Neale Richmond
Question:126. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the approach of Ireland to diagnosing and treating lung cancer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41559/20]
View answerCancer Services
Questions (126)
Written answers
Rapid Access Clinics (RACs) for patients with suspected lung cancer symptoms are operating in the eight designated cancer centres. These Rapid Access Lung Clinics provide multidisciplinary diagnostic services and care for lung referrals.
A Key Performance Indicators (KPI) is in place to measure access targets to these clinics. The KPI is that 95% of patients will be seen within 10 working days. In 2019 86.7% of patients were seen within the target timeframe.
Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer mortality among both males and females in Ireland. The National Cancer Registry advises that data from 2015-2017 shows that mortality rates for lung cancer were higher in males (40.3/100,000) compared to females (28.4/100,000).
While cancer incidence and mortality rates are increasing in females and decreasing in males, absolute numbers of lung cancer cases in both sexes are projected to increase significantly by 2035, primarily due to our increasing and ageing population.
Work to increase awareness and early detection of lung cancer is being progressed in line with the National Cancer Strategy including plans for a rolling programme of targeted multi-media based public awareness and education campaign, aimed at the early detection of specific cancers and with particular focus on at-risk populations.
Reducing lung cancer incidence and mortality remains a priority under the National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026. The HSE's National Cancer Control Programme is working to increase awareness and early detection of lung cancer, and to increase survival rates. There have been many improvements in cancer treatment and outcomes over the last number of years, driven by initiatives under successive cancer strategies.
General Practitioner Services
Questions (127)
Dara Calleary
Question:127. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the extra supports made available for out-of-hours general practitioner care in the winter initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42308/20]
View answerWritten answers
The HSE’s Winter Plan 2020/2021 has been developed within the context of delivering essential healthcare in a Covid-19 environment. The plan has been allocated an additional €600m in funding to support improved patient care both in hospitals and in the community.
The Winter Plan provides for, amongst other things, increased timely GP access to diagnostics with provision for an additional 33,950 diagnostics in Q4 2020 and an additional 45,267 diagnostics up to April 2021, expanding GP Practice to enhance health care supports offered to vulnerable groups, and the ongoing provision of Community Assessment Hubs which will be expanded to provide treatment for non Covid-19 acute respiratory illness as well as Covid-19 related illness. The Plan also will see the establishment of temporary crises intervention supports for GP practices and out-of-hour services that may be overburdened by increased activity over the winter.
In addition, in recognition of the disruption to business and need for the continuance of GP Out-of-Hours services during the Covid-19 emergency, a grant-based support for GP Out-of-Hours Coops was introduced by the HSE from 14 March. This arrangement is separate to the agreement for Covid-19 support payments for individual GP practices. In return for this, since June the Coops provide referrals for COVID testing without charge.
Paediatric Services
Questions (128)
Pauline Tully
Question:128. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health his views on the adequacy of the number of paediatric rheumatologists currently employed here; his plans to increase the number of paediatric rheumatologists employed here; the time frame for any increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42370/20]
View answerWritten answers
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 (129)
Holly Cairns
Question:129. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the status of Covid-19 testing in meat processing plants; the procedures for when a person is found to have Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42099/20]
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.
Dental Services
Questions (130)
Cormac Devlin
Question:130. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied) including the orthodontist waiting list at Loughlinstown Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41279/20]
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.
Disability Services Data
Questions (131)
Joe Flaherty
Question:131. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Health when key positions in disability services in County Longford will be filled (details supplied). [42213/20]
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.
Health Services
Questions (132)
Brian Stanley
Question:132. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to restart the full child psychology, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy services in counties Laois and Offaly and to expand them. [40397/20]
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.
Departmental Legal Cases
Questions (133)
Mark Ward
Question:133. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of parents have that taken his Department to court due to the fact their child did not receive an assessment of needs within the statutory time frame; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42161/20]
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.
Maternity Services
Questions (134)
Gary Gannon
Question:134. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health the details of capital funding made available by his Department to all maternity hospitals in the past three years. [42518/20]
View answerWritten answers
As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
Health Services Staff
Questions (135)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:135. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of additional nurses, midwives and medical practitioners that have been employed by the HSE in 2020 through the use of recruitment agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42444/20]
View answerWritten answers
The “Be on Call for Ireland” recruitment initiative was part of an overall recruitment effort made by the HSE. Due to the strain on existing HSE resources to meet the COVID-19 challenge, the HSE is being supported by the CPL employment agency to increase the available workforce for a short-term period.
