Brendan Griffin
Question:153. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the senior rheumatologist position at University Hospital Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42433/20]
View answerHospital Staff
Questions (153)
Written 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 Waiting Lists
Questions (154)
Jim O'Callaghan
Question:154. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the action being taken to reduce outpatient waiting times in St. Vincent’s University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42311/20]
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.
The St Vincent’s University Hospital Outpatient waiting list is outlined in the attached document. The latest NTPF figures show that there are currently 25,487 patients on the St Vincent’s University Hospital Outpatient waiting list. Of these, 43% (11,055) are waiting 6 months or less and 64% (16,339) are waiting 12 months or less.
In addition to core HSE activity, the NTPF has advised my department that to date this year they have funded outpatient initiatives for Dermatology, Endocrinology, Haematology, Neurology, Orthopaedics, Plastic Surgery, Rheumatology, and Urology for 4,869 patients on outpatient waiting lists at St Vincent’s University Hospital.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (155)
Bernard Durkan
Question:155. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which he and his Department expect to be able to deal with the backlog of elective procedures which has been caused by the Covid-19 crisis; if this can or will be done under the national treatment purchase scheme in Ireland or otherwise; if the private hospitals can be utilised for this purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42500/20]
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.
As a result of the significant disruption in scheduled care, hospital waiting lists reached a peak in May. The resumption of services from June onwards has however allowed for increased activity. The numbers of patients awaiting an Inpatient / Daycase procedure dropped by 16% from May to November and the rate of growth in the Outpatient waiting list has slowed in recent months.
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.
The Department continues to engage with the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) on the development of the Access to Care Plan 2021 which will set out measures to improve care for patients waiting for scheduled Care in 2021.
An additional €240 million has been provided in Budget 2021 for an Access to Care Fund, €210m of which will be allocated as required to the HSE and €30m to the National Treatment Purchase Fund for the provision of treatment in both private and public hospitals in order to address capacity issues in acute hospitals and waiting lists.
The HSE is working on a number of initiatives to improve access to scheduled care and reduce waiting lists in acute hospitals. As part of the overall response to COVID 19, the Convention Centre Facility in City West was taken over by the HSE. The convention centre is supporting a number of scheduled care activities including drive-through Glaucoma pressure testing and Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) allergy testing. The HSE is working closely with Hospital Groups and City West to ensure that all potential capacity is being utilised.
Alternative patient pathways are being developed by the HSE to improve access to appropriate care and alleviate pressures on acute hospital waiting lists. Examples include a new referral to Audiology Services pathway and a national Delivery of Musculoskeletal Service, which aim to ultimately move these services from acute hospitals to a community setting. It is envisioned that the re-design of these patient pathways will have a measurable and positive impact on ENT and Orthopaedic waiting lists.
With the resumption of routine scheduled care services in June, the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) resumed the commissioning of appointments and procedures for patients. The NTPF advise that by the end of October, 24,698 Inpatient/Daycase (IPDC) treatments and 7,648 Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Scopes had been arranged and in terms of Outpatients, they had approved in principal 66,096 Outpatient appointments.
To support access to care in the context of both COVID-19 and winter pressures, the NTPF has been sanctioned to provide Emergency Department Authorisation Notifications (EDANs) which allow acute hospitals to access available diagnostic capacity in both the public and private sectors. EDANS can be used by hospitals to support access to diagnostics for both emergency and scheduled care and provide an alternative pathway to diagnostics. This has been particularly important in the context of the Covid-19 outbreak and the ongoing need to allow for social distancing within the hospitals, which has resulted in reduced capacity in the system. The NTPF have advised that up to the end of October nearly 27,000 EDANs had been utilised.
Hospital Facilities
Questions (156)
Maurice Quinlivan
Question:156. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health if the second and third phases of the opening of the 60-bed unit at University Hospital Limerick will be open and operational on schedule; and if all necessary staff nurses, consultants and support staff will be available to operate this new unit. [42435/20]
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. 157 answered with Question No. 83.
Alcohol Consumption Data
Questions (158, 159)
David Stanton
Question:158. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health the progress made to reach the lower target of 9.1 litres of alcohol per capita by the end of 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41917/20]
View answer
Alan Farrell
Question:159. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the commencement of measures in the public health alcohol legislation which is aiming to reduce harm associated with irresponsible consumption of alcohol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42012/20]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 158 and 159 together.
