Written Answers Nos. 967-988
967. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if a masseur will be allowed to operate in the current level 5 restrictions in cases in which they are providing therapy for medical reasons and clients have evidence of such conditions. [10105/21]
View answer987. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health the position for holistic therapies, for example, reiki and so on, under essential services during levels 4 and 5 phases of the living with Covid-19 plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10215/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 967 and 987 together.
As the Deputy is aware, the public health restrictions at level 5 of the Government's Framework Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19 will remain in place until 5th April 2021, when a further review will be conducted. The Framework continues to provide an appropriate mechanism to guide decision-making, and it will continue to be supplemented by more detailed sectoral guidance in relation to measures that apply at each level of the Framework.
On 23 February, 2021, the Government published COVID-19 Resilience & Recovery 2021: The Path Ahead which sets out how in-school education and childcare services will be reinstated in a phased manner from 1 March, with staggered return throughout March to be concluded after the Easter break on 12 April. Information on the revised plan is available here – https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/c4876-covid-19-resilience-and-recovery-2021-the-path-ahead/?referrer=http://www.gov.ie/ThePathAhead/
At level 5, all non-essential retail, and all non-essential services must remain closed. Information in relation to the current public health measures in relation to essential retail/essential services at level 5 is available at:- https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/2dc71-level-5/
The Deputy should note that therapy services provided by a member of a designated profession within the meaning of section 3 of the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 (No. 27 of 2005) are considered essential under the regulations. The list of Human Health and Social Work Activities considered essential at Level 5 can be viewed at:- https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/c9158-essential-services/#human-health-and-social-work-activities
The Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) (NO. 10) Regulations 2020 Regulation (S.I. 701 of 2020), sets out the relevant businesses or services under the current public health measures. Statutory Instruments related to the Covid-19 pandemic are available here: https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/1f150-view-statutory-instruments-related-to-the-covid-19-pandemic/
968. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the mean and median waiting times in number of months across each waiting list for each speciality for each hospital group and by hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10107/21]
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.
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.
The National Waiting List Management Policy is a standardised approach used by the HSE to manage scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures. It sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists and was developed in 2014 to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care.
The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) has provided the information requested by the Deputy outlined in the attached document. The NTPF has advised that these figures are a snapshot in time and represent the mean and median of the numbers of days that people on the list at the given date have been waiting.
The NTPF further advised that their wait times are measured in days. In order to provide the Deputy with the information in the requested format (month), they have included a calculated column on the attached extract to convert days to months by dividing the amount of days by 30.4375 (365.25 divided by 12) and rounding the number down.
969. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of profession by discipline and speciality for each hospital laboratory department; the number of posts that are funded, filled and vacant, respectively; the basis on which they are filled, that is, permanent, temporary, agency or locum, by whole-time equivalent, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10108/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
970. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the spending per head of population for palliative care in each of the HSE areas, in tabular form. [10116/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
971. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the supports that are available from the HSE for a person who was vaccinated with the HPV vaccine on 28 September 2020, had serious health issues after receiving the vaccine and was admitted to hospital on 6 October 2020 and diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome; if a long-term plan is in place to support those affected in this way; the reason the possible adverse side effects were not outlined on the information leaflet for parents; the action taken by the Health Products Regulatory Authority relative to this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10127/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
973. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health if he will introduce regulations to prohibit the sale and delivery of alcoholic drinks from pubs and restaurants to private householders for the duration of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10139/21]
View answerAs you will be aware the current public health restrictions at level 5 of the Government's Framework Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19 will remain in place until 5th April 2021, when a further review will be conducted. The Framework continues to provide an appropriate mechanism to guide decision-making, and it will continue to be supplemented by more detailed sectoral guidance in relation to measures that apply at each level of the Framework.
On 23 February the Government published COVID-19 Resilience & Recovery 2021: The Path Ahead, which sets out how in-school education and childcare services will be reinstated in a phased manner from 1 March, with staggered return throughout March to be concluded after the Easter break on 12 April. Information on the revised plan is available here - https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/c4876-covid-19-resilience-and-recovery-2021-the-path-ahead/?referrer=http://www.gov.ie/ThePathAhead/
The current Regulations in effect are the Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No. 10) Regulations 2020 (S.I. No. 701 of 2020). Part 1A of the Schedule sets out the essential retail outlets permitted to operate, including, at paragraph 15, outlets selling food or beverages whether on a retail or wholesale basis and whether in a non-specialised or specialised outlet, insofar as they sell food or beverages on a takeaway basis or for consumption off the premises.
