Written Answers Nos. 486-507
486. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the health promotion campaigns that have been carried out in 2020 by his Department or the HSE to encourage members of the public to boost their immune system (details supplied), specifically to aid in the fight against Covid-19. [42893/20]
View answerHealthy Ireland has led a number of cross government communications campaigns designed to help people look after their physical and mental wellbeing during the COVID-19 crisis. The first of these was launched by An Taoiseach in April 2020. The #InThisTogether campaign offered advice, support and information around a range of themes, which included being active, eating well, coping at home, cocooning, the leaving cert and looking after your mental health, as well as signposting to other relevant and useful resources. The campaign encouraged people to make small simple changes to their everyday lives, such as eating a more balanced diet, increasing fruit and vegetable intake, drinking more water and watching portion sizes. It also advised people on the benefits of daily exercise, particularly outdoor exercise and the positive effects of that on physical and mental wellbeing. The #InThisTogether campaign was delivered across social media, radio, and digital and involved a wide range of partner and stakeholder collaboration, including Sport Ireland, Safefood, Local Authorities, Libraries, HSE, and other Government Departments. This campaign ran until mid-June.
Following on from this campaign, a second campaign was launched by An Taoiseach in October 2020, aligned with the Government’s Resilience and Recovery Plan for living with COVID-19. The #KeepWell campaign is aimed at promoting resilience and positive physical and mental health and wellbeing. This campaign is organised under five themes; Keeping Active, Eating Well, Staying connected, Switching off and Being Creative, and Minding your Mood. This campaign is being delivered via social media, TV, Radio, print and digital and will run to spring 2021. This campaign again involves the collaboration of many stakeholders and partners, with an emphasis placed on local initiatives and resources. Sláintecare has provided €7m to support the delivery of initiatives and services with a range of partners including the Local Authorities, CYPSC, Sport Ireland, the HSE, Creative Ireland, Libraries Ireland and Bord Bia. More information on the campaign can be found at gov.ie/healthyireland.
I have also asked the HSE to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
487. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the number of patients waiting for pain relief treatment at University Hospital Galway, by outpatients and inpatients; the number of years on waiting list and age profile; the longest length of time a patient has been on the waiting list; the steps he plans to take to deal with the inordinately long waiting times for pain relief in Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42899/20]
View answer488. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the number of patients waiting for pain relief treatment at each hospital; the average length of time spent on the waiting list in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42900/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 487 and 488 together.
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.
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 NTPF have advised my Department that they have also approved 14 initiatives (10 IPDC & 4 OPD) for funding for Pain Relief so far in 2020, which will facilitate treatment for over 1,500 patients on Pain Relief waiting lists throughout the country. Of the 14 initiatives the NTPF have approved, 1 IPDC Pain Relief initiative and 1 OPD Pain Relief initiative relate specifically to Galway University Hospital facilitating treatment for 98 patients.
The information requested by the Deputy concerning the pain relief waiting list at each hospital is outlined at: https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/debates/questions/supportingDocumentation/2020-12-16_pq487-15-12-20_en.xlsx
The information provided shows the wait times for IPDC & OPD by hospital and includes the average number of days on the waiting list.
It should be noted that Outpatient appointments for pain clinics at Galway University hospital are listed under "Anaesthetics" rather than "Pain Clinic ". Waiting list figures there show 1,428 patients on the outpatient waiting list for anaesthetics at Galway University Hospital, however it is important to note that this data does not differentiate pain clinic patients from other patients on the anaesthetic waiting list.
Galway University Hospital does maintain an inpatient pain relief waiting list which is attached for information. The NTPF have advised that the longest length of time a patient has spent on the IPDC pain relief waiting list at Galway University Hospital is 863 days.
IP Pain Relief Waiters as of 26/11/2020
|
Row Labels |
0-3 Months |
3-6 Months |
6-9 Months |
9-12 Months |
12-15 Months |
15-18 Months |
18+ Months |
Grand Total |
|
Galway University Hospital |
109 |
45 |
76 |
178 |
220 |
179 |
177 |
984 |
|
Highest NumDays: |
863 |
NTPF have further informed me that the requested information by age profile cannot be provided due to statistical disclosure control which protects the confidentiality of the patients.
489. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the number of permanent consultant posts currently filled nationally; the number of permanent consultant posts which are currently not filled on a permanent basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42901/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
490. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the number of permanent consultant posts which are currently unfilled nationally; the number of such posts which are filled on a temporary, locum or agency basis, respectively; the number which are vacant, by area; if they are at hospital level or community level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42902/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
491. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the number of permanent consultant posts currently unfilled in the Saolta University Health Care Group, by hospital and specialty; the number of such posts which are filled on a temporary, locum or agency basis, respectively; the number which are vacant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42903/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
492. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the number of permanent consultant posts currently unfilled in the CHO 2 area, by specialty; the number of such posts which are filled on a temporary, locum or agency basis, respectively; the number which are vacant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42904/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
493. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the number of permanent consultant posts which have been unfilled; the length of time the post has been unfilled; the speciality and area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42905/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
494. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health when the currently unfilled permanent consultant posts will be filled; the number planned to be permanently filled in each of the next three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42906/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
495. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address the case of a person (details supplied) regarding additional help at weekends; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42907/20]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
496. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the payment of travel allowances which are owed to student nurses from placements which took place almost one year ago; and if these allowances will be paid without further delay. [42923/20]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for clarifying that she is asking that travel and accommodation allowances are paid promptly to student nurses and midwives when they are claimed.
As the payment of travel and accommodation allowances are operational matters of the HSE, I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy.
497. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the clinical grounds on which referral for specialist services abroad has been refused in the case of a person (details supplied); the actions proposed, given that the course of treatment currently in place is not working; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42925/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
498. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will put in place additional adult service supports in CHO 8 to assist patients dealing with eating disorders. [42926/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
499. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will appoint a full-time dietician to adult services in CHO 8. [42927/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
500. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will consider putting funding in place to provide treatment centres or community specialist services to support those with eating disorders in CHO 8. [42928/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
501. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the status of a new elective hospital location in Cork; and when the process of site selection will be completed. [42930/20]
View answerThe National Development Plan stated that, “New dedicated ambulatory elective only hospital facilities will be introduced in Dublin Galway and Cork. These facilities will provide high volume, low complexity procedures on a day and outpatient basis, together with a range of ambulatory diagnostic services. The high volume of demand for such services in these major urban centres is sufficient to justify the construction of dedicated ambulatory centres.”
The Elective Hospitals Oversight Group, chaired by Professor Frank Keane, has completed a Catchment Area Analysis within Dublin, Cork and Galway, within a national capacity context, but also within the catchments defined by the proposed Regional Health Areas, aimed at selected scopes of service. The work is progressing on time and in accordance with the agreed schedule.
The Oversight Group is completing the development of a high-level facilities spatial brief and order of magnitude costs which details the elective clustering of appropriate activities for each of the three facilities in Dublin, Cork and Galway. This will also include an output and facility specification, based on efficient and effective service delivery as part of the business case for the elective hospitals.
As per the Public Spending Code guidelines, the Preliminary Business Case is expected to be submitted in the near future.
502. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide additional supports as a matter of urgency for a person (details supplied). [42932/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
503. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health the status of the new primary healthcare centre for an area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42941/20]
View answerAs the HSE has responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres and other Primary Care facilities, the Executive has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.
504. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to situations in which dental practices are no longer providing treatments to patients under the medical card scheme; the action he is taking to address the situation in view of the significant financial pressure this is placing on medical card holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42946/20]
View answerThe Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides dental care free of charge to medical card holders aged 16 and over. These services are provided by over 1,400 independent dental practitioners who have a contract with the HSE. I understand that since the beginning of March, 174 dentists have withdrawn from the DTSS and that 58 new applications are being processed. This is within the normal range of fluctuations of dentists participating in the Scheme in recent years.
Patients may choose to have their treatment undertaken by any dentist who participates in the Scheme. The HSE will assist medical card holders in accessing such treatment if required.
While the interruption to services caused by the current COVID-19 pandemic had led to some delays in the provision of non-emergency care, activity levels have been returning to normal in recent months.
My Department has been engaging with dentists and with the HSE throughout the pandemic and is preparing for further engagement on any additional measures to support the oral health of the public during these difficult times.
505. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the details of the 48-bed hospital extension for Mallow General Hospital, County Cork; the status of the extension; and the costings and timelines for same. [42953/20]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
506. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if additional home service supports will be provided for a person (details supplied) as a matter of urgency. [42954/20]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
507. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the current waiting time for appointments, and the number waiting for appointments, for HSE child dental services in County Laois; and the action he is taking to address the backlog due to Covid-19. [42955/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