The Public Health (Alcohol) Bill was published in 2015 with four primary policy objectives. One of those objectives was for Ireland to reach a consumption rate of 9.1 litres of pure alcohol per capita by 2020. The remaining objectives were to delay the initiation of alcohol consumption by children and young people, to reduce the harms caused by the misuse of alcohol, and to regulate the supply and price of alcohol in order to minimise the possibility and incidence of alcohol related harm. The Bill was not enacted until October 2018 therefore the time between enactment and the 2020 objective of reducing consumption to 9.1 litres per capita was shorter than was originally anticipated.
In 2019 alcohol consumption per capita in Ireland was 10.86 litres. This has fallen from the high rate of 14.3 litres per capita in 2001 but levels have remained at approximately 11 litres since 2015 with consumption at 11 litres in 2017, 11.01 litres in 2018 and 10.86 litres in 2019.
The Public Health (Alcohol) Act is designed to achieve its objectives through addressing alcohol pricing, labelling, advertising and display.
In November 2019, the following substantive provisions on the Act became law:
- a prohibition on alcohol advertising in or on public service vehicles, at public transport stops or stations and within 200 m of a school, early years centre or a local authority playground.
- a prohibition on alcohol advertising in a cinema except around films with an 18 classification or in licensed premises within a cinema.
- a prohibition on children’s clothing that promotes alcohol.
These measures aim to create an environment free from alcohol advertising in areas frequented by children and will ensure that our children can grow up in circumstances where they are not regularly exposed to alcohol advertising.
On 12 November this year, section 22 of the Act, which provides for the separation and visibility of the alcohol products in mixed retail outlets became operational. This recently applicable law means that mixed retail outlets such as supermarkets must confine alcohol products to either:
- an area separated by a 1.2 metre high barrier, or
- units in which alcohol products are not visible up to 1.5 metres height, or
- up to three units that can be a maximum of 1 metre wide by 2.2 metres high.
In addition, alcohol products can be contained but not be visible in a unit behind the counter.
The separation of alcohol products from other grocery products in retail outlets is designed to reduce the likelihood that alcohol products will be on display near grocery products, thereby discouraging their purchase as part of everyday household grocery shopping. In addition, alcohol products will be less visible to children.
From 11 January next year, the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 (Sale and Supply of Alcohol Products) Regulations will come into force. The purpose of the Regulations is to address the inclusion of alcohol products in price promotion schemes. The Regulations are designed to prohibit:
- the use of bonus or loyalty card points in relation to alcohol products
- the sale of alcohol products at a reduced price when sold with another product or service, and
- the sale of alcohol products at a reduced price for a period of 3 days or less.
Finally, in November next year the following provisions will become law:
- A prohibition on alcohol advertising on a sports area during a sporting event, at events aimed at children or at events in which the majority of participants or competitors are children.
- Alcohol sponsorship of events aimed at children, events at which the majority of participants or competitors are children and events involving driving or racing motor vehicles is prohibited.
Progression of work relating to the commencement of the remaining provisions of the Act, including the drafting of regulations relating to the labelling and advertising of alcohol products, was interrupted in March due to the prioritisation of legislation and other work related to the pandemic. As set out in the 2013 Government Decision which approved the minimum unit pricing of alcohol products, this measure will be introduced when a similar measure is introduced in Northern Ireland so as to allay concerns that its introduction in one jurisdiction only would impact cross-border trade.
Home Help Service
Questions (160)
Jackie Cahill
Question:160. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the number of older persons waiting for home support hours at the end of November 2020 in the north Tipperary east Limerick LHO area and in the south Tipperary LHO area; the way in which this compares to the same date in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42305/20]
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.
Hospital Facilities
Questions (161)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:161. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the reason a translabial scanner is not in place and operational to help identify those who have been implanted with a mesh device. [42438/20]
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.
Covid-19 Paindéim
Questions (162)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:162. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Sláinte an bhfuil sé ar an eolas go bhfuil comhairle fós á thabhairt don phobal ar an leathanach Covid-19 (Coróinvíreas): Comhairle ar an shuíomh Gov.ie gan maisc aghaidhe a chaitheamh, agus nach bhfuil aon fhianaise ann go mbaineann daoine nach bhfuil tinn aon tairbhí astu; cén fáth ina bhfuil sean-chomhairle dáinséarach as-dáta á thabhairt do phobal labhartha na Gaeilge agus muintir na Gaeltachta agus é ráite ar an leathanach go bhfuil sé suas chun data leis an leagan Béarla; an bhfuil pobal labhartha na Gaeilge agus muintir na Gaeltachta ceaptha neamhaird a dhéanamh as a stuama féin ar an gcomhairle Gaeilge atá ar fáil agus braith ar a dara teanga; an bhfuil sé seo sásúil ina thuairim; agus cad atá á dhéanamh aige chun é a réiteach. [35819/20]
View answerWritten answers
Ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a chur in iúl duit a Theachta as m'aird a tharraingt ar an ábhar tábhachtach seo. Tá cuardach déanta ag m'oifigigh agus tá gach leathanach a bhaineann leis an suíomh gov.ie agus comhairle faoi mhaisc aghaidhe atá eisithe ag an Roinn Sláinte suas chun dáta ar an leagan Bhéarla agus an leagan Gaeilge.
