Thomas Gould
Question:622. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the annual funding given to local and regional drug and alcohol taskforces from 2008 to date by taskforce in tabular form. [41397/20]
View answerDrug and Alcohol Task Forces
Questions (622)
Written answers
The attached table details funding for drug and alcohol task forces for the last ten years, since the task forces came under the remit of the Department of Health. A further €750,000 was provided for strategic drug and alcohol initiatives in 2020, delivered by drug and alcohol task forces.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (623)
Catherine Murphy
Question:623. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the average waiting time to see a consultant paediatric otolaryngologist at CHI, Temple Street, Dublin. [41413/20]
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.
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, the attached table provided by the NTPF shows the Outpatient waiting list for Otolaryngology at CHI Temple Street by time band at the end of October 2020. The NTPF has also advised that the average waiting time for a first Outpatient appointment with a paediatric otolaryngologist at Temple Street Hospital is 345 days.
Health Services Staff
Questions (624)
Catherine Murphy
Question:624. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if a specialist multidisciplinary team will be recruited and established to deal with multiple sulfatase deficiency. [41414/20]
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 Data
Questions (625)
Catherine Murphy
Question:625. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of knee and hip replacement surgeries carried out at the National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh in 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020, in tabular form. [41415/20]
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 routine scheduled care activity in March, April, and May of this year. However it should be noted that the total numbers waiting for keen and hip surgery countrywide has fallen from 3,517 in June 2017 to 2,279 at the end of October 2020.
In relation to the specific query raised, regarding the number of knee and hip replacement surgeries carried out at Cappagh Orthopaedic Hospital in 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020, 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 (626)
Catherine Murphy
Question:626. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of vacancies by job title in both the cardiac rehabilitation unit and the orthodontic unit at St. Columcille's Hospital, Dublin 18; the length of time each post has been vacant; and the estimated cost of filling each of the vacant posts in tabular form. [41416/20]
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.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (627)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:627. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be issued with an appointment in the haemochromatosis clinic in Galway University Hospital; the reason for the cancellation of the previous scheduled appointment; when a further appointment will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41420/20]
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.
Legislative Measures
Questions (628)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:628. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health when section 19 of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 comes into effect [41432/20]
View answerWritten answers
Section 19 of the the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 will restricts the hours permitted for advertising alcohol products on television and radio to reduce children’s exposure to such advertisements. Work with the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland and the HSE on the enforcement of this section was interrupted by the pandemic. This work must be completed before this section can be commenced.
Hospital Staff
Questions (629)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:629. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of consultant posts by specialist that are currently vacant in the Mater Hospital; the length of time each post has been vacant; and the time frame for filling each of the posts. [41433/20]
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.
Hospital Staff
Questions (630)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:630. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if funding will be provided for the recruitment of a full-time registrar in ophthalmology in Our Lady's Hospital, Navan. [41434/20]
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.
Cannabis for Medicinal Use
Questions (631)
Neasa Hourigan
Question:631. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to any impediment in Dutch or Irish law that would prevent the delivery of medical cannabis to patients in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41441/20]
View answerWritten answers
Due to current Netherlands government policy, cannabis oil formulations are not currently permitted to be commercially exported from the Netherlands, they will allow the filling of individual EU prescriptions for these products when presented to the appropriate pharmacy in the Netherlands.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (632)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:632. 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. [41444/20]
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 (633)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:633. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the studies or research conducted by his Department into the impacts of the lockdown, pandemic and restrictions on the mental health of persons, specifically persons who are homeless, older persons, persons in nursing homes, those residing in direct provision, members of the Travelling community and young persons, students; and if he will address the findings of any such research. [41445/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Healthy Ireland Survey is an annual interviewer-administered face-to-face survey commissioned by the Department of Health. It monitors the health and wellbeing of people living in Ireland. The survey was stopped at the commencement of Covid-19 restrictions as the method of collecting the data (face-to-face) is not compatible with Covid-19 restrictions. The survey fieldwork has restarted with a new phone questionnaire with an emphasis on living with Covid-19. It includes a module on mental health and suicide. The results will be available next year.
