Tuesday, 20 Oct 2020

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (605)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

605. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has had an operation cancelled. [31216/20]

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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.

Medical Cards

Questions (606)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

606. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some dentists are refusing to accept medical cards and patients have been forced to pay in emergency circumstances; the options the medical cardholder has to get the money refunded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31217/20]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

The Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides a range of dental treatments 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. There is no provision in the DTSS contract for dental practitioners to charge patients for contracted dental care. If this occurs the patient should report it to the HSE.

I understand that since March this year approximately 155 contractors have withdrawn from the Scheme and that there are about 50 new applications. 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.

Vaccination Programme

Questions (607)

Jennifer Whitmore

Question:

607. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health the status on the provision and the management of 'flu vaccines; the number of vaccines available for the forthcoming winter and the way in which they will be distributed; if priority will be given to front-line workers, carers and others most exposed to Covid-19; the plans in place to assist general practitioners in the management of the 'flu season including financial supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31218/20]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

The Government is expanding the provision of vaccination without charge to all of those in the at-risk groups, including healthcare workers, and to all children aged from 2 to 12 years. Vaccines will be administered via GPs and pharmacists, as in previous years.

The HSE has placed orders for 1.35 million doses of the Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (QIV) for the forthcoming winter. This vaccine will be made available to all persons in an at-risk group from 6 months up, other than children aged from 2 to 12 years old inclusive. The HSE has also ordered 600,000 doses of the Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (LAIV), which is delivered via nasal drops rather than by injection and will be made available to all children aged from 2 to 12 years old inclusive. Children outside this age group in an at-risk category will also be eligible for vaccination without charges.

Following a delay in the delivery of the first batch of vaccines, the first deliveries of the QIV influenza vaccines to all sites (GPs, pharmacists, nursing homes etc.) started on 17th September.

By the end of the second cycle of deliveries, in the week ending 9 October, approximately 800,000 doses of influenza vaccine were delivered to over 3,000 sites across the country. This represents an increase of 25% in quantities of vaccine delivered when compared with 2019. To date all sites have received 75% of the quantity used last season, and the allowance for the third delivery which began from 15th October will increase this to 90%. Further stocks will be available for the fourth round of deliveries.

The HSE is satisfied that sufficient vaccine has been ordered to vaccinate all those in the HSE defined at-risk groups and all shipments will have arrived into Ireland before the end of October. The current distribution process to GP, pharmacists, hospitals and nursing homes will ensure an equitable distribution of the vaccine to all target groups for vaccination around the country.

Deliveries of the children’s flu vaccine started on the 28th of September, and all of the total order of 600,000 doses is expected by mid-October, as planned.

Given the importance of significantly increasing the level of uptake of the vaccine for the coming winter, resources will be provided to GPs and pharmacists not only to deliver the vaccination to the expanded groups, but to actively seek relevant patients and deliver vaccinations in a programmatic way, such as through dedicated flu vaccination clinics.

Magdalen Laundries

Questions (608)

Charles Flanagan

Question:

608. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the reason the health card, as recommended in the Magdalen commission report and agreed to in full by the then Government, has not been fulfilled or honoured; if matters can be expedited for the introduction of a HAA card along the lines of the health card given to those in the 1990s who contracted hepatitis C from contaminated blood products. [31222/20]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

The Magdalen Restorative Justice Ex-Gratia Scheme was established in 2013 by the Department of Justice and Equality on foot of the recommendations contained in the Magdalen Commission Report.

Women who qualify under the Ex-Gratia Scheme are eligible to access a range of health services in Ireland in accordance with the recommendations of the Magdalen Commission Report. These services were agreed by the then Government and were subsequently legislated for by the Redress for Women Resident in Certain Institutions Act 2015 (RWRCI Act). The eligible women receive a 2015A card from the HSE, which identifies the holder as qualifying for the services provided for in the RWRCI Act 2015. The range of primary and community health services available under the Act are as follows:

- general practitioner, medical and surgical services

- acute inpatient services

- drugs, medicines and surgical appliances

- nursing services

- home help services

- dental, ophthalmic and aural services

- counselling services

- chiropody Services

- physiotherapy services

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 (2,100 inpatient, 300 day case and 190 critical care). The National Development Plan provides for the addition of the full 2,590 beds by 2027.

This winter is expected to be particularly challenging due to the presence of Covid-19 and the uncertainty around the level of Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 healthcare demands. The Department of Health is working with the HSE to increase acute capacity in hospitals throughout the country to meet this and other health demands. Government allocated €236 million revenue and €40 million capital expenditure as part of Budget 2021 to fund additional acute beds on a permanent basis. This funding will provide, by the end of 2021, an additional 1,146 acute beds.

A proportion of these beds will be funded as part of the HSE’s Winter Plan 2020/21. The Winter Plan aims to provide additional health service capacity across a range of services. Initiatives comprise additional acute and community beds to increase acute capacity, help reduce admissions and facilitate egress.

In addition, budget 2021 will allocate funding totalling €52m in 2021 to critical care. This will retain, on a permanent basis, the 42 critical care beds put in place on a temporary basis this year as well as adding significant new capacity. Funded adult critical care beds will increase to 321 by end 2021, an increase of 66 over the baseline number of 255 funded beds in 2020. Funding for 2021 will also include money to allow for the development of a workforce plan as well as education initiatives to grow the critical care workforce.

