Michael Healy-Rae
Question:342. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40889/20]
View answerHospital Appointments Status
Questions (342)
Written 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 Tests
Questions (343)
Ossian Smyth
Question:343. Deputy Ossian Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will introduce Covid-19 testing for hospital inpatients upon discharge from hospital in view of the risk of introducing Covid-19 into a private household. [40891/20]
View answerAwaiting reply from the Department.
Medicinal Products
Questions (344, 358)
James Lawless
Question:344. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health if the drug patisiran will continue to be made available in the case of a person (details supplied). [40907/20]
View answer
Réada Cronin
Question:358. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to ensure a life-extending drug continues to be available to a person (details supplied) and the other beneficiaries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40944/20]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 344 and 358 together.
As this refers to an individual case, I have referred this matter to the HSE for their attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (345)
Niamh Smyth
Question:345. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will review correspondence (details supplied); the position regarding the points raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40910/20]
View answerWritten answers
I sincerely regret that children can experience a long waiting time for treatment, and I am conscious of the burden that this places on them and their families. This Government’s priority is to improve waiting times for all patients accessing hospital treatment across all specialties, including paediatric rheumatology.
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 queries raised by the Deputy concerning paediatric rheumatology, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Addiction Treatment Services
Questions (346, 347, 348, 349, 350, 351)
Duncan Smith
Question:346. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the organisations other than the HSE that have been operating within the HSE Keltoi residential facility in the Phoenix Park since March 2020; the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40916/20]
View answerDuncan Smith
Question:347. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of persons housed within the HSE Keltoi facility in the Phoenix Park since March 2020, by week; the category of resident, for example, healthcare worker, drug treatment patients and so on; the reason they were housed there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40917/20]
View answerDuncan Smith
Question:348. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite the reopening of the HSE Keltoi facility in the Phoenix Park; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40918/20]
View answerDuncan Smith
Question:349. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if the HSE Keltoi facility in the Phoenix Park will remain a trauma-informed dual diagnosis, alcohol and drugs residential centre when it reopens given that it is the only such tier four residential service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40919/20]
View answerDuncan Smith
Question:350. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if the HSE Keltoi residential service in the Phoenix Park will remain owned and administered directly by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40920/20]
View answerDuncan Smith
Question:351. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if discussions or deals have been made with any section 39 agency including agencies (details supplied) and the HSE Keltoi Residential Centre in the Phoenix Park; if so, the details and context of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40921/20]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 346 to 351, inclusive, together.
As these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Disability Services Provision
Questions (352)
Bernard Durkan
Question:352. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if access to early intervention including required occupational therapy and speech and language therapy will be facilitated at an early date in the case of a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40923/20]
View answerWritten answers
The 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 is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Dental Services
Questions (353)
Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Question:353. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the status of his work to improve the long waiting lists for public dental care. [40924/20]
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.
General Practitioner Services
Questions (354)
Richard O'Donoghue
Question:354. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health the position regarding reduced hours for ShannonDoc services in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40929/20]
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 Staff
Questions (355)
Pauline Tully
Question:355. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the number of paediatric rheumatologists who are currently employed here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40939/20]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (356)
Réada Cronin
Question:356. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health the plans in place for the treatment and management of long Covid and its acknowledgement as a medical condition; if he will establish multidisciplinary post-Covid-19 clinics around the State to include occupational therapists, physiotherapists, nutritionists and counsellors; the guidance that will be issued to general practitioners and consultants in relation to long Covid patients to ensure consistency of treatment; the further medical guidance that will issue to employers to ensure good understanding and fair management of employees; the detail of the provision of Departmental clarity on the entitlements of patients to medical care and adequate financial support; if HSE websites will be updated regularly with information and findings regrading long Covid recovery; if such recovery guidelines will be created and provided to all; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40942/20]
View answerAwaiting reply from the Department.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (357, 360)
Réada Cronin
Question:357. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health the reason in the case of teachers 28 weeks and more pregnant, the advice of the HSE on social distancing by which a company (details supplied) is abiding in the matter of health leave, does not appear to take into account the findings of organisations that these women are at an increased risk of becoming severely ill should they contract Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40943/20]
View answer
David Stanton
Question:360. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health the health and safety leave advice being given to women in the teaching profession who are pregnant at a stage of 28 weeks or more; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40947/20]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 357 and 360 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.
Question No. 358 answered with Question No. 344.
Addiction Treatment Services
Questions (359)
Bernard Durkan
Question:359. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if urgent detox services can be made available in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40946/20]
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.