Through Be on Call, 107 nurses, one midwife, and 26 doctors are currently employed by the HSE. This is of a larger total of 296 healthcare workers that are currently employed through the Be on Call initiative, as of December 1st.
This year, the HSE has directly employed an additional 4,843 WTE across the health service. The nursing and midwifery staff category has had a net increase of 1,404 WTE, and the medical & dental category has had a net increase of 951 WTE from the beginning of the year to the end of October.
The HSE has also engaged CPL to lead on the initiative to recruit contact tracers. At the end of October, 322 contract tracers were recruited. Many of the contact tracing positions required a clinical background, and therefore these recruited staff may include some qualified nurses, midwives, and medical practitioners.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (136)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:136. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the way in which the Covid-19 vaccine will be rolled out across the country; if a new database will be developed to ensure a professional tracking system for both shots of the vaccine; if the programme will be rolled out by the public health regions; the role general practitioners will play in this roll-out; if there will be a prioritisation of vulnerable groups; if so, the order of this prioritisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42366/20]
View answerWritten answers
The 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 High-Level Taskforce was established to support and oversee the development and implementation of the programme.
The Taskforce is supporting my Department and the HSE in developing a national COVID-19 vaccination strategy and implementation plan which it is due to be submitted by Friday, 11 December. I will then bring the plan to Government for consideration and subject to the outcome of this discussion, it is the intention that the Vaccination Strategy and Implementation Plan will be published.
As part of the implementation planning, the HSE is currently arranging for an ICT system to be put in place to deal with the uniqueness of a vaccination plan of this scale.
On the 8 December 2020 the Government agreed and published a COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy that sets out a provisional priority list of groups for vaccination once a safe and effective vaccine(s) has received authorisation from the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
Nursing Staff
Questions (137)
Colm Burke
Question:137. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the proposals in place to increase the number of public health nurses in view of the fact that the numbers have increased by less than 5% over the past five years while there has been a 20.9% increase in all other areas across the healthcare sector across the same time frame; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41273/20]
View answerWritten answers
Public Health Nurses are key members of the multidisciplinary teams delivering primary and community healthcare services to clients across the country.
Budget 2021 provides €175m in new development money plus a further €30m in Sláintecare funding to implement a model of Enhanced Community Care. This funding will allow for the development of new care pathways for primary health services and will enable delivery of enhanced care services for those that need them. This investment has the potential to transform our primary and community sector and will support the recruitment of over 2,000 primary care staff, including approximately 1,100 public health nurses as well as other health and social care professionals.
As the allocation of resources, including the number of staff recruited to specific grades are a matter for the Health Services Executive, I have requested that the Executive reply directly to the Deputy on this matter.
Home Help Service
Questions (138)
Cathal Crowe
Question:138. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the number of older persons waiting for home support hours at the end of November 2020; the way in which this compares to the same date in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42304/20]
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.
Health Services Provision
Questions (139)
Gino Kenny
Question:139. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health his plans to ensure that no child in need of scoliosis surgery is left waiting while the condition worsens and results in serious pain for the child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42362/20]
View answerWritten answers
I sincerely regret that children can experience a long waiting time for treatment for scoliosis, and I am conscious of the burden that this places on them and their families.
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic Children’s Health Ireland had to take measures to defer most scheduled care activity between March and May of this year. This decision was in line with the advice issued by the National Public Health Emergency Team in accordance with the advice of the World Health Organisation.
It is of note that key social distancing measures and Infection Prevention and Control requirements, such as two-metre distancing, have a material impact on the available physical space to deliver all hospital services, including scoliosis procedures, and this has significantly impacted both available capacity and operational activity levels.
Despite these challenges, by 4th December, Children’s Health Ireland had carried out 304 scoliosis procedures, 150 of which were spinal fusions, 25 fewer than the same period last year. 154 other spinal procedures were carried out, 27 fewer than last year.
Children’s Health Ireland has advised my Department that as of 4th December, there were 120 patients on the spinal fusion waiting list, an increase of 21 patients compared to the start of the year.
There were 74 patients on the waiting list for other spinal procedures, which is a decrease of 10 patients since the start of 2020.
Children’s Health Ireland is exploring initiatives to increase access to scoliosis services, such as transferring additional patients who meet the clinical criteria to the National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh for treatment and holding additional Orthopaedic Outpatient Clinics at Cappagh. Children’s Health Ireland is also working with the National Treatment Purchase Fund to source additional capacity in Private Hospitals.
