Brendan Griffin
Question:1243. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32763/20]
View answerHealth Services
Questions (1243)
Written 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 (1244)
Patrick Costello
Question:1244. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health the number of close contacts contacted via the Covid-19 tracker application since it was launched by month; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32765/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Health Service Executive has operational responsibility for the COVID Tracker App. As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy.
Health Insurance
Questions (1245)
Mattie McGrath
Question:1245. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if it is now policy for public hospitals to refuse admission and care to a patient that holds private health insurance until such time as the private health insurance details are presented to the hospital; if a medical card holder that also holds private health insurance is not entitled to be treated in the public system without presenting private health insurance details; if this is not the policy, the reason a patient been refused care in a public hospital until these details are presented; if this is not the policy, the disciplinary action that will be taken against a staff member that refuses admission to a patient until health insurance details were presented (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32767/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Health Act 1970 (as amended) provides that all persons ordinarily resident in the country are eligible, subject to certain charges, to public in-patient hospital services including consultant services.
Section 53C of the Health Act 1970 provides that the current public hospital statutory in-patient charge is €80 per day. This charge is currently subject to a maximum of €800 in any twelve consecutive months.
While the Government’s policy is that the core function of the public hospital system is to provide equitable access to hospital services for public patients, patients may opt for private in-patient care in public hospitals subject to the requirement that the proportion of private activity is public hospitals should in the main be limited to 20% of total activity and private patient charges are set to recoup the cost of the hospital services provided to private patients.
Section 55 of the Health Act 1970 (as amended) provides that the HSE may make available private in-patient services to persons who are not entitled to, or have waived their eligibility to public in-patient services. In these circumstances the statutory hospital charges under Section 55 that apply for such an episode of care is set out in the table below and depends on the category of hospital, duration of stay and whether the accommodation was provided in a single or multi-occupancy room. It is also noted that patients opting to be treated privately must also pay the consultant fees associated with their treatment.
|
Hospital Category |
Daily charge for in-patient services where overnight accommodation provided in a single occupancy room |
Daily charge for in-patient services where overnight accommodation provided in a multiple occupancy room |
Daily charge for day case in-patient services where overnight accommodation not provided |
|
Hospital specified in Fifth Schedule |
€1,000 |
€813 |
€407 |
|
Hospital specified in Sixth Schedule |
€800 |
€659 |
€329 |
The admission of patients to public hospitals is an operational matter and therefore I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this particular matter.
National Children's Hospital
Questions (1246)
Mattie McGrath
Question:1246. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the status of the national children's hospital; when the development is expected to be finalised; the current anticipated final cost of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32768/20]
View answerWritten answers
As the NPHDB has statutory responsibility for planning, designing, building and equipping the new children's hospital, I have referred your question to the NPHDB for direct reply.
Question No. 1247 answered with Question No. 1241.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (1248)
Thomas Gould
Question:1248. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if two-parent households can avail of casual childminding services, that is, grandparents minding in their own home or the household’s home under new restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32773/20]
View answerWritten answers
On Tuesday 15 September the Government published ‘Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19’. This Plan outlines our medium-term strategy for COVID-19 and sets out a Framework of 5 Levels which outline the broad measures which will apply depending on the level of the virus at any given time. The Plan is designed to help everyone – individuals, families, organisations and sectors – to better understand, anticipate and prepare for the measures that might be introduced to contain transmission of the virus.
At Level 5 of the Plan, we are asked to stay at home, with certain exceptions. Visitors are not permitted to homes or gardens, with the exception of visits for essential purposes, including for family reasons such as providing care to children, elderly or vulnerable people. Households can therefore avail of childminding services, including by grandparents.
People over 70 years of age, those who are at very high risk of severe illness from coronavirus because of an underlying health condition and their families should however continue to exercise their judgement with regard to the risks of this and other activities given the current public health risk.
