Thursday, 8 Oct 2020

Written Answers Nos. 280-299

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (280)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

280. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29464/20]

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 (281)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

281. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29465/20]

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 (282)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

282. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29466/20]

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 (283)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

283. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29469/20]

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.

Cancer Services

Questions (284)

John Lahart

Question:

284. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the number of women who have been screened by BreastCheck from 1 January to 30 September 2020; and the number for the same timeframe in 2019. [29476/20]

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.

Maternity Services

Questions (285)

John Lahart

Question:

285. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the number of compensation payments made by the HSE on foot of incidents in maternity units in each of the years 2016 to 2019, in tabular form; the amount of each individual payment; and the maternity unit in which the incident took place. [29477/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The State Claims Agency (SCA) has a statutory remit to manage personal injury claims, including claims in respect of clinical negligence, on behalf of Delegated State Authorities (DSA’s) including the Health Service Executive.

I have been informed by the SCA that the information contained within this document was extracted from the National Incident Management System (NIMS) as per the below criteria.

Criteria used

- Table 1 shows amount paid in damages between 2016 and 2019 and the number of claims they relate to with regard to Maternity Services in the 19 maternity units nationwide from 2016 to 2019.

- The figures relate to compensation payments made to service users only.

- The compensation payments include large payments made in respect of individual catastrophic injury cases involving a diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy.

- The compensation payments included can relate to any type of claim where the service has been recorded as Maternity Services, i.e. birth specific procedures, medication errors, hospital acquired infections etc.

- In order to avoid breaches of data protection legislation, figures are provided at hospital group level. Also, groups have been merged where appropriate to avoid possible identification of hospitals which, in turn, could lead to patient identification in individual cases.

- Report is correct as at 30/09/2020.

The information is contained in the following link.

Compensation Payments

Mental Health Services

Questions (286)

Brendan Smith

Question:

286. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if additional resources will be provided for mental health services in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29479/20]

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.

HSE Waiting Lists

Questions (287, 288)

Denis Naughten

Question:

287. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for hip and knee replacement surgery in each hospital in which such surgery takes place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29483/20]

Denis Naughten

Question:

288. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for initial orthopaedic appointments following general practitioner referral within each hospital group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29484/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 287 and 288 together.

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 atypical 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.

The data requested by the Deputy concerning orthopaedic outpatient waiting times by hospital group and waiting times for hip/knee replacement surgery by hospital, is outlined in the attached documents contained in the following links.

Hip and Knee Replacement

Ortho OPD

Health Services

Questions (289)

Gary Gannon

Question:

289. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health the status the establishment of the national psychology place office. [29486/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this operational matter.

Addiction Treatment Services

Questions (290)

Gary Gannon

Question:

290. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health his plans to ensure that those availing of supports, such as community meetings for addiction and recovery, will continue to be able to do so if Ireland enters into more severe lockdowns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29487/20]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Restrictions on social interaction, the requirement for self-isolation and the restructuring of services, are particularly difficult for those accessing drug and alcohol services and supports.

I am fully aware of the vital role played by drug, alcohol support groups and treatment programmes in reducing the harms of substance use and supporting rehabilitation and recovery. They help individuals to build their recovery capital and to avoid relapse into harmful patterns of substance use.

Earlier this week I published new guidance for drug and alcohol support groups and treatment programmes and other addiction treatment services. This new guidance will ensure that these groups can operate safely, including at levels 3 and 4 of the national framework for living with Covid-19.

The guidance is available on the Government of Ireland website at: www.gov.ie/en/policy-information/17d32f-drugs-and-alcohol-policy/.

The main points of the guidance are as follows:

1. It is recommended to hold meetings and deliver programmes online or outdoors where this is possible, without diluting the benefits for participants

2. Where it is decided to host a face-to-face group/programme meeting, organisers are advised to undertake a risk assessment to ensure the health, welfare and safety of participants

3. Facilities used to host support groups and treatment programmes should be for exclusive use, where possible, and not shared with other users

4. The recommended maximum number of attendees at level 3 is 15 people (including leaders), with 2 metres social distancing

5. Support groups and programmes should last a maximum of 115 minutes (1 hour and 45 minutes)

6. Individuals at higher risk from Covid-19, or in close contact with such individuals, should only attend meetings that are conducted online.

I want to acknowledge the input of supports groups and service providers in the formulation of this new guidance. We all share a common goal for the safe resumption of recovery support groups.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (291)

Gary Gannon

Question:

291. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health if healthcare workers who are close contacts of positive Covid-19 cases or close contacts of someone awaiting the results of a Covid-19 test are entitled to Covid-19 sick leave; if not, if they are required to use their normal sick leave, annual leave or unpaid leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29488/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Guidance has been provided to the public health sector by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) to assist public service employers and employees in relation to working arrangements and leave associated with COVID-19.

These guidelines cover all leave types available, including those that the Deputy raises. (Section 3 of the Guidelines).

A copy of this document is available to view at this link for your information.

https://www.hse.ie/eng/staff/resources/hr-circulars/hr-circular-060-2020-guidance-and-faqs-for-public-service-employers-during-covid-19.html.

HSE Waiting Lists

Questions (292)

John Lahart

Question:

292. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in each LHO area waiting for a podiatry appointment in primary care as of 30 September 2020 or the latest available date; and the number waiting zero to 12, 12 to 26, 26 to 52 and more than 52 weeks. [29489/20]

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.

HSE Waiting Lists

Questions (293)

John Lahart

Question:

293. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in each LHO area waiting for an ophthalmology appointment in primary care as of 30 September 2020 or the latest available date; and the number waiting zero to 12, 12 to 26, 26 to 52 and more than 52 weeks. [29490/20]

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.

HSE Waiting Lists

Questions (294)

John Lahart

Question:

294. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in each LHO area waiting for an audiology appointment in primary care as of 30 September 2020 or the latest available date; and the number waiting zero to 12, 12 to 26, 26 to 52 and more than 52 weeks. [29491/20]

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.

HSE Waiting Lists

Questions (295)

John Lahart

Question:

295. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in each LHO area waiting for a dietetics appointment in primary care as of 30 September 2020 or the latest available date; and the number waiting zero to 12, 12 to 26, 26 to 52 and more than 52 weeks. [29492/20]

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.

HSE Waiting Lists

Questions (296)

John Lahart

Question:

296. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in each LHO area waiting for a psychology appointment in primary care as of 30 September 2020 or the latest available date; and the number waiting zero to 12, 12 to 26, 26 to 52 and more than 52 weeks. [29493/20]

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.

HSE Waiting Lists

Questions (297)

John Lahart

Question:

297. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in each LHO area waiting for a counselling appointment in primary care as of 30 September 2020 or the latest available date; and the number waiting zero to 12, 12 to 26, 26 to 52 and more than 52 weeks. [29494/20]

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.

HSE Waiting Lists

Questions (298)

John Lahart

Question:

298. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in each LHO area waiting for a child and adolescent mental health services appointment as of 30 September 2020 or the latest available date; and the number waiting zero to 12, 12 to 26, 26 to 52 and more than 52 weeks. [29495/20]

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 (299)

John Lahart

Question:

299. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the number of children admitted to adult mental health units to date in 2020. [29496/20]

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.