Question No. 360 answered with Question No. 357.
Disability Services Provision
Questions (361)
Danny Healy-Rae
Question:361. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of the application for a service by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40950/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Deputy may already be aware that my colleague, the Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe T.D., has responsibility for the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme, which provides tax relief for the purchase of adapted vehicles for disabled drivers and passengers. The Scheme is operated by the Revenue Commissioners.
Minister Donohoe advised me that the immediate effect of a Supreme Court decision in June 2020 related to the Scheme, is that there is no firm legal basis on which to undertake assessments for Primary Medical Certificates. Minister Donohoe also requested that the Senior Medical Officers in the Health Service Executive (HSE), who undertake the assessments on behalf of the Minister for Finance and the Revenue Commissioners, do not recommence assessments for Primary Medical Certificates until the current legal position is clarified. I requested the HSE to issue an immediate instruction to the relevant HSE personnel to that effect.
I understand that Minister Donohoe is introducing an amendment to the relevant primary legislation in the Finance Bill. This will have the effect that assessments may recommence when the Finance Bill is enacted.
In the meantime, as your query concerns a service matter, I have arranged for your question to be referred to the HSE for investigation and direct reply to you.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (362)
John McGuinness
Question:362. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an immediate appointment will be arranged at Beaumont Hospital for a person (details supplied). [40958/20]
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 (363, 368)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:363. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the reason ballet, Irish dance and other dance classes are not going to be permitted under the new level 3 lockdown being introduced; if there is epidemiological evidence available to support this decision in order to protect society from Covid-19, particularly in circumstances in which children under 15 years of age are attending such classes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40964/20]
View answer
Catherine Murphy
Question:368. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the rationale for not permitting dancing, ballet and gymnastics to resume under level three plans (details supplied) [40977/20]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 363 and 368 together.
The Government appreciates that there are many aspects of normal life that have been altered by the emergence of COVID-19, and the response that has been required. It also recognises that these changes are difficult for many people. However, it is the case at present that many of the things which we have previously taken for granted are no longer accessible in the same way due to the risks that they pose and the ease with which this virus spreads in particular conditions.
The Government’s medium-term Strategy Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19, sets out Ireland's approach to managing and living with COVID-19, in a range of areas, over a period of 6 – 9 months.
The Plan aims to allow society and businesses to operate as normally as possible, while protecting our key priorities of supporting and maintaining health and social care services, keeping education and childcare services open and protecting the most vulnerable members of our communities.
The Plan consists of 5 levels. Each level sets out what is permitted for social or family gatherings, work and public transport, bars, hotels and restaurants, exercise activities and religious services, at that moment in time. Each level contains a “basket” of measures which are intended, collectively, to contribute to lowering the risk of transmission of Covid-19 in alignment with the risk level at that time. The set of measures, individually, do not comprise a list of activities or places which are equally safe. Instead, they are “baskets” of measures which are informed by public health understanding of the disease. The measures in place for each level reflect the prevailing disease situation and recognise that we can and must prioritise some activities over others.
As I'm sure you can appreciate, COVID-19 spreads when individuals and groups come into close contact with one another, enabling the virus to move from one person to another. COVID-19 is infectious in a person with no symptoms, or for the period of time before they develop symptoms. The numbers of people allowed to gather in different scenarios in the Government Plan are based on a review of international practice and the judgment of public health experts. It seeks to balance the risks of different types of gatherings against the desire to allow normal activities to proceed in so far as possible.
The Health Act 1947 (Section 31A-Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) (No.9) Regulations 2020, (S.I. No. 560 of 2020) which gives effect to the level 3 restrictions under the Plan, does not allow private or commercial indoor dance classes to operate.
Where a service provider considers that they fall into the education category e.g. as part of the national curriculum or as part of a specific, state-sponsored course of study, they should refer to the Department of Education’s guidance in relation to the operation of education services under the current public health restrictions: https://www.education.ie/en/covid-19/.
I would also draw your attention to the CSO website for access to a range of data relating to Covid-19 including data on confirmed COVID-19 cases linked to outbreak location. This is available on the CSO Covid-19 Information Hub at www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-covid19/covid-19informationhub/ and, in particular, at https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/br/b-cdc/covid-19deathsandcasesseries16/.
A range of data on the epidemiology of Covid-19 in Ireland, including data on trends in transmission, is also published in the daily report by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) available at: www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/casesinireland/epidemiologyofcovid-19inireland, while a daily report on the last 14 days in cases available at: www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/casesinireland/epidemiologyofcovid-19inireland.