Written Answers Nos. 1058-1082
1058. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the income disregards for blind welfare allowance applications taking into consideration the variations nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1653/21]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for consideration and direct reply to the Deputy.
1059. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the outpatient validation exercises dated 1 January to 30 November 2020, the reason for a zero return from the outpatients list in both Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda and Louth County Hospital, Dundalk; if both hospitals have an alternate plan to manage and reduce outpatient lists; the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1657/21]
View answerGood practice around the management of hospital waiting lists recommends periodic validation of waiting lists.
Validation is the process whereby hospital administration contacts patients on waiting lists at pre-planned intervals during the year to ensure that patients are ready, willing, suitable and available to attend a hospital appointment or wish to be removed.
Importantly, the validation process allows for situations where, if requested by the GP/referring clinician, patients can be reinstated back to their original place on to the Waiting List.
For a number of years validation was conducted at individual hospital level in Ireland but in 2018, the Minister for Health approved the establishment of the National Centralised Validation Unit (NCVU) within the NTPF. The NCVU delivers a standardisation of approach to validation across all waiting lists and all hospitals in line with the best patient-centred practices. The validation of waiting lists better informs the true demand for hospital services and enable improved efficiency and patient scheduling.
Following engagement with public hospitals, the NCVU commenced issuing waiting list validation correspondence on the 2nd November 2018.
The report referenced by the Deputy relates to the number of patients removed from Outpatient waiting lists between 1 January and 30 November 2020 by hospital as a result of validation exercises carried out by the NCVU.
In relation to the zero returns from both Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital (OLOL) and Louth County Hospital in this report, the NCVU has advised that the RCSI Hospital Group, with the exception of the Rotunda Hospital, do not engage in the NCVU process.
In relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy regarding alternate plans to manage and reduce outpatient lists at OLOL and Louth County Hospitals, and the details of same, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1060. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to BreastCheck appointments being cancelled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1665/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1061. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health the position regarding wait times for MRI scans at University Hospital Limerick; if funding will be secured for an additional MRI scanner for University Hospital Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1667/21]
View answerIt is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been impacted in the last year as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Further to the deferral of most scheduled care activity in March, April, and May of last year due to the pandemic, the HSE is currently recommending that only critical time dependent elective procedures are undertaken at this time due to the on-going and significant increased demand for bed capacity related to Covid-19.
This decision was made arising from the rapid increase in Covid-19 admissions and to ensure patient safety and that all appropriate resources were made available for Covid-19 related activity and time-critical essential work.
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.
In relation to the information requested by the Deputy on wait times for MRI scans, the attached spreadsheet provides the wait times for MRI scans at University Hospital Limerick subject to the caveats detailed below. The NTPF advise that Diagnostics data is collected quarterly and this data relates to the waiting list as of 30th September 2020. Q4 2020 data is currently being collated and validated.
In terms of the MRI data, the HSE advises that a pilot project commenced in 2016 by HSE Acute Hospitals Division to progress the collection of national radiology waiting list data. The project has been supported by the Radiology Clinical Care Programme and has involved key stakeholders across the system including the National Integrated Medical Imaging System (NIMIS) Team, Hospital Groups, and the support of the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) for data collection and data management expertise.
The information that is currently being collected is presently being tested and validated at hospital, hospital group and national level and as such should not be used/reported without the context of the caveats set out below:
- Data is subject to inclusions and exclusions which are documented in the Data Profile Document. This document is available from Acute Operations and has been circulated to all Hospital Groups.
- Data contains urgent, routine and surveillance/planned activity which is currently not broken down in detail, as such this includes surveillance/planned activity which may not be exceeding planned date.
- Data is still undergoing validation at Hospital and Hospital Group level.
- Data does not take into account local nuances at site level (Site profile developed to support understanding of same).
- The purpose of this aggregate data is to provide a National Level overview of the number of patients waiting for modalities of CT, MRI and Ultrasound.
- This report is not intended to be used for the active management of hospital diagnostics waiting list, local reports and mechanisms should continue to be used for the management of diagnostics waiting lists at hospital level.
In relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy concerning funding for an additional MRI scanner for University Hospital, Limerick, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1062. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health if the cross-Border agreement is being extended for new patients or being implemented for those booked and waiting to be seen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1673/21]
View answerSince 1 January 2021, the provisions of the EU Cross Border Directive (CBD) no longer apply to the UK. In order to mitigate the impact of the loss of access to care in the UK under the EU CBD scheme for persons resident in Ireland, the Government has agreed to provide for the implementation of a replacement scheme to be available in Northern Ireland only from 1 January 2021. The new Northern Ireland Planned Healthcare Scheme will operate for 12 months and will operate on the same parameters as the EU Cross Border Directive scheme.
Furthermore, the HSE has also put in place transitional arrangements for certain patients who have a legitimate expectation of continuing to access care in the UK under the current provisions of the EU Cross-Border Directive Scheme including provision for reimbursement of healthcare costs by the HSE to persons who fall into certain categories, such as patients who can evidence that they have treatment booked prior to December 2020 for treatment in 2021. Patients are advised to contact the HSE CBD office directly with queries on individual applications and whether they are covered by the transitional arrangements or the new Northern Ireland Planned Healthcare Scheme.
Finally, it is also important to note that, patients continue to have access to health services under the EU CBD Scheme in all other remaining EU countries.