I would like to thank the Deputy for drawing my attention to this important matter. My officials have conducted a search and they have assured me all guidance relating to mask wearing issued by DoH is up to date on both the English and Irish versions.
Tugaim faoi dheireadh go bhfuil leathanach eile a chuir tú ar aghaidh chugam i mBéarla amháin. Baineann an leathanach seo leis an gcomhairle is déanaí maidir le Leibheál a 3. Is le Roinn an Taoisigh an leathanach seo agus tá ceist curtha agam orthu é a aistriú láithreach.
You also notified me of another page available in English only. This page related to the current Level 3 guidance. It is maintained by the Department of the Taoiseach - I have asked them to translate immediately.
Tuigim go maith cé chomh dáinséarach is atá sé eolas as dáta a chur ar fáil i nGaeilge do lucht labhartha na Gaeilge. Tá sé ráite go sonrach agam le m'oifigigh eolas a chur ar fáil i nGaeilge chomh luath 's atá an t-eolas céanna eisithe i mBéarla.
I fully understand the dangers out of date information present to Irish speakers. I have made it clear to my officials that all information issued by the Department should be available in English and Irish simultaneously,
National Children's Hospital
Questions (163)
Alan Kelly
Question:163. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the status of the construction of the national children’s hospital; the details of level of spending to date in 2020 on legal fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42345/20]
View answerWritten answers
Under the contract, the new children's hospital is due to be completed by the end of 2022 and handed over to Children's Health Ireland to open in 2023 after a period of commissioning. There will be delays associated with the requirement to cease works on the site of the new Children’s Hospital due to Covid-19 restrictions and the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB) was of the view that the Main Contractor was behind schedule on the construction works prior to Covid closures.
The NPHDB is continuing to engage with the main contractor to obtain an updated programme of works that is in line with its contractual commitments and is undertaking as assessment of the position in order to assess a revised likely timeframe, bearing in mind the delays that have occurred to date.
It is not possible at this stage to forecast the cost implications as the position continues to unfold.
As the NPHDB has statutory responsibility for planning, designing, building and equipping the new children's hospital, I have referred the remaining part of your question regarding the details of the spending to date in 2020 on legal fees to the NPHDB for direct reply.
Health Services
Questions (164)
Claire Kerrane
Question:164. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to reduce the current 63 week wait for audiology in County Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42511/20]
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 Reports
Questions (165)
Pearse Doherty
Question:165. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the progress made in the implementation of recommendations made in the report into gynaecology services at Letterkenny University Hospital; if a wider independent review of services at Letterkenny University Hospital will be committed to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41265/20]
View answerWritten answers
The report on the Gynaecology Service Review at Letterkenny University Hospital (LUH) made six recommendations to improve clinical outcomes and reduce delays for patients at LUH.
An Implementation Plan has been put in place for the recommendations of the Gynaecology Service Review report. The aim of the plan is to achieve robust improvements in the delivery of the gynaecology services in LUH and to secure efficient and sustainable services based on best clinical practice guidelines. The plan covers governance; outpatient referral; triage & clinical pathways; day case/inpatient surgery & clinical pathways; communication; ongoing support & monitoring of the service; and financial investment. The HSE advises that an Implementation Group is in place to oversee the improvement work.
Significant work has been undertaken in LUH to support the service. A Special Measures Team, from the Saolta Group, has been on site in LUH since early July to support and oversee the implementation plan to address the recommendations in the Review Report. In addition, a National level Oversight Group is in place to provide assurance to the HSE Chief Operations Officer that the recommendations set out in the Clinical Service Review Report are actively implemented.
The HSE has advised that, separate to the work undertaken as part of the Gynaecology Service Review, the Saolta Hospital Group has sought an independent external review of the care provided to three further patients who attended the gynaecology service at LUH. These women were diagnosed with cancers other than endometrial cancer, so they did not form part of the previous review. The Saolta Group and LUH will communicate directly with the patients and families involved regarding this review.
The HSE has also advised that a national review of endometrial cancer timelines across HSE sites is underway.
