Written Answers Nos. 185-209
185. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the yearly breakdown of ophthalmology waiting list figures between 2016 to the latest date in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12194/21]
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 are 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 HSE continues to optimise productivity through alternative work practices such as the use of alternative settings including private hospitals, community facilities and alternative outpatient settings.
In recent years, my Department has worked with the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to improve access for patients waiting for high volume procedures, including cataracts. Ophthalmology services are provided throughout all hospital groups in the country, with cataract removal one of the key procedures carried out as part of this specialty.
A key development in improving access to Ophthalmology services was the opening of a stand-alone high-volume consultant-led cataract theatre by the University of Limerick Hospital Group in Nenagh Hospital in 2018, with the intention that it would facilitate patients from surrounding geographical areas to avail of their treatment there. The impact of such initiatives can be seen in the reduction in the waiting times to access cataract procedures since 2019. At the end of January 2021 there were 4,634 patients waiting for a cataract procedure compared to 6,437 in January 2019.
€240 million has been provided in Budget 2021 for an access to care fund, €210m of which has been allocated to the HSE and a further €30m to the National Treatment Purchase Fund, to fund additional capacity to address the shortfall arising as a result of measures taken in the context of Covid-19, as well as to address waiting lists.
My Department, the HSE and the NTPF are continuously reviewing waiting lists with a view to ensuring that services for scheduled care are resumed as soon as it is deemed safe to do so in line with HSE clinical guidelines.
The attached document shows the number of persons on the outpatient and inpatient & daycase (IPDC) waiting lists for ophthalmology from 2016 through to January 2021.
186. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of ophthalmology waiting lists by CHO area between 2016 to the latest date in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12195/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
187. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if mental health supports such as counselling and psychotherapy are provided specifically to persons with newly diagnosed vision impairment and sight loss; and the funding breakdown for these services. [12196/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
188. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if he has considered providing specialist mental health supports for the blind and vision impaired; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12197/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
189. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the process for a parent obtaining a companion therapy dog for their child who is on the ASD spectrum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12198/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, recognises the need to improve services for both children and adults with disabilities through better implementation and by working together across Government in a better way.
The Government commits to prioritising early diagnosis and access to services for children and ensuring that the most effective interventions are provided for each child, to guarantee the best outcomes.
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
190. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if he will consider offering Covid-19 vaccinations to 16 to 18 year olds who work in a high risk environment such as a pharmacy or in healthcare in view of the recent inclusion of 16 to 18 year olds with health conditions in the vaccination programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12208/21]
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 began in February.
On the 23rd of February, I announced an update to Ireland’s COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy.
In comprising the initial Vaccine Allocation Strategy, the NIAC listed several conditions associated with increased risk of severe disease and death. In the intervening period, national and international evidence has become available which has enabled a more detailed analysis of underlying conditions that may increase the risk of developing severe disease or death.
The NIAC has now been able to more comprehensively identify those medical conditions and to distinguish between those which place a person at very high or high risk of severe disease if they contract the virus. Medical conditions and the magnitude of the risk they pose will continue to be monitored and periodically reviewed.
The NIAC continues to monitor data around this disease and indeed emerging data on effectiveness of vaccines on a rolling basis.
Further details are available at the following link:
https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/b44b2-minister-donnelly-announces-update-to-vaccine-allocation-strategy/
Frontline healthcare workers (HCWs) in direct patient contact roles will be vaccinated in Group 2. This includes HCWs working in public, private, and voluntary settings. Other HCWs, not in direct patient contact, will be vaccinated in Group 6.
The HSE has published a document on the sequencing of COVID-19 vaccination of frontline healthcare workers, which provides more detail. It is available at the following link:
https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/news/newsfeatures/covid19-updates/covid-19-vaccine-materials/sequencing-of-covid-19-vaccination-of-frontline-healthcare-workers.pdf
191. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health the number of staff including agency staff, front-line staff who are in contact with patients and back office administration staff that are awaiting Covid-19 vaccine; the number of those who have received the vaccine in Sligo University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12209/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
192. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of the number of persons in CHO 1 who have been awarded homecare hours but are still waiting to receive the allotted hours due to a shortage in homecare staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12223/21]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
193. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the position of Irish Sign language home tutors on the Covid-19 vaccination schedule; and when those who teach Irish sign language within students’ homes can expect to receive the vaccine particularly those in the profession who have asthma. [12229/21]
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 began in February.
