Niall Collins
Question:265. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30733/20]
View answerHealthcare Infrastructure Provision
Questions (265)
Written answers
As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the public healthcare property estate, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you in relation to this matter.
Nursing Home Accommodation
Questions (266)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:266. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an application for a long stay bed for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30746/20]
View answerWritten answers
As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Medical Cards
Questions (267, 293)
Matt Carthy
Question:267. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that dental practices are not facilitating appointments for medical card holders; the steps he is taking to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30752/20]
View answer
John Brady
Question:293. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a number of dental practices have made a decision to not provide treatment to medical card holders (details supplied); the steps he will take to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30858/20]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 267 and 293 together.
I am aware of the difficulties that the current Covid-19 pandemic poses for the dental profession. I understand that there are positive signs of the profession having adapted to provide oral health care and of patients availing of care in recent months.
The Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides dental care free of charge to medical card holders aged 16 and over. These services are provided by over 1,400 independent dental practitioners who have a contract with the HSE. I understand that since the beginning of March 155 dentists have withdrawn from the DTSS and that 50 new applications are being processed. I expect due process to be followed in respect of any withdrawal from the terms of a DTSS contract, in particular regarding an appropriate period of notice. I also expect dentists to continue to honour their ethical and contractual obligations to patients during the notice withdrawal period, to either provide a service or to ensure that patients are referred to another dentist who will provide a service. The HSE will assist medical card holders in accessing such treatment, if required.
My Department, in conjunction with the HSE, is examining the issue of the provision of PPE across all parts of the health service, including health service contractors.
Care Services
Questions (268)
Neale Richmond
Question:268. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the status of residential care for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30756/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives.
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, as soon as possible.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (269)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:269. 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. [30757/20]
View answerWritten answers
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 Waiting Lists
Questions (270)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:270. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of persons from County Laois waiting on HSE cataract procedures and hip surgery; the waiting times for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30759/20]
View answerWritten answers
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.
The data requested by the deputy concerning the wait times for persons from County Laois for cataracts and hip procedures, is outlined in the attached document.
Cataract Waiters Resident in Laois as of 24/9/2020
|
Row Labels |
0-6 Months |
6-9 Months |
9+ Months |
Grand Total |
|
Laois |
17 |
36 |
11 |
64 |
|
Cataracts |
17 |
36 |
11 |
64 |
|
Grand Total |
17 |
36 |
11 |
64 |
Hip Replacements Waiters Resident in Laois as of 24/9/2020
|
Row Labels |
0-6 Months |
6-9 Months |
9-12 Months |
12+ Months |
Grand Total |
|
Laois |
9 |
6 |
7 |
10 |
32 |
|
Hip Replacements |
9 |
6 |
7 |
10 |
32 |
|
Grand Total |
9 |
6 |
7 |
10 |
32 |
Hospital Services
Questions (271)
John McGuinness
Question:271. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the date on which the cardiac rehab services will resume at St. Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny; and if same will be expedited. [30761/20]
View answerWritten answers
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 Pandemic
Questions (272)
Joe O'Brien
Question:272. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health his plans to carry out research as to the reason Covid-19 infection rates are higher in poorer areas of the greater Dublin area. [30765/20]
View answerWritten answers
I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
Covid-19 Tests
Questions (273)
Thomas Gould
Question:273. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a delay in supposed weekly Covid-19 testing in meat plants in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30767/20]
View answerWritten answers
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 (274)
Thomas Gould
Question:274. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the number of Covid-19 tests carried out in meat plants for the past two months by week and county in tabular form. [30768/20]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Grant Payments
Questions (275)
John McGuinness
Question:275. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if he will review the decision of the HSE to not grant maximum financial assistance to a person (details supplied); if the financial assistance will be backdated to the date on which they became resident of the nursing home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30774/20]
View answerWritten answers
As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Cancer Services
Questions (276)
Colm Burke
Question:276. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the funding for each of the cancer centres under the National Cancer Control Programme in each of the years 2010 to 2019 and to date in 2020; the variance in each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30777/20]
View answerWritten answers
As the matter raised is a service delivery matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
Cancer Services
Questions (277)
Colm Burke
Question:277. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the posts funded by the National Cancer Control Programme in each cancer centre; the year in which funding began for each post; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30778/20]
View answerWritten answers
As the matter raised is a service delivery matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
General Practitioner Services
Questions (278)
Pa Daly
Question:278. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health if additional funding will be provided to enable the HSE to directly employ a general practitioner at a health centre (details supplied). [30785/20]
View answerWritten answers
General Practitioners (GPs) are not employees of the HSE, rather GPs are self-employed private practitioners, most of whom have contracts with the HSE to provide services under various public health schemes.
Under the General Medical Services (GMS) contract, GPs are reimbursed for a range of services they provide to medical card and GP visit card holders. GPs are remunerated for these services primarily on a capitation basis, with a range of additional support payments and fees for specific items of service.
Where a vacancy arises in a practice with a GMS contract, the HSE becomes actively involved in the recruitment process to find a replacement GP. I am not aware however of any current GMS vacancies within the relevant area. As the Health Service Executive has responsibility for the provision and operation of Primary Care Centres, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy regarding the availability of GP services at the centre concerned and in the local area.
Cross-Border Health Initiatives
Questions (279)
Brendan Griffin
Question:279. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the number of persons from Ireland that received treatment under the Cross Border Directive in Northern Ireland; the number of persons from Northern Ireland that received treatment in Ireland under the Cross Border Directive since 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30786/20]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.