Home Care Packages
Questions (166)
Aindrias Moynihan
Question:166. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the measures being considered in relation to difficulties of those in need of homecare packages; his plans to address the current difficulties experienced in sourcing these packages and that many packages being granted are for less hours than would be appropriate to the need; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the current shortfalls in hours offered is being decided on the basis of resources available rather than the need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42354/20]
View answerWritten answers
Homecare is an essential service to support people to live in their own homes and their own communities for as long as possible. The allocation of funding for home supports across the system, though significant, is finite and services must be delivered within the funding available. The 2020 National Service Plan provides for 18.9m home support hours to be delivered to 53,700 people and Intensive Home Care Packages delivered to approximately 235 people with approximately 360,000 hours delivered in the full year.
An additional €150 million is being provided for home support in 2021. The very significant additional funding will provide a further 5 million hours over this year’ target aimed at keeping older people healthy and happy, in their community, for as long as possible. This represents about a 26% increase in home support hours over the 2020 NSP target.
A high-quality, consistent home-support service, focused on keeping people well in their homes and communities for as long as possible, is a key enabler to ensuring that people across a continuum of care get the right care, in the right place, at the right time. In this regard, my Department is in the process of developing a statutory scheme for the financing and regulation of home-support. It is intended that the new scheme will provide equitable and transparent access to high-quality services based on a person’s assessed care-needs, and that it will also provide transparency about service-allocation while ensuring that the scheme operates consistently and fairly across the country. The system of regulation will ensure public confidence in the services provided as well as safeguarding service-users. Work is on-going within my Department to determine the optimal approach to the development of the new scheme within the broader context of the on-going Sláintecare reforms.
Health Services
Questions (167)
David Cullinane
Question:167. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans for advancing an inquiry into the use of mesh implants and sodium valproate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42339/20]
View answerWritten answers
I have recently committed to holding an inquiry into the historical licensing and use of the anti-epileptic drug sodium valproate in Ireland. I have asked officials in my department to examine a number of different options for the structure of this inquiry. The terms of reference have yet to be decided, but I have emphasised that testimonies from families affected by disabilities associated with the drug will need to be central to the process.
As regards mesh implants, an ongoing priority focus for my department and the HSE is to put in place the necessary structures for, and the provision of, care of women who have been affected by the use of mesh. As part of the ongoing policy response, department officials are examining options to establish a process for an independent, compassionate engagement for women affected by mesh to have their voices heard; and will make proposals to me in this regard in the coming weeks. Currently, consideration is underway on how such an engagement process will need to take account of the wider context relating to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hospital Services
Questions (168)
Matt Carthy
Question:168. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the additional services that will be provided at Monaghan Hospital in 2021. [41639/20]
View answerWritten answers
The services at Monaghan Hospital, as part of the Cavan & Monaghan Hospital in the RCSI Hospital Group, include theatre, day services, diagnostic services, ambulatory care, a Minor Injury Unit and a wide range of out-patient services. It also has 20 rehabilitation in-patient beds and 11 step-down beds, providing an invaluable service to patients following discharge from acute hospital services.
A 23-bed Intermediate Care Unit in Monaghan Hospital is planned as part of Winter Plan 2020 to provide step down beds for Cavan Hospital patients. We are advised by the RCSI Hospital Group that 5 of these beds have opened recently and that the other 18 will open on a phased basis in the coming months.
Citizens' Assembly
Questions (169)
Ruairí Ó Murchú
Question:169. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health when he expects the citizens' assembly will be convened to consider the matter of drug use. [41791/20]
View answer
Awaiting reply from Department.
Health Promotion
Questions (170)
Jennifer Carroll MacNeill
Question:170. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in encouraging the option of breastfeeding including through the Healthy Ireland framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41942/20]
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. 171 answered with Question No. 114.
Cross-Border Health Initiatives
Questions (172)
Brendan Smith
Question:172. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the discussions he has had with his counterpart in Northern Ireland in relation to the potential of expanding the remit of Co-operation and Working Together Partnership regarding the delivery of health services and additional cross-Border projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42439/20]
View answerWritten answers
I have met my Northern Ireland counterpart a number of times since I became Minister for Health and we have discussed a range of important issues. At the Health and Food Safety Sectoral Meeting of the North South Ministerial Council on 2 October we noted the work of the Cooperation and Working Together (CAWT) cross-border health and social care partnership.
CAWT is an organisation that continues to play a significant role in cross-border co-operation. The CAWT partners in Northern Ireland are the Health and Social Care Board, the Public Health Agency, the Southern Health and the Western Health and Social Care Trusts. The HSE is the CAWT partner in the South.
Through this partnership, the health and social care services in both jurisdictions have been working together in the border region to provide practical solutions to the health and social care needs of local communities since 1992.