Cannabis for Medicinal Use
Questions (140)
Thomas Gould
Question:140. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to permanently extending the temporary delivery arrangement for cannabidiol oil and tetrahydrocannabinol oil given the undue stress the travel has on families and individuals and the recent commitment that this matter would be resolved as a priority. [42357/20]
View answerWritten answers
On the 6th April, the previous Minister for Health announced an initiative to assist patients access to their medical cannabis products during the COVID-19 pandemic period. The Department of Health has so far organised a number of collections from the Netherlands for patients of clinicians in possession of a ministerial licence under the Misuse of Drugs Act owing to the COVID-19 travel restrictions and quarantine requirements and the initiative will continue while these are in place.
Cross-Border Health Initiatives
Questions (141, 145, 197)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:141. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the arrangements in place to ensure that services now provided under the cross-border directive in Northern Ireland to persons living here will continue to be available for reimbursement here after 1 January 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41114/20]
View answer
Michael Collins
Question:145. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Health if, due to Brexit much doubt is cast over the European Union cross-border directive, if the Government will put a bilateral agreement in place for the EU Cross Border Directive on Health with the UK or at the very least Northern Ireland; and if not, if Irish citizens will be directly disadvantaged as a result of the UK decision to leave the EU and be forced to travel to mainland Europe to avail of the vital healthcare scheme or stay on the island and bide their time on waiting lists. [38263/20]
View answer
Brendan Smith
Question:197. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the outcome of the most recent discussions that have been held with the Departments of Health in Northern Ireland and in the UK concerning the EU Cross Border Healthcare Directive post-Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42215/20]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 141, 145 and 197 together.
Both the Irish and British Governments are committed to maintaining, in so far as possible, the current healthcare arrangements under the Common Travel Area (CTA). Under the CTA, Irish citizens and British citizens who live in, work in, or visit the other state have the right to access publicly funded health services there. The Government is working to ensure that new arrangements through a Memorandum of Understanding with the UK will provide for continued access to reciprocal health services, between Ireland and the UK, including on the island of Ireland, which residents in both jurisdictions currently access.
The UK’s withdrawal from the EU has implications for healthcare arrangements that currently operate under the EU legislative framework, including those arrangements covered by the Cross Border Directive (CBD). With effect from 1 January 2021, the provisions of the CBD will no longer apply to the UK. My officials are giving detailed consideration to the implementation of a unilateral CBD type arrangement which will provide that Irish residents can continue to access services provided by private health service providers in the UK post the end of the Transition Period.
Health Services
Questions (142)
Catherine Connolly
Question:142. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the current waiting times for MRI services in CHO area 2; the discussions he has had with the HSE with regard securing additional MRI facilities to meet the ongoing need in CHO area 2; the number of adults and children, respectively currently on the waiting list for an MRI in CHO area 2; the number of adults and children, respectively that have been on MRI waiting lists in CHO area 2 for three, six, nine, 12, 18 and 24 months, respectively in tabular form; the number of MRI machines operational in CHO area 2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42334/20]
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 queries raised by the Deputy concerning MRI services in CHO Area 2, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Facilities
Questions (143)
Gary Gannon
Question:143. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the preliminary business case for a critical care wing by the Rotunda Hospital, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42517/20]
View answerWritten answers
As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
Mental Health Services
Questions (144)
James Lawless
Question:144. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health the action being taken to address long waiting times for psychology appointments in primary care in County Kildare and west County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42306/20]
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. 145 answered with Question No. 141.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (146)
Martin Browne
Question:146. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied) who requires an assessment at the National Rehabilitation Clinic, Dun Laoghaire to be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42506/20]
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 (147)
Neasa Hourigan
Question:147. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health when a review will commence of the regulations and legislation that apply to cannabis use for medical conditions and palliative care as per the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41891/20]
View answerWritten answers
Under Irish law Cannabis and its derivatives are controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Acts 1977-2016 and the various Regulations and Orders made thereunder, give effect in Ireland to the international conventions on narcotic and psychotropic substances, including the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs.
There are two methods under which clinicians can access cannabis-based products, they are the Ministerial licence pursuant to Section 14 of the Misuse of Drugs Acts 1977-2016 and the Medicinal Cannabis Access Programme.
Ministerial Licence under Section 14(1 of the Misuse of Drugs Act)
Under Section 14(1) of the Misuse of Drugs Acts 1977-2016 clinicians may apply to the Minister for Health for a licence to prescribe cannabis-based products for their patients.
The Chief Medical Officer has advised that the granting of a licence must be based on an appropriate application being submitted by an Irish-registered medical practitioner to the Minister for Health. The application must be endorsed by the patients’ medical consultant who is responsible for the management of the patient and who is prepared to monitor the effects of the medical cannabis treatment over time.