Guidance for people over 70 years of age and those who are at very high risk of severe illness from coronavirus is available here: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/923825-guidance-on-cocooning-to-protect-people-over-70-years-and-those-extr/
Additional guidance is available from the HPSC: https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/guidance/vulnerablegroupsguidance/
Guidance for childminders is available here: https://first5.gov.ie/practitioners/reopening
Details of Level 5 measures are available here: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/2dc71-level-5/
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (1249)
Seán Sherlock
Question:1249. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the arrangements in place to allow parents collect and drop back their children for and after visitation rights across different county borders and outside any 5km exclusion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32774/20]
View answerWritten answers
On Tuesday 15 September the Government published ‘Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19’. This new Plan outlines our medium-term strategy for COVID-19 and sets out a Framework of 5 Levels which outline the broad measures which will apply depending on the level of the virus at any given time. The Plan is designed to help everyone – individuals, families, organisations and sectors – to better understand, anticipate and prepare for the measures that might be introduced to contain transmission of the virus. Restrictions on domestic travel apply at Levels 3, 4 and 5 of the Plan. No restrictions on travel apply at Level 1 and 2 of the Plan.
At all levels of the Framework, and in all regulations which give effect to measures agreed by Government, provision is made to ensure that parents can continue to access their children. The regulations make clear that it is permitted to travel across county borders (Levels 3 and 4) and further than 5km (Level 5) for these purposes. Travel is permitted for parents of a child; guardian of a child; and a person who has a right of access to a child.
Those who share parenting or custody arrangements are now also permitted to form a support bubble should they wish to and further details on support bubbles is available here: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/3516d-support-bubbles/
Current regulations and other Statutory Instruments related to the Covid-19 pandemic are available here: https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/1f150-view-statutory-instruments-related-to-the-covid-19-pandemic/
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (1250)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:1250. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will respond to concerns raised in relation to a school (details supplied) awaiting public health assessment.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32776/20]
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.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (1251)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:1251. 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. [32777/20]
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.
Patient safety remains at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling. To ensure services are provided in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, hospitals are following HSE clinical guidelines and protocols.
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.
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.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (1252)
Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Question:1252. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health his plans to have school specific contact tracing teams; the detail of same; the way in which it will be delivered; when it is planned to roll this out; and the role they will carry out [32778/20]
View answerWritten answers
Following the return of students to primary schools, secondary schools and various after school services at the end of August there is now a demand for testing of groups of students where a detected case has been linked to a school setting. To cater for this new testing pathway both a working and steering group were set up to define a clear and concise process for schools testing. This group has developed a testing pathway, templates for data collection and communication materials with the Department of Education and Skills.
As of October 27th, 731 schools have had/are having some testing completed based on a Public Health Risk Assessment. From the 731 schools that had mass tests, an additional 531 detected cases have been identified over and above original cases. 17,603 students and teachers have been involved in mass testing.
HSE Public Health Doctors recently met with education stakeholders including the teacher unions. The HSE acknowledged the incredible effort made in all school communities throughout the country to operate in a Covid-19 safe manner. The measures that are in place are robust, and the safety of staff and children is of paramount concern.
Evidence shows that those efforts have proven very successful. Clearly the increase of Covid-19 cases in the community does pose a challenge as there will be more cases in schools as a result, but it is important to note that schools are not amplification settings for cases of Covid-19. Testing data from schools is reassuring, with a positivity rate of 2.3% of close contacts across all school sectors.
The rise in cases overall in the community and in the positivity rate has challenged the HSE and Public Health Departments considerably over the last weeks, and this has had an impact on response times in schools. The HSE is aiming to have processes strengthened by the time schools return after the midterm break. Support teams are being put in place across the HSE's Departments of Public Health with this in mind.
Nursing Homes Support Scheme
Questions (1253)
Réada Cronin
Question:1253. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health the amount collected under the fair deal scheme in each of the past five years; the number of persons contributing to and availing of the scheme in each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32799/20]
View answerWritten answers
As these are operational matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Question No. 1254 answered with Question No. 1173.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (1255)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:1255. 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. [32802/20]
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.
Patient safety remains at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling. To ensure services are provided in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, hospitals are following HSE clinical guidelines and protocols.
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.
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.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (1256)
Catherine Connolly
Question:1256. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health if organised window visits by appointment at nursing homes will be permitted under the level 5 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32805/20]
View answerWritten answers
On the 1 October the Health Protection Surveillance Centre’s (HPSC) new COVID-19 Guidance on visitations to Long Term Residential Care Facilities was published. The revised guidance followed a substantial review process.
This guidance aligns with the 5 level framework of restrictive measures as outlined in the Government’s Living with COVID-19 Plan, to support long-term residential care providers in the discharge of their responsibilities and to support in the safe visiting, to the greatest extent possible, having regard for the challenging times in which we are living.
