Written Answers Nos. 638-662
638. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the status of and completion date for the planned community care primary health centre in Drimnagh, Dublin 12; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39607/20]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy directly in relation to this matter.
639. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the average waiting time for the procedures list for scoliosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39608/20]
View answerIn response to the Covid-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to defer most scheduled care activity in March, April, and May 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.
Children's Health Ireland (CHI) has advised my Department that CHI at Crumlin had to defer all non-emergency spinal operations in accordance with NPHET advice. They have been phasing up services on an incremental basis since June. CHI have confirmed that spinal surgery continues to be identified as a service prioritisation.
Key social distancing measures and Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) requirements have also had a material impact on the available physical space to deliver services, significantly impacting on the overall capacity and operational activity levels for inpatient/outpatient settings. As a result, CHI is working closely with the HSE in relation to planning and delivering care in the context of the overall service continuity plan for the health system.
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.
640. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health the number of doctors and nurses, respectively, employed in Navan and Mullingar regional hospitals in January 2020 pre Covid and in September and October 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39633/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
641. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if the client registration unit will accept a late review request on a medical card application by a person (details supplied) due to difficulties in gathering supporting documentation as a result of the exceptional circumstances surrounding Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39639/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
642. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the policy that governs the requirement for women to see their general practitioner in order to get a refill on a prescription for contraception; if it is within his remit to waive the requirement to see a general practitioner for a contraception refill for the remainder of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39640/20]
View answerIn Ireland, hormonal contraceptives are only available subject to a prescription. This classification is based on the data package submitted by the applicant companies when applying for a marketing authorisation. The length or duration of a prescription is at the clinical discretion of the prescriber, but ordinarily a prescription in Ireland is valid for a maximum period of six months and a prescription cannot be issued for a longer than that.
Hormonal contraceptives are generally well tolerated, however, as with all medicines, there are some possible adverse effects and there must continue to be a continuing benefit to their use over any potential risks. Hormonal contraceptives are associated with greater risks including cardiovascular events and certain forms of cancer and therefore require regular and ongoing monitoring and review by a healthcare professional.
However, in April 2020, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the then Minister for Health, Simon Harris T.D., introduced temporary, emergency provisions to enable pharmacists to ensure the continuity of care of patients without necessarily requiring a new prescription and to reduce pressures on General Practitioners at that time:
- the maximum period of validity of a prescription for non-controlled drugs was temporarily increased from 6 months to 9 months as of the date specified on the prescription.
- Some temporary changes to the way in which prescriptions can be repeated by pharmacists were introduced to enable pharmacists to ensure the continuity of care of patients without necessarily requiring a new prescription to be obtained from their prescriber. This is enabled in circumstances where:
- it is the professional judgement of the pharmacist that it is safe, appropriate, and necessary for the continued treatment of the person for a further supply to be made, AND
- it is unreasonable at the time for the person to obtain a new prescription.
The amendments in April 2020 also introduced the electronic transfer of prescriptions, whereby an electronic version of a new prescription may be transmitted from the prescriber to a pharmacy of a patient’s choice where it may not be possible or appropriate to attend a clinic or surgery at this time. This mechanism also facilitates individuals to obtain an up-to-date prescription and to enable the pharmacist to continue to dispense their prescription(s).
In light of the ongoing pandemic conditions the temporary provisions introduced continue to apply and have not yet been revoked. It is important to note that none of the temporary amendments impose a duty on a prescriber to issue a prescription beyond a period they consider to be clinically appropriate, or on a pharmacist to dispense any prescription where they do not consider it safe, appropriate and necessary for the continued treatment of a person for a further supply to be made without a new prescription issued by the prescriber.
643. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if all health facilities have been surveyed to examine whether they contain asbestos hazards; the facilities and buildings that are known to contain asbestos in the building fabric; the timeline to remove these building materials safely from health facilities; the projected cost of this work by building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39650/20]
View answerAs 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.
644. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the number of Irish persons who hold WHO vaccine handbooks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39658/20]
View answer645. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if his Department holds records of holders of the WHO vaccine handbook; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39659/20]
View answer646. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if the WHO vaccine handbook will be utilised in the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine when the time arises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39660/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 644 to 646, inclusive, together.
I assume the Deputy is referring to an immunisation passport.
There has been some deliberation at a European level regarding immunisation passport use in the context of COVID-19, but no policies have been established.
Neither the Department of Health nor the HSE hold the requested information.
647. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health if his Department has assessed the negative impact of long-term mask wearing in secondary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39661/20]
View answerI can assure the Deputy that the Public Health advice relating to COVID-19 is kept under continuous produced review by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET). They review international developments as a component of their overall examination of the evolving epidemiology of the disease and are informed by the international scientific evidence, and guidance by international bodies including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). WHO and ECDC guidance is formulated in the context of considered appraisal of the international experience and accumulating scientific evidence in relation to COVID-19.
The aim of face coverings is to reduce the spread of infection by acting as a source control to stop the spread of infection by the person wearing the mask (including those who do not know they are infected, such as those with no symptoms) or to protect the wearer from droplet splashes or inhaling airborne contaminants including small (aerosol) and large particle droplets. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of face coverings by persons in various community settings has been recommended by an increasing number of countries. In Ireland, cloth face coverings are currently mandatory on public transport and in a range of indoor settings, including shops and other retail outlets. Additionally, cloth face coverings are recommended in situations where physical distancing may not be possible. In both the primary and post-primary setting, it is a requirement that staff wear a face covering when a physical distance of 2 m from other staff or students cannot be maintained. Children in the post-primary setting should also wear a face covering when a physical distance of 2 m from other staff or students cannot be maintained. It is not recommended that children attending primary school wear face-coverings. The requirements in relation to use of face coverings in schools are clearly outlined in the sectoral guidance available on the ‘Back to School’ webpage at gov.ie.
The WHO in their Guidance on the use of masks in the context of COVID-19 advise that the general public should be encouraged to use medical and non-medical masks in public settings, including schools. This advice can be found at https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/advice-on-the-use-of-masks-in-the-community-during-home-care-and-in-healthcare-settings-in-the-context-of-the-novel-coronavirus-(2019-ncov)-outbreak
The ECDC advise that “in secondary schools, the use of face masks is recommended for both students and adults” and that “The use of masks should be seen as a complementary measure, rather than a single measure to prevent transmission within schools”.
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has also issued Interim Guidance on Use of Face-coverings in childcare and educational settings to provide advice for childcare and educational facilities regarding the use of face-coverings for staff and children in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. This Guidance can be found at https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/532b6-health-advice-provided-by-the-health-protection-surveillance-centre-hpsc-for-the-safe-reopening-of-schools-and-educational-facilities/
As the Deputy is aware, face coverings complement other non-pharmaceutical intervention such as social distancing, hand washing, respiratory/cough etiquette, reducing number of contacts, in reducing transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
648. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health the steps that have been taken to provide additional services at the Ennis hospital, County Clare, in view of confirmation received from the HSE that a business case was submitted for further expansion of the level of services provided at the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39669/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
649. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health the reason for the excessive delay in assessing children under the genetics team in Temple Street and Crumlin hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39670/20]
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.
In relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
650. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 814 of 24 November 2020, when a person will be facilitated with surgery (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39675/20]
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.
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 case raised by the Deputy I understand that the HSE has contacted him directly on this matter.
651. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the number of complaints received by the HSE regarding SouthDoc in each of the years 2015 to 2019 and to date in 2020, in tabular form. [39679/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
652. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the overall funding provided to SouthDoc in each of the years 2015 to 2019 and to date in 2020, in tabular form. [39680/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
653. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of funding provided to SouthDoc by category of funding in each of the years 2018, 2019 and 2020, in tabular form. [39681/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
654. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the remit of responsibility for investigation of complaints made to the HSE regarding SouthDoc. [39682/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
655. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the plans the HSE has to reopen its rolling nurse recruitment campaign; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39684/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
656. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the number of persons reissued a medical card as a result of changes in household income related to the pandemic unemployment payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39698/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
657. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a campaign seeking to have a drug (details supplied) permitted for use in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39701/20]
View answerThe HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drugs schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
In line with the 2013 Health Act and the national framework agreed with industry, a company must submit an application to the HSE to have a new medicine added to the reimbursement list.
Reimbursement is for licensed indications which have been granted market authorisation by the European Medicines Agency or the Health Products Regulatory Authority.
HSE decisions on which medicines are reimbursed by the taxpayer are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds, on the advice of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE). The NCPE conducts health technology assessments (HTAs) for the HSE and makes recommendations on reimbursement to assist HSE decisions.
I can confirm that I have received representations in relation to the reimbursement of Dupilumab (Dupixent®).
The HSE has advised that it has received pricing and reimbursement applications for two indications of Dupilumab:
- For the treatment of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in adult patients who are candidates for systemic therapy.
- For the treatment of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in adolescents 12 years and older who are candidates for systemic therapy.
