Written Answers Nos. 1828-1853
1828. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the availability of ultrasound scans at weekends in acute hospitals; if there is a discrepancy in availability across the country; if his attention has been drawn to the backlogs and issues being caused within the health system by the lack of CT availability at weekends; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15612/21]
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 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.
The work of the HSE to improve access to elective care and reduce waiting times for patients is supported by the National Treatment Purchase Fund. This included 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.
€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. This will be used 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.
In relation to the specific query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1829. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health if improvements are planned across the health system for women experiencing miscarriages including awareness campaigns for all medical personnel, including sonographers, nurses, doctors and administrative staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15614/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1830. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health when the main and lead pain consultant specialists for children’s pain management will be in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15620/21]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1831. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the funding allocated to each cross-Border health and social care service for each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15621/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1832. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he will advise on a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15622/21]
View answerThe NPHET is currently considering the issue of updated guidance for those who are fully vaccinated.
The issue of guidance for vaccinated healthcare workers with underlying health conditions is under consideration by the HSE.
1833. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if external recruitment agencies used by the HSE are required to follow the same codes of practice as the HSE during direct recruitment; the name of the codes of practice; if recruitment agencies are informed by the HSE of the codes of practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15624/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
1834. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if a company (details supplied) is involved in the recruitment of contact tracers or in the running of contact tracing centres; the role it plays in same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15625/21]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1835. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the figure for contact tracer staff retention since the Covid-19 contact tracing centres opened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15626/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
1836. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if complaints about working conditions have been received in the contact tracing centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15627/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1837. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the job descriptions of clinical and non-clinical contact tracers, respectively; the differences in the two roles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15628/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1838. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if contact tracers have access to passenger locator form data in order to trace close contacts of confirmed cases on arriving flights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15629/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1839. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners certified lactation consultants holding specialist posts in each maternity unit. [15635/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1840. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of breast pumps available in each maternity unit. [15636/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1841. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if there is a specific budget for the provision of breastfeeding supplies in maternity hospitals and units; if so, the way this budget compares with that of formula supplies (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15637/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1842. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of medical interns offered a post in 2020; the number accepted; the number of medical graduates that year; if every medical graduate had an intern post offered in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15639/21]
View answerIn 2020 a medical intern position was offered by the HSE to 1,295 applicants. The number of applicants that accepted this offer and commenced working with the HSE was 992.
It is not necessary to be a graduate of an Irish medical school to be eligible to apply for an internship position with the HSE. The 1,295 eligible applicants would have included graduates from Irish Medical Schools but also included graduates from Medical schools in the UK and Poland. A graduate also has a period of two years from when they have graduated to apply for an internship. In previous years 734 medical internship positions were available. The measures put in place in 2020 were emergency measures in direct response to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Over the past number of weeks, my Department and the HSE have been reviewing the option to increase the number of medical intern places for July 2021. I have announced an increase of 120 medical intern posts for July 2021. The increase in the number of intern places will be supported with accompanying increases in postgraduate training places, to ensure these doctors can avail of the next step in the training pathway following completion of an internship.
Over the next number of months, the HSE will be undertaking a formal review of the number of intern posts and postgraduate training positions to ensure the number of intern places are in line with future medical workforce planning requirements of the health service. As part of this review the clinical sites where additional intern posts are most needed will be considered to ensure that the current configuration provides the most efficient and educationally appropriate model.
1843. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will review the qualifying conditions under the medical cannabis access programme; if there is evidence to include chronic pain as a qualifying condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15640/21]
View answerThe Health Products Regulatory Authority’s “Cannabis for Medical Review Use – A Scientific Review” advised that treatment with cannabis is only permitted under a controlled access programme for the treatment of patients with;
a. Spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis resistant to all standard therapies and interventions whilst under expert medical supervision;
b. Intractable nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy, despite the use of standard anti-emetic regimes whilst under expert medical supervision;
c. Severe, refractory (treatment-resistant) epilepsy that has failed to respond to standard anticonvulsant medications whilst under expert medical supervision.
The programme, included in the HSE Service Plan for 2021, will operate on a five year pilot basis.
1844. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the current information for surgeons on the vaccination of patients awaiting surgery; if Ireland is following the same model as the UK (details supplied); if non-urgent elective surgery is taking place on patients who have yet to receive the vaccination, particularly those identified in the at-risk category; the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15641/21]
View answerOn the 23rd of February 2021, 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 next cohort to be vaccinated (Cohort 4) are those aged 16-69 and at very high risk of severe illness and death. Vaccination of this group began in March.
It is important to emphasise that vaccination is only one part of our response to the prevention of COVID-19 infection. People who are vaccinated need to continue with all the public health measures that have been proven to reduce the risk of infection, i.e., limiting our social contacts, physical distancing, wearing a mask, hand hygiene, cough etiquette and avoiding non-essential travel until a sufficiently large proportion of the population are immune.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1845. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health his views on the new payment system put in place for long-stay charges in residential homes run by an organisation (details supplied) in 2017; the reason these payment rates have almost doubled; the reason the payments vary depending on a nurse being on duty in cases in which the nurse is already paid for being on duty; the reason for the cost; the purpose for which the cost is used; the areas to which the costs are directed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15647/21]
View answerThe Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1846. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to families struggling to cover the cost of long-stay charges in residential homes run by an organisation (details supplied) since costs were increased in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15648/21]
View answerThe Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1847. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the geographical location of the two new inpatient unit hospices being considered for palliative care in CHO8. [15670/21]
View answerThe 2001 National Palliative Care Policy states that that all regions across Ireland should have access to a full range of palliative care services which includes a Level 3 inpatient unit (hospice). In line with national policy and the HSE’s Palliative Care Services Development Framework 2017-2019, hospices are planned for Drogheda (30-36 beds) and Tullamore (16-20 beds) in CHO8.
A site within the grounds of the Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore has been made available for the hospice in Tullamore and funding has been secured through the HSE Capital Estates Programme to prepare initial outline drawings.
The hospice for the north-east is to be located on a site donated by the Medical Missionaries of Mary directly adjacent to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda. A planning application is due to be submitted shortly.
The HSE is closely working with local hospice groups and philanthropy to progress these developments.
1848. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the status of plans to develop two new palliative units in the CHO8 region in terms of timescale, location, capacity and funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15671/21]
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.
1849. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) is waiting so long for a medical appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15672/21]
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.
Under 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.
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.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1850. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase funding for services that provide support for eating disorders by the end of 2021; if so, the amount of additional funding that will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15674/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1851. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that the HSE secures a permanent general practitioner for Kilrush, County Clare, as a matter of urgency (details supplied). [15676/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1852. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health if those with chronic cardiac conditions will be included in cohort 4 for Covid-19 vaccination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15679/21]
View answer1853. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if matters raised by a person (details supplied) regarding accessing Covid-19 vaccinations for cardiac patients will receive a response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15680/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1852 and 1853 together.
On the 23rd of February 2021, 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 next cohort to be vaccinated (Cohort 4) are those aged 16-69 and at very high risk of severe illness and death. Vaccination of this group began in March.
It is important to emphasise that vaccination is only one part of our response to the prevention of COVID-19 infection. People who are vaccinated need to continue with all the public health measures that have been proven to reduce the risk of infection, i.e., limiting our social contacts, physical distancing, wearing a mask, hand hygiene, cough etiquette and avoiding non-essential travel until a sufficiently large proportion of the population are immune.