CAWT’s primary activity is to support the existing health agencies in the border area in developing collaborative services and to co-ordinate the delivery of European Union INTERREG funded cross-border health and social care projects and services. CAWT led on the health projects for the two Departments North and South for INTERREG IVA; it is also leading on four projects and is partner on one project under the INTERREG V programme.
CAWT also undertakes cross-border work on behalf of the HSE and the Departments. I understand that CAWT will also seek to participate in the future Peace Plus Programme, if appropriate.
There has been significant activity in cross-border health and social care co-operation over recent decades and CAWT has played an important role in this. I look forward to CAWT's continued participation in North-South collaboration in the coming years.
Nursing Education
Questions (173)
Paul Murphy
Question:173. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if a commitment will be given to pay student nurses and midwives properly for their labour; if the number of permanent nurses and midwives will be increased to adequate levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40485/20]
View answerWritten answers
Engagement is ongoing with nursing trade unions on the current allowances available to 1/2/3 year nursing and midwifery students on supernumerary clinical placements. I have committed to holding a short, time limited independent examination of these allowances in the context of COVID-19. Work is underway to progress this and I envisage that this will be completed by the end of December.
Separately, the regular pay for 4th year student nurses employed on rostered internship increased by 2% on 1st October this year. The annualised salary for this group is now €21,749 for general nursing and midwifery and €22,229 for psychiatric nursing.
In terms of increasing the number of permanent nurses and midwives, earlier this year the HSE committed to offering permanent contracts to all 2020 nursing graduates. This is welcome news for those entering the nursing profession. In addition, recruitment of more nurses and midwives is continuing. The numbers of nurses and midwives employed in our public health service is up by almost 2,000 WTE in the past two years alone and now stands at 39,608 WTE as at the end of October 2020.
The recent Nursing Agreement improved and extended allowances as well as accelerated career progression and development opportunities. It introduced a new Enhanced Nurse Practice Nurse / Midwife role. This role will enable nurses and midwives to practice to the fullest extent of their licence and should help with the recruitment and retention of nurses and midwives in our public health system. The Agreement also includes commitments to further fund the roll out of the Framework on Safe Staffing and Skill Mix in our hospitals. This approach to determining nurse staffing and skill mix is underpinned by evidence and the Government remains committed to the implementation of this initiative.
Health Services Staff
Questions (174)
Joan Collins
Question:174. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health the number of public health specialists that have applied for positions in the past month; and the number of vacancies the HSE is hoping to fill. [42442/20]
View answerWritten answers
I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly with the data sought as soon as possible.
Nursing Education
Questions (175)
Martin Browne
Question:175. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health his views on the valuable contribution that student nurses have made to the health system; the number of unpaid hours worked by student nurses since the beginning of March 2020; the cohort of student nurses in percentage terms who worked in Covid-19 related care; his views on whether the decision by many nurses to move abroad to work is due in part to some feeling unappreciated by his Department; his plans to improve relations between his Department and the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42505/20]
View answerWritten answers
Recently on social media, I thanked everyone for the sacrifices they have made in recent weeks including healthcare workers who continue to do everything they can for patients.
On the matters of concern for student nurses and midwives, I can confirm that officials from my Department are currently engaging with the representative trade unions on these matters.
In November, my officials conducted a review of the current supports available to student nurses and midwives at the present time, taking into account the impact of COVID-19 on clinical placements this year. The outcome of this review has been communicated to the representative trade unions. That included details of the existing and additional educational, health and welfare supports and protections that are available to nursing and midwifery students at the present time.
My officials are also currently engaging with the representative unions on an examination of the existing allowances available to student nurses and midwives. Further engagement with those unions is due to take place on this matter this week before this examination takes place.
On the wider Nursing and Midwifery profession and its outlook, I note that the Expert Review Body on Nursing and Midwifery is continuing with its work and is expected to report its findings in early 2021. The Expert Review Body will, as per its terms of reference, conduct ‘a general review of nursing and midwifery, embracing the full spectrum of issues relating to scope and role, structure, operational flexibilities, management responsibilities, professional development and other measures designed to improve the quality and efficiency of service delivery in an integrated way’.
This review, along with the improvements in certain pay and allowances and the new Enhanced Practice role arising from the 2019 Nursing Agreement, signifies that the opportunities for growth and development for nurses and midwives are increasing and it is an exciting time to enter the profession. I would encourage student nurses and midwifes to examine these opportunities that a career in our health service offers.
With regard to the other information requested, I have asked the HSE to directly reply to you in relation to that information.