On the 23rd of February, I announced an update to Ireland’s COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy.
In comprising the initial Vaccine Allocation Strategy, the NIAC listed several conditions associated with increased risk of severe disease and death. In the intervening period, national and international evidence has become available which has enabled a more detailed analysis of underlying conditions that may increase the risk of developing severe disease or death.
The NIAC has now been able to more comprehensively identify those medical conditions and to distinguish between those which place a person at very high or high risk of severe disease if they contract the virus. Medical conditions and the magnitude of the risk they pose will continue to be monitored and periodically reviewed.
The NIAC continues to monitor data around this disease and indeed emerging data on effectiveness of vaccines on a rolling basis.
Further details are available at the following link:
https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/b44b2-minister-donnelly-announces-update-to-vaccine-allocation-strategy/
The ongoing review process will continue to look at the other priority groups yet to be vaccinated, along with the competing needs of those working or living in high-risk situations, carers who deliver essential services to highly dependent individuals in the home setting, and those who are socially vulnerable/disadvantaged.
194. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the reason carers are not considered healthcare workers in relation to the Covid-19 vaccination roll-out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12230/21]
View answerCarers who are healthcare workers are at a very high or high risk of exposure to and/or transmission of the virus (in the first wave of the pandemic, over 30% cases were in healthcare workers).
Whereas, family carers operate in a completely different and more controlled environment and do not have the same risk of exposure to and/or transmission of the virus. They can minimise their contacts, employ physical distancing, hand washing, respiratory and cough etiquette and, hence, minimise their risk of infection and, thereby, the risk of transmitting infection to a vulnerable person.
195. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if the costs of antigen tests are covered by the temporary assistance scheme for nursing homes; the supports in place to help cover the costs of antigen tests in nursing homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12231/21]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
196. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if the costs of antigen tests are covered by the temporary assistance scheme for nursing homes; the supports in place to help cover the costs of antigen tests in nursing homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12232/21]
View answerTesting in Ireland as part of the national testing strategy for public health purposes is free of charge if an individual is referred by a GP, is a close contact of a confirmed case, or is a person being tested as part of a serial testing programmes in specific setting, or as part of a mass testing programme in outbreak settings, and in certain acute healthcare settings to facilitate patient flow and scheduled and unscheduled patient care.
The HSE has been providing a serial testing programme in Residential Care Facilities since 23 June 2020 and this is continuing at present.
197. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the total number of vaccines that Ireland will receive by the end of February, March, April, May and June 2021 (details supplied); the number of vaccines that will be administered by the end of each month in the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12233/21]
View answerIreland is working as part of the EU to secure a safe and stable supply of Covid-19 vaccines and expects to receive up to 1.25 million doses of the three currently approved vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and AstraZeneca) before end March 2021. Vaccine deliveries for the month of March are still being finalised with manufacturers.
Advance planning for April, May and June shows Ireland receiving over 1 million doses per month in Advance Purchase Agreements. The delivery timeframes are still being worked on with manufacturers.
Vaccines continue to be administered very quickly after their arrival into the country, although supply is currently limited by a number of factors including manufacturing constraints. Further significant progress will be made over the coming months, as additional quantities of vaccine supplies arrive into the country and more vaccines are approved for use, which will substantially increase capacity to administer vaccines and reach broader population coverage.
198. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the reason persons (details supplied) have been refused a full medical card; and if their case will be considered to allow them to keep their full medical card. [12234/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
199. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if the case of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12235/21]
View answerUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
In this regard, as the particular query raised is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
200. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if he has given consideration to the ways in which a system could be created to appoint a person as a named visitor to a care home resident and in which that person could be vaccinated in order to allow visits to care homes to take place safely; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12237/21]
View answer213. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to when limited visits by family members to nursing homes in which all residents have been vaccinated against Covid-19 can resume; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12292/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 200 and 213 together.
The impact of COVID-19 on society in general and especially those living in nursing homes has been considerable and this remains a very difficult time for nursing home residents and their families. The importance of continued social interaction of residents and their families cannot be overstated and every effort should be made, in line with public health advice, to ensure that these interactions continue, including through window visits.
