore maternity services in full for women; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24936/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I acknowledge that the current restrictions in maternity hospitals are presenting difficulties and this is hugely regrettable. However, it is necessary to reduce footfall in order to protect women, babies, staff and our maternity service as a whole.

Maternity hospitals have performed well during the pandemic and have continued to keep women, babies and staff safe. The fact that there have been no Covid maternal deaths in this country and that we have a had a low incidence in pregnant women, suggests that the current approach is working.

However, we must remain vigilant as services resume and higher numbers of people attend hospitals. Maternity hospitals rely on very specialised personnel; should an outbreak of COVID-19 occur in a maternity hospital, the ability to provide safe, quality care would be severely impacted. It should be remembered that maternity hospitals care for fragile infants at the extremes of prematurity.

All maternity hospitals are challenged by the pandemic, but those challenges vary considerably. Decisions on any restrictions are therefore made, implemented and reviewed at hospital level.

Decisions to restrict visitors in our maternity hospitals have not been taken lightly. Management and staff are acutely aware of the very important support provided by partners at the time of birth.

I have been assured that maternity hospitals wish to facilitate this support as far as possible. In that context, I can assure the Deputy that any restrictions currently in place have been minimised as much as possible and will be subject to ongoing review.

In relation to the resumption of maternity services, as this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply to you directly.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (743)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

743. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if additional ringfenced funding will be committed to for mental health services for those that have given birth during the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24937/20]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Mary Butler)

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

Question No. 744 answered with Question No. 734.

Covid-19 Tests

Questions (745)

David Cullinane

Question:

745. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the status of the measures taken to date as a consequence of the HSE publication Covid-19 Testing and Tracing: Roadmap to enhance capacity and turnaround published 14 May 2020; the progress made on the measures identified within; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24960/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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

Covid-19 Tests

Questions (746)

David Cullinane

Question:

746. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of Covid-19 swab tests conducted at each community testing centre, each hospital and by the National Ambulance Service, on a weekly basis since 1 April 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24961/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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

Covid-19 Tests

Questions (747)

David Cullinane

Question:

747. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of Covid-19 tests evaluated at each testing laboratory involved on a weekly basis since 1 April 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24962/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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

Covid-19 Tests

Questions (748)

David Cullinane

Question:

748. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of persons involved in Covid-19 swabbing, test evaluation and tracing by occupation and county in each testing site since 1 April 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24963/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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

Covid-19 Tests

Questions (749)

David Cullinane

Question:

749. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of drive through testing facility lanes available on a weekly basis since 1 April 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24964/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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

Covid-19 Tests

Questions (750)

David Cullinane

Question:

750. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the opening hours and staffing levels by occupation for each swabbing centre in each week since 1 April 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24965/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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

Covid-19 Tests

Questions (751)

David Cullinane

Question:

751. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if all swab data is now fed directly from Swiftqueue to the laboratory information system [24966/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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

Covid-19 Tests

Questions (752)

David Cullinane

Question:

752. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if the results data transfer between NVRL and Case Tracker CRM has been fully automated or the percentage that has been automated since 1 May to date [24967/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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

Question No. 753 to 755, inclusive, answered with Question No. 682.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (756)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

756. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an orthopaedic appointment for a procedure at Letterkenny University Hospital; if they are on the routine or urgent list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25041/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

It is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been impacted as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to defer most scheduled care activity in March, April, and May of this year. 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 the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) in accordance with the advice of the World Health Organisation.

The resumption of services from June onwards has allowed for increased activity, with the HSE utilising innovative methods including telemedicine to facilitate patient appointments. Patient safety remains at the forefront of service resumption. To ensure services are re-introduced in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, hospitals are following HSE clinical guidelines and protocols which has resulted in reduced capacity and activity

The HSE continues to optimise productivity through alternative work practices such the use of alternative settings including private hospitals, community facilities and alternative outpatient settings.

The National Treatment Purchase Fund has also recommenced arranging treatment in both private and public hospitals for clinically suitable patients who have been waiting for long periods on public hospital waiting lists.

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 Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (757)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

757. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a long-term bed will become available for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25042/20]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Mary Butler)

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

Prescriptions Charges

Questions (758)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

758. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when the reduction of prescription charges announced in Budget 2020 will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25043/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Budget 2020 provided for a number of measures to reduce the cost of medicines for the general public including a €0.50c reduction in prescription charges for medical card holders.