While there is no dedicated licence for online sales of intoxicating liquor, licensees of licensed premises may engage in online sales subject to certain restrictive conditions.
As matters stand, under existing legislation where alcohol is purchased online, the same restrictions on the sale and supply of intoxicating liquor apply, including the restrictions in relation to hours of trading and the provisions in relation to the sale and supply of intoxicating liquor to young persons.
Under section 17(3) of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003, it is an offence for a licensee, with intent to evade the conditions of the licence, to take intoxicating liquor from the licensed premises for the purpose of its being sold on the account or for the benefit or profit of the licensee, or to permit any other person to do so.
Section 31 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 1988, as amended, makes provision for offences relating to the sale and delivery of alcohol products to persons under the age of 18 years. It is an offence under section 31(2) for a licensee to sell or deliver, or to permit any other person to sell or deliver, alcohol products to any person for consumption off his or her licensed premises by a person under the age of 18 years in any place except with the explicit consent of the person's parent or guardian in a private residence in which he or she is present either as of right or with permission.
It is not possible to say what public health measures will be in place in the future. The public health advice relating to Covid-19 is kept under continuing review by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), by my Department and by the Government. The measures in place and the public health advice have been adapted to the changing circumstances and this will continue to be the case for the foreseeable future.
974. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health the training being provided to psychiatric services in relation to ADHD in order that patients can access proper assessments, diagnosis and treatment, particularly as adults; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10154/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
975. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health the status of a site for public services for adults with ADHD in CHO 6; the timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10155/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
976. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to improve the knowledge and training on the issue of menopause and perimenopause; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10156/21]
View answerThere are a number of existing supports in place to improve knowledge and training on the issue of menopause and perimenopause. These include the Irish College of General Practitioners 'Certificate in Menopause Care' aimed at healthcare professionals who work regularly in the field of women's health, and a number of continuing professional development courses which include this issue for health professionals such as pharmacists, nurses and midwives.
Menopause has also been identified as a priority under the Department of Health's Women's Health Taskforce. The Women’s Health Taskforce was established in September 2019 with the aim of improving women’s health outcomes and experiences of healthcare. The Taskforce has met nine times since it was established in September 2019. A number of initial priority areas for action were determined by the Taskforce in 2020, with the issue of menopause recognised and included as one of these priority areas.
Proposals for action have been developed under three priority areas: Improving Gynaecological Health for Women and Girls; Improving Supports for Menopause; and Improving Women and Girls’ Physical Activity. A programme of actions under these proposals is currently being confirmed, and further details will be shared following finalisation.
Implementation of actions will be supported by the Budget 2021 allocation of a dedicated €5million ‘Women’s Health Fund’. In 2021, the €5m Women’s Health Fund will deliver a programme of actions arising from this work, along with additional priority areas, including improving mental health supports for women and girls. A national awareness and education campaign will also be delivered to provide a trusted source of information and help normalise discussions about women’s health, which will include menopause. Further detail on this activity will be shared once it is finalised in the near term.
977. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health if he will consider supporting HRT as a treatment for severe menopause symptoms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10157/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
978. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health the supports and information available to women who are experiencing menopause and perimenopause; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10158/21]
View answerIt is recommended that women who experience menopausal symptoms which they find difficult to deal with see their GP. GPs can offer treatments and suggest lifestyle changes if a woman has severe menopausal symptoms that have a significant impact on her everyday activities. Women who have a medical card are entitled to a range of services including general practitioner services, prescribed drugs and medicines, all in-patient public hospital services in public wards (including consultant services), all out-patient public hospital services (including consultant services).
Menopause has also been identified as a priority under the Women's Health Taskforce. The Women’s Health Taskforce was established in September 2019 with the aim of improving women’s health outcomes and experiences of healthcare. The Taskforce has met nine times since it was established in September 2019. A number of initial priority areas for action were determined by the Taskforce in 2020, with the issue of menopause recognised and included as one of these priority areas.
Proposals for action have been developed under three priority areas: Improving Gynaecological Health for Women and Girls; Improving Supports for Menopause; and Improving Women and Girls’ Physical Activity. A programme of actions under these proposals is currently being confirmed, and further details will be shared following finalisation.
