Written Answers Nos. 723-741
723. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if the Covid-19 test for a person (details supplied) was lost; and if this is the reason they did not receive the results to their test taken on 30 October 2020. [36280/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
724. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Sligo will receive treatment for Parkinson’s disease with Duodopa; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36282/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
725. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if workers hired at the Clonskeagh testing centre during the Call for Ireland campaign are now being let go; the number of persons hired who are being laid off both in Clonskeagh and elsewhere; the reason these workers' contracts were not renewed; the details of their replacements; the status of their contracts, including duration; if these will be permanent; if they will have access to sick schemes akin to other HSE workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36289/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
726. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide proper remuneration to student nurses who are working on the front line of the fight against Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36296/20]
View answerThe HSE continues to fund the employment of fourth year student nurses and midwives who are on rostered work placements in hospital settings, including those scheduled to commence in the coming weeks and those fourth year students who are to commence rostered work placement in 2021.
These fourth student nurses and midwives on rostered work placement are paid at the approved rate as detailed on the HSE salary scale of €22,229 (annualised - psychiatric nursing specialism) and €21,749 (annualised - all other nursing specialisms).
In addition there are other supports open to all eligible nursing students:
An accommodation allowance available for eligible nursing students which amounts up to €50.79 a week for the duration of the placement where it is necessary for the student to obtain accommodation away from his/her normal place of residence.
A travel allowance is also available to eligible nursing students.
My Department is currently reviewing these allowances for this year’s student nurses on clinical placements, taking into account the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on such placements and expects to conclude this review shortly.
727. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health when a primary care centre (details supplied) is due to open; the services that will be provided at the centre; the estimated number of jobs that will be created at the centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36315/20]
View answerAs the HSE has responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres and other Primary Care facilities, the Executive has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.
728. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health his plans to continue HSE human resource grievance, appeal and investigation processes through all levels of Covid-19 restrictions and future lockdowns; the longest period for which a grievance process was suspended during the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36318/20]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
729. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the number of dementia advisers who will be recruited in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36320/20]
View answerIn 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.
731. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on both inpatient and outpatient waiting lists in Beaumont Hospital. [36331/20]
View answerIt 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.
In addition the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) is currently reviewing strategies to maximise activity and benefit for patients, to include, increased use of private hospitals, funding weekend and evening work in public hospitals, funding “see and treat” services where minor procedures are provided at the same time as outpatient consultations, funding hybrid services where public and private hospitals contribute to the treatment of patients, virtual clinics and clinical validation.
The information requested by the Deputy concerning the number of patients on IPDC and OPD waiting lists in Beaumont Hospital is outlined in the document below. This information is also available on the NTPF website at: https://www.ntpf.ie/home/nwld.htm.
733. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he will incorporate the FreeStyle Libre glucose-monitoring unit into the long-term illness scheme for those over 21 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36362/20]
View answerUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
734. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he will address the exodus of dentists from the dental treatment services scheme; his plans to deal with the long waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36363/20]
View answer848. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of dentists who have dropped out of the dental treatment services scheme during 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37022/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 734 and 848 together.
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, 165 dentists have withdrawn from the DTSS and that 58 new applications are being processed. This is within the normal range of fluctuations of dentists participating in the Scheme in recent years.
The interruption to services caused by the current COVID-19 pandemic has meant that some patients had to wait longer than usual for appointments. However, there are positive signs of the profession having adapted to provide oral health care and of patients availing of care in recent months. The resumption in activity is evidenced by the increasing claims by dentists during the year; in June, claims were 27% of the level for the previous year; the corresponding figure for October was 93%.
My Department has been engaging with dentists throughout the pandemic and is preparing for further engagement on any additional measures to support the oral health of the public during these difficult times.
735. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if every person diagnosed with a terminal illness will be given a medical card regardless of his or her means; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36371/20]
View answerUnder the Health Act 1970, eligibility for a medical card is based primarily on means. The issue of granting medical cards based on having a particular disease or illness was previously examined in 2014 by the HSE Expert Panel on Medical Need and Medical Card Eligibility. The Group concluded that it was not feasible, desirable, nor ethically justifiable to list medical conditions in priority order for medical card eligibility. In following the Expert Group’s advice, a person’s means remains the main qualifier for a medical card.
However, the HSE does have a compassionate system in place for the provision of medical cards when it is informed that a patient is receiving end of life treatment – that is when patients’ unfortunately have a prognosis of less than 12 months. These applications do not require a means assessment nor are they reassessed. There are currently almost 1,800 such medical cards awarded. Separately, terminally ill patients who do not meet the end of life criteria may also qualify for a medical card under the general assessment processes. Every effort is made by the HSE, within the framework of the Health Act 1970, to support applicants in applying for a medical card and to take full account of the difficult circumstances, such as extra costs arising from an illness.
Furthermore, since 2015 medical cards are awarded without the need of a financial assessment to all children under 18 years of age with a diagnosis of cancer.
It should also be noted that the Programme for Government ‘Our Shared Future’ contains a commitment to extend discretionary medical cards to those with a terminal illness. A HSE Clinical Advisory Group (CAG) was established in December 2019 to review eligibility for medical cards in cases of terminal illness. The final Report of the CAG was recently submitted to my Department which I intend to publish imminently. The Report notes that there are practical and legal challenges with extending eligibility for medical cards for terminally ill patients within the framework of the current process. However, I wish to assure the Deputy that I am committed to ensuring that terminally ill patients have access to the services they need. In that regard, my Department has devised an ambitious work programme to be initiated immediately, which will look to address the policy and legal findings of the Report and deliver on the Programme for Government commitment.
736. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the number of ambulances in service in County Kildare; the number ordinarily based at each location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36376/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
737. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the status of the panel for occupational therapy roles in the HSE areas of south Lee and Cork west; the number remaining on the panel; the length of time the panel has been in place; when the panel is expected to conclude; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36384/20]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
738. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health when the Springfield Centre, Mullingar, County Westmeath, will resume speech therapy appointments; and if such appointments will be able to resume at level 3 restrictions. [36390/20]
View answerThe Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, recognises the need to improve services for both children and adults with disabilities through better implementation and by working together across Government in a better way.
The Government commits to prioritising early diagnosis and access to services for children and ensuring that the most effective interventions are provided for each child, to guarantee the best outcomes.
As this question relates to a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
739. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a case (details supplied); the lessons learned by the HSE; the improvements made to ensure the protection of residents in this and other facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36404/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
740. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health the status of partners who wish to attend maternity care; if clarity will be provided on same; the status of water births under level 5 restrictions at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36407/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
741. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied); the situation regarding access to and availability of gastric bypass surgery; the number of persons on waiting lists for surgery for morbid obesity by wait times on a six-monthly basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36418/20]
View answerIt 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 routine 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 urgent time-critical 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 as the use of alternative settings including private hospitals, community facilities and alternative outpatient settings.
In addition the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) is currently reviewing strategies to maximise activity and benefit for patients, to include, increased use of private hospitals, funding weekend and evening work in public hospitals, funding “see and treat” services where minor procedures are provided at the same time as outpatient consultations, funding hybrid services where public and private hospitals contribute to the treatment of patients, virtual clinics and clinical validation.
The latest waiting list figures provided to my Department by the NTPF show that there are currently 245 patients waiting for bariatric surgery. The bariatrics IPDC waiting list is outlined in the attached document. In relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy regarding access to and availability of gastric bypass surgery in the south of the country, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