This would have represented a reduction of €0.50c to €1 per item for persons aged over 70 years, and a reduction of €0.50c to €1.50 for persons under 70. The intention was that the maximum monthly charge would also be reduced to €10 for the over 70’s and to €15 for the under 70’s.

Although it was intended that these measures would be implemented from July, funding of this Budget 2020 commitment was contingent on the achievement of certain savings within the health budget.

However, these savings have not been achieved as the pandemic has placed a significant demand on public finances, a substantial proportion of which has been allocated to the health system. In that context, decisions on the associated funding and a potential implementation date are being actively considered.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (759)

Emer Higgins

Question:

759. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if gyms and dance studios will be closed if a county enters phase 3 of the Covid-19 roadmap [25048/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As the Deputy is aware, the Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19 was published by the Government on 15 September. This Framework sets out Ireland's approach to managing and living with COVID-19 in a range of areas over the next 6 - 9 months.

The Plan sets out five levels of response, each with a number of measures designed to help us all lower COVID-19 transmission and setting out what is permitted at that moment in time. It aims to allow society and businesses to be able to operate as normally as possible, while continuing to suppress the virus. The Plan is framed to account for periods during which there is a low incidence of the disease, with isolated clusters and low community transmission, through to situations where there is a high or rapidly increasing incidence, widespread community transmission and the pandemic is escalating rapidly in Ireland and globally. It recognises the need for society and business to be allowed to continue as normally as possible and is designed so that either national or county level restrictions can be applied. Each level outlines what is permitted for social or family gatherings, work and public transport, bars, hotels and restaurants, exercise activities and religious services.

As I am sure the Deputy can appreciate, COVID-19 spreads when individuals and groups come into close contact with one another, enabling the virus to move from one person to another. COVID-19 is infectious in a person with no symptoms, or for the period of time before they develop symptoms. For this reason, we are all asked to be extra careful when socialising and working with others. For now, we must act like we have the virus to protect those around us from infection.

The number of people allowed to gather in different scenarios in the Government Framework are based on a review of international practice and the judgment of public health experts. It seeks to balance the risks of different types of gatherings against the desire to allow normal activities to proceed in so far as possible.

It is advised to socialise safely and within the capacity limits. These various limits in the Levels are all designed to reduce the number of households mixing with each other and cut down the virus’s chances of spreading into more homes.

The Deputy should note, that the numbers should not be considered a target - they are the maximum recommended number. It’s always safer to meet less people, less often, for less time. If we do this, we have a better chance of keeping to the lower Levels in the Framework, and continuing to keep businesses, schools, and healthcare services open, while also protecting the most vulnerable.

As the Deputy is aware, Ireland with the exception of Dublin, is currently at Level 2 of the Plan for living with COVID-19. At Level 2, the majority of areas of economy and society, for example: schools, restaurants, pubs and gyms, are open. The priority is to keep schools and childcare facilities open and minimise disruption in the work force. It is intended that the public health measures at this level will be effective until 9th October, 2020. There are exemptions for weddings and funerals at all Levels. This is due to the particular significance these events have for individuals and society more broadly.

Dublin is currently at level 3. At level 3, the priority is to keep schools and early learning and childcare services open and minimise disruption in the work force. This means that a number of services will be moved online and some businesses will be closed (e.g. museums and other indoor cultural venues). Additional restrictions will apply to restaurants and pubs. People will also be required to reduce the number of people that they meet to a minimum and stay in their own region. These measures will remain in place until 9th October.

Under Level 3, gyms may remain open with protective measures, for individual training only. Exercise and dance classes are not permitted.

Further information on level 3 restrictions can be found at https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/ad569-level-3/

The relevant regulations as set out in S.I. No. 352 of 2020 Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No. 5) Regulations 2020 can be found on the government website at: https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/1f150-view-statutory-instruments-related-to-the-covid-19-pandemic/

Question No. 760 answered with Question No. 682.

Dental Services

Questions (761)

Johnny Mythen

Question:

761. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health the number of dentists that held contracts for the dental treatment service scheme in County Wexford in each of the years 2016 to 2019 and to date in 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25076/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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