The new guidance provides a clear and open framework for visiting. It provides guidance on the measures required to be adopted by nursing homes and by visitors to mitigate risks associated with visiting. It also re-emphasises that in circumstances where visiting may need to be restricted or suspended in nursing homes for the protection of residents and staff, alternative arrangements such as “window visiting” is acceptable across all 5 levels of the framework of restrictive measures, providing a nursing home can safely facilitate them, and that arrangements should be in place to support virtual visiting (telephone or video-link) to the greatest extent possible.
It is also important to note that each individual nursing home provider has legal responsibilities under the Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2013 with regard to facilitating visits. A provider may determine that restrictions may be required if in their opinion visits would pose a risk to residents. It is therefore a matter for each provider to consider the arrangements they have in place in relation to visiting. The HPSC’s guidance has been developed to assist providers in this regard.
As I have previously publicly stated, I encourage all nursing homes to remain familiar with the latest public health advice and support, and to make every effort to continue to facilitate visitors in line with public health advice. While many nursing homes have shown great, innovative practice throughout the pandemic, I continue to urge all nursing homes to have plans in place for innovative, safe alternative visiting and communication arrangements for residents and their families and friends, during periods of enhanced protective measures. The importance of continued social interaction of residents and their families cannot be understated and every effort should be made, in line with public health advice, to ensure that these interactions continue, including through window visits.
On 22 September I wrote to all nursing home providers with regard to the COVID-19 Nursing Homes Expert Panel’s recommendations, with a particular focus on communication, both in terms of the ongoing situation and visiting protocols.
Officials in my Department have also written separately to the national representative body for nursing homes, encouraging providers to maintain familiarity with the latest public health advice and support, to make every effort to continue to facilitate and ensure that nursing home residents receive visitors in critical and compassionate circumstances, in line with public health advice, and to communicate with family and friends on an ongoing basis in order to support positive mental health and wellbeing. These measures are in place to safeguard the health of residents in these facilities, and also the health of those staff that provide care and support to residents.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (1257)
Catherine Murphy
Question:1257. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a shortage of flu vaccines; and his plans to obtain a supply of same in order for persons that need to and or want to avail of the vaccine this winter season [32806/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Government has expanded the provision of seasonal influenza vaccination without charge to all of those in the HSE-defined at-risk groups, including healthcare workers, and to all children aged from 2 to 12 years. Vaccines are being administered via GPs and pharmacists, as in previous years.
This season, 1.95 million doses of influenza vaccine have been purchased, which is double the amount administered last season. The HSE has procured 1.35 million doses of the Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (QIV) for the forthcoming winter. This vaccine is being made available to all persons in an at-risk group and aged from 6 months up. In addition, the HSE has also purchased 600,000 doses of the Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (LAIV), which is delivered via nasal drops rather than by injection and is being made available to all children aged from 2 to 12 years old inclusive.
This expanded programme will ensure that those most vulnerable to the effects of influenza will have access without charges. This is in line with the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee and represents a significant step forward in providing vaccination without charges.
International markets for influenza vaccine are extremely tight this year, and in Ireland this resulted in deliveries from the manufacturer taking longer than intended. However, the full quantity of vaccine ordered has now been received. 950,000 doses of the injected vaccine have been distributed to GPs, pharmacists, and healthcare settings. This is 10% more than the amount distributed at the same time in 2019 and is equal to almost the full amount administered in the 2019/20 season. The quantities distributed to GPs and pharmacists has been based on the orders from the same sources last year, in order to ensure an equitable distribution. The remaining 400,000 doses will be distributed to GPs and pharmacists in the coming weeks.
Given the difficult international market for flu vaccines this year, it is unlikely that any further increase in supply will be possible. Demand for vaccination this year is unprecedented. This is the case across Europe and beyond. Given the finite supply available, it is important that even the increased quantities available in Ireland are targeted where they will have the greatest impact.
The new nasal (LAIV) influenza vaccine programme for children is well underway across the country. A high uptake of the vaccine in children has been shown to reduce the spread of influenza in the community. Maximising uptake of LAIV in children will also help protect others against influenza in the community. The full quantity of LAIV ordered has also now been received and is being distributed to GPs and pharmacists.
Question No. 1258 answered with Question No. 1166.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (1259)
Catherine Murphy
Question:1259. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the way in which the travel abroad statistic is arrived at; if he will provide the statistics on this since records started to be collected (details supplied); the instances in which this statistic was retrospectively amended; and the reason for doing so in each instance [32820/20]
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.