The ministerial licence does not limit the condition which the clinician wishes to treat with the medicinal cannabis products.
The Medicinal Cannabis Access Programme
On 26th June 2019, the Minister for Health signed legislation to allow for the operation of the Medical Cannabis Access Programme on a pilot basis for five years.
The Programme will facilitate access to cannabis-based products for medical use in line with legislation and with the clinical guidance for the scheme.
The signing of the legislation underpinning the Access Programme allows for commencement of the operation of the Access Programme, the first stage of which is for potential suppliers to apply to have their medical cannabis products considered for suitability for medical use under the scheme.
Cannabis products will only be listed in Schedule 1 of the Regulations once they have been considered as suitable for use under the Medical Cannabis Access Programme.
The Medical Cannabis Access Programme will make it possible for a medical consultant to prescribe a cannabis-based treatment for a patient under his or her care for the following medical conditions, where the patient has failed to respond to standard treatments:
- Spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis
- Intractable nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy
- Severe, refractory (treatment-resistant) epilepsy.
The following specified controlled drug products (cannabis-based products) have been accepted as being suitable for use under the Medical Cannabis Access Programme:
Aurora High CBD Oil Drops
CannEpil
Tilray Orla Solution THC10: CBD10 25ml
Aurora Sedamen Softgels.
The Medicinal Cannabis Programme has not yet commenced pending the outcome of negotiations between the HSE and manufacturers of the approved products in relation to supply and pricing. Once the Medical Cannabis Access Programme commences the HSE will establish and maintain a Register to facilitate the enrolment and recording of certain data including patient identifiers (in anonymised format), prescribers enrolled in the Programme, as well as prescribed / supplied medical cannabis products
Programme for Government
The Programme for Government Commitment is to “Examine the regulations and legislation that apply to cannabis use for medical conditions and palliative care having regard to the experience in Northern Ireland and Great Britain”
Having set out the current frameworks in relation to access medicinal cannabis products in Ireland, in order to progress this commitment it will be necessary to liaise with colleagues in Northern Ireland and Great Britain to examine the legislation and regulations in place, how their legislation has been implemented, what they have learned from both and where that can be applied in the Irish context.
I can confirm that the UK Department of Health and Social Care has been contacted by the Department of Health in order to commence the examination of the regulations and legislation and work is expected to commence in the new year.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (148, 440)
Barry Cowen
Question:148. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if he is considering a special payment for front-line health workers in respect of the extraordinary work done and continuing to be done by them in relation to Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42515/20]
View answer
Mairéad Farrell
Question:440. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to a monetary bonus payment for all healthcare workers as an acknowledgement of their hard work throughout the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42766/20]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 148 and 440 together.
Both I and my Department recognise that our dedicated health care workers play a key role in our national effort against Covid-19. Their determination and commitment to assisting our sick and vulnerable to get the medical treatment they need, has and continues to be, very much appreciated.
Others across the public and private sectors also deserve to be commended for their efforts in combatting the pandemic. Negotiations are currently underway regarding a successor agreement to the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020. It should be noted that the pursuit of cost increasing pay claims is specifically excluded under the terms of the PSSA. This means that any bonuses including additional pay or additional leave are not permitted under the PSSA.
Ophthalmology Services
Questions (149)
Bríd Smith
Question:149. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the reason the reimbursements to applicants under the community ophthalmic services scheme have now been capped; the average figure now reimbursed across the scheme; and if he will make arrangements to ensure vulnerable low income applicants and their children can access additional supports to recover the costs if needed. [42325/20]
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.
Health Services
Questions (150)
Neasa Hourigan
Question:150. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health when he will honour the Programme for Government commitments to create and implement a general health policy for trans persons based on a best practice model for care in line with the World Professional Association of Transgender Healthcare and deliver a framework for the development of national gender clinics and multidisciplinary teams for children and adults. [41490/20]
View answerWritten answers
The HSE recently submitted the final report of the steering committee on the development of HSE transgender identity services to my colleague, the Minister for Health. The Minister has asked the HSE to publish the report immediately.
The report contains seven recommendations, all pertaining to the HSE and indicates that most of the recommendations are already in progress. In particular, it recommends that the new Consultant Psychiatrist in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry post will develop transgender identity services for those aged under 18, and move away from the current system of psychological support provided by Tavistock Clinic. The Minister for Health has sought an update from the HSE on the implementation of the recommendations.
The Minister for Health and I are committed to the development by the HSE of a well-governed and patient-centred health care service for adults and children in the transgender community, in line with the Programme for Government. We will support the HSE in ensuring that people wishing to transition their gender have timely access to treatment that accords with international best practice.