1063. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the status of the implementation of the recommendations of the October 2019 report of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre, HPSC, Lyme Borreliosis Subcommittee; the action his Department has taken in the meantime to improve testing, diagnosis, treatment and management of Lyme disease on foot of the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1679/21]
View answerAs the Lyme Borelliosis Sub-Committee is within the remit of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre of the HSE, I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy on this matter.
1064. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of nasal spray child flu vaccines administered to date for each of the quantities due to expire on 13 and 14 January and 12 and 15 February 2021; the total cost of the vaccines; the number which have expired without being administered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1680/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1067. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health if persons continue to test positive for Covid-19 for up to three months after an initial positive PCR test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1686/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1068. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health if the requirement of a negative PCR test in the previous 72 hours will be modified in respect of essential workers returning to Ireland who recently contracted Covid-19 but have fully recovered, are no longer symptomatic and are no longer suspected to be infectious; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1687/21]
View answerFrom 9 January 2021, all passengers arriving at Irish airports and ports whose journey originates in Great Britain or South Africa will be requested to have evidence of a negative result from a pre-departure PCR COVID-19 test (COVID-19 not detected) taken up to 72 hours prior to arrival in Ireland.
International Transport Workers, including workers in aviation, maritime and road haulage sectors are exempt from this requirement as are members of An Garda Síochána where they are travelling in the course of performing their duties.
The pre-departure testing requirement and all Government policy on international travel is kept under continuing review.
1069. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the funding allocated to treating persons with eating disorders in each of the years 2016 to date; the amounts that have been diverted from this area in each of those years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1702/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1070. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the number of persons being treated for eating disorders in each of the years 2016 to date; the number that were discharged from that service each year in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1703/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1071. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Health if an application by a person (details supplied) for home help will be processed urgently; and if their home help hours will be awarded. [1705/21]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1072. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Health the status of an application by a person (details supplied) for a medical card; and when they can expect a decision on their case. [1710/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1076. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter regarding Covid-19 vaccinations in a nursing home (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1742/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1077. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the measures taken to allow nurses who do not have access to a personal computer or secure internet connections to pay their Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland, NMBI, retention fees; the measures taken to give nurses without access to printers proof of payment, as required by hospitals; if he has considered his Department paying the fee in recognition of the efforts of nurses during Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1743/21]
View answerThe 2021 annual registration renewal for nurses and midwives is underway online through the MyNMBI portal. The process can be undertaken on any device that allows access to the NMBI website, but to complete the initial process the registrant will need to have an email address. All other registration services can now be accessed on a mobile device.
My Department has been informed by the NMBI that, in certain circumstances, registrants who have no access to a personal computer or secure internet connection can request a paper form. Registrants can request the form via the NMBI helpline on 1890 200 116, or by posting their request to Registration Department, Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland, 18-20 Carysfort Avenue, Blackrock, A94 R299. They can complete the form and return it with a postal order for the annual renewal fee. This material will then be manually entered into the system by NMBI staff who will then issue a certificate to the registrant.
NMBI is an independent regulatory body established under the Nurses and Midwives Act 2011. While my Department is responsible for the oversight and governance of the NMBI, I have no role in setting or approving fees. Under the Nurses and Midwives Act 2011, the NMBI is required to be self-financing, and the Annual Retention Fee is required to carry out their statutory obligations to protect the integrity of the practice of the professions of nursing and midwifery, and to protect the public. The annual retention fee was set by the NMBI in 2014 at €100 and is its main source of income in order to full these obligations.
1079. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health the status of a recruitment process (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1748/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1081. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the average waiting time of patients who present at accident and emergency departments in all of the acute hospitals nationwide by name of hospital, county and waiting time in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1754/21]
View answerThe HSE National Service Plan (NSP) sets out the type and volume of health and personal social services that the HSE undertakes to provide within its financial allocation each year. The NSP 2020 sets targets in relation to the waiting times of attendees of emergency departments (EDs) for discharge or admission including specific targets for patients over 75 as follows:
The NSP 2020 target for percentage of attendees at ED who are discharged or admitted within six hours of registration is 65%.
The NSP 2020 target for percentage of attendees aged 75 years and over at ED who are discharged or admitted within six hours of registration is 95%
The NSP 2020 target for percentage of attendees at ED who are discharged or admitted within nine hours of registration is 80%.
The NSP 2020 target for percentage of attendees aged 75 years and over at ED who are discharged or admitted within nine hours of registration is 99%.
The NSP 2020 target for percentage of all attendees at ED who are in ED less than 24 hours is 97%.
The NSP 2020 target for percentage of attendees aged 75 years and over at ED who are in ED less than 24 hours is 99%
In relation to the particular query raised regarding the breakdown of average PET by site, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1082. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if the current level of renumeration to dentists for medical card patients will be reviewed (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1759/21]
View answerThe Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides dental care, free of charge, to medical card holders aged 16 and over. In December 2019, 1,490 private dentists held DTSS contracts with the HSE. In December 2020, the corresponding figure was 1,354, a reduction of 9.1%. 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.
Smile agus Sláinte, the National Oral Health Policy, published by my Department in April 2019, sets out the new model of care delivery for dental services. The timeframe for the delivery of the Policy, which will be rolled out incrementally, is up to 2026. A review of the provision of dental services for those eligible for public services is required in the context of the implementation of the Policy and the issue of fees paid to dentists will be considered in that context.
My Department has been engaging with dentists throughout the pandemic and is preparing for further engagement on any additional measures that might assist the public in accessing oral healthcare during these difficult times.