Implementation of actions will be supported by the Budget 2021 allocation of a dedicated €5million ‘Women’s Health Fund’. In 2021, the €5m Women’s Health Fund will deliver a programme of actions arising from this work, along with additional priority areas, including improving mental health supports for women and girls. A national awareness and education campaign will also be delivered to provide a trusted source of information and help normalise discussions about women’s health, which will include menopause. Further detail on this activity will be shared once it is finalised in the near term.
For further details of the current supports and information available to women who are experiencing menopause and perimenopause, this has been referred to the HSE.
979. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health if he will request from the national immunisation advisory committee, NIAC, if myalgic encephalomyelitis will be under the medical conditions listed in group 7 of the Covid-19 vaccine roll-out plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10159/21]
View answerThe COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy sets out a provisional list of groups for vaccination. The Strategy was developed by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) and my Department, endorsed by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), and approved by Government on 8 December 2020.
Vaccine allocation is a matter for my Department and further information is available here: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/39038-provisional-vaccine-allocation-groups/.
The rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination programme is the responsibility of the HSE.
The aim of the COVID-19 vaccination programme is to ensure, over time, that vaccine will become available to vaccinate all of those for whom the vaccine is indicated. Given that there will be initially limited vaccines available, it will take some time for all to receive those vaccines and that has necessitated an allocation strategy to ensure that those most at risk of death and serious illness receive the vaccine first.
The priority is to first vaccinate and protect directly the most vulnerable amongst us, that is, those most likely to have a poor outcome if they contract the virus. The priority is to directly use vaccines to save lives and reduce serious illness, hence the focus on the over 65 year old cohort in long term residential care facilities, and healthcare workers in frontline services often caring for the most vulnerable.
The next group to be vaccinated are those aged 70 and older in the following order: 85 and older, 80-84, 75-79, and 70-74. Vaccination of this group started in the week beginning the 15th of February.
All of the groups will be covered as further vaccine supplies become available and the immunisation programme is rolled out nationally.
The National Immunisation Advisory Committee continues to review all national and international data in order to inform the vaccine allocation process.
980. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the actions he is taking in order to achieve objectives within child dental services in County Laois (details supplied); and the time period by which he plans to achieve these measures. [10164/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
981. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 831 of 10 February 2021, when a full or an increase in a home care package will be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10173/21]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
982. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect an appointment for orthodontic treatment. [10174/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
984. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health when the HSE will implement the new Northern Ireland planned healthcare scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10207/21]
View answer1035. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when the application process and guidelines will be available to new applicants for the Northern Ireland planned healthcare scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10530/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 984 and 1035 together.
Since 1 January 2021, the provisions of the EU Cross Border Directive (CBD) no longer apply to the UK. On the 28th December 2020 the Government approved the implementation of a new Northern Ireland Planned Healthcare Scheme. The new Scheme operational from 1 January 2021 for 12 months on an administrative basis will enable persons resident in the State to access and be reimbursed for private healthcare in Northern Ireland by the HSE, provided such healthcare is publicly available within Ireland. Patients are advised to contact the HSE CBD office directly for further information on how to make individual applications under the NI Planned Healthcare Scheme.
Furthermore, patients also continue to have access to health services under the EU CBD Scheme in all other remaining EU/EEA countries. In the context of the Covid-19 Pandemic, persons seeking to utilise these schemes should review and adhere to the public health guidance and restrictions in place at any point in time.
985. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health the number of general practitioners in New Ross, County Wexford that hold a GMS contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10213/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
986. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health the criteria for GMS general practitioner contracts; the standard ratio of GMS general practitioner contracts to area population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10214/21]
View answerGeneral Practitioners are private contractors. There is no prescribed ratio of GPs to patients and the State does not regulate the number of GPs that can set up in a town or community.
Under the provisions of the Health (Provision of General Practitioner Services) Act 2012, a GP can enter into a State contract to provide GP services provided he/she is on the Medical Council's Specialist Register in the Speciality of General Practice, irrespective of the number of GPs who are already established in an area.
Under the terms of the General Medical Services and GP Visit Card contracts, the maximum number of medical card or GP visit card patients on a GP's patient panel may not exceed 2,000, or 2,200 if the GP also holds an under 6 contract, except in exceptional circumstances. There is no minimum number of patients specified for a panel.
The State does not prescribe the number of private patients that may be registered with a GP; this is a matter for individual GP practices.
988. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health if funding will be provided for a foundation (details supplied); if the foundation will be included in the palliative care service plan for 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10232/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