Notwithstanding this, it is also important to be cognisant of the wider epidemiological situation and the risks associated with same. On the 19th November, the European Centre for Disease Control published its latest risk assessment with regard to long-term care facilities. It highlights that the probability of COVID-19 introduction into a long-term care facility depends on the level of COVID-19 circulation in the community, with a higher risk associated with higher incidence rates in the community.
Data indicates that 155 nursing homes are actively dealing with a COVID-19 Outbreak. We continue to see new outbreaks being notified with on average, approximately one new outbreak per day being notified in the week up to 27th February. Noting that on 27th February approx. 600 confirmed cases of COVID-19 had been reported, the level of risk, including to residents of nursing homes remains high. The public health advice remains clear as noted in the statement from the National Public Health Emergency Team on 24th February “Given the increased transmissibility of the virus now, we must continue to limit our social contacts and do all we can to starve this disease of opportunities to spread ”.
Nursing home providers are ultimately responsible for the safe care of their residents. Under Regulation 11 of the Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2013 it is the legal responsibility of each registered provider to make arrangements for a resident to receive visitors, having regard to any risks that may present for the resident or other residents. Public health guidance has been developed in order to assist and support providers in this regard.
I recently wrote to all nursing home providers, through HIQA’s communication portal, to emphasise the importance of adopting a holistic and person-centred approach, noting the important role that visiting, social connections and communication with family and friends has in the context of residents’ overall health and wellbeing. The importance of ensuring that visits take place to the greatest extent possible, in line with public health guidance and risk assessments was reiterated and providers were encouraged to frequently communicate with residents and families on the matter of visiting and to respond to phone to calls by family members, in so far as is practicable, given the constraints on staff.
The Government’s revised plan, COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021 - The Path Ahead, published on 23rd February, recognises that the challenge of balancing protective health measures and normal living has been particularly important in the context of visitations to long-term residential care settings (LTRC). LTRC visiting guidance has remained under ongoing review throughout the pandemic.
In light of the advanced stage of rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine in LTRCs for both residents and staff, the NPHET (the National Public Health Emergency Team) has requested that the HSE progress a process for considering the scope and application of LTRC visiting restrictions in the context of the Framework of Restrictive Measures, having regard to international and national evidence, the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine and the level of disease in the community. The HSE has commenced this process.
201. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the funding provided by the HSE to ShannonDoc in each of the years 2016 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form. [12245/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
204. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter in relation to visits at care homes (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12260/21]
View answerThe impact of COVID-19 on society in general and especially those living in nursing homes has been considerable and this remains a very difficult time for nursing home residents and their friends and families.
Nursing home providers are ultimately responsible for the safe care of their residents. Under Regulation 11 of the Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2013 it is the legal responsibility of each registered provider to make arrangements for a resident to receive visitors, having regard to any risks that may present for the resident or other residents. Public health guidance has been developed in order to assist and support providers in this regard.
I recently wrote to all nursing home providers, through HIQA’s communication portal, to emphasise the importance of adopting a holistic and person-centred approach, noting the important role that visiting, social connections and communication with family and friends has in the context of residents’ overall health and wellbeing. The importance of ensuring that visits take place to the greatest extent possible, in line with public health guidance and risk assessments was reiterated and providers were encouraged to frequently communicate with residents and families on the matter of visiting and to respond to phone to calls by family members, in so far as is practicable, given the constraints on staff.
I have been advised that HIQA, the Health Information and Quality Authority have been made aware of this case, as independent regulator HIQA is the appropriate body to raise concerns with, in respect of the management of visits. As a regulator HIQA has no formal legal role in examining individual complaints, however, the Authority does take into account all information it receives, including complaints from the public, when carrying out inspections.
Nursing home providers also have legal obligations under the Coroners Act; the oversight of the Coroner Service rests with the Minister for Justice. My Department has referred this matter to the Minister for Justice for her attention and consideration in relation to the matters relating to the Coroner Service.
205. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to reports of inconsistencies in the distribution by the HSE of the Covid-19 vaccine among general practitioners in south Connemara (details supplied); the actions he is taking to rectify these inconsistencies which are causing confusion and concern in the local community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12261/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
206. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health when a vacancy in Kilbarrack east and west mental health services (details supplied) will be filled; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12267/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
207. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health the status of the mental health services at the pine and ash wards in Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12273/21]
View answer208. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health the mental health services that are currently available at Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12274/21]
View answer209. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health the number of staff, the role of each and availability of each that are currently attached to the mental health services at Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12275/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 207, 208 and 209 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