The CSO has published four rounds of their Social Impacts of Covid-19 in Ireland survey. The survey results provide data on people’s lifestyle and wellbeing at various stages of the pandemic and restrictions levels.
Results of the surveys can be found on the CSO website:
https://www.cso.ie/en/csolatestnews/presspages/2020/socialimpactofcovid-19surveynovember2020well-beingandlifestyleunderlevel5restrictions/
https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-covid19/covid-19informationhub/socialandwellbeing/.
Additionally, there have been a number of studies and research conducted by third party organisations, including the National Suicide Research Foundation, Mental Health Reform and an International Covid-19 Psychological Research Consortium. The studies examined the impact of Covid-19 on people’s mental health and well-being. Results of these studies can be accessed by contacting the relevant organisation.
I recognise that the Covid pandemic may increase anxiety levels among the general population. The Government campaigns, “In this Together” and “Keep Well”, which encourage and offer practical advice on keeping our physical and mental health well, provide support for dealing with this issue.
We do not yet fully understand the impact of Covid-19 on mental health, the extent of subsequent supports that may be required and how this will affect longer term demand for services. However, the HSE already has a range of proactive responses for any rise in service need, including online and other telehealth psychosocial supports. The Department and HSE continue to plan for any surge in demand as it arises and as services return to normal provision and capacity, subject to public health advice.
I am referring this parliamentary question for part answer by the HSE for its input as service provider to the vulnerable groups mentioned.
Disability Services Funding
Questions (634)
Thomas Pringle
Question:634. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if a grant or other funding is available for parents of children with autism who seek to avail of early intervention services privately. [41452/20]
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.
Hospital Services
Questions (635)
Bernard Durkan
Question:635. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the details of ongoing plans to provide better and more efficient access to paediatric rheumatology for children with special needs; the progress to date in securing an additional paediatric rheumatologist within the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41457/20]
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 (636)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:636. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if there is a standard fee that general practitioners can charge for a non-Covid-19 related phone consultation; if consideration is given to the length of time the consultation is if it is a related call to a previous phone consultation; his views on whether it is reasonable for a doctor to charge €60 for a social welfare sick certificate of a woman recovering from an operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41458/20]
View answerWritten answers
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, patient in-person contact with GPs has been curtailed as much as possible to help prevent the spread of the virus. Nurse and doctor advice is provided over the phone where appropriate, and only patients who are clinically assessed as requiring a face to face consultation with a doctor are referred for an appointment.
Under the GMS scheme, the HSE contracts GPs to provide medical services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. GPs are reimbursed by the HSE for the provision of those services.
People who do not hold a medical card or GP visit card access GP services on a private basis, including non-Covid-19 related phone consultations and medical certification. Fees charged by GPs for privately provided services are a matter of private contract between the clinicians and their patients.
Medicinal Products
Questions (637)
Bernard Durkan
Question:637. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if patisiran medication will be provided to a person (details supplied); his plans to provide treatment for such patients should patisiran no longer be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41460/20]
View answerWritten answers
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 Procedures
Questions (638)
Pearse Doherty
Question:638. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal can expect the results of procedures carried out in Letterkenny University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41464/20]
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. 639 answered with Question No. 564.
Speech and Language Therapy
Questions (640, 641, 642, 643, 644, 645)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:640. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the detail of the waiting lists for speech and language therapy in County Donegal for each of the past five years. [41500/20]
View answerPeadar Tóibín
Question:641. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the detail of the waiting lists for speech and language therapy in County Meath for each of the past five years. [41501/20]
View answerPeadar Tóibín
Question:642. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the detail of the waiting lists for speech and language therapy in County Galway for each of the past five years. [41502/20]
View answerPeadar Tóibín
Question:643. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the details of the waiting lists for speech and language therapy in County Mayo for each of the past five years [41503/20]
View answerPeadar Tóibín
Question:644. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the detail of the waiting lists for speech and language therapy in County Cavan for each of the past five years [41504/20]
View answerPeadar Tóibín
Question:645. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the detail of the waiting lists for speech and language therapy in County Wexford for each of the past five years [41505/20]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 640, 641, 642, 643, 644 and 645 together.
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 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.