This represents a significant step towards achieving the recommendations in the 2018 Health Service Capacity Review which found that an additional 2,100 inpatient acute beds were required, in a reform scenario, by 2031.

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 Data

Questions (620)

David Cullinane

Question:

620. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of funded subacute, AMU, acute inpatient and critical care beds provided for in budget 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31261/20]

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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 (2,100 inpatient, 300 day case and 190 critical care). The National Development Plan provides for the addition of the full 2,590 beds by 2027.

This winter is expected to be particularly challenging due to the presence of Covid-19 and the uncertainty around the level of Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 healthcare demands. The Department of Health is working with the HSE to increase acute capacity in hospitals throughout the country to meet this and other health demands. Government allocated €236 million revenue and €40 million capital expenditure as part of Budget 2021 to fund additional acute beds on a permanent basis. This funding will provide, by the end of 2021, an additional 1,146 acute beds.

A proportion of these beds will be funded as part of the HSE’s Winter Plan 2020/21. The Winter Plan aims to provide additional health service capacity across a range of services. Initiatives comprise additional acute and community beds to increase acute capacity, help reduce admissions and facilitate egress.

In addition, budget 2021 will allocate funding totalling €52m in 2021 to critical care. This will retain, on a permanent basis, the 42 critical care beds put in place on a temporary basis this year as well as adding significant new capacity. Funded adult critical care beds will increase to 321 by end 2021, an increase of 66 over the baseline number of 255 funded beds in 2020. Funding for 2021 will also include money to allow for the development of a workforce plan as well as education initiatives to grow the critical care workforce.

This represents a significant step towards achieving the recommendations in the 2018 Health Service Capacity Review which found that an additional 2,100 inpatient acute beds were required, in a reform scenario, by 2031.

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 Data

Questions (621)

David Cullinane

Question:

621. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of subacute, AMU, acute inpatient and critical care beds not provided for in budget 2021 which will be open on a temporary basis in either 2020 or 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31262/20]

View answer

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 (2,100 inpatient, 300 day case and 190 critical care). The National Development Plan provides for the addition of the full 2,590 beds by 2027.

This winter is expected to be particularly challenging due to the presence of Covid-19 and the uncertainty around the level of Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 healthcare demands. The Department of Health is working with the HSE to increase acute capacity in hospitals throughout the country to meet this and other health demands. Government allocated €236 million revenue and €40 million capital expenditure as part of Budget 2021 to fund additional acute beds on a permanent basis. This funding will provide, by the end of 2021, an additional 1,146 acute beds.

A proportion of these beds will be funded as part of the HSE’s Winter Plan 2020/21. The Winter Plan aims to provide additional health service capacity across a range of services. Initiatives comprise additional acute and community beds to increase acute capacity, help reduce admissions and facilitate egress.

In addition, budget 2021 will allocate funding totalling €52m in 2021 to critical care. This will retain, on a permanent basis, the 42 critical care beds put in place on a temporary basis this year as well as adding significant new capacity. Funded adult critical care beds will increase to 321 by end 2021, an increase of 66 over the baseline number of 255 funded beds in 2020. Funding for 2021 will also include money to allow for the development of a workforce plan as well as education initiatives to grow the critical care workforce.

This represents a significant step towards achieving the recommendations in the 2018 Health Service Capacity Review which found that an additional 2,100 inpatient acute beds were required, in a reform scenario, by 2031.

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 Data

Questions (622)

David Cullinane

Question:

622. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of subacute, AMU, acute inpatient, and critical care beds inclusive of funded and permanent, non-funded and temporary and closed in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31263/20]

View answer

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 (2,100 inpatient, 300 day case and 190 critical care). The National Development Plan provides for the addition of the full 2,590 beds by 2027.

This winter is expected to be particularly challenging due to the presence of Covid-19 and the uncertainty around the level of Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 healthcare demands. The Department of Health is working with the HSE to increase acute capacity in hospitals throughout the country to meet this and other health demands. Government allocated €236 million revenue and €40 million capital expenditure as part of Budget 2021 to fund additional acute beds on a permanent basis. This funding will provide, by the end of 2021, an additional 1,146 acute beds.

A proportion of these beds will be funded as part of the HSE’s Winter Plan 2020/21. The Winter Plan aims to provide additional health service capacity across a range of services. Initiatives comprise additional acute and community beds to increase acute capacity, help reduce admissions and facilitate egress.

In addition, budget 2021 will allocate funding totalling €52m in 2021 to critical care. This will retain, on a permanent basis, the 42 critical care beds put in place on a temporary basis this year as well as adding significant new capacity. Funded adult critical care beds will increase to 321 by end 2021, an increase of 66 over the baseline number of 255 funded beds in 2020. Funding for 2021 will also include money to allow for the development of a workforce plan as well as education initiatives to grow the critical care workforce.

This represents a significant step towards achieving the recommendations in the 2018 Health Service Capacity Review which found that an additional 2,100 inpatient acute beds were required, in a reform scenario, by 2031.

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 Data

Questions (623)

David Cullinane

Question:

623. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of beds in the public hospital system and the average percentage of beds closed at any one point throughout 2020 due to cleaning, IPC or other requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31264/20]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

The information requested by the Deputy is very detailed and seeks an extensive level of data and may take some time to compile, if available. As the information sought relates to operational matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.