The HSE received an application for pricing / reimbursement of Dupilumab in November 2017 from the manufacturer for the treatment of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in adult patients who are candidates for systemic therapy. The HSE commissioned a full HTA on 29 November 2017 as per agreed processes. This assessment was completed on 12 December 2019 with the NCPE recommending that Dupilumab be considered for reimbursement if cost-effectiveness could be improved relative to existing treatments.
Subsequently, the HSE received an application for the pricing / reimbursement of Dupilumab on 13 December 2019 for the treatment of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in adolescents 12 years and older who are candidates for systemic therapy.
The HSE commissioned the rapid review process on the 17 December 2019. Following receipt of a rapid review dossier, the NCPE advised the HSE on the 17 January 2020 that a HTA was not recommended and that Dupilumab not be considered for reimbursement for this indication at the submitted price.
The HSE engaged in commercial negotiations with the company in February 2020 regarding both the adult and adolescent populations.
The final HTA report concerning Dupilumab was reviewed by the HSE Drugs Group, along with the outputs of commercial negotiations, and the patient group submission received during the HTA process. The HSE Drugs Group considered all the evidence and gave a recommendation to the HSE Executive Management Team (EMT) not to support reimbursement of Dupilumab for the treatment of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in both adults and adolescents 12 years and older who are candidates for systemic therapy.
The HSE has confirmed that the applicant company was issued with notice of the proposed decision of the HSE EMT not to support reimbursement on 21 August 2020. On 18 September 2020, the applicant company submitted representations with respect to this application.
The HSE reviewed these representations, as is required in such circumstances under the 2013 Act, and has engaged in a meeting in November 2020 with the applicant company to discuss the submission. The HSE advises that Dupilumab will be included on the agenda for the December HSE Drugs Group meeting at which the two applications and the submitted representations will be reconsidered.
Dupilumab remains under consideration with the HSE and a final decision will be made in line with the 2013 Health Act.
658. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that international advice from an institution (details supplied) recommends stronger protections for women over 28 weeks pregnant than is being applied by the HSE in its advice for the public service; and if he will assess whether that advice should be amended. [39741/20]
View answer683. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health the reason the HSE is advising that women who are 28 weeks pregnant continue to work as teachers in situations in which they cannot socially distance when organisations (details supplied) advise against doing so; if the HSE has updated its guidelines to take into account recent research on the subject; if his attention has been drawn to the quandary that this is placing teachers in at the end of their pregnancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39860/20]
View answer685. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if he will report on health and safety risks for pregnant women and Covid-19; the guidelines in Ireland for workplaces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39862/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 658, 683 and 685 together.
Given the role of the HSE’s National Women & Infants Health Programme in the dissemination of pregnancy related clinical guidelines, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
659. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the current uptake rate of the flu vaccine for under 12s; his plans to encourage increased vaccination in this age group; his further plans to extend the nasal vaccine to a wider age group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39746/20]
View answerThis season, 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.
The HSE has procured 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. Children outside this age group in an at-risk category will also be eligible for vaccination without charges.
Latest figures (to 24 November) show that over 133,000 claims have been received for vaccines administered to children aged from 2 – 12. This is the first year that children are eligible for vaccination without charge.
The HSE has undertaken a substantial media campaign to promote the vaccine, and will continue to do so. GPs and pharmacists have requested 450,000 doses of vaccine to date, and the HSE continues to receive orders although at a slower rate. There is a natural lag between administration of the vaccine and the receipt of claims, so it is to be expected that the uptake numbers will continue to climb.
The number of claims received to date equates to an uptake of approximately 20%. While the uptake among children is not yet at the level hoped for, there remains a month in the current vaccination season, and the HSE will be redoubling efforts to deliver the message that the vaccination is free, and protects not only the children vaccinated but the wider community as well.
Should the uptake remain relatively low, the HSE and the Department of Health are open to examining the possibility of expanding the use of the vaccine to older children. However, no decisions in relation to this have yet been taken.
660. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Health when the vacant dedicated diabetes nurse position will be filled at Mullingar general hospital (details supplied). [39749/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
661. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a person (details supplied) will be relocated to a private dementia facility in County Cavan, as there is no public facility in County Donegal that will provide services for him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39756/20]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
662. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the funding that has been allocated to the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine to ensure significant vaccination is achieved early in 2021. [39761/20]
View answerThe Government is committed to the timely implementation of a COVID-19 immunisation programme, as soon as one or more vaccines in the EU portfolio are approved for use. In this regard, a cross-Government High-Level Taskforce has been established to support and oversee the development and implementation of the programme.
Should a vaccine(s) becomes available, necessary funding will be provided.
